Hierodoris stella
Hierodoris stella is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and occurs in Auckland, Taranaki, Hawkes Bay, Bay of Plenty and Wellington. As at 2005 the larvae of this species is unknown as is its host plant. The adult moth frequents forest and are on the wing in January and February. It is classified as "At Risk, Relict'" by the Department of Conservation. Taxonomy. This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1914 using a specimen collected at Kauri Gully, Auckland by Stella Hudson and named "Coridomorpha stella". George  Hudson illustrated and discussed the species in his 1928 book "The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand". In 2005 Robert J. B. Hoare placed this species within the genus "Hierodoris". The type specimen of this species is held at the Natural History Museum, London. Description. Meyrick described the species as follows: Distribution. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It occurs in Auckland, Taranaki, Hawkes Bay, Bay of Plenty and Wellington. This species has been collected at Kauri Glen Reserve in Northcote and in Karori. Biology and lifecycle. The larvae of this species is unknown as is much of the  biology of this species. The adults of this species are on the wing in January and February. George Hudson noted that the female moth appeared to mimic a bug when at rest or walking. The antennae of the moth as well as its posture when at rest makes it appear like a "Romna capsoides". It has been hypothesised that this is protective mimicry for the moth as the bug it imitates has an objectionable taste and odour. Host species and habitat. The plant host species of "H. stella" are unknown. The adult moth frequents forest. Conservation status. This moth is  classified under the New Zealand Threat Classification system as being "At Risk, Relict".