Kiwaia pumila
Kiwaia pumila is a moth in the family Gelechiidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as Nationally Vulnerable by the Department of Conservation. Taxonomy. This species was described by Alfred Philpott in 1928 and named "Gelechia pumila." Philpott used specimens collected by Stuart Lindsay in Yaldhurst in May. George Vernon Hudson discussed and illustrated the species in 1939. In 1987 Klaus Siegfried Oskar Sattler placed this species in the genus "Kiwaia". The type specimen is held at the Canterbury Museum. Description. Philpott described the species as follows: Distribution. "K. pumila" is endemic to New Zealand . Its range covers Marlborough, Mackenzie country and mid Canterbury. As well as the type locality of Yaldhurst, specimens have been collected at Clarence Bridge and Lake Pukaki, as well as on McLeans Island in Christchurch. Life cycle and habitat. Adult moths are on the wing in March. The species is associated with damp patches in grass habitat. Host plants. The host plant for this species is unknown. Conservation Status. This species has the "Nationally Vulnerable" conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.