Leptocroca xyrias Meyrick 1931

Leptocroca xyrias is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. The taxonomy of this species is in need of revision and L. xyrias likely belongs to a separate genus. It is endemic to New Zealand. It has been classified as Data Deficient by the Department of Conservation.

Taxonomy

This species was described by Edward Meyrick in 1931 from a specimen collected at "Blackmillar" (Black Miller Stream) at Kikoura by Stewart Lindsay in December.^[1][2][3] George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in his 1939 publication A supplement to the Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand.^[4] The genus level classification of this species is regarded as unsatisfactory.^[5] As such the species is also known as Leptocroca (s.l.) xyrias.^[6] The holotype specimen is held at the Canterbury Museum.^[2]

Description

Meyrick described the species as follows:

♂︎. 18mm. - Head, thorax light brownish, slightly sprinkled fuscous. Palpi fuscous, tips of joints whitish. Antennal ciliations 1. Forewings elongate, costa gently arched, apex obtuse, termen very obliquely rounded ; brown, suffusedly irrodated fuscous on costal half, except posteriorly ; a slightly raised dark fuscous dot beneath fold at 1⁄4 ; cilia light grey, basal half overlaid paler, outer third whitish-grey. Hindwings grey, suffusedly irrorated darker on posterior half ; cilia light grey, outer third-whitish grey.^[1]

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand.^[7][6] It is only known from its collection site in Kaikoura.^[3]

Biology and behaviour

This species is on the wing in December.^[4]

Conservation status

This species has been classified as having the "Data Deficient" conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.^[8]

References

Leptocroca xyrias is een vlinder uit de familie van de sikkelmotten (Oecophoridae).^[1] De wetenschappelijke naam van de soort is voor het eerst geldig gepubliceerd in 1931 door Meyrick.