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.
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]
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]
This species is endemic to New Zealand.[7][6] It is only known from its collection site in Kaikoura.[3]
This species is on the wing in December.[4]
This species has been classified as having the "Data Deficient" conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.[8]
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.