- Source: Stathmopoda aristodoxa
Stathmopoda aristodoxa is a species of moth in the family Stathmopodidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.
Taxonomy
This species was described by Edward Meyrick in 1926 using a specimen collected in Gollan's Valley, Wellington in November by George Hudson. Hudson discussed and illustrated the species in his 1928 book The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. He also adding to the recorded localities of this species in 1939. The holotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London.
Description
Meyrick described this species as follows:
♂. 13 mm. Head silvery-white, crown grey. Palpi white. Thorax shining white, shoulders dark grey, edged posteriorly with some ferruginous scales. Forewings narrowed from near base, acute; pale ochreous; costal edge suffused dark grey from base to 1⁄3, thence undefined broader violet-grey costal suffusion to 2⁄3; an oblique blotch of dark violet-grey suffusion from base of costa, whence a slender ferruginous-brown partially grey-suffused supramedian streak runs to just below apex, its apex enlarged into a wedge-shaped spot; two shining snow-white dorsal blotches reaching supramedian streak, first semicircular, second suboval, inwards-oblique, these preceded, separated, and followed by spots of orange-ferruginous suffusion somewhat marked irregularly dark grey; some orange-ferruginous suffusion along termen except at apex: cilia grey, on costa mixed pale ochreous. Hindwings rather dark grey; cilia grey.
Distribution
S. aristodoxa is endemic to New Zealand. Other than the type locality, this species has been recorded at Pohangina. This species is also regarded as being present in Auckland.
Biology and life cycle
Adult moths of this species are on the wing in November.
Host species and habitat
As this moth belongs to the genus Stathmopoda its larvae, like those of other species in the genus, may feed on scale insects.
Conservation status
This species has been classified as having the "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.
