Epichorista abdita
Species of moth endemic to New Zealand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Epichorista abdita is a species of moth in the family Tortricidae.[1] This species was first described by Alfred Philpott in 1924. It is endemic to New Zealand.
| Epichorista abdita | |
|---|---|
| |
| Illustration of genitalia of the male and female of E. abdita. | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Clade: | Pancrustacea |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Tortricidae |
| Genus: | Epichorista |
| Species: | E. abdita |
| Binomial name | |
| Epichorista abdita Philpott, 1924 | |
Taxonomy
This species was first described by Alfred Philpott in 1924 using specimens collected on the Mount Arthur tableland in the first week of March.[2] In 1928 George Hudson discussed E. abdita in his book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand discussing it as a form of Epichorista emphanes.[3] In 1928 Alfred Philpott also discussed and illustrated the male genitalia of this species treating the moth as a distinct species.[4] In another 1928 article Philpott pointed out that the male genitalia of E. abdita showed "markedly different structural peculiarities".[5] In 1939 Hudson again discussed E. abdita this time as a synonym of E. emphanes in his publication in A supplement to the butterflies and moths of New Zealand.[6] John S. Dugdale discussed this moth as a species in his 1988 publication.[7] However as at 2025, this species is regarded as being taxonomically unresolved as it likely belongs to another genus.[8] It is therefore also known as Epichorista (s.l.) abdita.[1] The male holotype specimen is held at the New Zealand Arthropod Collection.[7]
Description
Philpott described this species as follows:
♂. 11+1⁄2–13 mm. Head, palpi, and thorax bright reddish-ochreous. Antennae in male ciliated, 1+1⁄2. Abdomen dark fuscous. Legs ochreous-whitish, tarsal segments annulated with fuscous. Forewings, costa strongly arched at base, apex rectangular, termen very slightly oblique, rounded beneath; bright ochreous-reddish; markings very obscure; five or six fuscous dots on basal half of costa; traces of some leaden-white fasciae at 1⁄3 apical half of wing with numerous obscure waved leaden-white fasciae, visible only under magnification; central fascia indicated by a clear reddish area on costa at middle: fringes ochreous-reddish, tips paler. Hindwings dark fuscous: fringes greyish-fuscous, with basal band and the tips round termen tinged with ochreous.[2]
In one example the markings are quite obsolete and the ground-colour is much paler.[2] It is a smaller and duller species than the similar in appearance E. emphanes and also has longer antennal ciliations.[2]
Distribution
Behaviour
The adults of this species are on the wing in March.[2]
