#eudonia

Bug of the Occasional Day

Originally described as Xeroscopa asterica, in 1884, by Edward Meyrick, based on specimens from Arthur's Pass, Mount Hutt, and Lake Wakatipu. In 1913 he moved it to Scoparia. In 1988 John S. Dugdale moved it to Eudonia.

Endemic to the North and South Islands, from sea level up to about 1350m, most often in native podocarp/hardwood forests. Since there are still SOME native trees in the mountains around Queenstown, this individual probably came from there.

Adults are on the wing from December until March, and rarely as early as October and November. They are attracted to light and sugar traps. I couldn't find any information on the foodplant of the caterpillars.

Better photo here, from later in the trip

Previously known as Crambus sabulosellus, Crambus sabulosella, Scoparia sabulosella, and Witlesia sabulosella.

Endemic to New Zealand, including the Chatham Islands, Stewart Island and the Auckland Islands.

Another Eudonia, and one of four species I saw on the trip, but the common name is fairly generic and refers to quite a few turf-feeding caterpillars. This one DOES eat grass, but also feeds on moss and lichen.

Originally described as Scoparia leptalea, but in 1988 John S. Dugdale reassigned it to Eudonia and misspelt the specific epithet.

One of the Moss-eating Snout Moths, endemic to Aotearoa and the Chatham Islands. Eudonia has roughly 250 species, spread worldwide, although some island species may be extinct. Most eat mosses, some eat lichens, and a few are thought to feed on other plants including pearlwort.

Another endemic Crambid first described by Francis Walker, in 1863.

The larvae feed on lichens, mosses and grass. Adults have been feeding a variety of native flowers.

Described in 1927, by Alfred Philpott, as Scoparia oculata. George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in 1939 in his 'A supplement to the butterflies and moths of New Zealand ' under that name. 49 years later it got moved to Eudonia.

A Crambid moth supposedly endemic to the South Island, but it's also been recorded from the south end of the North Island, and from the Chathams.

The caterpillars probably eat moss.

Yessss exactly the same! Oh the first one is just brilliant eventhough lábus says "hary" there :'D