Ochetarcha

Ochetarcha
Ochetarcha sp. (undescribed) illustration by Des Helmore
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Tortricidae
Subfamily:
Tortricinae
Genus:
Ochetarcha

Meyrick, 1924
Species:
O. miraculosa
Binomial name
Ochetarcha miraculosa
(Meyrick, 1917)
Synonyms
  • Olindia miraculosa Meyrick, 1917

Ochetarcha is a genus of moths belonging to the subfamily Tortricinae of the family Tortricidae.[1] It contains only one described species, Ochetarcha miraculosa, also known as the ponga stem borer, which is found in New Zealand.

Description

The mature larva of this species is coloured a creamish-yellow and is between 15 and 20 mm long.[2]

The wingspan is about 23 mm. The forewings pale-brownish, strigulated with purplish-grey. The extreme costal edge is whitish-ochreous and there is some purplish suffusion towards the base of the costa. The hindwings are dark grey.[3]

Behaviour

The larva of this species create a sticky cone formed from its waste on the stems of its host plant.[2] The larvae consume the fronds of its host toward the tip of stem and make tunnels of between 8 and 10 mm long.[2] When at rest the adult moth holds its wings at a v-shaped angle.[2] The adult moths are on the wing from December to March.[2]

Hosts

The larval host of this species Cyathea dealbata.[2]

References

  1. ^ Baixeras, J.; Brown, J. W. & Gilligan, T. M. "Online World Catalogue of the Tortricidae". Tortricidae.com. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Andrew Crowe (2004). Life-Size Guide to New Zealand Native Ferns: Featuring the unique caterpillars which feed on them. p. 27. ISBN 0-14-301924-4. Wikidata Q115211440.
  3. ^ Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand 1868-1961; Volume 49, 1916 Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
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