Planotortrix avicenniae
| Planotortrix avicenniae | |
|---|---|
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| Planotortrix avicenniae in the New Zealand Arthropod Collection (NZAC) - Ko te Aitanga Pepeke o Aotearoa | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Tortricidae |
| Genus: | Planotortrix |
| Species: | P. avicenniae
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| Binomial name | |
| Planotortrix avicenniae | |
| Synonyms | |
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Planotortrix avicenniae is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North Island. Its larvae feed on mangrove trees.
Taxonomy and etymology
[edit | edit source]This species was first described in 1990 by John S. Dugdale.[1][2] The holotype specimen is held in the New Zealand Arthropod Collection. The species name refers to Avicennia, the genus of the larval host plant.[2]
Description
[edit | edit source]The female of the species can be difficult to distinguish from the females of P. excessana and P. octo.[2] However, the larvae of P. avicenniae are distinctive.[2] Unlike the green headed and bodied larvae of P. excessana and P. octo, they are grey-greenish in colour and have a brownish head.[2]
Distribution
[edit | edit source]This species is endemic to New Zealand.[1][3] It has been observed only in the North Island in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Coromandel, and the Bay of Plenty.[2]
Biology and behaviour
[edit | edit source]The larvae of this species web together and feed on the leaves of their host plant.[4]
Habitat and host species
[edit | edit source]The larvae feed only on the mangrove tree species Avicennia marina.[4][5]
References
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