Orocrambus aethonellus is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1882. It is endemic to New Zealand. O. aethonellus has been recorded from the South Island. The habitat favoured by this moth includes sand hills and bogs from sea level up to altitudes of about 1,200 meters.
Taxonomy O. aethonellus was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1882 and originally named Crambus aethonellus. Meyrick gave a fuller description of this species in May 1883. George Hudson, in his 1928 book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand, discussed this species under the name Crambus aethonellus. In 1975 D. E. Gaskin revised New Zealand Crambini and placed this species in the genus Orocrambus. The lectotype specimen, collected at Mount Hutt by R. E. Fereday, is held at the Natural History Museum, London.
Description
The wingspan is 13–20 mm for males and 15–21 mm for females.
Meyrick described this species as follows:
Distribution This species is endemic to New Zealand.
Habitat and hosts The habitat favoured by this moth includes sand hills and bogs from sea level up to altitudes of about 1,200 meters.
Behaviour Adults have been recorded on wing from late October to late January.
References