Pyrgotis arcuata is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. This species was first described by Alfred Philpott in 1915. It is endemic to New Zealand. It has been observed in both the North and South Islands. P. arcuata inhabits lowland forests with adults being on the wing from October until May. Larvae feed on Dacrycarpus dacrydioides.
Taxonomy This species was first described by Alfred Philpott in 1915 and originally named Capua arcuata. George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species under this name in his 1928 book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand. In 1971 John S. Dugdale placed this species in the genus Pyrgotis. The male holotype specimen collected by Philpott in Invercargill is held in the New Zealand Arthropod Collection.
Description
Philpott first described this species as follows:
This species is similar in appearance to a dull specimen of Pyrgotis plinthoglypta. However P. arcuata differs considerably in the detailed markings.
Distribution This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found in both the North and South Islands.
Behaviour Adults of this species are on the wing from October until May.
Habitat and host species
P. arcuata inhabit lowland forests. The larvae feed on Dacrycarpus dacrydioides.
References