Observations on <i>Philobota</i> sp (Lepidoptera Oecophoridae) near Hamilton in 2012

Abstract

Two species of Philobota (Lepidoptera Oecophoridae) have been confirmed to be present in New Zealand These are P chionoptera found near Napier and Cape Kidnappers and an unnamed species ANIC5 belonging to the P hydara group found at Ruakura Research Centre Hamilton In spring 2012 a light trap confirmed the presence of a selfsustaining population of the latter at Ruakura Emergence commenced 1 October peaked on 30 October and the last moth was trapped on 3 December Prior to the peak males dominated the female population by 151 while after the peak the ratio was reduced to 141 Both mated and unmated females were collected and the maximum fecundity was 120 eggs The moth was confirmed at a site 2 km from the Research Centre A parasitoid Anacis sp (Ichneumonidae Cryptini) was collected in a cage containing Philobota sp ANIC5 pupae