Overview
Glaucocharis leucoxantha is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1882. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in the North, South and Stewart Islands. This species inhabits native forest. Hudson states this species can be met with in South Island native beech forests at elevations of from 1,500 to 2,500 feet above the sea-level. Larvae of Glaucocharis species feed on mosses and liverworts. Adults are on the wing from November until February. This species is very variable in colouration and can be confused with G. lepidella. However it is smaller in size and the crescent shaped spot on its forewings is white or yellow rather than the silver of G. lepidella.
Taxonomy
This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1882 and named Diptychophora leucoxantha. Meyrick gave a fuller description of this species in 1883 and explained he based his description on one specimen collected in January near Lake Wakatipu. George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species under that name in his 1928 book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand. In 1929 Alfred Philpott studied the male genitalia of this species. In 1971 David Gaskin placed this species in the genus Pareromene. However in 1985 Gaskin recognised that Glaucocharis must take precedence over Pareromene and placed G. leucoxantha into that genus. The male holotype specimen, collected by R. W. Fereday, is held at the Natural History Museum, London.
Description
Meyrick described this species as follows: The forewing colouration of this species is extremely variable. Gaskin stated the silvery veins in the subterminal region of the forewing are also diagnostic.
Distribution
This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is found in the North, South Islands and Stewart at lowland to subalpine altitudes.
Habitat and hosts
G. leucoxantha inhabits native forest. Hudson stated that he had observed this species in the South Island in native beech forests at elevations of from 1,500 to 2,500 feet above the sea-level.
Behaviour
Adults are on the wing from November to February. This species rests with the wings drawn backwards and flat forming a triangle; the fore- and intermediate legs are extended and the antennae placed close together along the midback. Hudson pointed out that the rich orange-brown colouring on the forewing resembles that of a faded leaf.