Xanadoses nielseni (Hoare & Dugdale, 2003). Endemic. Rare.
New Zealand's only member of the family Cecidosidae.
The larvae of this moth mine the bark of host plants Weinmannia racemosa, W. silvicola, Nothofagus fusca, Myrsine salicina, and Quintinia serrata, resulting in "scribble" patterns being formed on the bark of these trees.
According to Hoare, the favoured hostplant around Auckland, based on old bark mines, seems to be Quintinia, whilst another potential host nearby would be Knightia excelsa.
Body | spiky-head |
---|---|
Forewing | 2-5 mm, metallic |
Antennae | laid back |
Resting posture | body horizontal, wings roof-like |