Gold-flecked Dryadaula

Dryadaula pactolia

DRYADAULIDAE 4

Dryadaula pactolia (Meyrick, 1901). Endemic.

Habitat, seasonality and behaviour 5

According to Hudson (1928) the perfect insect appears from January till March, but recent observations suggest a longer flight period. Found in forest.

Life history 5

Larvae are said to feed on Fungi such as Rhacodium cellare (Persoon, 1794) later Zasmidium cellare (spore shooting fungi). Phytophagous.

Sources and Credits

  1. (c) Stephen Thorpe, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Stephen Thorpe
  2. (c) Stephen Thorpe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Stephen Thorpe
  3. George Vernon Hudson , no known copyright restrictions (public domain), http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fig_13_MA_I437912_TePapa_Plate-LI-The-butterflies_full_(cropped).jpg
  4. Adapted by Tony Steer from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dryadaula_pactolia
  5. (c) Tony Steer, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

More Info

iNaturalist NZ Map

Forewing 2-5 mm, elongate, tornal cilia
Labial palps curved upwards
Resting posture horizontal, roof-like