Brindled Bell Moth
Epalxiphora axenana
TORTRICIDAE: Tortricinae 7
Epalxiphora axenana (Meyrick, 1881). F.L. 10-16 mm. Endemic. Widespread & Common.
Extremely variable and striking species.
Habitat, seasonality and behaviour 8
Adults are commonly found from mid-August to April in native forest. Individuals are occasionally found resting inconspicuously on vegetation by day, looking like a broken piece of twig; later they fly at night and come to light in small numbers.
Life history 8
According to Hoare, 2014 "Larvae feed on a range of forest trees and shrubs from between spun leaves, apparently preferring those with relatively large and succulent leaves. Host plants include broadleaf, toro, kawakawa and kohekohe. The larva pupates in or near the feeding place, or sometimes in a spun shoot of, e.g., hangehange under the host tree".
Sources and Credits
- (c) Phil Bendle, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Phil Bendle
- (c) Maurice, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Maurice
- (c) Tony Steer, all rights reserved, uploaded by Tony Steer
- George Vernon Hudson , no known copyright restrictions (public domain), http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fig_45_MA_I437624_TePapa_Plate-XXV-The-butterflies_full_(cropped).jpg
- George Vernon Hudson , no known copyright restrictions (public domain), http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fig_48_MA_I437624_TePapa_Plate-XXV-The-butterflies_full_(cropped).jpg
- George Vernon Hudson , no known copyright restrictions (public domain), http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fig_51_MA_I437624_TePapa_Plate-XXV-The-butterflies_full_(cropped).jpg
- Adapted by Tony Steer from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epalxiphora_axenana
- (c) Tony Steer, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
More Info
iNaturalist NZ Map
| Body | crested thorax |
|---|---|
| Forewing | 9+ mm |
| Labial palps | pointing forwards |
| Resting posture | horizontal, rolled around body |
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