Apoctena clarkei

Apoctena clarkei, also known as the umbrella fern bell moth, is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It is found in New Zealand, where it is only found on the North Island.

Apoctena clarkei
Male holotype specimen
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Tortricidae
Genus:
Apoctena
Species:
A. clarkei
Binomial name
Apoctena clarkei
(Philpott, 1930)[1]
Synonyms
  • Tortrix clarkei Philpott, 1930

Description

The larvae of this species are coloured yellow to greenish and have a pale brown head.[2] When mature they are approximately 25mm long.[2]

Behaviour

The larva of this species create silk webbing around the fronds of its host and hide within that structure.[2] They will emerge from it to feed.[2] The adult moth is on the wing in the New Zealand summer.[2]

Hosts

The larvae feed on Sticherus species including Sticherus cunninghamii.[3][2]

References
  1. tortricidae.com
  2. Andrew Crowe (2004). Life-Size Guide to New Zealand Native Ferns: Featuring the unique caterpillars which feed on them. p. 15. ISBN 0-14-301924-4. Wikidata Q115211440.
  3. J.S. 1990: Reassessment of Ctenopseustis Meyrick and Planotortrix Dugdale with descriptions of two new genera (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). New Zealand journal of zoology, 17(3): 437-465.
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