Ecclitica torogramma

This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1897 using specimens collected by George Hudson in Wellington and named Cacoecia torogramma.[2][4]

Illustration of male.

The larva is small and green with a brown head and when mature is under 10 mm in length.[3]

Meyrick described the adult female of this species as follows:

♂♀ 19 mm. Head and thorax whitish-ochreous, slightly reddish-tinged. Palpi moderately long. Antennal ciliations in ♂ 1. Forewings suboblong, costa rather strongly arched, termen sinuate, rather oblique, costal fold in ♂ short, basal ; whitish-ochreous, reddish-tinged, or mixed with pale reddish and whitish ; outer edge of basal patch straight, very oblique, dark fuscous or red-brown ; central fascia evenly broad, straight, very oblique, edged with dark fuscous or red-brown streaks, posterior not reaching tornus, in ♀ followed by a wedge-shaped whitish costal spot reaching half across wing, dark-edged posteriorly. Hindwings whitish-fuscous, rather darker in ♀.[4]

This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the North Island and in the northern parts of the South Island.[5][6]

This species inhabits native forest.[6] Its larval host plant is the silver fern.[6]

The larvae create a nest for themselves by weaving the growing tips of the fronds of its host plant together with silk webbing.[3] They consume these fronds during spring and summer.[3] Adults of this species are on the wing from September to February. Adults are nocturnal although they can sometimes be seen flying during the day when disturbed. They are attracted to light.[6] The adult moths can often be located during the day, hiding on the underside of fronds of their host plant.[3]