Glyphipterix achlyoessa

This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1880 and named Phryganostola achlyoessa.[3][2] Meyrick used material he collected at the Wellington Botanic Garden at dusk in January.[2][3] In 1915 Meyrick placed this species in the genus Glyphipteryx.[4] George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species under the name Glyphipteryx achlyoessa in 1928.[5] In 1986 the genus Glyphipteryx was judged an unjustified emendation of Glyphipterix Hübner so this species is now known as Glyphipterix achlyoessa.[6] The male holotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London.[2]

Female Glyphipterix achlyoessa.

Male Glyphipterix achlyoessa.

Meyrick described the species as follows:

Head and thorax whitish-grey. Palpi whitish-grey, mixed with dark fuscous, second joint beneath with a long loose prejecting fringe of hairs. Antennae dark fuscous. Abdomen elongate, dark fuscous. Legs pale ochreous-grey. Fore-wings elongate, narrow, hind-margin strongly sinuate below apex; pale whitish-grey, faintly strigulated transversely with darker; a few solitary black scales, tending to be arranged longitudinally on fold and lower median vein ; cilia whitish, with an obscure dark fuscous apical hook, basal f separated by a blackish line and dark smoky-grey. Hind-wings and cilia fuscous-grey.[3]

This moth is endemic to New Zealand and found throughout the country.[1][7] It is regarded as being common.[5][8]

This species is on the wing from October to December.[9] When disturbed it is likely to fly a short distance before landing on a grass stem.[5]

Larval host species Dactylis glomerata.

This species prefers to inhabit meadows and grassy open spaces.[5] It appears to prefer introduced grass species.[5] A host plant for this species is Dactylis glomerata.[10][11] Larvae have also been found boring into Juncus species.[9]