C. paterna was described by Alfred Philpott in 1926 using a male specimen collected by Stuart Lindsay on the 31 March 1923.[2][3]George Vernon Hudson illustrated the type specimen of the moth in his 1928 publication The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand.[4] Although the type locality given by Philpott is Little River, evidence suggests that this locality is incorrect.[5] The genus level classification of New Zealand endemic moths within the genus Cnephasia is regarded as unsatisfactory and is under revision.[5] As such the species is currently also known as Cnephasia (s.l.) paterna.[6] The type specimen is held at Canterbury Museum.[5]
Description
Philpott described the species as follows:
21 mm. Head and palpi fuscous mingled with reddish. Antennae dark fuscous, annulated with whitish, swollen at joints, ciliations 3+1⁄2. Thorax leaden-fuscous. Abdomen greyish-fuscous. Legs ochreous-white mixed with fuscous, anterior pair fuscous, tarsi narrowly annulated with white. Forewings elongate-triangular, costa slightly arched at base, thence straight, apex round-pointed, termen straight, strongly oblique; leaden fuscous, densely strigulated with blackish and with scattered reddish scales; costal fold small, about 1⁄7; a strong outwardly-oblique fascia from costa at apex of fold, yellow mixed with red; a similarly-coloured fascia, preceded by numerous red scales, from costa before middle, outwardly oblique, parallel-sided, reaching about 1⁄3 across wing; a yellow-and-red spot on costa before apex; some indefinite white marks on apical area: fringes grey with a reddish basal line. Hindwings grey strigulated with fuscous: fringes whitish-grey.[2]
Distribution
This species is endemic to New Zealand[6][7] and has only been found in the South Island.[5] The type specimen remained unique until the species was rediscovered by Brian Patrick on the 28 May 2012 at Saddle Hill, Banks Peninsula.[5][8] This locality remains the only site where this species has been found.[5]
Habitat
The rediscovery of the species occurred on south-eastern slopes at an altitude of 750-800m amongst the snow tussock Chionochloa rigida.[5][9]
Life history and biology
Much information on biology and life cycle of this moth is yet to be discovered and the species has not yet been reared.[5] Patrick hypothesises that the larvae of this species feed in silken tunnels and that they have an annual life-cycle.[5] Adults emerge in the late autumn or early winter.[5] Hudson records the insect being collectable at the end of March.[4] The female of this species is short wings and flightless, which inhibits the dispersal of the species.[5] The male of the species are active during the day and are regarded as fast flyers.[5]
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