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Izatha mesoschista
Izatha mesoschista is a moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. TaxonomyThis species was described by Edward Meyrick in 1931[1] using seven specimens collected by George Hudson in Wellington during the months of December and January.[2] Hudson discussed and illustrated the species in his 1928 work The butterflies and moths of New Zealand under the name Izatha balanophora[3] but later corrected his taxonomic error in 1939.[4] DescriptionThe larva of this species has not been described.[5] The adult moth has a wingspan of 15.5–21 mm for males and 17–25 mm for females.[5] Adults are on wing from October to February.[5] The appearance of the adult moths of this species is variable and as a result it was originally confused with Izatha balanophora.[5] However it can be distinguished from this species as I. mesoschista has a bold black line in the middle of the disk on its forewings.[2] This line also assists in distinguishing I. mesoschista from Izatha epiphanes.[5] Other than using their collection location as a guide, it is difficult to distinguish between I. mesoschista and Izatha haumu.[6] I. haumu is found at the top of the North Island and I. mesochista is present south of this locality, over the rest of the North Island.[7] However a male I. mesoschista can be distinguished from both I. haumu and I. epiphanes by the species characteristic three pronged tip of its genitalia.[5] DistributionI. mesoschista is endemic to New Zealand.[8][9] This species has been found throughout the North Island, except the Aupouri Peninsula, Hawkes Bay or the Wairarapa.[5] It is regarded as one of the most common and widespread species in the genus Izatha to be found in the North Island.[5] Host plants Specimens have been reared from Populus species, presumably from the dead wood, and also from pine logs.[5] Larvae of this species have also been extracted or reared from Coriaria arborea and Coprosma species.[7] Trapping techniquesThis species is readily attracted to light.[5] References Wikimedia Commons has media related to Izatha mesoschista.  Wikispecies has information related to Izatha mesoschista.
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