This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1889 and named Proterocosma aellotricha.[2] Meyrick, when first describing the species, used two specimens collected in Hamilton in January.[2] In 1915 Meyrick placed this species within the genus Pyroderces.[3] The female lectotype, collected in Hamilton, is held at the Natural History Museum, London.[4]
Description
Meyrick described the species as follows:
♂♀. 10-12mm. Head and thorax reddish - ochreous; face ochreous-whitish. Palpi white, second joint with three ochreous rings, terminal joint with three black rings. Antennae white, ringed with black. Abdomen grey, towards base pale-ochreous. Legs whitish, banded with blackish. Forewings elongate, very narrow, long-pointed; vein 5 separate, 6 present; reddish-ochreous, tending to become whitish-ochreous round markings and towards base of inner margin; markings ochreous-white, closely irrorated with black; an irregular oblique fascia from 1⁄4 of costa, not reaching inner margin, emitting a short streak from posterior edge above middle; an irregular somewhat 8-shaped spot in middle of disc, from upper part of which proceeds an irregular streak to costa before apex; an irregular ochreous-whitish streak along hindmargin from apex to anal angle; a black apical dot : cilia light ochreous-greyish, round apex reddish-ochreous, with a blackish basal line and two blackish apical hooks. Hindwings with veins 6 and 7 stalked; grey; cilia pale-grey, ochreous-tinged.[2]
Distribution
This species is found in New Zealand, including at the Kermadec Islands, in Tasmania, Australia and in Rarotonga in the Cook Islands.[5][6] Other than its type locality it has also been collecting in Whangārei.[7]
Hosts
Raupō, a larval host species.
The larvae of this species feed on ripening seed heads of raupō, and stored maize cobs.[6][8]
