Orthoclydon praefactata

Orthoclydon praefactata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae
Genus: Orthoclydon
Species: O. praefactata
Binomial name
Orthoclydon praefactata
Walker 1861

Orthoclydon praefactata, the Flax Looper Moth, is a moth of the Geometridae family. It is native to New Zealand.[1]

Description

Wing span 38–45 mm. The male moth is a pale brown and the female a glossy white.[2]

Images from Landcare Larger Moths of New Zealand

Distribution and habitat

The moth is widely distributed throughout New Zealand.[2]

The habitat/food plant for this moth is the native flax Phormium tenax.[2]

Life cycle

Eggs

Eggs are straw coloured and are laid on the underside of the flax leaf.[2]

Larva

The caterpillar is a brown/green colour . It has with three dark red lines on its back, and a yellow line on each flank, When fully grown it is approximately 2.5 cm long.[2]

Adult

Adult moths are seen in all the summer months.[2]

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Orthoclydon praefactata.
Wikispecies has information related to: Orthoclydon praefactata
  1. ↑ Orthoclydon at funet
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Gaskin, D E (1966). The Butterflies and Common Moths of New Zealand. Christchurch: Whitcombe and Tombs Limited. p. 133.
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