''Asterivora symbolaea'' is a species of moth in the family Choreutidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in Arthur's Pass. This species lives in subalpine habitat. Adults of this is on the wing in January and February. Larvae are hosted by '' Celmisia prorepens.''

Taxonomy

This species was described by Edward Meyrick, using specimens collected at Arthur's Pass at 3000 to 3500 ft in January, and named ''Simaethis symbolaea''. In 1927

Alfred Philpott Alfred Philpott (15 December 1870 – 24 July 1930) was a New Zealand museum curator, entomologist and writer. He was born in Tysoe, Warwickshire Warwickshire (; abbreviated Warks) is a county in the West Midlands region of England. The ...

studied the male genitalia of this species. In 1928 George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species under that name in his book ''The butterflies and moths of New Zealand''. In 1979

J. S. Dugdale ''J. The Jewish News of Northern California'', formerly known as ''Jweekly'', is a weekly print newspaper in Northern California, with its online edition updated daily. It is owned and operated by San Francisco Jewish Community Publications In ...

placed this species within the genus ''Asterivora''. In 1988 Dugdale confirmed this placement. The male lectotype specimen, collected at Arthur's Pass, is held at the Natural History Museum, London.

Description

This species was described by Meyrick as follows:

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in Arthur's Pass.

Habitat

This species lives in subalpine habitat.

Behaviour

Adults of this species is on the wing in January and February.

Host species

A host for the larvae of this moth is '' Celmisia prorepens.'' Moths have been raised from larvae obtained on this plant.

References

External links

Lectotype specimen image
{{Taxonbar, from=Q4810720 Asterivora Moths of New Zealand Endemic fauna of New Zealand Moths described in 1888 Taxa named by Edward Meyrick Endemic moths of New Zealand