''Ctenopseustis filicis'', also known as ginger ponga leaf-tyer, is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the South and Stewart Islands.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by John Stewart Dugdale in 1990. The male holotype specimen, collected on the Glory Track at Bluff Hill, is held in the New Zealand Arthropod Collection.

Description

The larva is small and has a brown head. The wingspan of the adult moth is 19–24 mm for males and 22–28 mm for females.

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand and can be found on the South and Stewart Islands.

Habitat and host species

The larvae feed on '' Dicksonia squarosa,

Dicksonia fibrosa ''Dicksonia fibrosa'', the golden tree fern, whekī-ponga or kuripaka (in Māori) is a species of medium-sized tree fern native to New Zealand. ''D. fibrosa'' has a thick, soft and fibrous rusty brown trunk. It holds on to its dead leaves produ ...

, Cyathea colensoi, Cyathea dealbata'' and '' Cyathea smithii''.

Behaviour

The larvae of this species create a shelter by tying together the fronds of its host species with silk webbing. Larvae can be found all year round hiding in their shelter. The adult moth can be seen all year round but most frequently in October.

Etymology

The species name refers to the host plant and is derived from Latin ''felix'' (meaning fern).

References

Moths described in 1990 Archipini Moths of New Zealand Endemic fauna of New Zealand Taxa named by John Stewart Dugdale Endemic moths of New Zealand {{Archipini-stub