''Thyrocopa apatela'', the grasshopper moth or Haleakala flightless moth, is a
species of
brachypterous (flightless)
moth from the Hawaiian island of
Maui
The island of Maui (; Hawaiian: ) is the second-largest of the islands of the state of Hawaii at 727.2 square miles (1,883 km2) and is the 17th largest island in the United States. Maui is the largest of Maui County's four islands, which ...
.
A new species of flightless, jumping, alpine moth of the genus ''Thyrocopa'' from Hawaii
This species appears to be undergoing severe range reduction. Although it was found as low as 1,524 meters in the 1970s, recent collecting indicates it is now restricted to areas above 2,900 meters. This may be the result of the range expansion of introduced ants on Haleakalā.
The length of the forewings is 8–11 mm. Adults are on wing from May to August. It is largely diurnal, though they occasionally come to light. Adults are mostly collected while hopping between sunny rocks.
The larva is likely a generalist, feeding on ''Dubautia
''Dubautia'' is a genus of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. The genus was named after Joseph Eugène DuBaut (1796-1832), an officer in the French Navy who participated in Freycinet's expedition.
The entire genus is endemic to Hawaii. I ...
'' and other plant species found in the alpine scrub of Haleakalā's high-elevation areas. Larvae have also been found feeding on wind-blown debris under small rocks.
References
External links
*
*
apatela
Endemic moths of Hawaii
Biota of Maui
Moths described in 1907
{{Xyloryctidae-stub