Elusive moth shows up in Katikati

An elusive species of native moth unseen in New Zealand for almost 20 years has surfaced in Katikati.

And according to Landcare Research scientist Robert Hoare, the insect's disappearing act may simply be down to the fact that unlike other moths, they are not attracted to bright lights.


Lindeman Road's Wonder-haired prophet – or the Thambotricha vates. Photos: Bryce McQuillan.

A wonder-haired prophet, or Thambotricha vates, was recently found in native bush in the Bay of Plenty town near Lindeman Road.

The rarely seen moth was caught in a net in broad daylight, while Robert does most of his trapping at night using a bright light.

'I've been in New Zealand for 17 years and that was the first time I've ever found that moth,” says Robert.

'Having light-trapped for years and years and years, I never found it by the normal technique.”

He believes this indicates the moth is not drawn to strong lights as opposed to other species.

The discovery came as an 'amazing surprise” says Robert, and he admits he hardly expected to find anything as he made his way through native forest along a track off Lindemann Road.

Despite the lack of sightings, he believes there's no reason to think the moth is rare or endangered. 'It is a positive sign that the sightings are so widespread from Northland to Nelson,” says Robert.

Another one was found a couple of weeks later by photographer Bryce McQuillan, who photographed Robert's discovery.

The moth hasn't been seen since Robert's predecessor John Dugdale caught one in Taranaki in 1996. Only 15 or so have ever been caught since it was first discovered in Wellington in 1922.

The catch, according to Robert, was pure luck.

'It took me about half a second to realise what it was,” he says. 'I was delighted. It was a rather long time since I'd found anything particularly wonderful.”

The Thambotricha vates Hoare found is a female. The male is distinctive as it has very long hairs on its antenna.

It's hoped the moth's DNA may reveal clues about its host plant. Little is known about the mysterious moth aside from the fact that it lives in native forest.

'The caterpillar has a specific host plant it feeds on,” ads Robert. 'Discovering that host will give us the most important piece of information needed to preserve the species.”


Robert Hoare usually traps moths at night.

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2 comments

Phew

Posted on 22-04-2015 15:23 | By peecee09

Thank God they found one. My life is now complete.


Lol

Posted on 22-04-2015 19:09 | By Kenworthlogger

That comment made me laugh peecee09. Thanks!


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