Ericodesma melanosperma is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1916. It is endemic to New Zealand.
Taxonomy This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1916 using a specimen collected by George Hudson at Arthur's Pass and named Tortrix melanosperma. In 1928 George Hudson discussed and illustrated this moth in his book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand. In 1971 John S. Dugdale placed this species in the genus Ericodesma and also described the larva of the species. The male holotype is held at the Natural History Museum, London.
Description
Meyrick described this species as follows:
Distribution This species is endemic to New Zealand. This species can be found in the South Island, Stewart Island and its islets and also Auckland and Campbell Islands. This species can be found in the subalpine zone to sea level.
Behaviour Adults are on the wing in January.
Habitat and hosts
This species inhabits The larvae feed on Dracophyllum longifolium.
References