About Izatha peroneanella (Walker, 1864)
Izatha peroneanella (Walker, 1864) is a moth species. Males of this species have a wingspan ranging from 15 to 24.5 mm, while females have a wingspan ranging from 17 to 29.5 mm. This moth has pale green forewings marked with patches of raised black scales, which provide effective camouflage when the moth rests on lichens. The species shows variable colouration: the pale green forewings may sometimes appear white, and in another colour form, the black tufts of scales are brown instead. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It occurs in the North Island, but is not found on the Aupouri Peninsula. It is commonly found in areas near native forest. The larvae of this species have been recorded feeding on the dead wood of a range of angiosperm species, and they bore tunnels into this wood. Larvae usually prefer standing dead trees over dead wood lying on the forest floor. Larvae have been reared from the following host taxa: Alseuosmia species, Carpodetus serratus, Coprosma grandifolia, Coriaria arborea, Fuchsia excorticata, Notelaea species, Pseudopanax arboreus, Ripogonum scandens, Sophora species and Wisteria species.
