Record of an upland grassland moth in a coastal salt marsh in Otago, New Zealand

Abstract

Abstract The tortricid moth “Eurythecta” leucothrinca Meyrick is here recorded from coastal salt marsh for the first time. The species is known from a number of sites, from eastern Canterbury to northern Southland, all in montane to sub-alpine grasslands. The female is very short-winged (brachypterous), which indicates that the species has limited dispersal ability. The flight-period of the adult males is April to early June in montane to sub-alpine areas, but in the salt marsh on Rabbit Island, Blueskin Bay, it was found flying in late June. Both populations of adults are diurnal. Possible reasons for the presence of the moths in the salt marsh are suggested by reference to past tectonic events in eastern Otago. This observation emphasises the conservation value of the salt marsh on Rabbit Island.