Exciting moth find today!! Will Frost found a Nationally Endangered NZ moth species, the elusive and still not properly named *Scythris* species 'stripe'. This is (about) the eighth time this moth has been recorded, ever.

It's so far only been found on Kaitorete Spit and in the native tusocklands of Christchurch city’s Port Hills. The moths have mostly been seen on flowers of the native *Oxalis exilis*, and this is likely the host plant for its caterpillars.

It's a small but distinctive moth with a stylish stripe, and had previously only been seen in April to late May. Will’s find is the first from June.

Every observation counts as we piece together its natural history and habitat requirements, to figure out how rare it really is and what we can do to help it

https://www.inaturalist.nz/observations/369223683

https://www.inaturalist.nz/observations?nelat=-43.382235713&nelng=173.35958541&preferred_place_id=6803&swlat=-44.013958573&swlng=171.99839583893092&taxon_id=211586

#mothodon #lepidoptera #nz #conservation #EndangeredSpecies #iNaturalistNZ #iNaturalist #Scythris #entomology #insects