Description of a new species of Crambidae: Crambinae (Lepidoptera) from New Zealand

Abstract

Orocrambus geminus n. sp. (Crambidae: Crambinae) is described from male specimens found in several low alpine sites in wetter parts of Central Otago, New Zealand. The distinctive, nocturnally active males are associated with Chionochloa rigida snow tussock areas. Flight period, altitudinal range, and details of the localised distribution are given. Characters of genitalia place it in the “vittellus” group of Crambinae. Conservation of the species is regarded as dependent on maintaining continuous and healthy snow tussock grassland within its range in Otago.

Keywords:

• Lepidoptera
• Crambidae
• Orocrambus
• geminus n. sp.
• Chionochloa rigida
• Lammermoor Range
• Umbrella Mountains
• Old Man Range
• Mt Tennyson
• grassland conservation