Ecological observations of the eastern Volcanic Plateau endemic grassmoth Ororcrambus jansoni

Abstract

A survey for threatened moth and butterfly species of the Department of Conservation's Tongariro-Taupo Conservancy successfully searched for and found the rarely collected grassmoth Orocrambus jansoni Gaskin, 1975 (Crambidae; Crambinae). The grassmoth was found at six sites on the Desert Road, and further northeast at the Rangitaiki Frost Flats. The species is diurnal in both sexes, but the females were found to be more reluctant to fly than the males. From observations of the females a possible host grass was identified as Rytidosperma pulchrum. From our observations of abundance and distribution, and the fact that the known habitats are on Crown Land managed for conservation, the species is not threatened with extinction.