Metachanda drypsolitha
| Metachanda drypsolitha | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Oecophoridae |
| Genus: | Metachanda |
| Species: | M. drypsolitha
|
| Binomial name | |
| Metachanda drypsolitha Meyrick, 1930
| |
Metachanda drypsolitha is a species of moth in the oecophorine tribe Metachandini. It was first described by the British entomologist Edward Meyrick in 1930.[1] Its type locality is Mauritius, an island nation in the Indian Ocean.[2]
Taxonomy
Metachanda drypsolitha belongs to the genus Metachanda, which was established by Meyrick in 1911 for a group of small oecophorine moths found mostly in the Afrotropical and Indomalayan regions.[3] The tribe Metachandini includes species with concealed larval habits typical of the subfamily Oecophorinae.[4]
Distribution
This species is endemic to Mauritius, an island in the southwestern Indian Ocean. Specimens have been recorded from the type locality, but there is limited data on its wider range.[2] Mauritius hosts diverse endemic Lepidoptera, many of which are threatened by habitat loss.[5]
Description
The original description by Meyrick (1930) is the primary source of information for this species. Metachanda moths are generally small with narrow wings and subtle coloration adapted for concealment.[6] More detailed morphological information can be found in the type specimen collection held by the Natural History Museum in London.[7]
Ecology
There is no specific ecological information published for M. drypsolitha. However, related Metachanda species are known to have larvae that feed on detritus or fungi in forested habitats.[8] Such feeding habits are typical of the Oecophorinae.[9]
Conservation status
As of 2025, Metachanda drypsolitha has not been assessed by the IUCN.[10] Being an island endemic, its population could be affected by deforestation and invasive species, which are significant threats to Mauritius’ native fauna.[11]
References
- ^ Beccaloni, G.; Scoble, M.; Kitching, I.; Simonsen, T.; Robinson, G.; Pitkin, B.; Hine, A.; Lyal, C., eds. (2003). "Metachanda drypsolitha". The Global Lepidoptera Names Index. Natural History Museum. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
- ^ a b De Prins, J. & De Prins, W. (2018). "Metachanda drypsolitha Meyrick, 1930". Afromoths. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
- ^ Clarke, J.F.G. (1965). Catalogue of the Type Specimens of Microlepidoptera in the British Museum (Natural History) described by Edward Meyrick. Volume 5. London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). pp. 1–581.
- ^ Hodges, R.W. (1998). "The Gelechioidea". Handbook of Zoology. IV (35): 131–158.
- ^ "The Biodiversity of Mauritius". Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ^ Meyrick, Edward (1930). Exotic Microlepidoptera. Vol. 4. London: Taylor and Francis. pp. 513–528.
- ^ "NHM Microlepidoptera Type Collection". Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ^ Heppner, J.B. (1984). "Foodplants of World Microlepidoptera". Memoirs of the Lepidopterists' Society. 5: 1–250.
- ^ Common, I.F.B. (1990). "Moths of Australia". Moths of Australia. Melbourne University Press: 1–535.
- ^ "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species". Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ^ Cheke, A.S. (1987). The Ecology of the Mascarenes. Vol. 55. Monographiae Biologicae. pp. 5–88.