Tingena is a genus of the concealer moth family (Oecophoridae).[2] This genus is endemic to New Zealand.[1]
Tingena | |
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Tingena armigerella | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Oecophoridae |
Genus: | Tingena Walker, 1864[1] |
Synonyms[2] | |
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This genus was described by Francis Walker in 1864.[3] The type species is Tingena bifaciella Walker, by original monotypy.[2] Tingena bifaciella has been synonymised with Tingena armigerella.[2] As at 2021 this genus is regarded as being in need of revision.[4] There are also several species in this genus that are as yet undescribed.[2]
The larvae of species within the genus Tingena are active in New Zealand's mid to late summer and slowly continue to mature throughout the autumn and winter.[5] In late spring or early summer they then pupate.[5]
The larvae of all species within the genus Tingena feed on leaf litter and often larvae of species within this genus coexist in the same area.[5] The larva weave two leaves together with silk forming a cocoon like structure in which they live and from which they feed.[5] These cocoons can be found underneath the layer of loose dry leaf litter but above the layer of moist compacted composing leaf matter.[5] As the larva grows it extends the silken tunnels in which it lives ensuring it can move to new feeding sites.[5] When feeding the larva produces a large amount of frass.[5] It has been hypothesised that the smell of this frass attracts parasitic wasps that utilise Tingena larvae as hosts for their offspring.[5]
Muehlenbeckia australis is a known host of species in the genus Tingena with the larvae feeding on the fallen leaves of this plant.[6]
Species in this genus include:[1][7]
Taxon identifiers |
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