Erechthias hemiclistra is a species of moth of the family Tineidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1911. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in both the North and South Islands. It inhabits native forest and has an affinity for species in the genera Phormium, Cortaderia and Cordyline, likely as a result of its larvae feeding on dead fibre sourced from plant species in these genera. Adults are on the wing from September to April but are most commonly observed in December and January. Adults are also attracted to light.
E. hemiclistra was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1911 and was originally named Decadarchis hemiclistra. Meyrick obtained the specimens for this original description from George Hudson who reared this moth from caterpillars and cocoons obtained at MÃÂkara using the flower stems of Chionochloa conspicua. In 1914 Meyrick assigned this species to the genus Erechthias. In 1927 Alfred Philpott studied and illustrated the male genitalia of specimens of E. hemiclistra. George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in his 1928 book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand. In 1988 John S. Dugdale confirmed the placement of this species in the genus Erechthias. The female lectotype originating from MÃÂkara is held at the Natural History Museum, London.
Hudson described the larva of this species as follows:
The larva of this species is similar in appearance to that of Erechthias terminella but is somewhat larger.
Hudson also described the pupa as follows:
Meyrick originally described the adults of this species as follows:
E. hemiclistra is endemic to New Zealand. It has been observed in both the North and South Islands. Hudson regarded this species as uncommon.
The food of the larvae of E. hemiclistra is likely dead monocotyledonous fibre such as the dead flower stalks of Phormium and Cortaderia. Adults have been beaten from cabbage trees and have been observed on Cordyline indivisa.
Reared adults have emerged in November and February. Adults in the wild are on the wing from September until April but are most commonly observed in December and January. Adults of this species are attracted to light and have been collected via this trapping method.