Hyposmocoma liturata
Encyclopedia
Hyposmocoma liturata is a species of moth
of the Cosmopterigidae
family. It is endemic to Oahu
and Hawaii
. The type locality is Kona, where it was collected on an altitude of 4,000 feet.
The larvae probably feed on lichens on rocks and on Pipturus
. The larvae make lichen-covered cases.
Moth
A moth is an insect closely related to the butterfly, both being of the order Lepidoptera. Moths form the majority of this order; there are thought to be 150,000 to 250,000 different species of moth , with thousands of species yet to be described...
of the Cosmopterigidae
Cosmopterigidae
Cosmopterigidae is a family of insects in the Lepidoptera order. These are small moths with narrow wings whose tiny larvae feed internally on the leaves, seeds, stems, etc of their host plants. There are about 1,500 described species...
family. It is endemic to Oahu
Oahu
Oahu or Oahu , known as "The Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous of the islands in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The state capital Honolulu is located on the southeast coast...
and Hawaii
Hawaii (island)
The Island of Hawaii, also called the Big Island or Hawaii Island , is a volcanic island in the North Pacific Ocean...
. The type locality is Kona, where it was collected on an altitude of 4,000 feet.
The larvae probably feed on lichens on rocks and on Pipturus
Pipturus
Pipturus is a flowering plant genus in the nettle family, Urticaceae.-Selected species:* Pipturus albidus A.Gray ex H.Mann – Māmaki * Pipturus arborescens C.B.Rob., 1911...
. The larvae make lichen-covered cases.