Tasmantrix tasmaniensis
Encyclopedia
Tasmantrix tasmaniensis is a moth
of the Micropterigidae
family. It is known from in wet forests of western Tasmania
.
The forewing length is 3.7 mm for males. The forewing ground colour is rich brown with strong coppery-bronze iridescence. The basal costal streak is absent but there are four primary shining white fasciae and two secondary patches. The first is a large oblique costal blotch at mid-length, separated from a smaller blotch on the termen in the same position. The second consists of two similar blotches at three quarters on the costa and the termen, but with rows of black scales along the veins. Finally, a small, indistinct streak of paler scales about halfway along the cubital sulcis and a few pale scales in the apex of the wing. The fringes are grey-brown with white tips but wholly white adjacent to the fasciae. The hindwing is dark grey scaled with bronzy lustre.
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 Micropterigidae
Micropterigidae
Micropterigoidea is the superfamily of "mandibulate archaic moths", all placed in the single family Micropterigidae, containing currently about 20 living genera. They are considered the most primitive extant lineage of Lepidoptera ....
family. It is known from in wet forests of western Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
.
The forewing length is 3.7 mm for males. The forewing ground colour is rich brown with strong coppery-bronze iridescence. The basal costal streak is absent but there are four primary shining white fasciae and two secondary patches. The first is a large oblique costal blotch at mid-length, separated from a smaller blotch on the termen in the same position. The second consists of two similar blotches at three quarters on the costa and the termen, but with rows of black scales along the veins. Finally, a small, indistinct streak of paler scales about halfway along the cubital sulcis and a few pale scales in the apex of the wing. The fringes are grey-brown with white tips but wholly white adjacent to the fasciae. The hindwing is dark grey scaled with bronzy lustre.