Trachydora sp. nr pygaea

2 A Gelechioid moth at Melba, ACT

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Identification history

Trachydora sp. nr pygaea	7 Dec 2022	donhe
Trachydora sp. nr pygaea	7 Dec 2022	ibaird
Trachydora (genus)	13 Jan 2022	ibaird
Trachydora pygaea	7 Jan 2022	kasiaaus

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7 comments

kasiaaus wrote:

7 Jan 2022

Specimen collected for Glenn

ibaird wrote:

7 Jan 2022

A new species record fot CNM (subject to confirmation). See also:-
https://bie.ala.org.au/species/urn:lsid:biodiversity.org.au:afd.taxon:ac43a6b4-2206-43ca-8d61-dbd644cb1219

GlennCocking wrote:

12 Jan 2022

These excellent photos record the moth well even though the moth is closed-winged, and the specimen was provided which allowed the hindwings and abdomen to be taken into account and the body structures considered more closely. It is an undescribed species of Parametriotinae (the subfamily containing Leptozestis and Trachydora) which has been recorded regularly on Black Mountain over the years, and now in Canberra suburbia, at Melba. It appears on BOLD as Leptozestis spANIC44. It looks similar to the described Trachydora pygaea (which may be Letozestis SpANIC 35 on BOLD) that has been recorded on the NSW north coast. BOLD analysis suggests that these two groups are different species. It would be reasonable to call this specimen Trachydora sp in CNM.

ibaird wrote:

13 Jan 2022

I've allocated this to Gelechiodea, although should it rather be in Other Moths given you say its in the subfailiy Parametriotinae of the family Elastichidae?

donhe wrote:

13 Jan 2022

AFD has no entry for Parametriotinae.
AFD puts Leptozestis and Trachydora in Chrysopeleiinae (in Cosmopterigidae in Gelechioidea).
Also, Leptozestis Sp ANIC 35 on BOLD has a black head and thorax, whereas Turner's description of Trachydora pygaea says it has a white head and thorax, like Leptozestis Sp ANIC 44 on BOLD.
AFD puts Elachistidae in Gelechioidea.

GlennCocking wrote:

13 Jan 2022

The details of this are difficult. In writing for Moths in the ACT, the latest taxonomy is used, ie Gelchioidea/Elachistidae/Parametriotinae, and the book will be released soon. But this taxonomy isn't in AFD, and likely won't be for some time, that's why I suggested calling this species Trachydora sp. on CNM. Elachistidae has always been part of the Gelechioidea, and that's where Elachista correctly appears on CNM , along with Cosmopterigidae. I don't think you can rely fully on head colour, as it is variable in some species. I don't know a clear distinction between Leptozestis and Trachydora, and there may not be one. I think Trachydora sp is the best way to treat this on CNM, as it seems to be close to the described T. pygaea..

ibaird wrote:

7 Dec 2022

After discussion with Glenn Cocking today (7/12/22) we agreed to create the new category Trachydora sp. nr pygaea to best categorize this species, given the degree and nature of uncertainty that exists. See Glenn's comments above.

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