Orocrambus punctellus
# Orocrambus punctellus

Orocrambus punctellus is a species of moth in the family Crambidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation.

## Taxonomy

It was described by George Vernon Hudson in 1950 using a specimen collected by George Howes at Portobello in Dunedin and named Crambus punctellus. In 1975 D. E. Gaskin transferred this species to the genus Orocrambus. The holotype specimen is held at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

## Description

Hudson described the species as follows:

   The expansion of the wings is 7⁄8 inch (23 mm.). The fore-wings are rather elongate, with the costa slightly arched, and the termen moderately oblique; pale creamy-white; basal third on dorsum very faintly suffused with brownish-ochreous; a broad, ill-defined, brownish-edged transverse band beyond this, followed by a large, conspicuous, dark brown discal spot; a finely dentate subterminal line, strongest towards dorum, and a much fainter line beyond this; outer third of costa and tornal area very faintly suffused with pale brown; an obscure brown mark on costa at about 3⁄4. Head white. Palpi long, stout, whitish, densely speckled with brown towards apex. Thorax and abdomen brownish-ochreous. Hindwings whitish-ochreous. Cilia almost white.

## Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand. It has only been recorded from the type locality at Otago Peninsula.

## Biology and behaviour

Very little is known of the biology of this species. The host species for the larvae of this moth is unknown. Adults have been recorded on wing in March.

## Conservation status

This species has been classified as having the "Data Deficient" conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.

