Language: English with bilingual summary in English and Maori
The genus Izatha only occurs in New Zealands, with 40 species now recognized. Most of them are superbly camouflaged when resting on the trunks of trees so that they resemble bark or lichen, and they have been popularly named lichen tuft moths as a result.
Despite their interesting form and ecological significance, the study of these moths has been neglected and 15 new species are described in Fauna of New Zealand, No 65: Izatha (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea: Oecophoidae), which represents an increase of 60% over the 25 previously known. Fauna of New Zealand, No 65: Izatha (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea: Oecophoidae) covers the classification, distribution, ecology and biology alonside information about new species, keys, sexual selection and sexual antagonism.
The adults of all species are described and illustrated in colour.