# Petasactis

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***Petasactis*** is a [genus](/source/Genus) of [moths](/source/Moth) belonging to the [family](/source/Family_(taxonomy)) [Tineidae](/source/Tineidae). It contains only one species, ***Petasactis technica***, which is [endemic](/source/Endemism) to [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealand). This species has not been collected since prior to 1888. It is classified as "Data Deficient" by the [Department of Conservation](/source/Department_of_Conservation_(New_Zealand)).

## Taxonomy

This genus was described by [Edward Meyrick](/source/Edward_Meyrick) in 1915.[1][3] The species was also described by [Edward Meyrick](/source/Edward_Meyrick) in 1888 and named *Ereunetis technica* using a female specimen he collected at [Whangarei Heads](/source/Whangarei_Heads) in December.[4][5] In 1915 Meyrick reassigned this species to the genus *Petasactis* when he revised New Zealand [Tineina](/source/Tineinae).[1] [George Hudson](/source/George_Hudson_(entomologist)) discussed this species in his 1928 book *The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand.*[6] The [holotype](/source/Holotype) specimen is held at the [Natural History Museum, London](/source/Natural_History_Museum,_London).[5]

## Description

Meyrick described the species as follows:

Female.—12 mm. Head white, crown ochreous-tinged. Palpi white, beneath with some black scales. Antennæ white, with a black scale-streak at base. Thorax ochreous-white, with a lateral brownish-ochreous stripe. Abdomen grey. Anterior legs blackish; middle and posterior legs ochreous-white. Forewings elongate - lanceolate; greyish - ochreous, suffused with rather dark fuscous towards inner margin; markings white, faintly ochreous-tinged; a very fine longitudinal median line from base to 2⁄3, seven wedge-shaped strigulae from costa, first two very oblique, reaching half across wing, first connected with base by a slender costal streak, five latter shorter and less oblique; a subtriangular spot on inner margin at 1⁄3, and a sub-oval one at 2⁄3, a small black apical spot: cilia light greyish-ochreous, with a blackish-grey median line on upper half, some white scales at base towards middle of hindmargin, and two diverging blackish hooks at apex. Hindwings and cilia light grey; costal cilia whitish.[4]

## Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand.[7][2] This species is only known to be present at its type locality.[8]

## Biology and behaviour

The biology of this species is largely unknown.[8] Adult moths are on the wing in December.[4]

## Host species

It has been hypothesised that *P. technica* larva inhabit and consume dead leaves of large [monocots](/source/Monocotyledon) or dead wood.[8]

## Conservation status

This species has been classified as having the "Data Deficient" conservation status under the [New Zealand Threat Classification System](/source/New_Zealand_Threat_Classification_System).[9] It has not been collected since Meyrick obtained the type specimen.[10]

## References

1. ["Petasactis Meyrick, 1915"](http://www.nzor.org.nz/names/f7269688-7a67-4914-890e-bfbda23341a2). *www.nzor.org.nz*. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 2018-02-15.

1. ["Petasactis technica (Meyrick, 1888)"](http://www.nzor.org.nz/names/1da06ae4-abaa-4b82-ad01-ed052c4ff666). *www.nzor.org.nz*. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 2018-02-15.

1. Meyrick, E. (1915). ["Revision of New Zealand Tineina."](https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/3343217). *Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute*. **47**: 205–244. – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.

1. Meyrick, E. (1888). ["Descriptions of New Zealand Tineina."](https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/3746403). *Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute*. **20**: 77–106. – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.

1. Dugdale, J. S. (1988). ["Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190722101744/https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/26324/FNZ14Dugdale1988.pdf). *Fauna of New Zealand*. **14**: 63. Archived from [the original](https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/26324/FNZ14Dugdale1988.pdf) on 22 July 2019. Retrieved 15 February 2018.

1. Hudson, G. V. (1928). [*The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand*](http://www.bugz.org.nz/WebForms/ResultDetails.aspx?CurrentDoc=C7E94865-492F-45DA-9777-CC8E1E8B1438&back=true&NewDoc=true&searchType=1&SearchString=G.V.+Hudson). Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. p. 337. [OCLC 25449322](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/25449322)

1. Gordon, Dennis P. (ed.) (2010). *New Zealand inventory of biodiversity. Volume two. Kingdom animalia : chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils*. Vol. 2. Christchurch, N.Z.: Canterbury University Press. p. 464. ISBN 9781877257933. [OCLC 973607714](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/973607714)

1. Patrick, B. H. & Dugdale., J. S. (2000). ["Conservation status of the New Zealand Lepidoptera"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170501193054/http://doc.org.nz/Documents/science-and-technical/sfc136.pdf). *Science for Conservation*. **136**: 29. ISBN 0478218672. [ISSN 1173-2946](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1173-2946). Archived from [the original](http://www.doc.org.nz/Documents/science-and-technical/sfc136.pdf) on 2017-05-01. Retrieved 2018-06-02. – via Department of Conservation.

1. Hoare, R.J.B.; Dugdale, J.S.; Edwards, E.D.; Gibbs, G.W.; Patrick, B.H.; Hitchmough, R.A.; Rolfe, J.R. (2017). ["Conservation status of New Zealand butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera), 2015"](http://www.doc.govt.nz/Documents/science-and-technical/nztcs20entire.pdf). *New Zealand Threat Classification Series*. **20**: 5.

1. ["NZTCS Lepidoptera Spreadsheet"](https://www.doc.govt.nz/Documents/getting-involved/consultations/2013/nztcs/nztcs-lepidoptera.xls). *www.doc.govt.nz*. 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2018.

## External links

- [Image of type specimen of Petasactis technica](https://web.archive.org/web/20100518201829fw_/http://landcareresearch.co.nz/research/biosystematics/invertebrates/lepidoptera/cgi-bin/bug.pl?1525071?19130.0000)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Petasactis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petasactis) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petasactis?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.