# Philocryptica

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***Philocryptica*** is a [monotypic](/source/Monotypic_taxon) genus of [moths](/source/Moth) belonging to the subfamily [Tortricinae](/source/Tortricinae) of the family [Tortricidae](/source/Tortricidae).[3][4] It contains only one species, ***Philocryptica polypodii***, the **leather-leaf star-miner**, which is [endemic](/source/Endemism) to [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealand). This species has been recorded in both the [North Island](/source/North_Island) and the [South Island](/source/South_Island), as far south as [Banks Peninsula](/source/Banks_Peninsula). The preferred habitat of this species is native forest where the species' larval host is present. The larvae feed on *[Pyrrosia eleagnifolia](/source/Pyrrosia_eleagnifolia)*, mining the host plant leaves. *P. polypodii* pupates within the final blotch-mine. Adults are on the wing in November and December.

## Taxonomy

The genus was first described by [Edward Meyrick](/source/Edward_Meyrick) in 1923.[2] The species was first described by Morris Watt in 1921 using a darkly marked species in the [Wellington Botanic Gardens](/source/Wellington_Botanic_Garden) and named *Harmologa polypodii*.[5][6] In 1923 Meyrick placed this species in the newly described genus *Philocryptica*.[2] In 1924 Watt described the life history of this species in detail.[6] George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in his 1928 book *The butterflies and moths of New Zealand*.[7] The male [lectotype](/source/Lectotype) collected in [Wellington](/source/Wellington) is held at the [Te Papa](/source/Te_Papa).[8]

## Description

The genus was described by Edward Meyrick as follows:

Antennae in ♂ rather strongly ciliated. Palpi rather short, obliquely ascending, second joint with tolerably appressed scales. Thorax with strong double posterior crest. Forewings 7 and 8 separate, 7 to termen. Hindwings without cubital pecten, 3 approximated at base to 4, 4 and 5 short-stalked, 6 and 7 stalked.[2]

The larvae of *P. polypodii* were described by Watts as follows:

Length when full-grown about 12-14 mm. Cylindrical; ground-colour bright green, head and prothoracic shield dark grey-brown; skin transparent, disclosing a bright -green alimentary canal and dorsal vessel. Tubercles small, green; setae light grey. Skin covered with minute pile except in vicinity of tubercles. Thoracic legs normally developed; prolegs on segments 3-6 inclusive and 10; ventral prolegs possess complete circles of 16-18 crochets each, the anal prolegs possess only a semicircle of 10-12 crochets each. Spiracles small, circular.[6]

Hudson described the pupa of the species as follows:

The pupa is enclosed in a cylindrical cocoon of thin white silk, constructed within the final blotch-mine, the larva having prepared an exit through which the pupa protrudes its anterior portions prior to emergence.[7]

Hudson described the adults of the species as follows:

The expansion of the wings is about 1⁄2 inch. The fore-wings are broad with the costa very strongly and evenly arched and the termen rounded; in female brownish-ochreous with dull blue, deep red, and yellow-brown markings; there is a broad horizontal dull blue band along the costa from the base to nearly 1⁄2 and a very large tornal blotch extending along the termen almost as far as the apex; a broad, very oblique deep red bar extends from the costa at about 3 to the termen below the apex where it joins the tornal blotch; there are several small yellow-brown marks on the dorsum, on the discal edges of the costal band and tornal blotch, and on the pale apical patch; the cilia are blackish. The hind-wings, which have the apex rounded, are deep brown. In the male the fore-wings are almost entirely overspread with dull bluish-black; the red costal bar is very much reduced and margined with black, there are several other indistinct black markings on the costa and in the dise, and a distinct pinkish-ochreous apical patch.[7]

*P. polypodii* is the only species that creates the star-like pattern on the leaves of its host.[9] This adults of this species is similar in appearance to *[Tortrix fervida](/source/Tortrix_fervida)* and *[Tortrix sphenias](/source/Tortrix_sphenias).* However *P. polypodii* can be distinguished as it has a reddish coloured thorax and leaden coloured forewing scales.[9] The colouration of adult moths ensure the species is well camouflaged when resting against the dead or dying leaves of its host plant.[6]

## Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand.[3] It has been recorded in both the North Island and the South Island, as far south as Banks Peninsula.[10]

## Habitat

*P. polypodii* inhabits native forest where the larval host of the moth, *[Pyrrosia eleagnifolia](/source/Pyrrosia_eleagnifolia)*, is present.[7]

## Life history and larval host plant

It is assumed that the eggs of this species are laid on the host plant.[9] The larvae feed over winter and spring on *P. eleagnifolia,* [mining](/source/Leaf_miner) the leaves.[11] Young larvae create a number of mines radiating from the base creating a star shape.[11] These mines are filled with frass.[9] After the leaf withers, the larva moves on to another leaf.[7] As the larva grows, the size of the mine also increases.[6] At the final stage of larval development, the older larvae create a large blotch mine in which it pupates.[11][6] Larvae have been collected in August and September.[6] These larvae pupated in October and emerged as adult moths from the 20th of October until the 1st of December.[6]

## Behaviour

The larva will produce black coloured liquid from its mouth if disturbed.[9] The larva will exude a silken thread if shaken from the leaf which they then use to return to their host.[6] When the adult moth is disturbed it runs about in an unpredictable directions adding pauses in its activity.[6] The adult moth is on the wing from November to December.[11] When in flight this moth moves erratically and rapidly.[6]

## Natural enemies

It is assumed that insects, spiders and birds feed on the adult moths of this species.[9] Larvae of a species of wasp in the genus *[Dolichogenidea](/source/Dolichogenidea)* have been discovered in mines of *P. eleagnifolia*.[9] The wasp larva inhabits the mine, spinning a silk cocoon and pupating within it . Once developed the adult wasp exits the mine by eating through it.[9]

## Conservation status

This species is wide spread and is not regarded as threatened.[9]

## References

1. ["Philocryptica Meyrick, 1923 - Biota of NZ"](https://biotanz.landcareresearch.co.nz/scientific-names/a672fe9f-fd8a-4e6d-8986-8b965e73bb4f). *biotanz.landcareresearch.co.nz*. Retrieved 2022-11-16.

1. Wikidata item [Q63102493](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q63102493)

1. Wikidata item [Q45922947](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q45922947)

1. ["Philocryptica"](http://www.tortricidae.com/catalogueGenusList.asp?gcode=719). *www.tortricidae.com*. Retrieved 2022-11-16.

1. Wikidata item [Q115228997](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q115228997)

1. Wikidata item [Q113345836](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q113345836)

1. Wikidata item [Q58593286](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q58593286)

1. Wikidata item [Q45083134](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q45083134)

1. ["Factsheet: Leather-leaf star-miner - Philocryptica polypodii"](https://nzacfactsheets.landcareresearch.co.nz/factsheet/InterestingInsects/Leather-leaf-star-miner---Philocryptica-polypodii.html). *nzacfactsheets.landcareresearch.co.nz*. Retrieved 2022-11-17.

1. Wikidata item [Q115173018](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q115173018)

1. Wikidata item [Q115211440](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q115211440)

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