Izatha psychra
Izatha psychra Until recently, I. psychra was only known from one small population at the Pukaki Scientific Reserve in the Mackenzie Basin. This reserve was significantly damaged by fire 🔥 in August 2020 and for a time fears were held that this may have resulted in the extinction of the species! 😭 However, a survey completed in 2021 indicated its continued existence in a small 0.5 ha patch of unburnt habitat 😊 More recently in 2022/23, two new populations of Izatha psychra were located in Oteake Conservation Park (North Otago) extending the species known range significantly to the south! 🎉 The life history is completely unknown and the caterpillars 🐛 have never been found; however, Izatha psychra is likely to feed on lichens or dead and decaying wood amongst shrubland like other species of Izatha or lichen tuft moths. This species has been ranked as Threatened – Nationally Endangered by the Department of Conservation 😮 However, the recent sites found in Oteake Conservation Park may indicate that the species is more widespread, and less imperiled, than previously thought! 🎉😊
Izatha psychra
Izatha psychra Until recently, I. psychra was only known from one small population at the Pukaki Scientific Reserve in the Mackenzie Basin. This reserve was significantly damaged by fire 🔥 in August 2020 and for a time fears were held that this may have resulted in the extinction of the species! 😭 However, a survey completed in 2021 indicated its continued existence in a small 0.5 ha patch of unburnt habitat 😊 More recently in 2022/23, two new populations of Izatha psychra were located in Oteake Conservation Park (North Otago) extending the species known range significantly to the south! 🎉 The life history is completely unknown and the caterpillars 🐛 have never been found; however, Izatha psychra is likely to feed on lichens or dead and decaying wood amongst shrubland like other species of Izatha or lichen tuft moths. This species has been ranked as Threatened – Nationally Endangered by the Department of Conservation 😮 However, the recent sites found in Oteake Conservation Park may indicate that the species is more widespread, and less imperiled, than previously thought! 🎉😊