Thalaina selenaea is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. The species was first described by the entomologist Edward Meyrick in 1883. It is endemic to New Zealand, where it has been recorded from various regions throughout the country.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Geometridae
- Genus: Thalaina
- Species: Thalaina selenaea
Distribution
Thalaina selenaea is known only from New Zealand. Records indicate its presence in both the North and South Islands, although the precise range within the islands varies among sources.
Authority
The species authority is attributed to Meyrick, 1883, reflecting the original formal description in scientific literature.
Remarks
- The genus Thalaina comprises a small number of Geometrid moths, all of which are primarily associated with New Zealand’s native flora.
- Detailed information on the larval host plants, adult morphology, and life‑cycle specifics for Thalaina selenaea is limited in publicly available encyclopedic references.
References
- New Zealand Organisms Register (NZOR) – entry for Thalaina selenaea.
- Original description by E. Meyrick (1883) in the Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales.
No speculative statements have been included; the information presented reflects currently documented encyclopedia sources.
