Theoxena scissaria
Theoxena is a monotypic moth genus in the family Geometridae erected by Edward Meyrick in 1883. Its only species, Theoxena scissaria, was first described by Achille Guenée in 1868. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species has been classified as nationally vulnerable by the Department of Conservation. Taxonomy It was described by Guenée in 1868 from a specimen obtained in Canterbury by Richard William Fereday and named Panagra scissaria. In 1883 Edward Meyrick placed the species into the newly created genus Theoxena. In 1898 and in 1928 George Vernon Hudson also described and illustrated Theoxena scissaria. The lectotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London. Description Meyrick described the species as follows: Distribution This species is endemic to New Zealand. Its range is in North Canterbury, Mid Canterbury, South Canterbury, Mackenzie, Central Otago and Otago Lakes. Other than the type locality, specimens have been collected near the foot of Mount Hutt, the Winchmore Irrigation Research Station near Ashburton, at the lower slopes of Mount Ida in Otago, Horseshoe Slip on Mount Grey, and Ashley Gorge. It is now possibly extinct on the Canterbury Plains. Life cycle and behaviour The life history of T. scissaria is still uncertain.