Cryptophlebia illepida Cryptophlebia illepida Cryptophlebia illepida is a species of moth in the family Tortricidae that is endemic to the islands of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui, Lānai and Hawaii. Common names include koa seedworm, klu tortricid, koa seed moth, litchi borer, litchi moth, macadamia nut borer and macadamia nut moth. It was first described by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1882. The wingspan is 12–25 mm. It is an extremely variable species. The larvae feed on a wide range of plants. Recorded food plants are "Acacia confusa", "Acacia farnesiana", "Acacia koa", "Acacia koaia", "Alectryon macrococcus", "Caesalpinia kavaiensis", "Dodonaea viscosa", "Inga edulis", "Litchi chinensis",
Koa wilt species of koa-finches, "Rhodacanthis palmeri" and "R. flaviceps", which fed on green koa seed pods. These species are now extinct due to habitat loss and avian malaria. It is important to preserve the remaining koa populations to helpt to avoid further native bird extinctions. Koa also has great cultural importance for native Hawaiians. The name “koa” means "brave, bold, fearless" or "warrior" in Hawaiian. Koa wood was used extensively in ancient Hawaiian society for constructing houses, spears, tools, canoe paddles, kahili (feathered standards of royalty), calabashes, ceremonies, and surfboards. Canoes were, and still are, carved from the trunks of koa