Anarsia dryinopa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Anarsia dryinopa |
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Anarsia dryinopa is a type of moth that belongs to the Gelechiidae family. You can find this moth in Australia and the warmer parts of New Zealand, including both the North and South Islands.
What Does the Anarsia dryinopa Moth Look Like?
This moth is quite small. Its wingspan (the distance from one wingtip to the other) is about 14 to 17 millimeters. That's less than an inch!
Its front wings, called forewings, are a dark brownish-gray color. They have white speckles all over them, making them look a bit dusty. You might also see some small, dark spots along the edge of the wing. There are also tiny black dots and dashes mixed with whitish scales.
The back wings, called hindwings, are also brownish-gray. They are very thin and almost see-through near the body, becoming darker towards the tips.
What Do Anarsia dryinopa Larvae Eat?
The young moths, called larvae or caterpillars, have special eating habits. In Australia, they like to feed on Acacia plants. They eat the phyllodes, which are like flattened leaf stems that look like leaves. They also live inside galls, which are unusual growths on the plant.
In New Zealand, these larvae have been found eating the leaves of other plants. These include Acacia longifolia, Acacia melanoxylon, and the Albizzia julibrissin.
Images for kids
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Holotype specimen of Izatha griseata now known as Anarsia dryinopa.
