Apoctena tigris facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Apoctena tigris |
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Apoctena
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A. tigris
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| Apoctena tigris (Philpott, 1914)
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The Apoctena tigris is a special kind of moth found only in New Zealand. It belongs to a group of moths called Tortricidae, which are often known as "leaf-roller moths." This moth lives on both the North and South islands of New Zealand.
Discovering the Apoctena tigris Moth
This unique moth was first described in 1914 by a scientist named Alfred Philpott. When a species is found only in one specific place, like the Apoctena tigris in New Zealand, it is called endemic. This means it's a native species that you won't find anywhere else in the world!
What Does It Look Like?
The Apoctena tigris moth is quite small. When its wings are spread out, its wingspan (the distance from one wingtip to the other) is about 22 millimeters. That's roughly the length of a small coin!
Its front wings are a mix of pale yellow-brown and darker brown colors. They also have some dark brown markings. The back wings are a plain whitish-grey color.
Where Does It Live?
This moth has been seen flying around in January. Scientists have observed adult Apoctena tigris moths near a plant called Dicksonia fibrosa. This suggests that the fern might be an important part of the moth's habitat or even a food source for its caterpillars.
