Asaphodes exoriens facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Asaphodes exoriens |
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Asaphodes exoriens is a type of moth that belongs to the family called Geometridae. This special moth lives only in New Zealand. It is found in the Central Otago region.
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How Scientists Study This Moth
This moth was first described by a scientist named Louis Beethoven Prout in 1912. He named it Larentia exoriens. He used a moth collected by George Howes in a place called Glenorchy in Otago.
Later, in 1928, another scientist, George Hudson, wrote about this moth. He showed pictures of it in his book, The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. He called it Xanthorhoe exoriens at that time.
In 1987, Robin C. Craw suggested that this moth should be placed in a different group, or genus, called Asaphodes. Another scientist, John S. Dugdale, agreed with this idea in 1988. The original moth specimen used to describe the species, called the holotype, is kept at the Natural History Museum, London.
What Does This Moth Look Like?
This moth has a wingspan of about 1 and 1/8 inches (about 2.8 centimeters). All its wings are a yellowish-brown color. The front wings have a reddish tint near the top edge and at the very bottom.
The middle part of the front wings has four faint, wavy blackish lines. These lines form three distinct loops. There is also a clear blackish dot in the middle of the wing. The outer edge of this middle band is very wavy, with parts that stick out above and below the center.
The area near the outer edge of the wing is wide and has a few very faint cloudy marks. All the wings have tiny brown marks along their edges. The fringes of the wings, which are like tiny hairs, are plain yellowish-brown. The underside of the hind wings is a dull reddish-yellowish-brown with no clear markings.
Where Does This Moth Live?
This moth is found only in New Zealand. It has only been seen in the Central Otago area.
When Can You See This Moth?
A. exoriens moths are usually seen flying in March.
Where Does This Moth Live and What Does It Eat?
A. exoriens is a type of moth that lives in alpine areas. This means it lives in high, mountainous regions. It prefers open, grassy places. You can find the adult moths in wet, upland areas at heights between 800 and 1100 meters (about 2,600 to 3,600 feet) above sea level.
Images for kids
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Illustration of A. exoriens by George Hudson.
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