Asterivora microlitha facts for kids

The Asterivora microlitha is a small and interesting moth species. It belongs to the family Choreutidae, which are often called "metalmark moths" because of their shiny wing patterns. This particular moth is special because it is endemic to New Zealand, meaning it's found naturally nowhere else in the world!

Discovering the Asterivora microlitha Moth

This unique moth was first described in 1888 by Edward Meyrick, a famous British entomologist. He gave it the scientific name Asterivora microlitha. The name helps scientists around the world know exactly which moth they are talking about.

What Does It Look Like?

The Asterivora microlitha is quite tiny, with a wingspan of about 9 to 10 millimeters. That's less than half an inch! Even though it's small, it has some cool features:

• Its head and the part of its body behind the head (called the thorax) are speckled with white.
• Its antennae, which are like feelers, also have tiny white dots.
• The moth's belly (abdomen) has clear white lines where its body segments meet.

Wing Patterns

The wings of the Asterivora microlitha are quite detailed:

• The front wings are a bit narrower towards the base compared to some other similar moths.
• They have strong, shiny white patterns that look like bands or stripes.
• One of these bands is very thin but stands out with a bright, silvery-metallic shine near the middle of the wing and at the tip of the lower edge.
• The back wings also have a neat, thin white stripe that is easy to see.

Where Does It Live?

Since the Asterivora microlitha is endemic to New Zealand, it lives only in that beautiful island country. Moths often live in places where their favorite plants grow, as they need these plants for food when they are caterpillars. Scientists are still learning more about the specific habitats and behaviors of this tiny moth.