Asterivora ministra facts for kids

The Asterivora ministra is a tiny moth that belongs to the Choreutidae family. This special moth is only found in New Zealand, meaning it's endemic there. It was first described in 1912 by Edward Meyrick.

About the Asterivora ministra Moth

This small moth is a fascinating part of New Zealand's wildlife. Moths are insects that are closely related to butterflies. They usually fly at night and are known for their fuzzy bodies and patterned wings. The Asterivora ministra is one of many unique species found only in New Zealand.

What Does It Look Like?

The Asterivora ministra is quite small. Its wingspan is only about 9 mm, which is less than half an inch!

• Body: Its head, antennae, and the part of its body where its legs and wings attach (called the thorax) are all a dark brownish-grey color. Its face has tiny white specks, like it's been sprinkled with snow. The rest of its body (the abdomen) is also dark, but it has some white edges on its segments.
• Forewings: The front wings are a dark, shiny brownish-grey, almost bronze. They are somewhat rectangular. They have five wavy, unclear white lines or patterns. One of these patterns forms a clear white spot near the middle of the wing's front edge. It also has a thin, silvery loop shape and a small white mark. There are also a few shiny, silvery scales near the outer edge of the wing.
• Hindwings: The back wings are a lighter brownish-grey. They get darker towards their outer edges.

Images for kids

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  Illustration of A. ministra by George Hudson.