Asterivora nivescens facts for kids

The Asterivora nivescens is a special type of moth that belongs to the Choreutidae family. This moth is only found in one place in the world: New Zealand. When an animal or plant is found only in one specific area, it is called endemic.

Meet the Asterivora Nivescens Moth

This small moth was first described in 1926 by Alfred Philpott. It is part of the Asterivora group, which includes several other unique moths. Moths are fascinating insects, often mistaken for butterflies, but they usually fly at night and have different antennae.

What Does It Look Like?

The Asterivora nivescens moth is quite small. Its wingspan (the distance from one wingtip to the other) is about 16 to 17 millimeters. That's roughly the length of a small coin!

• Head and Mouthparts: The moth's head and its special mouthparts, called palpi, are brown. They have many tiny white speckles, making them look dusted with snow.
• Antennae: Its antennae are blackish but have white rings, like tiny striped tubes.
• Body: The main part of its body, the thorax, is a shiny bronzy-brown color. The small flaps covering its wings, called tegulae, have white spots. The abdomen, which is the back part of its body, is also bronzy-brown. However, the lines where its body segments join are white.
• Legs: The legs are brown and also covered with many white speckles.
• Wings: The front wings are a moderate size and are bronzy-brown. The top edge of the wing is slightly curved, and the tip is rounded. The outer edge is also a bit rounded and slopes slightly. The back wings are a dark, smoky brown color, which is called fuscous.

Where Does It Live?

Since the Asterivora nivescens moth is endemic, it means it naturally lives only in New Zealand. This makes it a special part of New Zealand's unique wildlife. Many plants and animals in New Zealand are endemic because the islands have been separated from other landmasses for a very long time. This allowed unique species to evolve there.