Asterivora tillyardi facts for kids

Asterivora tillyardi is a special kind of moth that belongs to the Choreutidae family. It is found only in New Zealand, which means it is endemic to that country. This moth was first described by Alfred Philpott in 1924.

Discovering the Tillyard's Moth

The Asterivora tillyardi moth is a unique insect. It is part of a group of moths known as Choreutidae. These moths are often called "metalmark moths" because of their shiny wing patterns.

This particular species, Asterivora tillyardi, is native only to New Zealand. This means you won't find it naturally anywhere else in the world. It's a special part of New Zealand's wildlife.

What Does the Tillyard's Moth Look Like?

The Tillyard's moth has some interesting features. Its size and colors help scientists identify it.

Size and Body

• The moth's wingspan is about 17.5 millimeters (mm). This is roughly the length of a small coin.
• Its head and thorax (the part where the wings and legs attach) are mostly white. They also have some pale brownish-grey mixed in.
• The antennae are black with white rings, like tiny striped tubes.
• The abdomen, which is the main body part, is a shiny bronze-brown color. It also has whitish rings around it.
• The legs are whitish, mixed with the same bronze-brown color.

Wings

• The forewings, which are the front wings, are a light bronze-brown color. They are mixed with darker brown shades.
• These wings are not very wide. Their front edge is almost straight.
• The tip of the wing is pointed. The outer edge of the wing is wavy and slopes backward.
• The forewings have snow-white markings. There is a small white patch near the base of the wing.
• A wide white band is located before the middle of the wing. This band sticks out in the middle and touches another band that follows it.
• The hindwings, which are the back wings, are a greyish-brown color.