Olearia Skeletoniser facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Olearia Skeletoniser |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Oecophoridae
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| Genus: |
Atomotricha
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| Species: |
A. colligatella
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| Binomial name | |
| Atomotricha colligatella (Walker, 1864)
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The Olearia Skeletoniser (scientific name: Atomotricha colligatella) is a small moth found only in New Zealand. It belongs to a family of moths called Oecophoridae. This moth got its common name because its young, called larvae, eat the leaves of Olearia plants. When they eat, they can make the leaves look like skeletons!
About the Olearia Skeletoniser Moth
This moth, Atomotricha colligatella, was first described by a scientist named Francis Walker in 1864. For a while, some scientists were not sure if it was a New Zealand species. However, later studies confirmed it lives there.
What the Larvae Eat
The young moths, known as larvae, are quite picky eaters. They mostly feed on different types of Olearia plants. These plants include O. solandri, O. fragrantissima, and O. laxiflora. Because they prefer specific types of plants, these larvae are called "specialists." This means they have a special diet!
Where the Moth Lives
In the past, scientists thought this moth might live in New Zealand's North Island. However, more recent studies have found the larvae in several places on New Zealand's South Island. These areas include Fiordland, Eastern Otago, and the West Coast. This shows that the Olearia Skeletoniser moth has a wider home range than once thought.
