Austramathes fortis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Austramathes fortis |
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Austramathes fortis is a type of moth that belongs to the Noctuidae family. It was first described by a scientist named Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1880. He found it in a place called Marlborough District in New Zealand. This moth is special because it is endemic to New Zealand, meaning it's found nowhere else in the world!
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What Does Austramathes fortis Look Like?
This moth is quite small. The male moths usually have a wingspan of about 29 to 37 millimeters. Female moths are a bit larger, with a wingspan of 29 to 41 millimeters.
The famous entomologist George Hudson described this moth in detail. Its front wings are a dull brownish-yellow color. They have tiny black speckles all over them. You might notice a clear hook-shaped black mark near the base of the wing. There are also other wavy lines and dark bands across the wing.
The back wings of the Austramathes fortis are a dark brownish-black. The fringes of hair along the edges of the wings, called cilia, are brownish-yellow on the front wings and dark grey on the back wings. The moth's head and body are brownish-yellow, and its lower body (abdomen) is grey. It also has two noticeable black marks on the front part of its body.
Where Does Austramathes fortis Live?
You can find Austramathes fortis in both the North and South Islands of New Zealand. However, it has not yet been seen on Stewart Island. Adult moths can be seen flying around for many months, from July all the way through to March.
What Do Austramathes fortis Larvae Eat?
The young moths, called larvae or caterpillars, of Austramathes fortis have a specific diet. They like to feed on several different types of plants from the Melicytus family. These include:
- M. crassifolius
- M. alpinus
- M. macrophyllus
- M. novae-zelandiae
Images for kids
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Austramathes fortis
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Melicytus crassifolius, a plant that A. fortis larvae eat.
