kids encyclopedia robot

Batrachedra astricta facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Batrachedra astricta
Batrachedra astricta AMNZ21744.jpg
Male holotype specimen
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Class:
Order:
Family:
Batrachedridae
Genus:
Batrachedra
Species:
B. astricta
Binomial name
Batrachedra astricta
Philpott, 1930

Batrachedra astricta is a species of moth in the family Batrachedridae. It is endemic to New Zealand

Taxonomy

This species was described by Alfred Philpott in 1930. George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in his 1939 book A supplement to the butterflies and moths of New Zealand. The holotype specimen of this species was collected by Charles E. Clarke on 17 December 1921 at Opoho in Otago. The holotype specimen is held at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Description

Philpott described B. astricta as follows:

♂♀. 13-15mm Head and thorax whitish grey. Palpi whitish grey mixed with fuscous, second segment with small apical scale-projection. Antennae ochreous annulated with fuscous. Abdomen greyish brown. Legs whitish ochreous mixed with fuscous. Forewings long, narrow , parallel-sided, apex round-pointed; white, densely sprinkled with blackish fuscous scales, aggregations of which form the stigmata ; first discal at about 12, obliquely beyond pical ; second discal at 34, rather below middle : fringes pale fuscous grey with a blackish fuscous line round apex. Hindwings and fringes page greyish fuscous.

This species can be distinguished from its close relative B. tristicata as B. astricta lacks the round black apical spot found on the forewings of that species as well as lacking the elongated stigmata.

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand. Other than the type locality of Opoho, this species has also been collected in the northern part of the North Island.

Biology and behaviour

This species is on the wing in December. This species has been shown to be associated with the threatened plant Sporadanthus ferrugineus. B. astricta has been found in wetland habitat.

Images for kids

kids search engine
Batrachedra astricta Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.