Black mountain ringlet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black mountain ringlet |
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The black mountain ringlet (scientific name: Percnodaimon merula) is a special butterfly found only in New Zealand. Its Māori name is pepe pouri, which means "dark moth". It's the only species in its group, Percnodaimon. This amazing butterfly lives high up in the cold Southern Alps.
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About the Black Mountain Ringlet
This butterfly is quite tough! Adult black mountain ringlets can live for about a year. But their young, called larvae (caterpillars), can take two or three summers to grow fully. This means the butterfly might live up to four years in total! This long growth time helps them survive the harsh weather in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. You can find them living at very high places, from 800 to 2500 meters above sea level.
The butterfly's dark wings are very important for its survival. They work like tiny solar panels! The dark color and large surface area help the wings soak up heat from the sun. This stored heat keeps the butterfly warm in the cold mountain air. It's a clever way they've adapted to live in frosty conditions.
Life Stages of the Butterfly
The black mountain ringlet goes through four main life stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa, and adult butterfly.
Eggs (Ovum)
The female black mountain ringlet lays her eggs on top of stones on the mountain slopes. When the sun shines, these stones get warm. This warmth acts like an incubator, helping the eggs to grow and hatch. This is a very unusual behavior for butterflies in New Zealand. Only a few other butterfly species in places like the Himalayas and European Alps do this.
The eggs start out blue. Then, they slowly turn speckled and brown. This color change helps them blend in with the rocky background, keeping them safe from predators. About two days before the eggs hatch, they lose their brown color. You can then see the brown head of the tiny caterpillar inside! It takes about 12 days for the eggs to hatch. If the eggs are at very high altitudes, it might take a bit longer. Once hatched, the tiny caterpillars eat their egg casings. This gives them important nutrients they need to start growing.
Caterpillars (Larvae)
Black mountain ringlet caterpillars can be dull grey or brown. They have black bristles near their heads. These caterpillars go through five growth stages, called instars. Each stage takes about a month in warm summer weather. But if it's winter, a stage can take up to eight months! Because of this, a caterpillar can stay in its larval stage for up to two years. You might find them as caterpillars almost any time of the year.
Scientists have found that these caterpillars eat a small grass called Poa colensoi. This grass grows all over the Southern Alps. However, the caterpillars are only found where this grass grows close to rocky areas. Black mountain ringlet caterpillars usually feed at night. They have been seen munching on the tips of tussock grass blades. They don't spend much time eating. Instead, they quickly hide in nearby spots. This helps them avoid birds and other predators that could easily spot them on the grass.
Chrysalis (Pupa)
When it's time to turn into a chrysalis, the black mountain ringlet caterpillar changes color. It turns grey with brown speckles. This helps it match the stones around it. The way this butterfly forms its chrysalis is also very interesting! Unlike most butterflies, the pupa hangs horizontally. It attaches itself to the underside of a rock. It holds on with a special hook-shaped part called a cremaster, which is near its tail end. Scientists have found pupae up to 3 feet away from the nearest plant they ate. After 2 to 3 weeks, the adult butterfly emerges from the chrysalis.
Adult Butterfly (Imago)
The adult black mountain ringlet butterfly has a wingspan of about 4 to 5.5 centimeters. Its wings are usually black or brown on top. A special feature of this butterfly is the black and white circles at the very ends of its wings. Male and female butterflies look quite similar. Females tend to be a little bit larger than males. On sunny days, you might see these adult butterflies flying in zigzag patterns. They use the air currents to help them fly. They often glide in a "V" shape.
Protecting This Special Butterfly
Not a lot of research has been done on the black mountain ringlet. Even though it's one of the few butterflies found only in New Zealand, there's still much to learn about it. Because they live in the rugged Southern Alps, it's hard to know exactly where they are found. But it's believed they live throughout the mountain range.
