Campbellana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Campbellana |
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| Scientific classification | |
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| Phylum: | |
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| Order: | |
| Family: |
Carposinidae
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| Genus: |
Campbellana
Salmon & Bradley, 1956
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| Species: |
C. attenuata
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| Binomial name | |
| Campbellana attenuata Salmon and Bradley, 1956
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Campbellana is a special type of moth. It belongs to a group of moths called the Carposinidae family. There is only one known species in this group, and it's called Campbellana attenuata. This unique moth lives only in the Campbell Islands of New Zealand. When a plant or animal is found only in one specific place, it is called endemic.
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Discovering the Campbellana Moth
The Campbellana attenuata moth was first described by two scientists, J. T. Salmon and J. D. Bradley, in 1956. They studied moths that were collected by J. H. Sorensen on Campbell Island in August.
The very first specimen of this moth that was used to describe the species is called a holotype. It is kept safe at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. This museum helps us learn about New Zealand's amazing natural history.
What Does Campbellana Attenuata Look Like?
The Campbellana attenuata moth is quite small. Its front wings can spread out about 13 millimeters wide. That's about half an inch!
- Color: Female moths are usually medium to dark brown. Males are a bit lighter brown and have some pale, yellowish-brown scales.
- Head: Males have a crest of yellowish-brown scales on top of their heads.
- Antennae: The female's antennae are thin and look like threads. They are pale yellowish-brown or creamy white. The male's antennae are dark brown and have very long, fine hairs arranged in loose circles.
- Wings: This moth has very special wings! Its front wings are much smaller than usual and get narrower from the base to the tip, like a long, thin thread. The back wings are tiny and not fully developed. This means they are vestigial. Also, these moths do not have the tiny hairs called cilia that are usually found along the edges of moth wings.
Where Does Campbellana Attenuata Live?
This moth is endemic to New Zealand. This means it is found naturally only in New Zealand. Specifically, it lives only on Campbell Island, which is part of New Zealand's subantarctic islands.
Campbellana's Home
The Campbellana attenuata moth likes to live in areas with tussock grass. Tussock is a type of grass that grows in clumps, often found in cooler, windy places.
How Does Campbellana Attenuata Move?
Even though it's a moth, Campbellana attenuata moves in a very interesting way. It can jump, much like a grasshopper!
