Cryptolechia callixyla facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cryptolechia callixyla |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | |
Phylum: | |
Class: | |
Order: | |
Family: |
Oecophoridae
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Genus: |
Cryptolechia
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Species: |
C. callixyla
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Binomial name | |
Cryptolechia callixyla (Meyrick, 1888)
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Synonyms | |
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The Cryptolechia callixyla is a type of moth that belongs to the family Oecophoridae. It was first described by a scientist named Edward Meyrick in 1888. This special moth can only be found in New Zealand.
Contents
Discovering the Cryptolechia callixyla Moth
This moth is quite small. It has a wingspan of about 16 to 18 millimeters. That's roughly the size of a small coin!
What Does It Look Like?
The front wings of the Cryptolechia callixyla moth are called forewings. They are mostly a dark brownish-grey color. These wings are covered with tiny yellow-orange scales, making them look speckled.
Female moths often have more yellow-orange color near the inner edge of their forewings. There's also a yellow-orange stripe that runs down the middle of the forewing.
Wing Patterns
On this yellow-orange stripe, you might see a few cloudy, dark brownish-grey dots. One dot is near the start of the stripe, another is in the middle, and a third is slightly below the first one.
Near the outer edge of the forewings, there's a yellow-orange line that goes across. This line has a sharp bend in the middle. It also has a small dip just below the top edge. The very edge of the wing has an uneven yellow-orange line.
The Hindwings
The back wings of the moth, called hindwings, are a simple grey color. They are less patterned than the forewings.
Where Does This Moth Live?
The Cryptolechia callixyla moth is special because it is only found in one place: New Zealand. This means it is an endemic species to New Zealand, which makes it an important part of the country's unique wildlife.
Who Discovered It?
This moth was first identified and described by a famous entomologist (a scientist who studies insects) named Edward Meyrick. He documented this species in 1888, giving it its scientific name.