Ctenarchis facts for kids

This article is about a special kind of moth called Ctenarchis cramboides. It's the only species in its group, or genus, named Ctenarchis. This moth is found only in New Zealand, meaning it's endemic there. The Department of Conservation in New Zealand says it's "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon," which means it's not very common in nature and needs some attention to stay safe.

Discovering the Moth

This moth, C. cramboides, was first officially described in 1995. A scientist named John S. Dugdale studied it. He used samples that he and C. J. Green had collected in a place called Spraggs Bush, located in the Waitākere Ranges in New Zealand. These samples were gathered on March 9, 1984. The main example specimen, called a holotype, is kept at the New Zealand Arthropod Collection.

What's in a Name?

The name Ctenarchis tells us something about the moth. "Cten" comes from the Greek word kteinos, which means "comb." This part of the name refers to the moth's comb-like antennae. The "-archis" part is a common ending used for moths in the Carposinidae family.

What the Moth Looks Like

These moths are medium-sized. The male moths have a wingspan of about 35 to 40 millimeters (about 1.4 to 1.6 inches). Female moths are a bit larger, with a wingspan of about 50 millimeters (about 2 inches).

• Forewings: The front wings are a creamy white color. They have a few small, scattered brown spots along the edges and near the tips. There are also two short brown streaks, one near the base of the wing.
• Head and Body: The moth's head, thorax (middle body part), and abdomen (tail end) are also creamy white. The labial palpi (mouthparts) are dark brown on the sides.
• Hindwings: The back wings are grey-buff in color. Female moths have hindwings that are a darker brown-grey.

Where This Moth Lives

This moth is only found in New Zealand. It has mostly been seen in the Auckland area and the Northland region. Many specimens have been collected in a specific area called Titirangi.

Moth Life and Habits

Adult Ctenarchis cramboides moths have been seen flying from December to March. They have also been found in July. Scientists usually collect them using special light traps or malaise traps. When these moths are resting, they hold their wings mostly wrapped around their body, with some parts overlapping.

Food and Home

Scientists don't yet know what plants the larvae (caterpillars) of this moth eat. The specific places where the larvae live are also still a mystery.

Protecting the Moth

The C. cramboides moth is listed as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the New Zealand Threat Classification System. This means it's not found in many places and its numbers are naturally low. Because of this, it's important to keep an eye on this unique New Zealand moth to help protect it.