Ctenopseustis fraterna facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ctenopseustis fraterna
A preserved specimen of the brownheaded leafroller.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Tortricidae
Genus:	Ctenopseustis
Species:	C. fraterna
Binomial name
Ctenopseustis fraterna Philpott, 1930

The Ctenopseustis fraterna, also known as the brownheaded leafroller, is a type of moth. It belongs to a group of moths called the Tortricidae family. This moth is found only in New Zealand, mainly on the North Island. The name "brownheaded leafroller" is also used for a few other similar moths, like Ctenopseustis herana and Ctenopseustis obliquana.

Meet the Brownheaded Leafroller

The brownheaded leafroller is a small insect that flies around, especially at night. Its scientific name, Ctenopseustis fraterna, was given to it by a scientist named Alfred Philpott in 1930. These moths get their common name, "leafroller," because their young (called larvae or caterpillars) often roll up leaves to hide and eat inside them.

What Does It Look Like?

Adult brownheaded leafroller moths have interesting colors. Their wings can be dark chocolate brown, purplish, or a mix of chocolate, orange-brown, and ash gray. These patterns help them blend in with their surroundings, like tree bark or leaves.

Life as a Larva: What Do They Eat?

Before becoming an adult moth, the brownheaded leafroller starts as a larva, which is like a caterpillar. These larvae are plant-eaters. They especially like to munch on different types of ferns found in New Zealand. Some of their favorite plants include:

• Cyathea dealbata
• Cyathea smithii
• Dicksonia fibrosa
• Dicksonia squarrosa
• Sticherus cunninghamii

The larvae often roll up the leaves of these ferns to create a safe little home where they can eat and grow.