Dumbletonius unimaculata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dumbletonius unimaculata |
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| Female | |
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| Male | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Hepialidae |
| Genus: | Dumbletonius |
| Species: |
D. unimaculata
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| Binomial name | |
| Dumbletonius unimaculata (Salmon, 1948)
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| Synonyms | |
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Dumbletonius unimaculata is a special type of moth found only in New Zealand. It belongs to a family of moths called Hepialidae. This moth is also known for being a host to a unique fungus called Ophiocordyceps robertsii, often called the "vegetable caterpillar fungus."
About Its Name
This moth was first described in 1948 by a scientist named John Tenison Salmon. He called it Porina unimaculata. Later, in 1966, another scientist named Dumbleton moved it to a new group, giving it the name Trioxycanus unimaculatus. The name Dumbletonius unimaculata is its current scientific name.
What It Looks Like
These moths have different wingspans depending on if they are male or female.
- Males usually have a wingspan between 51 and 67 millimeters.
- Females are larger, with a wingspan from 74 to 90 millimeters.
The front wings of the male moths have a detailed pattern. This pattern is often less clear or missing in females. The back wings are a single color, either yellow, orange-yellow, or pink. The bright colors on the male's back wings can fade quickly after the moth dies.
Adult moths can be seen flying from December to April. The young moths, called larvae, probably eat fallen leaves.
Where It Lives
Dumbletonius unimaculata is found only in New Zealand. It lives specifically on the North Island, where it is quite common.
Its Special Fungus Host
The caterpillar of this moth is a host for a fungus called Ophiocordyceps robertsii. This fungus is sometimes called the "vegetable caterpillar fungus." What happens is that the fungus infects the caterpillar. It then turns the caterpillar into a hard, mummified form. After that, the fungus grows a special part, called a fruiting body, right out of the caterpillar's head and up through the soil.
