Elachista helonoma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Elachista helonoma |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Elachistidae
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| Genus: |
Elachista
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| Species: |
E. helonoma
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| Binomial name | |
| Elachista helonoma (Meyrick, 1889)
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Elachista helonoma is a tiny moth that belongs to the Elachistidae family. This special moth is found only in New Zealand, meaning it is endemic there. The Department of Conservation has listed it as "At Risk, Relict," which means it needs protection.
Contents
About This Moth
How It Was Discovered
This moth was first described by a scientist named Edward Meyrick in 1889. He found specimens of the moth at the Port Hills in Christchurch, New Zealand. He gave it the name Elachista helonoma.
Later, in 1928, another scientist named George Hudson also described and drew pictures of this moth. For a while, some scientists thought it belonged to a different group called Cosmiotes. But now, scientists agree that Cosmiotes is actually the same as Elachista. So, the moth's name is back to Elachista helonoma.
What It Looks Like
The adult Elachista helonoma moth is quite small, usually about 8 to 10 millimeters long. That's less than half an inch!
Here are some details about its appearance:
- Its head and body are a light, yellowish-white color.
- Its antennae are dark.
- The front wings are shaped like a spear. They are mostly whitish with some yellowish speckles.
- There are two thin, dark yellowish-brown stripes on the front wings.
- The back wings are a pale gray.
Where It Lives
This moth is found only in New Zealand. You can find it in areas like Mid Canterbury and the Mackenzie Basin.
Life Cycle and Habits
The young moths, called larvae, are very good at hiding. They live inside plant leaves, eating tunnels through them. This is why they are called "leaf miners."
Adult moths are usually seen flying around between January and March.
What It Eats and Where It Stays
Elachista helonoma moths live only in short tussock grasslands. Scientists believe their main food plant is a type of grass called Poa cita.
Why It Needs Protection
This moth is considered "At Risk, Relict" by the New Zealand Threat Classification System. This means it's a rare species that has survived from a long time ago, but its numbers are low. It needs help to make sure it doesn't disappear.
