Gymnobathra rufopunctella facts for kids

Gymnobathra rufopunctella is a type of moth that belongs to the Oecophoridae family. This moth is special because it's only found in New Zealand! Scientists think its classification might need to be updated, meaning it could belong to a different group of moths. Currently, it's listed as "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation, which means we don't have enough information about it to know if it's in danger.

What is Gymnobathra rufopunctella?

This moth was first officially described in 1950 by a scientist named George Hudson. He studied moths he found in places like Days Bay and Wilton's Bush in Wellington, New Zealand. The original moth specimen he used to describe the species is kept at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa.

Scientists are still studying this moth's family tree. They believe it might be more closely related to a group of moths called the Barea group. Because of this, its scientific name sometimes includes "(s.l.)", which means sensu lato or "in a broad sense," showing that its exact classification is still being figured out.

How to Identify This Moth

George Hudson described this moth's appearance in detail. The moth's wings usually spread out to about 13 millimeters (that's about half an inch).

Forewings

The front wings are long and somewhat rectangular, with rounded tips. They are a deep bronze-brown color and have a strong bluish-purple shine. If you look closely, you might see lighter and darker scales sprinkled all over the wings. There are also small, distinct spots made of dark red and black scales.

Hindwings and Cilia

The back wings are a bright golden-brown. They have many dark brown scales, especially near the tips. The tiny hairs along the edges of all the wings, called cilia, are bronze-brown with a very faint reddish tip.

Where Does This Moth Live?

G. rufopunctella is an endemic species, which means it is found only in New Zealand. So far, it has only been found in the Wellington region.

Moth Life and Habits

Adult Gymnobathra rufopunctella moths are usually seen flying during the months of November and December. These moths prefer to live in forest areas.

Conservation Status

The New Zealand Threat Classification System has listed Gymnobathra rufopunctella as "Data Deficient." This means that scientists don't have enough information about how many of these moths exist or if their numbers are decreasing. More research is needed to understand their population and whether they need special protection.