Heterocrossa cryodana facts for kids

Heterocrossa cryodana is a type of moth that belongs to the family Carposinidae. This moth is special because it is only found in New Zealand. When a species is found in just one place, it is called endemic.

About the Heterocrossa cryodana Moth

How Scientists Named This Moth

The Heterocrossa cryodana moth was first described by a scientist named Edward Meyrick in 1885. He found the moth in Dunedin, New Zealand, and gave it its original name, Heterocrossa cryodana.

Later, in 1922, Meyrick thought that Heterocrossa might be the same as another group of moths called Carposina. So, for a while, this moth was known as Carposina cryodana. George Hudson wrote about it under this name in his 1928 book, The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand.

However, other scientists kept studying these moths. In 1978, Elwood Zimmerman looked closely at the moths' bodies and argued that Heterocrossa should be a separate group again. He noticed that the parts of the moths in the Heterocrossa group were very unique. Because of this, in 1988, John S. Dugdale officially moved the moth back to its original group, Heterocrossa.

The very first moth specimen that Meyrick used to describe the species, called the lectotype, is now kept safely at the Natural History Museum, London.

What the Moth Looks Like

This moth is quite small, measuring about 16 to 17 millimeters long. That's roughly the length of a small button!

Its head and the middle part of its body (called the thorax) are mostly white. They might have a few tiny grey speckles. The moth's mouthparts, called palpi, are dark on the bottom and white on the top. Its antennae are a whitish color.

The moth's belly (abdomen) and legs are a pale yellowish-white. However, its front and middle legs are dark, except for the very tips.

The front wings are long and narrow. They are white but have many pale grey speckles, making them look a bit dusty. There's a short black line near the base of the wing. Sometimes, you might see a thick, uneven blackish line in the middle of the wing. The edges of the wings have white hairs, called cilia, that are also speckled with pale grey. The back wings are a greyish-white with whitish cilia.

Where This Moth Lives

The Heterocrossa cryodana moth is endemic to New Zealand. This means you won't find it naturally anywhere else in the world!

It has been found in several places across New Zealand. These include Dunedin and Invercargill on the South Island. It has also been seen on Codfish Island, which is a small island off the coast of Stewart Island.

Life and Habits of the Moth

You can usually see the adult Heterocrossa cryodana moths flying during the months of September and November.

These moths are often found near Leptospermum plants. These plants are native to New Zealand and include species like Manuka and Kanuka. The young moths, which are called larvae or caterpillars, have been discovered feeding on the fruits of these plants.