Heterocrossa maculosa facts for kids

Heterocrossa maculosa is a small moth found only in New Zealand. It belongs to a group of moths called Carposinidae. Scientists don't have enough information about this moth. Because of this, its conservation status is listed as "Data Deficient." This means we need more research to understand how well it's doing in the wild.

Discovering the Maculosa Moth

This moth was first described in 1927 by a scientist named Alfred Philpott. He found a specimen near Cooper's Knob on the Banks Peninsula. Another person, Stewart Lindsay, helped collect this specimen. Philpott originally named it Carposina maculosa.

Later, in 1928, George Hudson wrote about this moth. He used the same name in his book, The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. In 1978, another scientist, Elwood Zimmerman, suggested a change. He believed the group Heterocrossa should be separate from Carposina. This was because the moths in Heterocrossa have special body parts.

Because of this, John S. Dugdale later moved this moth into the Heterocrossa group. The original specimen, called the holotype, is kept at the New Zealand Arthropod Collection. This collection helps scientists study insects.

What Does This Moth Look Like?

When Alfred Philpott first described this moth, he noted its size. It is about 18 millimeters long. The moth's head, antennae, and body are a light yellowish-brown color. Its legs are also yellowish-white.

The front wings are a light yellowish-brown. They have tiny dark brown specks all over them. There are also some darker spots and lines. For example, there's a small dot near the base of the wing. There are also dots in the middle of the wing. The edges of the wings have a series of small dots. The fringes, or hairs, on the wings are whitish-yellow. The back wings are shiny white, and their fringes are also white.

Where Does This Moth Live?

This moth is found only in New Zealand. It is known to live in the Lyttelton Hills. It has also been found in the Otago region. One specific place it has been collected from is Hoon Hay Bush.

Life and Habits

Adult Heterocrossa maculosa moths are active during November. This is when they can be seen flying around.

What Do They Eat?

The young moths, called larvae, feed on certain plants. They eat the leaves of two native New Zealand trees. These trees are Hoheria angustifolia and Plagianthus regius.

How Are They Doing?

The Heterocrossa maculosa moth has a "Data Deficient" conservation status. This is under the New Zealand Threat Classification System. "Data Deficient" means scientists don't have enough information. They need more research to know if the moth population is healthy or at risk.

The main dangers to this moth are likely habitat fragmentation and loss. This means their natural homes are being broken up or disappearing. This can make it hard for the moths to find food and places to live.