Hierodoris illita facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hierodoris illita
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Oecophoridae
Genus:	Hierodoris
Species:	H. illita
Binomial name
Hierodoris illita (Felder & Rogenhofer, 1875)
Synonyms
Atychia illita Felder & Rogenhofer, 1875 Heliostibes chlorobela Meyrick, 1921 Heliostibes illita Meyrick, 1907

The Hierodoris illita is a special type of moth that belongs to a family called Oecophoridae. This interesting moth was first studied and named by scientists Felder and Rogenhofer in 1875. You can only find this moth in New Zealand, making it a unique part of the country's wildlife.

About the Hierodoris illita Moth

This moth is a fascinating insect found only in New Zealand. It's part of the Oecophoridae family, which includes many different kinds of moths. Scientists first officially described and named this species in 1875.

What it Looks Like

The Hierodoris illita moth has a wingspan that measures between 20 and 30 millimeters. This is about the size of a large coin. Its front wings are mostly blackish. They also have a mix of reddish and whitish scales, which are like tiny, flat pieces that cover the wings. The back wings are blackish too, but they stand out with bright orange streaks.

Life Cycle and What it Eats

The young moths, called larvae, have a very specific diet. They like to eat the Coriaria arborea plant. These larvae live inside the woody stems or branches of their host plant. This helps keep them safe while they grow. Scientists have also found larvae growing inside a gall. A gall is a strange lump that can form on the stem of a plant. In this case, it was on a Muehlenbeckia australis plant.

Images for kids

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  First description illustration of H. illita

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  Female illustrated by George Hudson.

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  Hierodoris illita illustrated by Des Helmore.