Izatha dulcior facts for kids

Izatha dulcior is a type of moth that belongs to the Oecophoridae family. This moth is special because it is found only in New Zealand. It's considered "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation. This means it's not often seen and needs protection. I. dulcior is also the first moth species ever found to live only on the Poor Knights Islands.

How Izatha dulcior Got Its Name

This moth was first officially described in 2010 by a scientist named Robert J. B. Hoare. He studied a moth specimen collected on Poor Knights Island back in 1980.

Mr. Hoare named the species Izatha dulcior. The word dulcior comes from Latin and means "gentler." This name was chosen because this moth has some gentle features. For example, its forewing (front wing) doesn't have a sharp point on its outer edge, which helps tell it apart from a similar moth called Izatha epiphanes. The original moth specimen used to describe this species is kept safe at the New Zealand Arthropod Collection.

What Does Izatha dulcior Look Like?

These moths are quite small. The males usually have a wingspan (the distance from one wingtip to the other) of about 18.5 to 24.5 millimeters. Females are a bit smaller, with a wingspan of 19.5 to 20.5 millimeters.

Izatha dulcior looks a lot like another moth, I. epiphanes, especially the darker versions of that species. However, you can tell them apart by looking closely at the color of their front wings.

Where Does Izatha dulcior Live?

This moth is endemic to New Zealand, meaning it's found nowhere else in the world. It's especially known for living on the Poor Knights Islands. It was the very first lepidoptera (the group that includes moths and butterflies) species found to live only on these islands.

Life and Habits of Izatha dulcior

Scientists don't know much yet about the full life cycle of Izatha dulcior. For example, what the young moths (larvae) look like or what they eat is still a mystery!

However, we do know that adult moths are active in early December. They are also attracted to light, which is how scientists often find and study them.

Protecting Izatha dulcior

This moth has a special conservation status in New Zealand: "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon." This means that while it might not be in immediate danger of disappearing, it's naturally rare and needs careful watching. The New Zealand Threat Classification System helps keep track of species like this to make sure they are protected.