Kiwaia schematica facts for kids

The Kiwaia schematica is a small moth that belongs to the family Gelechiidae. This family is known for its tiny moths, often called "twirler moths" because of how they rest with their wings. This specific moth was first described by a scientist named Edward Meyrick in 1885. You can only find Kiwaia schematica living in New Zealand.

What Does It Look Like?

The Kiwaia schematica moth is quite small. Its wingspan is about 16 to 17 millimeters. That's roughly the length of a small coin!

Forewings

The front wings of this moth are usually a light grey-yellow color. Sometimes, they might have tiny specks of a deeper yellow. There's often a dark grey or blackish stripe along the front edge of the wing. This stripe starts near the body and goes about two-thirds of the way down the wing. It can be strong or faint.

You might also see three small, dark brown spots on the forewings.

• The first spot is near the middle of the wing.
• The second spot is a bit lower and slightly in front of the first.
• The third spot is further back on the wing.

Hindwings

The back wings of the Kiwaia schematica moth are a whitish-grey color. They sometimes have a faint, cloudy streak of dark brown scales. This streak runs lengthwise in the middle of the wing, closer to the body.