Mapsidius facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mapsidius |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Scythrididae (disputed)
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Mapsidius
Walsingham, 1907
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See text |
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Mapsidius is a special group, or genus, of small moths. These moths are often called "flower moths" because of the family they belong to. Scientists mostly place them in the Scythrididae family. What makes Mapsidius moths extra special is that they are only found in the beautiful Hawaiian Islands!
About Mapsidius Moths
These tiny moths are part of a larger group of moths called Gelechioidea. This group includes many different kinds of small moths. The Mapsidius moths are unique to Hawaii, meaning they live nowhere else in the world.
Life Cycle of Mapsidius Moths
The journey of a Mapsidius moth starts as a tiny larva or caterpillar. These caterpillars are quite busy! They build small silk webs on the newest leaves of plants. Inside these webs, they munch on the fresh, young leaves.
As the caterpillars grow, they keep eating. Sometimes, the leaves they've been feeding on look quite ragged and torn. This shows where the caterpillars have been working.
When a caterpillar is ready to change into a moth, it builds a cocoon. These cocoons are white and made of tightly spun silk. The caterpillars usually make their cocoons right on the leaves where they have been feeding. Inside the cocoon, the caterpillar transforms into a pupa, and then finally, a beautiful adult moth emerges.
Types of Mapsidius Moths
Scientists have discovered several different kinds of Mapsidius moths. Each one is a unique species. Here are some of the known species:
- Mapsidius auspicata Walsingham, 1907
- Mapsidius charpentierii Swezey, 1932
- Mapsidius chenopodii Swezey, 1947
- Mapsidius iridescens Walsingham, 1907
- Mapsidius quadridentata Walsingham, 1907
