Notoreas edwardsi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Notoreas edwardsi |
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|---|---|
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| Female | |
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| Male | |
| Conservation status | |
 Nationally Critical (NZ TCS) |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Notoreas
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| Species: |
edwardsi
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Notoreas edwardsi is a unique type of moth. It belongs to a group of moths called geometer moths. This moth is very special because it is only found in New Zealand. Sadly, it is also considered "Nationally Critical" by the Department of Conservation. This means it is very rare and needs a lot of help to survive.
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About This Moth
Scientists first described this moth in 2010. The people who discovered it were Brian Patrick and Robert J.B. Hoare. They decided to name it N. edwardsi to honor Eric Edwards.
What It Looks Like
N. edwardsi caterpillars, or larvae, change their colors as they grow. When they are very young, they are green. Soon after, they turn brown. As they get bigger, their color changes again to a mix of pink and purple. They also have thin white lines running across their bodies.
Adult N. edwardsi moths have interesting patterns. Their front wings have pale orange and white stripes. Their back wings are orange with black markings. This moth looks a lot like its relatives, N. elegans and N. casanova.
Where It Lives
This moth is found only in New Zealand. You can only find N. edwardsi in one specific place. That place is Big Sandhill, which is located at Mission Bay on Stewart Island.
Life Cycle and Behavior
Scientists have mostly seen this moth in its natural home during December. However, they think it might have two groups of babies, called broods, in one season.
The female moth lays her tiny eggs inside the flower buds of a special plant. When the caterpillars hatch from their eggs, they eat their way into the leaves or buds. They do this to hide from animals that might want to eat them. Once they are big enough, they come out to munch on the fresh new parts of the plant.
When it's time to change into an adult moth, N. edwardsi caterpillars make a loose cocoon. They do this on the ground, right under their host plant. They stay inside this cocoon for about 43 days. After this time, they come out as adult moths. N. edwardsi moths fly during the day. They fly low to the ground but are very fast. They constantly wiggle their wings. This helps them take off quickly whenever they need to.
Host Plant
The caterpillars of N. edwardsi need a specific plant to live on and eat. This plant is called Pimelea lyallii. It is also a plant that is only found in New Zealand.
Conservation Status
This special moth is listed as "Nationally Critical" under the New Zealand Threat Classification System. This means it is facing a very high risk of disappearing forever. Efforts are being made to protect this unique New Zealand moth.
