Orocrambus ephorus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Orocrambus ephorus |
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O. ephorus
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| Orocrambus ephorus (Meyrick, 1885)
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The Orocrambus ephorus is a special kind of moth that belongs to the Crambidae family. It's a small creature with a big story, living only in one unique place in the world. This moth was first discovered and described by a scientist named Edward Meyrick way back in 1885.
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Meet the Orocrambus ephorus Moth
This fascinating moth is known for its quiet life in the mountains. It's a true native of New Zealand, meaning it's found nowhere else on Earth. Scientists call this "endemic."
Where Does It Live?
The Orocrambus ephorus moth makes its home in the beautiful and rugged South Island of New Zealand. Specifically, it loves the high-up, chilly places.
Its favorite spot is in the "alpine tussock grasslands." Imagine wide-open fields covered in tall, spiky grasses called tussocks, high up in the mountains where it can get quite cold. This is where the moth thrives.
What Does It Look Like?
This moth isn't huge, but it's an interesting size. Its wingspan (the distance from one wingtip to the other when its wings are spread out) is usually between 31 and 39 millimeters. That's about the length of two small paperclips placed end to end!
When Can You See It?
If you were exploring the alpine tussock grasslands of New Zealand, you'd most likely spot an adult Orocrambus ephorus moth flying around during the warmer months. They are typically seen "on wing" (meaning flying) from November all the way through February. This is summertime in the Southern Hemisphere.
