Orocrambus ornatus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Orocrambus ornatus |
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 Nationally Critical (NZ TCS) |
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O. ornatus
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| Orocrambus ornatus (Philpott, 1927)
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Orocrambus ornatus is a special kind of moth that belongs to the Crambidae family. This moth is found only in New Zealand, which means it's endemic to that country. Sadly, it's considered "critically endangered" by the New Zealand Department of Conservation, meaning it's in great danger of disappearing forever.
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About Its Name
This moth was first described in 1927 by a scientist named Alfred Philpott. He found a male moth in a place called Golden Downs. Philpott originally named it Crambus ornatus. Later, in 1939, another scientist, George Vernon Hudson, also wrote about and drew this moth using the same name. In 1975, David Edward Gaskin moved this moth to a different group, the Orocrambus genus.
What It Looks Like
The Orocrambus ornatus moth is about 20 millimeters long. Its head and mouthparts are a yellowish-brown color. The antennae are brown, and its body is a mix of brown and white. The legs are white, but the front legs are darker.
Its front wings are usually a shiny brassy brown to chocolate brown. They have white markings that stand out. There's a white patch near the base of the wing. There's also a wide, uneven white band that doesn't reach the bottom edge of the wing. You might see a mix of black and white scales in a spot before this band. There's also a long black mark in the middle of the wing.
Near the outer part of the wing, there's a white area with some brown specks. This area surrounds a dark spot. There's also a clear white line that looks like teeth, followed by a larger dark spot. The tips of the wings have a white area. The fringes (the hairs along the edge of the wing) are dark with white stripes. The back wings and their fringes are a pale yellowish-gray.
Where It Lives
This moth is found only in New Zealand. It has been seen in the Golden Downs area, which is in the Tasman District. It has also been recorded in the Nelson district.
Its Home and Habits
The Orocrambus ornatus moth seems to prefer living in forest areas. Adult moths have been seen flying around in January.
What It Eats
This moth has been found to be connected to plants from the Uncinia group. These plants are likely what the moth or its caterpillars feed on.
How We Protect It
This moth is listed as "Nationally Critical" under the New Zealand Threat Classification System. This means it is facing a very high risk of dying out in the wild. Efforts are being made to help protect this special New Zealand moth.
