Orocrambus punctellus facts for kids

Orocrambus punctellus is a type of moth that belongs to the family Crambidae. This moth is special because it is found only in New Zealand, meaning it is endemic there. Currently, experts don't have enough information about this moth, so its conservation status is listed as "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation.

Discovering the Moth

This moth was first described by a scientist named George Vernon Hudson in 1950. He used a specimen, which is a preserved example, that was collected by George Howes in a place called Portobello in Dunedin. When Hudson first described it, he named it Crambus punctellus.

Later, in 1975, another scientist named D. E. Gaskin decided that this moth actually belonged in a different group, or genus, called Orocrambus. So, its scientific name was changed to Orocrambus punctellus. The original specimen that Hudson used to describe the moth is now kept safely at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

What Does It Look Like?

When George Hudson first described Orocrambus punctellus, he noted some key features. This moth has a wingspan of about 23 millimeters (which is almost an inch). Its front wings are a pale creamy-white color. Near the base of the wings, there's a very light brownish-yellow tint.

A noticeable feature is a wide, somewhat blurry, brownish band across the wing, followed by a clear, dark brown spot in the middle. The outer part of the wings, especially near the edges, might have a very faint pale brown shade. The moth's head is white, and its mouthparts (called palpi) are long and whitish with brown speckles. Its body is brownish-yellow, and the hindwings are a whitish-yellow. The fringes of hair along the wing edges are almost white.

Where Does It Live?

As mentioned, Orocrambus punctellus is endemic to New Zealand. So far, it has only been found in the area where the first specimen was collected, which is the Otago Peninsula. This means it's a very rare and localized species.

Life and Habits

Scientists don't know much about the life of this moth. For example, they don't know what plants its larvae (the caterpillar stage) eat. This is called the "host species" for the larvae. Adult moths have only been seen flying around in March. More research is needed to understand its full life cycle and behavior.

Conservation Status

Because so little is known about Orocrambus punctellus, it has been given a "Data Deficient" conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System. This means that experts don't have enough information to figure out if the moth is endangered or not. They need more data to understand its population size, where it lives, and what threats it might face.