Pyrgotis transfixa facts for kids

Pyrgotis transfixa is a special kind of moth that belongs to the family Tortricidae. This moth is found only in New Zealand, which means it is endemic there. It's quite rare and is listed as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation. This means it's not often seen and needs protection.

How was this moth discovered?

This moth was first described by a scientist named Edward Meyrick. He studied a moth specimen collected by George Hudson. The specimen was found in Gollan's Valley, near Wellington, in December 1924.

Meyrick first gave the moth the name Catamacta transfixa. Later, in 1928, George Hudson wrote about and drew this moth in his book, The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. In 1971, another scientist, John S. Dugdale, decided that this moth actually belonged to a different group, the Pyrgotis genus. The original specimen, called the holotype, is kept safe at the Natural History Museum, London.

What does the Pyrgotis transfixa moth look like?

The Pyrgotis transfixa moth is about 15 millimeters (about half an inch) long. Its head and body are a mix of dark purplish-brown and dark reddish-brown colors.

Its front wings are mostly a reddish-brown color. They have shiny grayish-purple patterns that look like a net. There's also a faint yellowish-white stripe in the middle of the wing, stretching from the base to the edge. Other similar stripes can be seen on some of the wing veins. The edges of the wings have reddish-brown hairs, mixed with some whitish tips. The back wings are a pale gray and have very faint patterns.

Where does this moth live?

This moth is only found in New Zealand. So far, it has only been seen in the Wellington area. Some moths have been found in the Orongorongo Valley.

What is the life cycle of this moth?

Scientists don't know much about the life of the Pyrgotis transfixa moth yet. We know that the adult moths fly around in December. They are often attracted to lights at night.

Where does this moth live and what does it eat?

This moth prefers to live in forest areas. However, scientists still don't know what plants the moth's caterpillars eat. They also don't know much about the moth's early life stages.

Is this moth in danger?

Yes, this moth is considered to be "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the New Zealand Threat Classification System. This means it's a rare species that needs to be protected to make sure it continues to survive in New Zealand.