Schiffermuelleria orthophanes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Schiffermuelleria orthophanes |
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| Conservation status | |
 Nationally Critical (NZ TCS) |
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| Scientific classification | |
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| Phylum: | |
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| Family: |
Oecophoridae
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| Genus: |
Schiffermuelleria
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| Species: |
S. orthophanes
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| Binomial name | |
| Schiffermuelleria orthophanes (Meyrick, 1905)
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| Synonyms | |
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Schiffermuelleria orthophanes is a small moth that lives only in New Zealand. It is part of the Oecophoridae family of moths. This special moth is in big trouble. The Department of Conservation says it is critically endangered. This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever.
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Naming and Classification
In 1905, a scientist named Edward Meyrick first described this moth. He gave it the name Compsistis orthophanes. He found the moths he studied in Nelson and Auckland. The main example specimen, called the type specimen, is kept at the Natural History Museum, London.
Later, Meyrick decided this moth fit better into a European group of moths called Schiffermuelleria. Another scientist, George Vernon Hudson, also talked about the moth using this new name in 1928.
However, scientists now think this New Zealand moth might belong to a completely different group. Robert J. B. Hoare has suggested it could be part of a "Hierodoris" group. More research is needed to find its correct scientific family. Because of this, you might also see it called Schiffermuelleria (s.l.) orthophanes. The "s.l." means "in a broad sense," showing that its exact group is still being figured out.
What Does This Moth Look Like?
Edward Meyrick described this moth when he first found it. It is a small moth, about 9 to 10 millimeters long. That's less than half an inch!
Its head, antennae, and body (thorax) are a dark bronze-brown color. Its mouthparts (palpi) are also dark brown, but whitish-yellow on the inside. The end part of its mouth is as long as the second part. Its belly (abdomen) is dark brown with a whitish-yellow tip.
The front wings are long and narrow. They are a brownish color with a slight purple tint. They have tiny dark brown and blackish speckles. There is a straight, narrow band of pale yellowish color about a quarter of the way along the wing. There is also a small yellowish spot in the middle of the wing. Two more yellowish spots are found three-quarters of the way along the wing, one near the top edge and one near the bottom. The edges of these spots are not perfectly smooth. The fringes of hair on the wings are brown, mixed with dark brown near the base.
The hind wings (back wings) are dark brown. Their fringes are also brown, with a dark brown shade at the base.
Where Does This Moth Live?
This moth is endemic to New Zealand. This means it is found only in New Zealand and nowhere else in the world.
It has been found in several places across New Zealand. These include Auckland, Waimarino, Wellington, North Brother Island, and Stephens Island. It has also been seen in Nelson and the Southland area.
Life and Habitat
Scientists do not know much about how this moth lives. They think that the young moths, called larvae, might eat dead leaves or small twigs. The adult moths are usually seen flying around from September to March.
In 1928, George Hudson noticed something interesting. He said that even though this moth was once thought to be rare, it had become more common around that time. Early records show that this moth used to live in places changed by people, like suburban areas.
Why This Moth Needs Our Help
In 2017, this moth was put on the New Zealand Threat Classification System. It was classified as "Nationally Critical" and "data poor."
"Nationally Critical" means that this moth is facing an extremely high risk of dying out in New Zealand. It is one of the most endangered species in the country. "Data poor" means that scientists do not have enough information about it. They need more research to understand its life and how best to protect it. Protecting this tiny moth is important for New Zealand's unique wildlife.
