Gold-edged gem facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gold-edged gem |
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| Scientific classification | |
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| Genus: |
Schinia
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| Species: |
S. avemensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Schinia avemensis Dyar, 1904
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The Schinia avemensis, also known as the gold-edged gem, is a beautiful type of moth. It belongs to a large family of moths called Noctuidae. This special moth was first described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1904.
About the Gold-Edged Gem Moth
The gold-edged gem moth is quite small. Its wingspan is usually between 16 and 18 millimeters. That's about the size of a small coin! Adults of this moth can be seen flying from July to August, depending on where they live.
Where This Moth Lives
This unique moth is quite rare. It is found in only a few special places in the southern prairie provinces of Canada. These areas include:
- The Spirit Dunes at Spruce Woods Provincial Park in Manitoba.
- The Burstall dunes in southwestern Saskatchewan.
- A small dune area in the Red Deer River valley, north of Bindloss.
Scientists believe it might also live in other active sand dune areas in southern Alberta and Saskatchewan. It has also been seen as far south as Colorado in the United States. These moths need specific sandy habitats to survive.
What the Larvae Eat
Like all moths, the gold-edged gem starts its life as a larva, which is like a caterpillar. These larvae have a very specific diet. They feed only on a plant called Helianthus petiolaris. This plant is also known as the prairie sunflower or sand sunflower. It's important for the survival of these moths that their food plant is available in their habitat.
