Scoparia illota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Scoparia illota |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Male | |
 |
|
| Female | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: |
Scoparia
|
| Species: |
S. illota
|
| Binomial name | |
| Scoparia illota Philpott, 1919
|
|
The Scoparia illota is a small moth that belongs to the family Crambidae. This special moth is found only in New Zealand, meaning it is endemic to that country. Its young, called larvae, are known for being "leaf miners," which means they live inside and eat the leaves of plants.
Contents
Discovering the Scoparia illota Moth
This moth was first described in 1919 by a scientist named Alfred Philpott. He found specimens of the moth in places like Cromarty in Preservation Inlet and near Blue Cliffs Beach in Southland. Later, in 1928, another scientist, George Hudson, wrote about and drew pictures of this moth in his book, The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand.
Where is the original moth specimen kept?
The very first specimen of this moth, called the holotype, is kept safely at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. This helps scientists study the species in the future.
What Does the Scoparia illota Moth Look Like?
The Scoparia illota moth is quite small. Its wingspan is usually between 18 and 20 millimeters. That's about the length of two small fingernails! Its front wings are a dark, blackish-brown color, with tiny white speckles. It also has two white lines across its wings. The back wings are a plain grey. Adult moths have been seen flying around in December.
Where Does the Scoparia illota Moth Live?
This moth is only found in New Zealand. It prefers to live in the forests of the southern parts of the country. You can often find it in places like Thomsons Bush in Invercargill and along Cascade Road in South Westland.
Life Cycle of the Scoparia illota Moth
The young moths, or larvae, of this species are very interesting. They are called leaf miners because they live inside the leaves of plants. They create silk tunnels within the leaves, where they stay safe and munch on the plant material.
What Do Scoparia illota Larvae Eat?
The larvae of this moth like to eat the leaves of a specific plant called Pyrrosia eleagnifolia. This plant is their main "host species," meaning it's where they get their food and shelter.
