Scoparia subita facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Scoparia subita |
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Scoparia
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S. subita
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| Scoparia subita (Philpott, 1912)
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Scoparia subita is a small moth that belongs to the Crambidae family. This special moth lives only in New Zealand. When a plant or animal lives only in one place, we say it is endemic to that area.
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How Scientists Study This Moth
Scientists use a system called taxonomy to name and group living things. This helps them understand how different species are related.
Naming the Moth
A scientist named Alfred Philpott first described this moth in 1912. He gave it the name Orocrambus subitus.
Later, in 1929, Philpott thought the moth should be placed in a different group, called the Scoparia genus. So, its name changed to Scoparia subita.
A Special Case
Sometimes, scientists are not completely sure where a species fits in the family tree. For Scoparia subita, there is still some discussion about its exact place within the Scoparia group. Because of this, you might sometimes see it called Scoparia (s.l.) subitus. The "s.l." means "in a broad sense," showing that its classification is still being looked at.
What Does This Moth Look Like?
This moth is quite small. It has a wingspan of about 15 to 16 millimeters. That's about the length of your fingernail!
Wings and Colors
The front wings of Scoparia subita are a pretty golden-brown color. They have tiny white spots and streaks that make them look even more interesting.
The back wings are different for males and females:
- Male moths have dark brownish-gray back wings.
- Female moths have lighter gray back wings.
When Can You See Them?
Adult Scoparia subita moths have been seen flying around in December. This is when they are active and looking for mates.
