Slender owlet moth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Slender owlet moth |
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Rhapsa
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R. scotosialis
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| Rhapsa scotosialis Walker, 1866
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The slender owlet moth (scientific name: Rhapsa scotosialis) is a type of moth. It belongs to a group of moths called Noctuidae, often known as 'owlet moths'. This moth is very common in the forests of New Zealand.
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Naming the Slender Owlet Moth
Scientists give names to all living things. This helps everyone know exactly which animal or plant they are talking about.
The slender owlet moth was first described by a scientist named Francis Walker in 1866. He studied moths that were found in Auckland, New Zealand.
Later, in 1877, another scientist named Arthur Gardiner Butler also described this moth. He gave it a different name, Herminia lilacina. However, in 1887, Edward Meyrick realized that both names were for the same moth. So, the name Herminia lilacina became a synonym, meaning it's another name for the same species.
What the Slender Owlet Moth Looks Like
The adult slender owlet moth has wings that spread about 3.5 centimeters (1 3/8 inches) wide.
- Male Moths: The male moths are usually a pale brown color. Their front wings have a curved edge near the tip. They have some faint black marks near the base of the wing.
- There is a very small, round mark called the 'orbicular' spot. It can be orange or pale grey and has a black outline.
- Another clear mark, the 'reniform' spot, looks like a kidney shape. It has a wavy outer edge and is outlined with a dull orange-red color.
- Males also have a black blotch between these two spots.
- There are wavy lines and small dark spots across their wings.
- Near the wing tip, there's a pale triangle.
- Along the outer edge of the wings, there are small crescent-shaped dark brown marks.
- The male's antennae are feathery, which helps them find females.
- Female Moths: Female moths are generally darker brown than males. Their markings are not as clear or as many as the males'. They do not have the black blotch between the orbicular and reniform spots that males have.
The back wings of both male and female moths are a greyish-yellow color. They have a faint line across the middle and some small crescent-shaped marks along their outer edge.
Where the Slender Owlet Moth Lives
This moth is endemic to New Zealand. This means it is found only in New Zealand and nowhere else in the world. You can find it all over the country.
Life Cycle of the Slender Owlet Moth
The slender owlet moth goes through different stages in its life.
- Eggs: When the eggs are first laid, they are bright green. After a couple of days, they change to a dull purple color.
- Caterpillar: The caterpillar of this moth has a brown head and a white body. Each part of its body has a small, round bump with a tuft of hairs growing from it.
Host Plant
The caterpillars of the slender owlet moth feed on a specific plant. This plant is called Piper excelsum, also known as kōtukutuku or kawakawa. This plant is the 'host species' for the moth's larvae.
Images for kids
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Larval host species, Piper excelsum.
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