Stathmopoda endotherma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stathmopoda endotherma |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
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| Family: |
Stathmopodidae
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| Genus: |
Stathmopoda
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| Species: |
S. endotherma
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| Binomial name | |
| Stathmopoda endotherma Meyrick, 1931
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The Stathmopoda endotherma is a small moth. It belongs to the family called Stathmopodidae. This moth lives only in New Zealand. Because it is rare, the Department of Conservation lists it as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon." This means it's not often seen in nature.
Contents
About This Moth
This section tells you more about the Stathmopoda endotherma moth. You will learn how it was discovered and what it looks like.
How It Was Discovered
A scientist named Edward Meyrick first described this moth in 1931. He used a moth specimen found in January at Little River. This place is on the Banks Peninsula in New Zealand. Another scientist, George Hudson, wrote about this moth later. He even drew pictures of it in his 1939 book. The original moth specimen is kept safe at the Canterbury Museum.
What It Looks Like
Edward Meyrick described the female moth. It is about 13 to 14 millimeters long. That's about half an inch.
Its head and mouthparts are a shiny yellowish-white color. The body part where its wings attach is a pale, shiny orange-yellow. The front wings are thin and pointed. They are a bronze-gray color. There is an orange mark near the base of the wing. The lower part of the wing is orange mixed with reddish-brown. There is also a faint reddish-brown stripe in the middle. The fringes of hair on the wings are light bronze-gray. The back wings are gray, and their fringes are light gray.
Where This Moth Lives
This moth is special because it is endemic to New Zealand. This means it is found nowhere else in the world.
Places It Has Been Found
Besides where it was first found, this moth has been seen in several other places. These include Akaroa and Riccarton Bush. It has also been found in Prices Valley on Banks Peninsula. Other locations are Klondyke Corner in Arthurs Pass National Park. It was also seen at McQuilkans Creek near Dunedin. Finally, it has been found in Dunsdale Scenic Reserve in Southland.
Biology and Life Cycle
This moth has a specific time of year when it flies around.
When It Flies
You can usually see the Stathmopoda endotherma moth flying between late October and January. This is when the adult moths are active.
What This Moth Eats and Where It Lives
Like other moths, the Stathmopoda endotherma has specific food and home preferences.
Possible Food Sources
This moth belongs to the Stathmopoda group. Moths in this group often have larvae that eat tiny insects called scale insects. So, the young Stathmopoda endotherma moths might also feed on these insects.
Its Favorite Home
The Stathmopoda endotherma moth prefers to live in native New Zealand forests. These forests provide the right environment for it to survive.
Conservation Status
It's important to protect this moth because it's quite rare.
Why It Needs Protection
The Stathmopoda endotherma moth is listed as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon." This is part of the New Zealand Threat Classification System. "Naturally Uncommon" means it has always been rare. "At Risk" means it needs our attention to make sure its numbers don't drop even more. Protecting its forest home is key to helping this unique New Zealand moth.
