Stigmella fulva facts for kids

Stigmella fulva is a very tiny moth that belongs to the Nepticulidae family. It lives only in New Zealand. These moths are known for their small size and how their caterpillars eat leaves.

What is Stigmella fulva?

This moth is scientifically named Stigmella fulva. It is a very small insect, part of the moth family. It was first described by a scientist named Watt in 1921.

Where Does It Live?

Stigmella fulva is found only in New Zealand. This means it is an endemic species. It lives naturally only in that country.

Size and Appearance

The front wings of an adult Stigmella fulva moth are usually about 4 to 5 millimeters long. That's about the size of a grain of rice!

Life Cycle

When Do They Fly?

Adult moths can be seen flying during most months of the year. They have been recorded from January to March and again from August to December. Some moths that were raised in labs came out in May and July. It seems like new generations of these moths are born all year long.

What Do Larvae Eat?

The young moths, called larvae or caterpillars, eat the leaves of certain plants. They especially like plants from the Olearia family. Some of their favorite plants include Olearia arborescens, Olearia ilicifolia, Olearia nitida, and Olearia macrodonta. They are most often found on Olearia arborescens.

How Larvae Eat Leaves

These larvae are leaf miners. This means they live inside the leaves of their host plants and eat the leaf tissue. Their eating creates a special pattern called a "mine."

The mine starts as a very thin tunnel on the underside of the leaf. But it quickly grows into a wider, blotchy shape. The tiny spot where the egg was laid is often covered by this blotch. You might only see a purple color around the egg spot.

The mines can be hard to see because they are hidden deep inside the leaf. Larvae have been found in almost every month of the year, except January, February, and June. They are usually 4 to 5 millimeters long and have a pale yellow color.

The Cocoon

When the larva is ready to change into an adult moth, it spins a cocoon. This cocoon is brown and is usually spun in the ground.