Stigmella ilsea facts for kids

The Stigmella ilsea is a very tiny moth. It belongs to a group of moths called Nepticulidae. These moths are known for being some of the smallest moths in the world! You can find Stigmella ilsea living in New Zealand.

The Stigmella Ilsea Moth

This little moth is quite small. Its front wings are only about 2 mm long. That's about the size of a small grain of rice!

Life Cycle of the Moth

Adult Stigmella ilsea moths have been seen flying in January, October, and November. Moths that were raised in labs came out between July and September. It seems like these moths usually have one main life cycle each year. This means they go from egg to larva to pupa to adult moth once a year.

What Do the Larvae Eat?

The young moths, called larvae (or caterpillars), are very special eaters. They feed on the leaves of several types of plants. These plants are all from the Olearia family, which are native to New Zealand. Some of the plants they eat include Olearia virgata, Olearia rugosa, Olearia odorata, Olearia laxiflora, Olearia lineate, and Olearia hectorii.

How Larvae Eat Leaves

These larvae are known as leaf miners. This means they don't just chew on the outside of the leaf. Instead, they dig tunnels and eat the soft parts inside the leaf!

When a larva first starts, it makes a very thin tunnel. But as it grows bigger, it eats almost everything between the top and bottom layers of the leaf. This leaves behind a small, empty space that looks like a tiny bubble.

You can find these larvae inside leaves from February to May, and also in July and September. They are usually 2 to 3 mm long. Their bodies are a pale yellow color.

The Cocoon

When the larva is ready to change into an adult moth, it spins a cocoon. This cocoon is pale brown. The larva usually spins its cocoon in dead leaves or other plant bits on the ground. This helps keep it safe while it changes.