Stigmella laqueorum facts for kids

Stigmella laqueorum is a tiny moth that belongs to the Nepticulidae family. It is a special moth because it lives only in New Zealand. The New Zealand Department of Conservation says this moth is "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon." This means it's not found in many places and needs protection.

About Its Name

This moth was first named Nepticula laquaeorum by John S. Dugdale. Later, in 1988, Mr. Dugdale changed its name to the correct spelling, Stigmella laqueorum. He also placed it in the group of moths called Stigmella.

What It Looks Like

Larvae

The young moths, called larvae, are about 6 mm long. They are pale green in color.

Adult Moths

Adult Stigmella laqueorum moths have front wings that are about 3 to 4 mm long. They look a lot like their close relative, Stigmella fulva. However, you can tell S. laqueorum apart because its wing edges are black at the bottom. It also does not have black marks on the middle part of its wings. S. laqueorum is also smaller and has clearer markings on its wings than S. fulva.

Where It Lives

This moth is found only in New Zealand. Specifically, it lives only on Snares Island. This makes it an endemic species, meaning it is native and unique to that one place.

Life Cycle and Habits

The female moth lays her eggs on the underside of leaves. She places them among the thick, fuzzy hairs called tomentum. You can find larvae at any time of the year.

When a larva is ready to change, it builds a cocoon. This cocoon is made of light brown or tan silk. The cocoon is attached to fallen leaves or the bottom of tree trunks. Adult moths have been seen flying from late November to February. They are diurnal, which means they fly only in the morning.

What It Eats and Where It Lives

The larvae of Stigmella laqueorum eat the leaves of a plant called Olearia lyallii. They are leaf miners, which means they tunnel inside the leaves. Their tunnels are narrow and winding, like scribbles. They are close to the top surface of the leaf and get wider at the end. One leaf can have up to 20 of these tunnels.

Conservation Status

This moth is considered "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the New Zealand Threat Classification System. This means it is not found in many places and its population is naturally small. It is important to protect its habitat to help this special moth survive.