Stigmella maoriella facts for kids

Stigmella maoriella is a tiny moth that belongs to the Nepticulidae family. This special moth lives only in New Zealand, which means it is endemic there. The Department of Conservation says it is "Not Threatened," so it's not currently in danger.

About the Stigmella maoriella Moth

How the Moth Got Its Name

This moth was first described in 1864 by a scientist named Francis Walker. He named it Tinea maoriella. He studied a specimen, which is a sample of the animal, collected by Lt-Colonel Daniel Bolton.

Later, in 1988, another scientist named John S. Dugdale moved the moth to a different group, the Stigmella genus. The main example specimen, called a lectotype, is kept safe at the Natural History Museum, London.

What the Moth Looks Like

When Francis Walker first described the female moth, he said it was shiny and grayish-white. Its head was white. The front wings were rounded at the tips. They had a short, dark gray line near the base. There were also two dark gray bands, each with a black dot. The edge of the wings had small black specks.

The moth's body was about 2.5 millimeters long. Its wings were about 5 millimeters long.

Where the Stigmella maoriella Moth Lives

This moth is found only in New Zealand. You can find it in areas from Auckland in the north down to the Hawke's Bay area.

How to Tell It Apart

It can be tricky to tell Stigmella maoriella apart from its close relatives. However, it is larger than another moth called S. ilsea.

Habitat and What It Eats

The young moths, called larvae, like to eat plants from the Olearia species. These plants are their main food source.

Conservation Status

The Stigmella maoriella moth has been checked by the New Zealand Threat Classification System. It has been classified as "Not Threatened." This means that, for now, there are enough of these moths, and they are not considered to be at risk of disappearing.