Stigmella oriastra facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stigmella oriastra |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Nepticulidae
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| Genus: |
Stigmella
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| Species: |
S. oriastra
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| Binomial name | |
| Stigmella oriastra (Meyrick, 1917)
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The Stigmella oriastra is a very tiny moth. It belongs to a group of moths called Nepticulidae. These moths are known for being some of the smallest in the world. You can find this special moth only in New Zealand.
Contents
About the Stigmella Oriastra Moth
This little moth is super small! Its front wings are only about 3 millimeters long. That's about the size of a few grains of sand lined up.
Where It Lives
Adult Stigmella oriastra moths have been seen flying in January and from October to December. This means they are active during the warmer months in New Zealand. They likely have one full life cycle each year.
Life Cycle of the Moth
Like all moths, the Stigmella oriastra goes through different stages in its life.
Larvae and Their Food
The baby moths, called larvae (or caterpillars), are about 3 to 4 millimeters long. They are a pale yellow color. These larvae have a very interesting way of eating. They feed on plants from the Celmisia family, like Celmisia coriacea.
The larvae are "leaf miners". This means they live inside the leaves of the plant. They chew tunnels, or "mines," through the leaf. At first, their tunnel might be a circle. Then, it becomes a straight line. The larvae leave their waste, called frass, in the middle of these tunnels. Larvae have been found in February, April, and May.
The Cocoon Stage
After the larva has grown enough, it builds a cocoon. This cocoon is a safe place where the larva changes into an adult moth. The cocoon of the Stigmella oriastra is a buff color. It is usually spun among bits of leaves and other debris on the ground.
