Tmetolophota alopa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tmetolophota alopa |
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Tmetolophota
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T. alopa
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| Tmetolophota alopa (Meyrick, 1887)
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The Tmetolophota alopa is a type of moth that belongs to the Noctuidae family. This family is also known as the "owlet moths" because many of them fly at night. This special moth lives only in New Zealand, meaning it is endemic to that country.
Discovering the Tmetolophota alopa Moth
This moth was first described by a scientist named Edward Meyrick in 1887. He found specimens of this moth near two lakes in Canterbury, New Zealand: Lake Coleridge and Lake Guyon. He collected these moths in March.
Where This Moth Lives
The Tmetolophota alopa moth is unique because it is found only in New Zealand. This means its natural home is nowhere else in the world. It was originally found near lakes in the Canterbury region, showing it prefers certain habitats in that area.
Changing Names in Science
Sometimes, the scientific names of animals can change as scientists learn more. In 2019, a scientist named Robert J. B. Hoare did a big study on New Zealand moths from the Noctuidae family. After carefully looking at the original moth specimen that Edward Meyrick used to describe the Tmetolophota alopa, Hoare decided that it actually fit better into a different group, or genus, called Ichneutica. So, while it's still the same moth, its scientific classification was updated based on new research.
