Tmetolophota arotis facts for kids
Tmetolophota arotis is a special kind of moth that belongs to the family Noctuidae. It was first described in 1887 by a scientist named Edward Meyrick. This moth is unique because it is only found in New Zealand, making it an endemic species. It was originally found in places like Blenheim, Christchurch, and Rakaia.
Quick facts for kids Tmetolophota arotis |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Male | |
 |
|
| Female | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: |
Tmetolophota
|
| Species: |
T. arotis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Tmetolophota arotis (Meyrick, 1887)
|
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
Contents
Discovering the New Zealand Moth
A Moth from New Zealand
The Tmetolophota arotis is a type of moth that is part of a large group called the Noctuidae family. These moths are often called owlet moths. They are found all over the world. This particular moth is special because it lives only in New Zealand.
Who Discovered This Moth?
This moth was first officially described by Edward Meyrick in 1887. He was a British entomologist, which means he studied insects. He found specimens of this moth in different parts of New Zealand. These places included Blenheim, Christchurch, and Rakaia.
What Do They Eat?
The young moths, called larvae or caterpillars, have a specific diet. They love to munch on a plant called Phormium tenax. This plant is also known as New Zealand flax. It is a strong, fibrous plant native to New Zealand.
A Change in Its Name
Sometimes, scientists learn new things about animals and plants. In 2019, a scientist named Robert J. B. Hoare did a big study on New Zealand moths. After looking closely at the original moths Meyrick studied, Hoare decided that Tmetolophota arotis actually belonged to a different group. He moved it into a genus called Ichneutica. This means its scientific name might change in the future.
