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Tmetolophota paraxysta facts for kids

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Tmetolophota paraxysta
Tmetolophota paraxysta female.jpg
Female
Tmetolophota paraxysta male.jpg
Male
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Class:
Order:
Family:
Genus:
Tmetolophota
Species:
T. paraxysta
Binomial name
Tmetolophota paraxysta
(Meyrick, 1929)
Synonyms
  • Leucania paraxysta Meyrick, 1929

The Tmetolophota paraxysta is a special type of moth that belongs to the Noctuidae family. This means it's a "noctuid" moth, which often fly at night. It was first discovered and described in 1929 by a scientist named Edward Meyrick. He studied moths collected near Waiouru in New Zealand by another scientist, G. V. Hudson. This moth is only found in New Zealand, which means it is endemic there.

Discovering the Tmetolophota paraxysta Moth

This unique moth was first identified in 1929. Edward Meyrick, a well-known entomologist (someone who studies insects), gave it its scientific name. The moths he studied were found in the area around Waiouru. This region is located in the North Island of New Zealand.

What Does This Moth Look Like?

The Tmetolophota paraxysta is a medium-sized moth. It has a pale color, which helps it blend in with its surroundings. Its back wings, called hindwings, are a bit darker than its front wings, known as forewings. If you look closely at its forewings, you can clearly see the veins. These veins are like tiny lines that support the wing structure.

How Scientists Study and Name Moths

Scientists are always learning new things about animals. In 2019, a scientist named Robert J. B. Hoare did a big study on New Zealand's noctuid moths. He looked very carefully at the original moths that Edward Meyrick used to describe Tmetolophota paraxysta. After his research, Hoare decided that this moth actually fit better into a different group, or "genus," called Ichneutica. This shows how science keeps growing and changing as we learn more!

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