Uresiphita polygonalis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Uresiphita polygonalis |
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Uresiphita
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U. polygonalis
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| Uresiphita polygonalis (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)
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Uresiphita polygonalis is a type of moth that belongs to the Crambidae family. This species was first described by scientists Michael Denis and Ignaz Schiffermüller in 1775. You can find this moth in many parts of the world. It lives in places like the Pacific (including Hawaii and New Zealand), Sri Lanka, Europe, and both northern and southern Africa.
Contents
About the Uresiphita Polygonalis Moth
This moth is known for its interesting appearance and its wide range. Like all moths, it starts its life as a caterpillar. It then changes into a pupa before becoming an adult moth.
What Does It Look Like?
The Uresiphita polygonalis moth has a wingspan of about 27 millimeters. This means that when its wings are spread out, they measure about 2.7 centimeters across. The adult moths can be different colors. Some are green, while others might be red.
Where Does It Live?
This moth is found in many different regions around the globe. It lives in warm and temperate climates. Its wide distribution shows how adaptable it is to various environments.
What Do They Eat?
The caterpillars of the Uresiphita polygonalis moth have a specific diet. They mainly eat plants from the Fabaceae family. These plants are often called the pea or bean family. Some examples include Ulex europaeus (gorse), Genista species, and Sophora tomentosa.
In Hawaii, these caterpillars have been seen eating the leaves of Acacia koa and Sophora chrysophylla trees. The caterpillars often feed together in groups. They spin webs around the leaves where they are eating. This helps them stay together and protect themselves while they munch on their food.
Subspecies
A subspecies is a group of animals within a species that has small differences from other groups. These differences might be in their looks or where they live. The Uresiphita polygonalis moth has a few known subspecies:
- Uresiphita polygonalis polygonalis
- Uresiphita polygonalis virescens (Butler, 1881) (found in Hawaii)
- Uresiphita polygonalis maorialis (Felder & Rogenhofer, 1875) (found in New Zealand)
Uresiphita polygonalis maorialis
This particular subspecies is special because it is found only in New Zealand. It is also commonly known as the kowhai moth. Sometimes, people refer to it simply as Uresiphita maorialis.
The kowhai moth lives all over New Zealand. Its caterpillars enjoy eating the leaves of the native kowhai trees. They also feed on introduced plants like the tree lupin.
