Agrotis kuamauna
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Agrotis kuamauna | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Superfamily: | Noctuoidea |
| Family: | Noctuidae |
| Genus: | Agrotis |
| Species: | A. kuamauna |
| Binomial name | |
| Agrotis kuamauna Medeiros & Kirkpatrick, 2019[2] | |
Agrotis kuamauna is a species of owlet moth[1][3] endemic to the alpine high elevations of Mauna Kea on the big island of Hawai'i.[1]
Agrotis kuamauna adults have forewing lengths ranging from 31–40 mm (1.2–1.6 in). Forewings are brown with small darker splotches. The abdomen is brown with tufts of scales. A. kuamauna can be distinguished from the related moth A. helela with which it shares its habitat by its overall larger size and paler coloration.[2]
Distribution and habitat
Agrotis kuamauna is endemic to the harsh high elevation alpine zones near the summit of Mauna Kea, occupying elevations from 3,000 m (9,800 ft) up to the summit, at approximately 4,200 m (13,800 ft).[1][2] Larvae are found associated with volcanic ash substrates within this habitat, as opposed to the more rocky cinders preferred by some other summit insects such as the Wekiu bug.[2]