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πŸ¦‹ Butterflies & Moths

Kauri Moth

Agathiphaga vitiensis

About

An extremely primitive moth considered a living fossil, with larvae that feed inside the seeds of kauri pine trees. It retains ancient features including functional mandibles in the adult stage. The family Agathiphagidae contains only two known species.

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Did You Know?

This moth is considered one of the most primitive living Lepidoptera, retaining mandibles that most moths and butterflies lost millions of years ago.