New ‘enigma’ moth helps crack evolution’s code

By March 4th, 2015

It is less than 10mm long, but the aptly named ‘enigma’ moth recently discovered on Kangaroo Island in South Australia is causing quite a stir.

Aenigmatinea glatzella – which has iridescent gold and purple wings – is a ‘living dinosaur’ that represents an entirely new family of primitive moths. This is the first time since the 1970s that a new family of primitive moths has been identified anywhere in the world.

The moth was unveiled today as part of a launch of a foundation to support research into Australian moths and butterflies, and the moths and butterflies in CSIRO’s Australian National Insect Collection in Canberra.

The enigma moth lives on Southern Cypress-pine trees (Callitris gracilis), a very ancient element of our flora going back to the supercontinent Gondwana.

Our fauna is so exciting we can still find new primitive species. Australia is so rich in moths that vast numbers still remain to be discovered.”

Dr Ted Edwards

With wings outstretched the adult moths are about the size of a five-cent piece. They are covered in scales that appear gold and purple, and the edges of their wings have feathery fringes.

The adult moths are short-lived. In just one day they emerge from their cocoons, mate, females lay their eggs, and then die.

Australia is thought to be home to about 22,000 species of moths and butterflies, of which about half have been named.

CSIRO researchers played a key role in identifying the moth and helped to unlock dramatic insights into the evolution of moths and their butterfly cousins.

An international team of professional researchers and enthusiasts collected and described the moth, which has so far only been found on Kangaroo Island.

According to CSIRO’s Dr Ted Edwards, who was jointly responsible for describing the new family, by studying the moth’s appearance and analysing its DNA the team has revealed that the evolution of moths and butterflies is even more complex than previously thought.

“While the discovery of this new moth strengthens the evolutionary relationships between other primitive moth families, it also suggests that tongues evolved in moths and butterflies more than once,” Dr Edwards, an Honorary Fellow with CSIRO’s Australian National Insect Collection, said.

“Our fauna is so exciting we can still find new primitive species. Australia is so rich in moths that vast numbers still remain to be discovered.”

CSIRO’s Australian National Insect Collection is the world’s largest collection of Australian insects and related groups. It is a nationally and internationally significant research resource that contributes to our understanding of biodiversity, and supports research in evolutionary biology, ecology, biosecurity and natural resource management.

The paper describing the new family of primitive moths from Australia is published in the latest edition of Systematic Entomology .

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A female adult 'enigma' moth on a Southern Cypress-pine stem.

A female adult ‘enigma’ moth on a Southern Cypress-pine stem. Image: George Gibbs

Dr Ted Edwards holding a tray of moth specimens from the ANIC.

CSIRO’s Dr Ted Edwards, who was jointly responsible for describing the new family of primitive moths.

What is the new ‘enigma’ moth?
Dr Ted Edwards describes the ‘enigma’ moth and the research into its origins.

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Transcript

This new moth, the ‘enigma’ moth, is small, about the size of a five-cent piece. It has gold and purple wings with fringed edges. So far it has only been found in one place which is on Kangaroo Island off the south coast of South Australia.

Our research shows that it is a living dinosaur and belongs to an entirely new family of primitive moths. This is the first time since the 1970s that a new family of primitive moths has been identified anywhere in the world.

Why is the discovery of the ‘enigma’ moth exciting?
Dr Ted Edwards explains how enigma moth DNA has provided evidence that strengthens the evolutionary relationships between other primitive moth families.

options:

Transcript

By studying the moth’s structure and analysing its DNA, our team has shown that the evolution of moths and butterflies is even more complex than previously thought.

While the discovery of this new moth strengthens the evolutionary relationships between other primitive moth families, it also suggests that tongues evolved in moths and butterflies more than once.

Our fauna is so exciting we can still find new primitive species. Australia is so rich in moths that vast numbers still remain to be discovered.

What can we learn from collections?
Dr Ted Edwards talks about the value of collections and how they help underpin research in many scientific fields.

options:

Transcript

Australia is home to more than 22,000 species of butterflies and moths, of which about half have been named. We use a name to communicate our knowledge of moths.

Collecting and describing our fauna and flora contributes to our understanding of biodiversity, and supports research in evolutionary biology, ecology, biosecurity and natural resource management.

Today we’re launching a private foundation to support research into Australian moths and butterflies, and the curation of moths and butterflies at CSIRO’s Australian National Insect Collection. The fund will support curation, visitors, students, field work and describing new species.