Stigmella sophorae

Larvae are 2–3 mm long and are pale green. The cocoon is made of pale brown silk and attaches to the stem of the host plant. Hudson described the adults of this species as follows:

The expansion of the wings is under 1⁄4 inch (5+1⁄2 mm.). The fore-wings are very pale whitish-ochreous, densely speckled with very small black dots; there is a black spot in the disc below and before middle and another at about 3⁄4; the cilia are pale whitishochreous. Hind-wings and cilia grey. Donner and Wilkinson described the adult male and female of the species as follows:

Head. Frontal tuft, scape, and collar cream; antenna grey, lustrous, reflecting silver, comprising 19-23 segments. Thorax creamish white. Forewing about 3 mm long, speckled white and brown, with 2 small black spots, one medial and one subterminal; each scale cream at base, pale brown at margin; fringe silvery white. Hindwing silvery grey; fringe long, concolorous. Abdomen pale grey.S. sophorae is a very small moth and can be distinguished from S. cassiniae as its forewings are much paler in colour.

This species is endemic to New Zealand. It has been observed in both the North and South Islands.

Larva have been recorded from April to August. Adults have been recorded in February and from August to December. There is one generation per year.

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