Ichneutica arotis

Ichneutica arotis
	Male
	Female
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Superfamily:	Noctuoidea
Family:	Noctuidae
Genus:	Ichneutica
Species:	I. arotis
Binomial name
	Ichneutica arotis; (Meyrick, 1887)
Synonyms
	Leucania arotisMeyrick, 1887 ; Persectania arotis(Meyrick, 1887) ; Persectania aulacias(Meyrick, 1887) ; Tmetolophota arotis(Meyrick, 1887) ; Leucania aulaciasMeyrick, 1887 ; Leucania obsoletaHowes, 1906 ; Leucania innotataHowes, 1908 ; Graphania arotis(Meyrick, 1887) ; Graphania aulacias(Meyrick, 1887) ; Graphania obsoleta(Howes, 1906) ; Graphania innotata(Howes, 1908) ;

Last updated November 23, 2023

Ichneutica arotis is a moth of the family Noctuidae.^[1] It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is found throughout the North and South Islands but has yet to be recorded on Stewart Island. I. arotis is variable in appearance and have been described as having a "northern dark form", a "typical" form and a "swamp" form. Robert Hoare hypothesised that this species may be in the process of evolving into several distinct species. However, as these forms show no difference in antennae or genitalia so, as at 2019, they are not regarded as separate species. Larval hosts include species in the genera Cortaderia and Schoenus as well as Phormium tenax . The caterpillar feeds at night and rests in during the day amongst dead flax leaves. It pupates in a loose cocoon either hidden at the base of a stem of flax or on the ground. The adults of this species is on the wing from September to April. In the North Island there have also been records of adults being on the wing in June to August.

I. arotis can be confused with I. blenheimensis , I. theobroma , or I. epiastra , and the female of I. arotis can possibly be confused with the female of I. cornuta . I. blenheimensis can be distinguished as even when worn and pale it has blackish forewing fringes that I. arotis lack. I. theobroma might possibly be confused with the "northern dark" form of I. arotis but can be distinguished as I. theobroma has broader wings and doesn't have the pale markings on the forewing that the "northern dark" form of I. arotis has. I. epiastra can be distinguished as it has an obvious row of black dots along the outer margin of the wing where as I. arotis is either lacks these marks or has brown dashes. The female I. arotis can be distinguished from the female I. cornuta as the former normally has dark scales on the thorax.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1887 from specimens collected in Blenheim, Christchurch and Rakaia in November and December.^[3] Meyrick originally named the species Leucania arotis.^[3] The male lectotype specimen is held at the Canterbury Museum.^[2] Meyrick thinking he was describing a separate species also named this species as Leucania aulacias.^[3] Despite this name being the first in the publication George Hudson in his 1898 publication New Zealand moths and butterflies (Macro-lepidoptera) gave priority to the name arotis.^[4] This is regarded as legitimate as Hudson was the first reviser.^[5]

In 1988 J. S. Dugdale, in his catalogue of New Zealand Lepidoptera, placed this species within the genus Tmetolophota.^[5] In 2019 Robert Hoare undertook a major review of New Zealand Noctuidae.^[2] During this review the genus Ichneutica was greatly expanded and the genus Tmetolophota was subsumed into that genus as a synonym.^[2] As a result of this review, this species is now known as Ichneutica arotis.^[2]

Hoare argues that given the variability of this species and its difference forms detailed observations on early life stages of this species, its host plants and genetics are needed to work out whether the different forms of this species should be given species status.^[2]

Description

Hudson described the egg of this species as follows:

The egg, which is laid upright, is almost round, flattened beneath, white; with many prominent longitudinal ribs, a series of transverse striations connecting each rib. The micropyle and ring around it become brown as the egg develops.^[6]

Hudson described the larva of this species as follows:

Length of the full grown larva is about 1 13/4 inches (45 mm). Cylindrical, moderately stout, tapering strongly at both extremities, but most posteriorly. General colour dull reddish-ochreous, with numerous darker, slightly wavy, longitudinal lines. Head ochreous, with fine blackish markings. A double, slender brownish-red dorsal line, with pale interspace, very conspicuous; a similar, but slightly fainter subdorsal line; lateral area darker through being crowded with numerous irregular brownish strigulae; a row of rather conspicuous black dots on lateral area just above spiracles; spiracles whitish, ringed with blackish, small and inconspicuous; no definite markings below spiracular line. Undersurface, legs and prolegs paler and duller, very slightly tinged with faint greenish-grey. Younger larvae have the general colouring paler.^[6]

Meyrick originally described adults of this species as follows:

Male, female. — 39-42 mm. Thorax tolerably crested anteriorly ; submedian streak not traceable ; cilia of forewings whitish-ochreous, sprinkled with fuscous and blackish, of hindwings white, with indications of a grey line : all else as in L. aulacias.^[3]

Hudson described adult of the species as follows:

The expansion of the wings is about 1+1⁄2 inches. The fore-wings are cream-colour with the veins finely marked in grey ; there is a series of streaks of darker cream-colour between the veins, and a row of minute black dots near the termen ; the cilia are cream-colour. The hind-wings are dark grey with the cilia white.^[4]

This species is variable with Hoare describing a "typical" form, a "northern dark form" and a "swamp" form.^[2] The wingspan of the typical adult male of this species is between 31 and 41 mm and for the female is between 35 and 46 mm.^[2] The wingspan of the northern dark form for the male is between 40 and 45 mm and for the female is between 41 and 44 mm.^[2] The swamp form is smaller with the wingspan of the male being between 33 and 37 mm and the female between 31 and 32 mm).^[2] Hoare hypothesised that this variability may indicated that the species may be evolving into several distinct species.^[2] However although variable in appearance these forms show no difference in antennae or genitalia and so, as at 2019, are not regarded as separate species.^[2]

I. arotis can be confused with I. blenheimensis, I. theobroma, or I. epiastra, and the female I. arotis can possibly be confused with the female I. cornuta.^[2]I. blenheimensis can be distinguished as even when worn and pale it has blackish forewing fringes that I. arotis lack.^[2]I. theobroma might possibly be confused with the "northern dark" form of I. arotis but can be distinguished as I. theobroma has broader wings and doesn't have the pale markings on the forewing that the "northern dark" form of I. arotis has.^[2]I. epiastra can be distinguished as it has an obvious row of black dots along the outer margin of the wing where as I. arotis is either lacks these marks or has brown dashes.^[2] The female I. arotis can be distinguished from the female I. cornuta as the former normally has dark scales on the thorax.^[2]

Distribution

It is endemic to New Zealand.^[7] This species is found throughout the North and South Islands but has yet to be recorded on Stewart Island.^[2]

Behaviour

This species is on the wing from September to April. In the North Island there have also been records of adults being on the wing in June to August.^[2]

Life history and host species

This species has been reared in captivity on stems of species within the genus Cortaderia .^[2] Species in the Schoenus genus might also be larval host plants.^[2] Larvae have been confirmed to feed on Phormium tenax in the wild.^[8]^[6] The caterpillar feeds at night and rests in during the day amongst dead flax leaves.^[6] This species pupates in a loose cocoon either hidden at the base of a stem of flax or on the ground.^[6]

Related Research Articles

Ichneutica is a genus of cutworm or dart moths in the family Noctuidae. The genus is found in New Zealand and surrounding islands. There are more than 80 described species in Ichneutica, the largest known genus of Lepidoptera in New Zealand. In 2019 this genus was revised and greatly expanded with the genera Graphania Hampson, 1905, Tmetolophota Hampson, 1905 and Dipaustica Meyrick, 1912 all subsumed within it.

Ichneutica lissoxyla is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is found in the central and southern parts of the North Island and in most parts of the South Island. The species prefers snowgrass habitat in the alpine zone. I. lissoxyla is similar in appearance to I. paraxysta but can be distinguished as I. lissoxyla lack the black streaks on the forewings that can be found on the latter species and the male I. lissoxyla also has longer pectinations on antennae. The life history of this species is unknown as are the host species of its larvae. Adults are on the wing from January to April and are attracted to the light.

Ichneutica pelanodes is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been found in scattered locations in the North, South and Stewart Islands. I. pelanodes is easily confused with I. skelloni as the two species are visually extremely similar. In the North Island though the range of the two species appears not to overlap. Generally of the two species I. pelanodes tends to be darker in appearance. I. pelanodes inhabits wetlands but the life history of this species is unknown as are the host species of its larvae. Adults are on the wing from October to February and are attracted both to sugar and light traps.

Ichneutica scutata is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species can be found in the southern parts of the North Island as well as the eastern parts of the South Island. It is similar in appearance to I. insignis and I. skelloni but can be distinguished as I. scutata is much paler in appearance. It is likely this species inhabits lowland tussock grasslands as well as coastal dunes although it is not common in inland tussock grasslands. The larvae feed on a variety of herbaceous plants such as Plantago and Convolvulus species, Plagianthus divaricatus. It pupates on soil near its host plants. The adults are on the wing from late March to July.

Ichneutica acontistis is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found only in the South Island, mainly on the eastern side although not in the Nelson district. This species is similar in appearance to I. paraxysta,I. stulta and I. toroneura. I. acontistis is unlikely to be confused with I. paraxysta as the later is only found in the North Island. I. acontistis can be distinguished from I. stulta as the latter species has a strongly curved forewing edge where as I. acontistis' is straight. I. acontistis can be distinguished from I. toroneura as the former has a dark stroke of colour starting from the base of the forewing that I. toroneura lacks. I. acontistis inhabits tussock grasslands and the larvae of this species feed on species of grass found in the genera Poa, Elymus and Rytidosperma. It pupates under rocks and adults are on the wing from September to January. I. acontistis are attracted to light.

Ichneutica alopa is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the central and southern parts of the North Island as well as in the South Island. It inhabits tussock grasslands and wetlands and can occur at ranges from the alpine zone down to almost sea-level. The life history of this species is unknown as are the host species of its larvae in the wild. Larvae of this species have been raised in captivity on Sphagnum moss as well as on species in the genus Raoulia. Adults of this species are on the wing from late January to April and are attracted to light and to sugar traps. I. alope can be confused with I. agorastis, I. micrastra or I. sapiens but the latter three species can be distinguished externally from I. alope through differences in size, forewing pattern and the antennae of the male of the species.

Ichneutica atristriga is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found through out the North, South and Stewart Islands. The larval hosts likely include tussock grasses included Poa cita, P. colensoi and Festuca novae-zelandiae. Larvae have been reared on species in the genera Bromus and Festuca. The adults of this species are on the wing from November to May. I. atristriga can possibly be confused with the smaller species I. propria. However I. atristriga has thorax and forewings that have a pinkish tinge and I. propria has a dark streak on the discal part of the forewing which I. atristriga lacks. A study has indicated that the population numbers of this species have decreased.

Ichneutica blenheimensis is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the North, South and the Stewart Islands. This species appears to prefer drier eastern localities and is rarely collected in western North Island forested areas. It does not appear to be frequently collected in inland dry tussock grassland habitats. The host plant for the larvae of this species is likely to be the golden sand sedge pīngao which is now absent from the moths type locality. However Chappell has raised very young larvae on grass species and the more developed larvae consumed Phormium tenax. Adults are on the wing from November to March and are attracted to both light and sugar traps. The blackish forewing fringes are diagnostic of this species. But worn specimens of I. arotis can be confused with worn specimens of I. blenheimensis. However I. arotis can be distinguished from I. blenheimensis as it has a scale-tuft on the thorax and dark longitudinal stripes on the tegula. This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.

Ichneutica micrastra is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species has been found only in the North Island and has been collected in the Northland, Auckland, Whanganui and Wellington regions. The preferred habitat of this species is wetlands and heathlands including gum fields in Northland. Adults of this species are on the wing from October to December. The life history of this species is unknown as are the host species of its larvae however it has been hypothesised that the likely larval host is a grass or grass like plant. This species is very similar in appearance to I. phaula and I. sapiens but can be distinguished as a result of differences in male antennae, the shape, colour and size of forewings, the range of the species as well as differences in genital shape.

Ichneutica sulcana, the dark underwing wainscot, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the North, South and Stewart Islands at a range of altitudes from the lowlands to the alpine zone. This species prefers to live in native grass, shrub and wetland habitats as well as in native forest. The larval host plants of this species are forest grasses and sedges and larvae have been reared on Microlaena avenacea and species within the genus Carex. The larva pupates in the soil. Adults are on the wing from December to May but have also been recorded in August and September in the northern parts of the North Island. They are attracted to sugar traps as well as to light. I. sulcana and I. supersulcana are very similar in appearance but can be distinguished as there are differences in the male abdomen and genitalia of the two species. Also these two species do not appear to share a range as I. supersulcana seems to prefer to live at higher altitudes than I. sulcana. I. sulcana might also be confused with I. semivittata but I. sulcana is a larger species with a much darker abdomen and hindwing, and has only 1 to 3 dots on the forewing postmedian line.

Ichneutica steropastis, or the flax notcher moth, is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the country from the Three Kings Islands to Stewart Island as well as in the Chatham Islands. The larvae of this species feed on a variety of native and introduced plants however the New Zealand flax is one of the more well known host plants for the larvae of this moth. The larvae are nocturnal, hiding away in the base of the plants and coming out to feed at night. They create a distinctive notch in the leaf when they feed. The adults of this species are on the wing from October to March. Although adult specimens of I. steropastis are relatively easy to recognise they might possibly be confused with I. inscripta, I. theobroma or with darker forms of I. arotis. However I. steropastis can be distinguished as it has a long dark basal forewing streak that these three species lack.

Ichneutica averilla is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is found in the North Island at Mount Taranaki but is widespread throughout the South Island and Stewart Island. It prefers mountainous habitat but can be found down to sea level in the southern parts of the South Island. Adults of the species are on the wing between November and March. Larvae likely exist on a variety of herbaceous plants but have been recorded as feeding on species within the genus Plantago. This species is sometimes confused with I. mutas but can be distinguished from the latter on the basis of forewing colour as well as the absence of or an indistinct antemedian forewing line.

Ichneutica toroneura is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is similar to I. unica but can be distinguished from that species by the uniform black vein markings on the forewings of I. toroneura. It is also similar in appearance to I. acontistis but the base of the forewings of I. toroneura lack the dark stripe that can be found on the forewings of I. acontistis. The males of I. toroneura have longer pectinations on their antennae. I. toroneura is found in the centre of southern South Island in the tussock grasslands of Central Otago and the Mackenzie Basin. Larvae feed on tussock grasses Poa cita and Festuca novae-zelandiae. Adults are on the wing from November to January.

Ichneutica paraxysta is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is very similar in appearance to its close relative I. acontistis but as the range of the two species do not overlap this is unlikely to cause confusion. I. paraxysta is only found in the North Island at the subalpine zones in the Mount Taranaki region and at Mount Ruapehu. It prefers tussock grassland and shrubland habitat. The life history of this species is unknown as are the host species of its larvae however it has been hypothesised that the larval host plants are species in the genera of Poa and Festuca.

Ichneutica epiastra is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the North, South and Stewart Islands. This species prefers open habitats such as wetlands, dunes and forest clearings. Eggs are laid in the summer or autumn and larvae feed during winter and spring. The larval host species are found within the genus Austroderia. The adult moths are on the wing between October and February. Adult I. epiastra can possibly be confused with the similar species I. arotis and I. haedifrontella however there are differences in appearance that enables I. epiastra to be distinguished from these two species. In particular I. epiastra has long sharp-tipped ‘horns' on its head that are diagnostic. The adults of this species appear reluctant to be attracted to light although they do come more frequently to the brighter mercury vapour traps.

Ichneutica panda is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and only found in central and southern parts of the South Island. The species has not been collected in Canterbury since the late 1950s and has not been seen at The Wilderness scientific reserve since 1941. This species is similar in appearance to Ichneutica falsidica however I. panda lack or have indistinct black dashes on their edge of their hindwings. I. panda inhabit shrubland from alpine zones down to river terraces and adults are on the wing between December and February. The life history of this species is unknown as is the host species of the larvae.

Ichneutica skelloni is a moth of the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. Its presence has been confirmed in the North Island only in the Wellington region but is widespread throughout the South Island. It is also found in Stewart Island. I. skelloni is extremely variable in size, in the colour and patterns on the fore and hind wings, length of pectinations on male antennae and even in its genitalia. A larger more patterned form can be found in Westland and Fiordland, a medium-sized form is found from Wellington to Stewart Island and there is also a smaller Dunedin and Southland form. This species can be confused with specimens with the species I. insignis, I. scutata and I. pelanodes. I. skelloni can be found in forest and shrubland habitat. Adults are on the wing from July to April and are attracted to light. Host plants for the larvae are found in the genera Plantago, Senecio and Ranunculus and also include the species Bellis perennis.

Ichneutica cornuta is a moth of the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is only found in the South Island, in and around the Southern Alps. I. cornuta is very similar in appearance to pale forms of I. arotis. It is easy to confuse the two species as their ranges overlap. Male I. cornuta can be distinguished as it has longer pectinations on the antennae and the female lacks the dark scaling that can be found on the thorax of the I. arotis. There are also subtle differences in the forewing patterns of the two species. The life history of this species is unknown as are the host species of its larvae. Adults are on the wing from January to April.

Ichneutica sapiens is a moth of the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. I. sapiens is found in the central North Island, in the South Island in Westland and also the southern parts of the South Island, and in Stewart Island. This species inhabits wetland habitat but its life history is unknown as are the host species of its larvae. The adult moths are on the wing between December and early January and are attracted to sugar traps and to light. I. sapiens is very similar in appearance to I. micrastra but is a smaller moth with a shorter wingspan, has differently formed antennae and slightly different forewing markings.

Ichneutica theobroma is a moth of the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. The males of this species has a pink chocolate brown appearance to its forewings with a small white dot. The males of this species can be distinguished from the 'northern dark form' of Ichneutica arotis as they have broader shaped forewings with less markings than the latter species. The females are extremely difficult if not impossible to tell apart. I. theobroma are found in the northern parts of the North Island and inhabit kauri forests. The life history of this species is unknown as are the host species of its larvae although it has been hypothesised that larval hosts include Gahnia setifolia and Gahnia xanthocarpa. Adults of this species are on the wing from mid September until early November and are attracted to light.

References

1 2 "Ichneutica arotis (Meyrick, 1887)". www.nzor.org.nz. 2021. Retrieved 2021-08-01.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Hoare, Robert J. B. (2019-12-09). "Noctuinae (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) part 2: Nivetica, Ichneutica". Fauna of New Zealand. 80: 1–455. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.80.
1 2 3 4 Meyrick, Edward (1887). "Monograph of New Zealand Noctuina". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. v.19 (1886): 3–40 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
1 2 Hudson, George Vernon; Hudson, George Vernon (1898). New Zealand moths and butterflies (Macro-lepidoptera). London: West Newman & Co. p. 12.
1 2 Dugdale, John Stewart (1988-09-23). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 1–264.
1 2 3 4 5 Hudson, George Vernon (1950). Fragments of New Zealand entomology. London: Ferbuson & Osborn Ltd. pp. 78–79.
↑ "Ichneutica arotis (Meyrick, 1887)". nztcs.org.nz. 2021. Retrieved 2021-08-01.
↑ "Tmetolophota arotis (Meyrick, 1887)". plant-synz.landcareresearch.co.nz. 2007. Retrieved 2021-08-01.

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[NZOR-1] 1 2 "Ichneutica arotis (Meyrick, 1887)". www.nzor.org.nz. 2021. Retrieved 2021-08-01.

[Hoare2019-2] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Hoare, Robert J. B. (2019-12-09). "Noctuinae (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) part 2: Nivetica, Ichneutica". Fauna of New Zealand. 80: 1–455. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.80.

[Meyrick1887-3] 1 2 3 4 Meyrick, Edward (1887). "Monograph of New Zealand Noctuina". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. v.19 (1886): 3–40 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.

[Hudson1898-4] 1 2 Hudson, George Vernon; Hudson, George Vernon (1898). New Zealand moths and butterflies (Macro-lepidoptera). London: West Newman & Co. p. 12.

[:0-5] 1 2 Dugdale, John Stewart (1988-09-23). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 1–264.

[Hudson1950-6] 1 2 3 4 5 Hudson, George Vernon (1950). Fragments of New Zealand entomology. London: Ferbuson & Osborn Ltd. pp. 78–79.

[7] "Ichneutica arotis (Meyrick, 1887)". nztcs.org.nz. 2021. Retrieved 2021-08-01.

[8] "Tmetolophota arotis (Meyrick, 1887)". plant-synz.landcareresearch.co.nz. 2007. Retrieved 2021-08-01.

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