Ichneutica averilla

Ichneutica averilla
	Female
	Male
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Superfamily:	Noctuoidea
Family:	Noctuidae
Genus:	Ichneutica
Species:	I. averilla
Binomial name
	Ichneutica averilla; (Hudson, 1921)
Synonyms
	Melanchra averillaHudson, 1921 ; Melanchra furtivaPhilpott, 1924 ; Graphania averilla(Hudson, 1921) ;

Last updated January 19, 2024

Ichneutica averilla is a moth of the family Noctuidae.^[1] 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 (I. averilla has a forewing shaded a uniform red-ochreous colour) as well as the absence of or an indistinct antemedian forewing line.

Taxonomy

Ichneutica averilla was first described by George Hudson in 1921 under the name Melanchra averill.^[3] Hudson used the two female specimens of the moth collected by Averil Lysaght in December 1920 on Mount Taranaki.^[3] The lectotype specimen of this species is held at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.^[2] In 1924 Alfred Philpott, thinking this was a new species, described this moth under the name Melanchra furtiva from specimens collected around Mount Arthur as well as in the mountainous areas near Lake Wakatipu.^[4] In 1988 John S. Dugdale placed this species within the genus Graphania and recognised Melanchra furtiva as a new synonym.^[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 Graphania was subsumed into that genus as a synonym.^[2] As a result of this review, this species is now known as Ichneutica averilla.^[2]

Description

Hudson described the larvae of this species as follows:

The length of the full grown larva is about 1+1⁄8 inches (30 mm). Cylindrical, slightly flattened, tapering moderately towards head; hindslope moderate, rather irregular; segmental divisions deep, especially towards ventral surface. Head ochreous-brown, with dark stripe on each side. Body rather dark purplish-grey on back, pale green below lateral line, with a very irregular paler intermediate area of dull orange-ochreous; a very broken pale subdorsal line, its components slightly convergent on each segment; eight very conspicuous black bars on the lateral portions of segments 5-13 [A1–A8], with a distinct paler patch behind each bar; these bars terminate on the spiracle and are charachteristic; legs and prolegs green, tipped with brown. Rather variable in depth of colour and distinctness of markings ...^[6]

Hudson, in his original description, described the female adult of the species as follows:

The expansion of the wings of the female is about 1+5⁄8 inches. The fore wings have the costa nearly straight and the termen rather obliquely rounded with slight sinuations ; pinkish-brown much suffused with grey, especially towards the base and termen ; the principal markings are very finely indicated in black ; there is a conspicuous curved longitudinal streak from the base to about 1⁄8 ; the first line is indistinct, very wavy, faintly outlined in brown; the claviform is small, cone-shaped; the orbicular is large, irregularly oval, almost wholly outlined in black ; the reniform is large, rather indistinct, outlined in brown towards the base, but otherwise faintly indicated by grey shading; the second line is very faint, grey, sharply bent inwards before the dorsum ; there is a series of dark-edged whitish subterminal dots and a V-shaped dark spot near the tornus; the tornal area is clouded with brownish-ochreous and the cilia are also brownish-ochreous. The hind wings are greyish-ochreous, darker towards the termen ; the cilia are greyish-ochreous with whitish tips. The head, thorax, and fore legs are greyish-white, very finely speckled with pinkish-brown ; the basal third of the antennae is whitish, the remaining portion blackish.^[3]

I. averilla is a medium-sized moth.^[3] The adult male of the species has a wingspan of between 33 and 41 mm whereas the female has a wingspan of between 36 and 41 mm.^[2] The forewings of this species are pinkish brown coloured, tinged with grey and have dark markings with a notable streak running lengthwise from the forewing base.^[3] There is also a distinctive v-shaped dark mark on the posterior corner of the wing.^[3] The hind wings of this species are greyish brown in colour.^[3]

This species can be confused with I. mutans but can be distinguished on forewing colour as I. averilla has a ground colour of uniform red-ochreous shade where as I. mutans is more brown with blackish hints.^[2] Also the antemedian forewing line is normally distinct in I. mutans where as in I. averilla it is absent or just a hint of pale scaling is present.^[2]

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand.^[7] It is found in the North Island, but only in the Mount Taranaki area.^[3]^[2] This species is widespread throughout the South Island,^[2] where it has been collected in such areas as on Mount Arthur, around Ben Lomond, Elfin Bay, Lake Luna and Lake MacKenzie in Otago,^[4] and at the Cass Basin in the Waimakariri River catchment.^[8]I. averilla is also present on Stewart Island.^[2]

Habitat

I. averilla inhabits mountainous country.^[5] However it can be found down to sea level altitudes in the southern parts of the South Island, such as in the Catlins.^[2]

Behaviour

The adult moths can be found on the wing from November to March.^[2]

Life history and host plants

After emerging the larvae eat their egg shell.^[6] The larvae of I. averilla have been found to feed on plants in the genus Plantago and it is likely the larvae of this species feeds on a variety of plant hosts.^[8]^[2]

Related Research Articles

Ichneutica mollis is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found from the Coromandel peninsular and Mount Te Aroha southwards including in the South and Stewart Islands. It lives in a variety of habitats including mountainous beech forest, podocarp forest and also grasslands. The larvae feed on grasses and herbs. The adults of this species are on the wing from October to March and are attracted to light and feed on blossoms.

Ichneutica nullifera is a moth of the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in the Tongariro National Park, along the Wellington coast and throughout the South Island. The adults are large and the forewing of adults can vary in colour from pale fawn to dark grey. The larvae are coloured a bright yellow-brown with a paler underside. The larval host species are in the genus Aciphylla and as a result the adult moths are often found in habitat dominated by species in this genus. Adults are on the wing from November to early April and are sometimes attracted to light.

Ichneutica olivea is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the central North Island down to the central South Island. It is very similar in appearance to I. lindsayorum but has a shorter basal streak and has white scaling from the subterminal line on the forewings that I. lindsayorum lacks This species prefers shrubland habitat. The life history of I. olivea is unknown as are the host species of its larvae. The adults are on the wing from December to March and are attracted to light.

Ichneutica pagaia is a moth of the family Noctuidae. I. pagaia is endemic to New Zealand and can only be found on the Snares Islands. This species is unlikely to be confused with moths with a similar appearance as it is the only noctuid found in the Snares Islands. Its preferred habitat is tussock grasslands and the hosts for its larvae are likely Poa astonii and Poa tennantiana. Adults of this species are on the wing from November to February.

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 sericata is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is variable and difficult to distinguish from I. skelloni specimens. It is known from the southern part of the South Island and from Stewart Island. There has been one specimen collected in Taranaki but although Robert Hoare determined the species, he expressed reservations given the location of collection. I. sercata inhabits shrubland at altitudes of between 470 and 900m. The life history of this species is unknown as are the host species of its larvae. The adults of this species are on the wing in August at Stewart Island and in November and December in the South Island.

Meterana tetrachroa is a species of moth of the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "Data Deficient" 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 purdii, the orange astelia wainscot, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It can be found throughout the main islands of New Zealand. I. purdii is a relatively large, colourful moth, unlikely to be confused with any other endemic moth species in New Zealand. The larvae of this moth feed at night on species of Astelia. During the day they shelter in the interior of the plant. When fully grown the larvae can reach a length of approximately 48mm. The larvae are ocherous in colour with a pink flush with line markings but when ready to pupate these markings fade and the larvae take on a light golden hue with a rosy tinge to its rear segments. The deep wine coloured pupa is enclosed in a slight cocoon, with this being constructed below the soil, amongst debris or alternatively within a hollow stick. The adult moths are on the wing from October to March. Although this moth is found throughout the main islands of New Zealand it is more frequent in the south of New Zealand at higher altitudes of up to 1200m.

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 agorastis is a moth of the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. This moth is similar in appearance to two other species in the genus but can be distinguished through the colour and size of its forewings. This species is found in the South Island and Stewart Island in open habitats in the subalpine zone. However, in Southland I. agorastis can be found down to sea-level. Adult moths are on the wing between January and April. The life history and host species are unknown.

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 bromias is a moth of the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to the Chatham Islands of New Zealand where is found on the Chatham, Pitt and Rangatira Islands. This species is similar in appearance to Ichneutica mutans but is darker and duller in its overall appearance. However, as I. mutans is not present in the Chathams this similarity is unlikely to cause confusion. The adults of the species are on the wing from November to March. The life history and the larval host species are unknown.

Ichneutica erebia is a moth of the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found on Campbell Island and the Auckland Islands. Adults of this species are on the wing from August to January. The adults are variable in appearance but can be distinguished from similar species by the patters or lack thereof on their forewings. The larvae of I. erebia are polyphagous and hosts include Pleurophyllum criniferum, species within the genera Stilbocarpa and Carex, as well as Chionochloa antarctica, Urtica australis and Raukaua simplex.

Ichneutica brunneosa is a moth of the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It can be found in the North Island from Mount Te Aroha and in the South Island from the Coromandel to Stewart Island. However it appears to not be present in the centre of the South Island. The distinctive colour and patterns on the forewing of this species ensures it is unlikely to be confused with similar species. It inhabits native forests with higher rainfall and is attracted to mercury vapour light traps. The life history of I. brunneosa is unknown as are the host species of its larvae but the adults of the species are on the wing from October to January.

Ichneutica fenwicki is a moth of the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the southern parts of the South Island and on Stewart Island. It is a distinctively coloured moth that is unlikely to be confused with closely related species. It is a spring flying moth being on the wing from September to November. The life history and host species of the larvae of I. fenwicki are unknown.

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 paracausta is a moth of the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is found locally in the central North Island, is widespread in the South Island and can also be found in Stewart Island. I. paracausta is variable in colour, but as it has a distinctive black streak on its forewing as well as a wing pattern that is characteristic, I. paracausta is unlikely to be confused with other species. It is present on the North Island volcanic plateau as well as Little Bush Reserve in Hawkes Bay in the North Island as well as in tussock grassland, alpine and subalpine shrubland and in alpine forest. Larvae have been recorded as feeding on grasses, a pupa has been found in a cocoon under the bark of a tree and adult moths are on the wing from October to January.

References

1 2 "Ichneutica averilla (Hudson, 1921)". www.nzor.org.nz. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Hoare, Robert J. B. (9 December 2019). "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 5 6 7 8 Hudson, George Vernon (1921). "Description of a new species of the lepidopterous genus Melanchra Hübn. from New Zealand". Entomologist's Monthly Magazine. 57: 255 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
1 2 Philpott, Alfred. "Notes and descriptions of New Zealand Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 55: 663–664 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
1 2 Dugdale, J.S. (1988). "Lepidoptera-annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa". Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 202.
1 2 Hudson, George Vernon (1950). Fragments of New Zealand entomology : a popular account of all the New Zealand cicadas : the natural history of the New Zealand glow-worm : a second supplement to The butterflies and moths of New Zealand, and notes on many other native insects. Wellington, N.Z.: Ferguson & Osborn. p. 81. OCLC 154155584.
↑ "Ichneutica averilla (Hudson, 1921)". nztcs.org.nz. 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
1 2 White, E. G. "The changing abundance of moths in a tussock grassland, 1962–1989, and 50-to 70-year trends". New Zealand Journal of Ecology. 1991: 5–22. S2CID 89398506.

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[NZOR-1] 1 2 "Ichneutica averilla (Hudson, 1921)". www.nzor.org.nz. Retrieved 20 July 2021.

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

[:0-3] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Hudson, George Vernon (1921). "Description of a new species of the lepidopterous genus Melanchra Hübn. from New Zealand". Entomologist's Monthly Magazine. 57: 255 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.

[:1-4] 1 2 Philpott, Alfred. "Notes and descriptions of New Zealand Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 55: 663–664 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.

[:2-5] 1 2 Dugdale, J.S. (1988). "Lepidoptera-annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa". Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 202.

[Hudson1950-6] 1 2 Hudson, George Vernon (1950). Fragments of New Zealand entomology : a popular account of all the New Zealand cicadas : the natural history of the New Zealand glow-worm : a second supplement to The butterflies and moths of New Zealand, and notes on many other native insects. Wellington, N.Z.: Ferguson & Osborn. p. 81. OCLC 154155584.

[7] "Ichneutica averilla (Hudson, 1921)". nztcs.org.nz. 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2021.

[:3-8] 1 2 White, E. G. "The changing abundance of moths in a tussock grassland, 1962–1989, and 50-to 70-year trends". New Zealand Journal of Ecology. 1991: 5–22. S2CID 89398506.

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