Ichneutica erebia

Ichneutica erebia
	Male
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Superfamily:	Noctuoidea
Family:	Noctuidae
Genus:	Ichneutica
Species:	I. erebia
Binomial name
	Ichneutica erebia; (Hudson, 1909)
Synonyms
	Melanchra erebiaHudson, 1909 ; Graphania erebia(Hudson, 1909) ; Melanchra oceanicaSalmon, 1956 ; Graphania oceanica(Salmon, 1956) ; Graphania mutans erebiaDugdale, 1971 ;

Last updated November 23, 2023

Ichneutica erebia is a moth of the family Noctuidae.^[1]^[2] 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.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by George Hudson in 1909 using a single female specimen collected by R. Browne at Erebus Cove at Port Ross.^[3] Hudson originally named the species Melanchra erebia.^[3] The holotype specimen is held at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.^[2] In 1956 John Salmon, thinking he was describing a new species, named it Melanchra oceanica.^[4] In 1971 this name was synonymised with Melanchra erebia by J. S. Dugdale and the species was treated by him as being a subspecies of Graphania mutans, that is Graphania mutans erebia.^[5] In his 1988 catalogue Dugdale reconsidered and raised the species to species rank, discussing it under the name Graphania erebia.^[6] In 2019 Robert Hoare undertook a major review of New Zealand Noctuidae species.^[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 erebia.^[2]

Description

Dugdale gives a detailed description of the larva of I. erebia in his 1971 publication and described the pupa as follows:

Abdomen nearly twice as long as wing case, 5th abdominal segment with 4–5 irregular rows of punctures anterior to the spiracle.^[5]

Hudson described the adults of the species as follows:

The expansion of the wings is a little over 1+5⁄8 in. The head is very roughly scaled, with tufts of scales at the bases of the antennae, brownish-red mixed with black. The palpi are rather short, slender, tipped with dull white. The antennae are serrate, each serration being clothed with two extremely fine hairs. The thorax is reddish-grey, with moderate anterior crest and two rather prominent reddish-brown and black lateral markings. The abdomen is dull brownish-grey. The fore-wings are moderately broad, with the apex rounded and the termen moderately bowed ; dull grey with black markings, speckled with reddish-brown scales, especially near the base ; a broad much-broken transverse line at the base ; a wavy broad shaded transverse line at about 1⁄4 connected with the first transverse line near the costa and termen ; a broad pale central band ; a branched transverse line, the two branches starting at 2⁄3 and 3⁄4 of costa respectively, uniting near the middle of the wing, and reaching the dorsum at about 3⁄4 ; this line is very deeply indented towards the termen ; a subterminal row of blackish dots. The hindwings are dark brownish-grey. The cilia of all the wings appear to be pale brownish-ochreous.^[3]

The male of the species has a wingspan of between 33 and 43 mm and the female has a wingspan of between 39 and 43 mm.^[2] I. erebia is a variable species.^[2] It may possibly be confused with I. pagaia but can be distinguished by the pattern on the forewings of the later species.^[2] Hoare states that the forewings of I. erebia "lack the distinct W-shaped evagination of the forewing subterminal line" found on specimens of I. pagaia.^[2]

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found on Campbell Island and the Auckland Islands.^[2]^[7]

Habitat

I. erebia is adapted to existing in subantarctic habitat.^[2]

Behaviour

The adults of this species are on the wing from August to January.^[2] This species of moth has been shown to be capable of pollinating subantarctic plants.^[8]

Life history and host species

The larvae of I. erebia feeds on various herbaceous plants with known hosts being Pleurophyllum criniferum as well as species of Stilbocarpa and Carex.^[2] Chionochloa antarctica, Urtica australis and Raukaua simplex are all probable hosts as larvae of I. erebia have also been found on these species.^[2]

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 ustistriga is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found from the Three Kings Islands to Stewart Island. This species lives in a wide variety of habitats including domestic gardens, horticultural areas, orchards, native and exotic grasslands, as well as native forest. The larvae eat a variety of herbaceous plants. Recorded food plants include Muehlenbeckia australis, Muehlenbeckia complexa, Olearia hectorii, and Plantago lanceolata. This moth has a mauvish grey wing colour and is unlikely to be confused with other species as the patterns on its forewing are distinctive. This species is on the wing throughout the year and is attracted to both sugar and light traps. Adult moths can be found at rest on fences and tree trunks during the day.

Ichneutica maya is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is found in the mountains in southern half of the North Island and in the South Island. I. maya is a distinctively coloured and patterned moth and as such is unlikely to be confused with similar species. I. maya can be found in the southern half of the North Island down through the South Island. This species can be found in alpine to subalpine zones with high rainfall but in Southland this species can be found down to sea level. This life history in the wild is unknown, nor has its larval host species been confirmed. Adults are on the wing from December to March and are attracted to sugar and light traps.

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 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 omicron is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and found only in the middle and lower parts of the North Island. It is very similar in appearance to its sister species Ichneutica barbara. The life history of this species is unknown as are the host species of the larvae. The adults are on the wing in November and December. This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.

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 petrograpta is a moth of the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand where it is found in the southwest districts of the South Island, including Westland, Otago Lakes and Fiordland. It is very similar in appearance to I. mutans. It inhabits tussock and shrubland in the alpine to subalpine zones. Adults of I. petrograpta are on the wing from December to February and are attracted to sugar traps. The life history of this species is unknown as are the host species of its larvae.

Physetica phricias is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is wide spread in the South Island and inhabits shrubland. The host of the larvae of this species is matagouri. The adult moths are on the wing from September to May and July, and are attracted both to light and sugar traps.They are a faster-flying species and remain active even during windy conditions. P. phricias can be confused with some forms of P. sequens. However P. phricias can be distinguished as it has a less marbled appearance to its forewing.

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.

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 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 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 dione is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This moth species is closely related to I. ceraunias and is very similar in appearance to that species. However I. dione has a much more restrictive range, being found only in the alpine zone and hills of the South Island and is less commonly collected. Adults of the species are on the wing from December to February and although sometimes can be found flying during the day, they are more commonly seen at night.

Ichneutica marmorata is a moth of the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in the North Island at the Tongariro National Park and at Puketitiri near the Kaweka Range. In the South Island it is widespread. It prefers alpine to subalpine habitat but occurs down to sea level altitudes in more southern locations. Adults are on the wing from late October to February. Larvae of this species may use tussock grasses in the genus Chionochloa as their host and they have been reared on Festuca novae-zelandiae.

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 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.

References

1 2 "Ichneutica erebia (Hudson, 1909)". www.nzor.org.nz. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 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 Charles Chilton, ed. (1909), The subantarctic islands of New Zealand. Reports on the geo-physics, geology, zoology and botany of the islands lying to the south of New Zealand, based mainly on observations and collections made during an expedition in the government steamer "Hinemoa" (Captain J. Bollons) in November, 1907., vol. 1, Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, p. 68, doi:10.5962/BHL.TITLE.33075, Wikidata Q56518628
↑ Salmon, John; Bradley, D. J. (1956). "Lepidoptera from the Cape Expedition and Antipodes Islands". Records of the Dominion Museum. 3 (1): 61–81.
1 2 Dugdale, John Stewart (10 November 1971). "Entomology of the Aucklands and other islands south of New Zealand: Lepidoptera, excluding non-crambine Pyralidae" (PDF). Pacific Insects Monographs. 27: 55–172.
↑ Dugdale, John Stewart (23 September 1988). "Lepidoptera – annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 1–264.
↑ "Ichneutica erebia (Hudson, 1909)". nztcs.org.nz. 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
↑ Buxton, Max N.; Anderson, Barbara J.; Hoare, Robert J.B.; Lord, Janice M. (12 December 2019). "Are moths the missing pollinators in Subantarctic New Zealand?". Polar Research. 38. doi:10.33265/polar.v38.3545. ISSN 0800-0395. S2CID 213157863.

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[NZOR-1] 1 2 "Ichneutica erebia (Hudson, 1909)". www.nzor.org.nz. Retrieved 21 July 2021.

[Hoare2019-2] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 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.

[Hudson1909-3] 1 2 3 Charles Chilton, ed. (1909), The subantarctic islands of New Zealand. Reports on the geo-physics, geology, zoology and botany of the islands lying to the south of New Zealand, based mainly on observations and collections made during an expedition in the government steamer "Hinemoa" (Captain J. Bollons) in November, 1907., vol. 1, Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, p. 68, doi:10.5962/BHL.TITLE.33075, Wikidata Q56518628

[4] Salmon, John; Bradley, D. J. (1956). "Lepidoptera from the Cape Expedition and Antipodes Islands". Records of the Dominion Museum. 3 (1): 61–81.

[Dugdale1971-5] 1 2 Dugdale, John Stewart (10 November 1971). "Entomology of the Aucklands and other islands south of New Zealand: Lepidoptera, excluding non-crambine Pyralidae" (PDF). Pacific Insects Monographs. 27: 55–172.

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

[7] "Ichneutica erebia (Hudson, 1909)". nztcs.org.nz. 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2021.

[8] Buxton, Max N.; Anderson, Barbara J.; Hoare, Robert J.B.; Lord, Janice M. (12 December 2019). "Are moths the missing pollinators in Subantarctic New Zealand?". Polar Research. 38. doi:10.33265/polar.v38.3545. ISSN 0800-0395. S2CID 213157863.

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