Ichneutica mutans

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Ichneutica mutans
Graphania mutans female.jpg
Female
Graphania mutans male.jpg
Male
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Noctuidae
Genus: Ichneutica
Species:
I. mutans
Binomial name
Ichneutica mutans
(Walker, 1857) [1]
Synonyms [2]
  • Hadena mutansWalker, 1857
  • Hadena lignifuscaWalker, 1857
  • Xylina spurcataWalker, 1857
  • Xylina vexataWalker, 1865
  • Mamestra acceptrixFelder & Rogenhofer, 1875
  • Mamestra passaMorrison, 1874
  • Maoria mutans(Walker, 1857)
  • Hadena debilisButler, 1877
  • Mamestra mutans(Walker, 1857)
  • Melanchra mutans(Walker, 1857)
  • Graphania mutans(Walker, 1857)
  • Maoria mutans pallescensWarren, 1912

Ichneutica mutans, commonly known as the New Zealand cutworm or the grey-brown cutworm, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. [1] This moth endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout New Zealand, including from Three Kings Islands down to Stewart Island. However this species is not found in the Chatham Islands. The adult moths are on the wing all year round. I. mutans is variable in appearance and can be confused with similar species in the same genus. As a result of the variety of host species consumed by the larvae of the species, including such crops as turnips, wheat and apples, this species is regarded as an agricultural pest. However between the early 1960s and late 1980s the population of I. mutans was shown to have decreased significantly, by over 80%, at two study sites.

Contents

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Francis Walker in 1857. [3] The lectotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London. [2] The type locality of I. mutans is presumed by Robert Hoare to be Auckland. [3] As a result of the variability in the appearance of I. mutans Walker, thinking he was describing new species, went on to describe it numerous times under the names Hadena lignifusca, Xylina spurcata, Xylina vexata. [3] Other entomologists were also misled by the variable appearance of this moth into thinking they too were describing a new species. [2] They used the names Mamestra acceptrix, Mamestra passa and Hadena debilis. [2] Some of these subsequent names, H. lignifusca, M. acceptrix and H. debilis, were synonymised by Edward Meyrick in 1887 when he transferred the species to the genus Mamestra. [4] [2] X. spurcata and X. vexata were synonymised by Meyrick in 1912 and M. passa was synonymised by John G. Franclemont in 1981. [5] [2] In 1988 J. S. Dugdale in his catalogue placed this species within the Graphania genus. 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 mutans. [2]

Description

Drawing of larva of Ichneutica mutans by George Hudson Fig. 15 Pl. III New Zealand Moths and Butterflies (1898) cropped).jpg
Drawing of larva of Ichneutica mutans by George Hudson

George Hudson described the larva of this species as follows:

The larva is rather stout, with the anterior segments wrinkled. It varies much in colour; the dorsal surface is usually reddish-brown; the lateral line is broad and black; a series of subdorsal stripes also black; the ventral surface is green. Sometimes these markings are hardly visible, and the larva is entirely green, whilst occasionally the brown colouring predominates. [6]

Walker in his original description of I. mutans described the adult of the species as follows:

Male and female. Pale cinereous. Third joint of the palpi cylindrical, full one-third of the length of the second. Antennae of the male minutely ciliated. Thorax with a black curved band in front. Fore wings with black marks along the costa ; most of the disk clouded with fawn-colour and with blackish gray ; lines almost obsolete, except the submarginal one, which is distinct, whitish, slightly undulating, bordered on each side by black and brown, and interrupted by the black veins; a black discal stripe, dilated towards its tip, and widely interrupted by the space which includes the black-bordered claviform spot; orbicular and reniform spots distinct, partly bordered with black, the former oblique, a little more than half the size of the latter. Hind wings cinereous, with whitish ciliae.
Var. Fore wings with the disk hardly clouded ; black stripe obsolete, except at each end. Length of the body 6 — 7 lines ; of the wings 14 — 16 lines. [3]

I. mutans is variable and as a result the species can be confused with I. averilla and I. petrograpta as well as I. bromias despite the fact that the later species is not found in the same area as I. mutans. [2]

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand. [7] I. mutans can be found throughout New Zealand, including from Three Kings Islands down to Stewart Island. [6] [2] However this species is not found in the Chatham Islands. [2]

Habitat

I. mutans is adept at existing in a variety of native and also modified habitats. [2]

Behaviour

The larvae of I. mutans was described by Hudson as being sluggish. [6] I. mutans adults are on the wing all months of the year. [2] This species is attracted to light. [8]

Life history and host species

The larvae feed on a variety of herbaceous plants including those used to create pasture for stock, weeds such as Pilosella officinarum, as well as crops such as turnips, peas, wheat, and the leaves and fruit of apple trees. [9] This species is therefore sometimes considered an agricultural pest. [10] I. mutans pupates on the ground or on moss. [6] The length of time this species in the pupal state depends on the season in which it pupates as well as what part of the country. [6] If in summer it can be a short period of time, but if in autumn the adult does not emerge until the following spring. [6] In the North Island it is thought that I. mutans may have up to four generations a year where as in the South Island this is likely to be reduced to two. [11]

Interaction with humans

A recent study suggests this moth may be assisting with the pollination of avocado trees. [12]

Conservation

Although this species is common and widespread there have been large declines in the population of this species. [2] In 1991 the entomologist Graeme White published a paper documenting population declines in this species at two sites of between 84% and 91% during 1962 and 1989. [8] White hypothesised that this decline was as a result of the dominance of the introduced grass species Agrostis capillaris and the resulting displacement of native plant species upon which the larvae of I. mutans feed. [8] [2]

Related Research Articles

<i>Ichneutica</i> Genus of moths, endemic to New Zealand

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.

<i>Ichneutica lignana</i> Species of moth

Ichneutica lignana is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is found on the Three Kings Islands as well as the North, South and Stewart Islands. This species lives in a variety of habitats including coastal areas, tussock grasslands, shrublands, and native forest, at a range of altitudes from sea level to over 1300 m. I. lignana is quite distinctive in appearance with its dark markings on the abdomen and forewings although it is possible to confuse Ichneutica morosa, Meterana pansicolor and Meterana pascoi with this species. Adults are on the wing throughout the year in the northern parts of the New Zealand but are restricted to the months of October to April in the more southern parts of the country.

<i>Ichneutica ustistriga</i> Species of moth

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, Plantago lanceolata, and Urtica australis. 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.

<i>Ichneutica plena</i> Species of moth

Ichneutica plena is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is widespread throughout the North, South and Stewart Islands. It is a variable in appearance and therefore can be confused with its near relatives I. peridotea and I. insignis. The larvae of I. plena feed on herbaceous plants including Fuchsia excorticata, Coprosma species, and introduced species such as garden fuchsia as well as crops such as apple trees. Adults of this species are on the wing from late August until May.

<i>Ichneutica lithias</i> Species of moth

Ichneutica lithias is a moth of the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is a small moth but distinctive as a result of the markings on its forewings. Although this species is widespread in the South Island, it has only been collected in the Rangipo Desert in the North Island. The species prefers habitat that is scrubland ranging in altitude from coastal to alpine. Adults are on the wing from October to April and larvae have been collected and reared on the New Zealand endemic plant species Melicytus alpinus.

<i>Ichneutica nullifera</i> Species of moth

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.

<i>Ichneutica petrograpta</i> Species of moth

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.

<i>Physetica phricias</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

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.

<i>Ichneutica scutata</i> Species of moth

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.

<i>Ichneutica micrastra</i> Species of moth

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.

<i>Ichneutica steropastis</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

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.

<i>Ichneutica agorastis</i> Species of moth

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.

<i>Ichneutica disjungens</i> Species of moth

Ichneutica disjungens is a moth of the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and can be found on the central volcanic plateau of the North Island and in the eastern as well as the south western parts of the South Island. I. disjungens inhabits tussock grasslands in the alpine and subalpine zones. The hosts of the larvae of this species include Poa cita, P. colensoi, Festuca novae-zelandiae and Dracophyllum acerosum. The adults of this species are distinctive and are unlikely to be confused with other species. They are on the wing between October and March.

<i>Ichneutica moderata</i> Species of moth

Ichneutica moderata is a moth of the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and can be found from the Bay of Plenty south including the Chatham Islands. I. moderata inhabits open spaces in lowland to montane zones. Larvae likely feed on a variety of low growing herbaceous plants including on Raoulia species. Larvae create silk covered tunnels in the roots of their host plants. Pupa are enclosed in a loose silken cocoons and are sheltered amongst the host species roots. The adult moths are on the wing from October to April.

<i>Ichneutica bromias</i> Species of moth

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.

<i>Ichneutica erebia</i> Species of moth

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.

<i>Ichneutica skelloni</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

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.

<i>Ichneutica paracausta</i> Species of moth

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.

<i>Physetica homoscia</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Physetica homoscia is a species of moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout New Zealand including in the Auckland Islands. This species inhabits places where its host plants are common and this includes costal dune habitat. It lives at a wide range of altitudes from sea-level up to at least 1750 m. The larvae of P. homoscia feed on Ozothamnus leptophyllus and Ozothamnus vauvilliersii. They are very active and drop to the ground when disturbed. Larvae are parasitised by a species of fly. This species pupates in the soil and the pupa life stage lasts for approximately 6 weeks. The adult moths are on the wing from September to June and are attracted to light. The adults of P. homoscia might possibly be confused with Ichneutica moderata however this latter species lacks the small white dots on the forewing veins of P. homoscia. Adults might also be confused with P. temperata but P. homoscia is significantly larger in size.

<i>Physetica temperata</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Physetica temperata is a species of moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and found in the North Island and the top of the South Island in coastal areas. P. temperata is unlikely to be confused with other species in its range, even though it is not distinctively patterned. It is possible that males might be confused with males of P. homoscia but this latter species is much larger. P. temperata can be distinguished from P. caerulea as the former species has forewing veins that are marked black and a chequered forewing fringe. The adults of this species are on the wing from September to March. The life history of this species has not been well documented although it is thought that larval host species is Ozothamnus leptophyllus.

References

  1. 1 2 "Ichneutica mutans (Walker, 1857)". www.nzor.org.nz. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 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.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Walker, Francis (1854). "XI: Noctuidae". List of the Specimens of Lepidopterous Insects in the Collection of the British Museum. pt. 11: 602 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  4. ↑ Meyrick, Edward (1887). "Monograph of New Zealand Noctuina". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 19: 3–40 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  5. ↑ Meyrick, Edward (1912). "A revision of the classification of the New Zealand Caradrinina". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 44: 88–107.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 George Vernon Hudson (1928), The butterflies and moths of New Zealand, Illustrator: George Hudson, Wellington, p. 66, OCLC   25449322, Wikidata   Q58593286
  7. ↑ "Ichneutica mutans (Walker, 1857)". nztcs.org.nz. 2021. Retrieved 2021-07-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. 1 2 3 White, Graeme (1991). "The Changing Abundance of Moths in a Tussock Grassland, 1962- 1989, and 50-Year to 70-Year Trends" (PDF). New Zealand Journal of Ecology. 15 (1): 5–22.
  9. ↑ "Graphania mutans (Walker, 1857) (Herbivore)". plant-synz.landcareresearch.co.nz. 2011. Retrieved 2021-07-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ↑ Frérot, B.; Dugdale, J. S.; Foster, S. P. (1993). "Chemotaxonomy of some species of moths in the New Zealand genus Graphania based on sex pheromones". New Zealand Journal of Zoology. 20 (2): 71–80. doi:10.1080/03014223.1993.10422864.
  11. ↑ McGee, Ian Robert (1987). Graphania mutans (Walker) and Acremonium lolii (Latch) : the relationship between an insect herbivore and a fungal endophyte of perennial ryegrass (Master of Science Thesis thesis). Massey University.
  12. ↑ Max N. Buxton; Robert J. B. Hoare; Melissa A. Broussard; Theo Van Noort; Grant R. T. Fale; Tamatea Nathan; David E. Pattemore (25 August 2021), Moths as potential pollinators in avocado (Persea americana) orchards in temperate regions, pp. 1–12, doi:10.1080/01140671.2021.1966480, Wikidata   Q108352633
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