Ichneutica purdii

Ichneutica purdii
	Male
	Female
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Superfamily:	Noctuoidea
Family:	Noctuidae
Genus:	Ichneutica
Species:	I. purdii
Binomial name
	Ichneutica purdii; (Fereday, 1883)
Synonyms
	Leucania purdiiFereday, 1883 ; Leucania purdei(Fereday, 1883) ; Alysina purdii(Fereday, 1883) ; Tmetolophota purdii(Fereday, 1883) ;

Last updated November 23, 2023

Ichneutica purdii, the orange astelia wainscot,^[2] 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.

Taxonomy

This species was described by R. W. Fereday in 1883 from a specimen collected by Alex. Purdie (the son of Alexander Callender Purdie)^[3] in a field near Fairfield.^[4] Fereday originally named the species Leucania purdii in honour of the collector of the type specimen.^[4] George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in 1898 and again in 1928.^[5]^[6] On both of these occasions Hudson used the name Leucania purdii when discussing the species. In 1929 A. V. Chappell gave a detailed account of the life history of the species.^[7] Hudson again used the name Leucania purdii when he illustrated this moth in his 1939 publication A Supplement to the Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand.^[8] J. S. Dugdale transferred this species to the genus Tmetolophota in 1971.^[9] Dugdale confirmed this placement in 1988.^[10]

In 2019 Robert J. B. Hoare undertook a major review of New Zealand noctuids. Hoare, having inspected the holotype specimen of this species, placed it within the genus Ichneutica.^[1]

Description

The eggs of this species are spherical in shape though slightly flattened both above and below.^[7] Eggs can range in colour from light blue green, to pale brown with a dark central spot to black, again, with a darker spot in the centre.^[7]

When hatched the larvae are approximately 3mm in length and are coloured off white.^[7] When fully grown 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.^[7] The larvae can reach a length of approximately 48mm.^[11] Pupa are deep wine coloured.^[7]

Fereday first described the adult male holotype specimen of this species as follows:

Head and thorax dark pinkish-ochreous-yellow, darkest in front ; abdomen paler and greyish at base. Primaries above dark pinkish cedar colour, a dash of ochreous-yellow occupying the areolet between the submedian nervure and the third median nervule, the dash being very bright at the base and fading towards the posterior angle ; a dash of the same colour commencing broadly in the middle of the discoidal cell, extending along the areolet between the first discoidal and lower subcostal nervules, and narrowing towards and vanishing near the exterior margin ; a similar dash extending along two-thirds of the costa from the base of the wing ; cilia, basal half ochreous-yellow, exterior whitish-ochreous. Primaries below greyish-ochreous with a pinkish tinge, costal part more ochreous, exterior area more grey ; cilia as above. Secondaries above dark fuscous, paler at the base ; cilia same as of primaries. Secondaries below greyish-ochreous, the exterior third more greyish, preceded by a darker greyish transverse narrow band running parallel with the exterior margin ; discocellular spot greyish rather indistinct ; cilia as above.^[4]

I. purdii is variable in appearance but can be identified by the deep pink colour of its forewings with markings in orange including an orange line along the fold of the forewings.^[1] The orange markings can be variable in length.^[6] The hindwings are blackish brown in colour.^[1] The male adult of the species has a wingspan of between 39 and 50 mm while the female has a slightly larger wingspan of 45–55 mm.^[9]

Geographic range

I. purdii is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the North, South and Stewart Islands.^[1] It can be found at an altitude range of between sea level and 1200m although it is more commonly found in the south of the country and at the higher end of the altitude limit.^[1]

Host species

The larvae feed on Astelia and Cordyline species including A. hastata and A. grandis .^[1]^[12]^[7] In captivity larvae have been raised on Cordyline australis.^[7] Younger larvae eat grooves in its host plant leaves while older larvae can eat through the leaves completely.^[7]

Behaviour

When disturbed the larvae of this species drops and rolls into a ball.^[7] Adult moths are on the wing from October to March and are attracted to light.^[1]^[12]

Life history

The eggs are laid in patches.^[7] Once hatched the larvae are nocturnal, spending the day sheltering in the middle of their host plant.^[7] The pupa is enclosed in a slight cocoon with this being constructed below the soil, amongst debris or alternatively within a hollow stick.^[7] The adult moths are on the wing from October to March.^[1] Hudson was of the opinion that the perfect adult was obtained in December until March.^[6]

Related Research Articles

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 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 arotis is a moth of the family Noctuidae. 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.

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 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 unica is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the centre of the North Island and throughout the South Island. This moth is very similar in appearance to its close relatives Ichneutica phaula and Ichneutica toroneura. I. phaula can be distinguished as there is a difference in pectinations on the male antennae and I. toroneura can be distinguished as the black vein markings on the forewings is more uniform for that species in comparison to I. unica. I. unica is variable in appearance with the North Island specimens having a darker brown colour on the forewings and having a darker underside of the hindwings. This species inhabits open tussock grassland at various altitudes, coastal dunes, and inland volcanic dunes. Larvae feed on tussock grasses such as Chionochloa pallens and species in the genus Poa. Adult moths are on the wing from November to February and are attracted to both sugar and light traps.

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.

Charixena iridoxa, also known as the Astelia zig-zag moth, is a moth of the family Plutellidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1916. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the North, South and Stewart Islands. The life cycle of this moth is at least two years in length with the larvae inhabiting the bulb of its host plants and mining the underside of its leaves. These mines have a distinctive zig-zag appearance and can be easily recognised when looked for on the host plants. The larvae pupate in a cocoon attached to the leaf and this stage takes place between February and August. The adult moths emerge in the early spring and are fast, day flying moths. Their larval hosts are plants in the genus Astelia and include Astelia fragrans and Astelia nervosa.

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 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 ceraunias is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is found from the central North Island to the bottom of the South Island. Hosts of the larvae are species of Chionochloa and Festuca. This colourful moth is variable in appearance and can be mistaken for Ichneutica dione. Adults are on the wing from October to February.

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 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 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 sistens is a moth of the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It can be found in the central North Island and throughout the South Island, although it is more common on the eastern side of that latter Island. It is very variable in both colour and size. I. sistens prefers open habitat such as tussock grasslands, dunes and braided rivers. Larval host species include grasses in the family Poaceae and include species in the genera Rytidosperma and Elymus, as well as Poa cita and Agrostis capillaris. Adults are on the wing from January to May and are attracted to light.

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 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 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.
↑ Maanaki Whenua Landcare Research (October 2016). "Shedding light on the night – a citizen science programme to study moths" (PDF). Open space. 91: 14–15 – via qeiinationaltrust.org.nz.
↑ Godley, E.J. (2004). "Biographical Notes (56): Alexander Callender Purdie (1824-1899) and Alex. Purdie (c.1861-1905)" (PDF). New Zealand Botanical Society Newsletter. 78 (December): 16–19. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-05-19.
1 2 3 Fereday, R. W. (1883). "Description of two new species of Heteropterous Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 15: 195–196 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
↑ Hudson, G. V. (1898). New Zealand moths and butterflies. London: West, Newman & Co. p. 10. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.7912 . Retrieved 21 December 2020.
1 2 3 Hudson, George V. (1928). The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. p. 93.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 A. V. Chappell (15 August 1929). "Biological Notes on New Zealand Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 60: 259–264. ISSN 1176-6158. Wikidata Q104415827.
↑ Hudson, G. V. (1939). A Supplement to the Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. p. 392. OCLC 221041540 . Retrieved 8 April 2019.
1 2 J. S. Dugdale (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. ISSN 0078-7515. Wikidata Q64006453.
↑ John Stewart Dugdale (23 September 1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa". Fauna of New Zealand. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. 14: 1–264. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.14. ISSN 0111-5383. Wikidata Q45083134.
↑ Howes, George (1914). "Notes on the Life-history of some New Zealand Moths". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 46: 97–98 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
1 2 Hoare, Robert (2009). "The Discerning Wainscot". The Weta. Entomological Society of New Zealand. 37 (1): 17–18. Archived from the original on 2013-02-10 – via Internet Archive.

External links

A photograph of the larva of I. purdii (p 430).

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[:1-1] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 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.

[Landcare2016-2] Maanaki Whenua Landcare Research (October 2016). "Shedding light on the night – a citizen science programme to study moths" (PDF). Open space. 91: 14–15 – via qeiinationaltrust.org.nz.

[3] Godley, E.J. (2004). "Biographical Notes (56): Alexander Callender Purdie (1824-1899) and Alex. Purdie (c.1861-1905)" (PDF). New Zealand Botanical Society Newsletter. 78 (December): 16–19. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-05-19.

[:0-4] 1 2 3 Fereday, R. W. (1883). "Description of two new species of Heteropterous Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 15: 195–196 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.

[:2-5] Hudson, G. V. (1898). New Zealand moths and butterflies. London: West, Newman & Co. p. 10. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.7912 . Retrieved 21 December 2020.

[Hudson-6] 1 2 3 Hudson, George V. (1928). The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. p. 93.

[Chappell-7] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 A. V. Chappell (15 August 1929). "Biological Notes on New Zealand Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 60: 259–264. ISSN 1176-6158. Wikidata Q104415827.

[:5-8] Hudson, G. V. (1939). A Supplement to the Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. p. 392. OCLC 221041540 . Retrieved 8 April 2019.

[Dugdale_1971-9] 1 2 J. S. Dugdale (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. ISSN 0078-7515. Wikidata Q64006453.

[Dugdale_1988-10] John Stewart Dugdale (23 September 1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa". Fauna of New Zealand. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. 14: 1–264. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.14. ISSN 0111-5383. Wikidata Q45083134.

[11] Howes, George (1914). "Notes on the Life-history of some New Zealand Moths". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 46: 97–98 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.

[:3-12] 1 2 Hoare, Robert (2009). "The Discerning Wainscot". The Weta. Entomological Society of New Zealand. 37 (1): 17–18. Archived from the original on 2013-02-10 – via Internet Archive.

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