Ichneutica scutata

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Ichneutica scutata
Graphania scutata female.jpg
Female
Graphania scutata male.jpg
Male
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Noctuidae
Genus: Ichneutica
Species:
I. scutata
Binomial name
Ichneutica scutata
(Meyrick, 1929) [1]
Synonyms [2]
  • Melanchra scutataMeyrick, 1929
  • Graphania scutata(Meyrick, 1929)

Ichneutica scutata is a moth of the family Noctuidae. [1] 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.

Contents

Taxonomy

This species was described by Edward Meyrick in 1929 from a specimen collected by George Vernon Hudson in winter in Wellington. [3] The male holotype is held at the Natural History Museum, London. [4] In 1988 J. S. Dugdale placed this species within the Graphania genus. [4] 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 scutata. [2]

Description

Hudson described the grown larvae as follows:

Length... about 31 mm, stout, cylindrical, slightly tapering towards head, with very pronounced hindslope. Head pale ochreous brown, with blackish stripes. General colour deep purplish brown, darker and more suffused anteriorly; much paler dull ochreous subdorsal and lateral longitudinal bands, becoming darker and less distinct towards head. A series of elongate triangular black dashes on subdorsal line, one dash on each segment from the seventh to hindslope; another series of much less distinct dashes on lower lateral region. Underside of larva, legs and prolegs dull ochreous-brown, faintly tinged with green. [5]

Meyrick described the adult male of the species as follows:

Ichneutica scutata Ichneutica scutata 67217118.jpg
Ichneutica scutata

♂. 36 mm. Head, palpi, thorax light reddish-brown suffusedly mixed whitish. Antennae bipectinated except towards apex (a 4, b 3). Forewings elongate-triangular, termen obliquely rounded, crenulate; pale ochreous, basal half irrorated grey-whitish; subbasal, first, and second lines only indicated by brownish margins on costa; a fine dark reddish-brown median dash from base to 14, irregularly thickened near base; an oblique reddish-brown spot mixed blackish from dorsum towards base; roundish orbicular and smaller also round claviform beneath it outlined dark reddish-fuscous and tinged red-brownish internally, reniform ear-shaped, anterior edge formed by a double reddish-fuscous but posterior only faintly indicated, these spots united and orbicular also preceded by red-brownish suffusion forming a large median discal subquadrate patch, cubitus within this and shortly before it blackish-grey; from this patch an irregular thick dark reddish-fuscous streak runs along vein 2 to termen, vein tinged dark grey; subterminal line indicated by an obscure whitish shade cutting this streak and slightly edged brownish anteriorly near costa, on veins 3 and 4 forming two long well-defined dentations reaching termen, space between these and above them as far as vein 6 suffused dark brown except on termen, terminal area otherwise ochreous-whitish: cilia brown, slightly barred whitish. Hindwings pale greyish, suffusedly irrorated dark grey, obscurely indicating a discal spot, post-median line, and terminal band in which are two cloudy whitish elongate spots below middle. [3]

The wingspan of the adult male of this species is between 30 and 39 mm and the wingspan of the female is between 34 and 36.5 mm. Hoare has also assigned a small dark form of this species, found in Mid Canterbury, to this species on the basis of the similarities in the form of antennae, male genitalia and time on the wing. [2] I. scutata is very similar in appearance to I. insignis and I. skelloni but can be distinguished as I. scutata is much paler and the forewing streak is reddish brown in colour in comparison to the black streak of the other two species. [2]

Distribution

It is endemic to New Zealand. [6] This species is found in the southern parts of the North Island and the eastern side of the South Island. [2]

Habitat

It has been hypothesised that this species may prefer habitats such as grasslands and open dunes but it does not appear to be common in inland tussock grasslands. [2]

Behaviour

Adults of this species are on the wing from late March to July. [2]

Life history and host species

Plagianthus divaricatus, a host plant of I. scutata Plagianthus divaricatus.jpg
Plagianthus divaricatus, a host plant of I. scutata

The female of this species lays her eggs in a large cluster with the eggs nearly touching. [2] The larvae feed on various herbaceous plants including grasses, herbs and shrubs. [2] They have been recorded as feeding, either in the wild or when reared, on Plantago and Convolvulus species, Plagianthus divaricatus , [7] Bromus willdenowii and Poa annua . [2] This species pupates in the soil near its host plants. [2]

Related Research Articles

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

Ichneutica insignis is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is found throughout New Zealand, although it appears to be scarce in inland sites of tussock grasslands. The adults are on the wing throughout the year. It is a variable species and as such can be easily confused with I. skelloni and I. plena. The larvae of this species have been recorded as feeding on Trifolium pratense.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

Ichneutica omoplaca is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is widespread from the Bay of Plenty in the North Island down to Southland in the South Island. Specimens have also been collected from the Auckland Islands. It lives in a variety of habitats including beech forest clearings and tussock grasslands. This species has been recorded that some of the larval hosts of this species include Poa cita, Dactylis glomerata and it has been reared on Plantago lanceolata. The larva is undescribed but pupae have been found in a pine plantation in soil under weeds. Adults of this species are on the wing from October to March. The adult moths are variable in appearance but the diagnostic feature is the pale ochreous to white colouring between the basal streak and the costa which contrasts with the ground colour of the forewing.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

<i>Meterana tetrachroa</i> Species of moth

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.

<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 phaula</i> Species of moth

Ichneutica phaula is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is found only in the South Island in the Nelson district, the eastern side of the South Island and Stewart Island. I. phaula inhabits tussock grasslands and coastal sand dunes. Host species include Ficinia spiralis, Ammophila arenaria, Poa cita and other "tussock grasses". The adults of this species are on the wing from October to December and are attracted to sugar traps. I. phaula is similar in appearance to both I. micastra, with whom it does not share a range, and I. sapiens which differs from I. phaula as I. sapiens is darker and has a more reddish tinge.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

<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 chryserythra</i> Species of moth

Ichneutica chryserythra is a moth of the family Noctuidae. Living specimens have distinctive violet red coloured forewings but can be distinguished from the similar species Ichneutica marmorata as it lacks the dark edge markings of the later species. I. chryserythra can only be found in the southern parts of the South Island. Adults are on the wing between November and January. The life history of the species and the host species of its larvae are unknown.

<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 sollennis</i> Species of moth

Ichneutica sollennis is a moth of the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. This species is known from the eastern and central areas of the southern South Island. It inhabits alpine zones and has been collected in tussock grasslands. The life history of this species is unknown. Although the host species is currently unknown it has been hypothesised that this species have grass or grass like plants as host plants. Adults are on the wing from November to February and are attracted to light.

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.

<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.

References

  1. 1 2 "Ichneutica scutata (Meyrick, 1929)". www.nzor.org.nz. 2021. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 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 Meyrick, Edward (1929). "Descriptions of New Zealand Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 60: 483–490 via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  4. 1 2 Dugdale, J. S. (1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 205. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 January 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  5. Hudson, George Vernon (1950). Fragments of New Zealand entomology. - a popular account of all 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: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. pp. 79–80.
  6. "Ichneutica scutata (Meyrick, 1929)". nztcs.org.nz. 2021. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  7. "Graphania scutata (Meyrick, 1929)". plant-synz.landcareresearch.co.nz. 2011. Retrieved 2021-07-29.