Ichneutica brunneosa

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Ichneutica brunneosa
Graphania brunneosa female.jpg
Female
Graphania brunneosa male.jpg
Male
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Noctuidae
Genus:
Ichneutica
Species:
I. brunneosa
Binomial name
Ichneutica brunneosa[1]
(, 1970)
Synonyms[2]
  • Melanchra brunneosa Fox, 1970
  • Graphania brunneosa (Fox, 1970)

Ichneutica brunneosa is a moth of the family Noctuidae.[1] This species is endemic to New Zealand. It can be found 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.

Taxonomy[]

This species was first described by in 1970 under the name Melanchra brunneosa.[3] He used a male holotype collected from the south side of Mount Taranaki at 1700 ft, a female allotype collected at Lake Waikaremoana, and four male paratypes also collected from Mount Taranaki.[2] The holotype specimen is held at the National Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.[2] in his catalogue placed this species within the Graphania genus.[4] In 2019 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 brunneosa.[2]

Description[]

Fox described the species as follows:

Antennae, head, thorax, abdomen, legs, and wings ochreous brown in ground colour. Antennae of the♂ with posterior (outer) pectinations half the length of anterior (inner) pectinations. Wingspan: 35-38mm. Forewing pattern: Basal streak absent; basal, medium, subterminal lines all yellowish ocherous , lined with dark-brown. No distinct median band. Claviform outlined in yellowish ochreous, margined on terminal side with dark brown; orbicular outlined in yellowish ochreous, as large as reniform, lying obliquely; reniform similarly outlined. Subterminal line with 2 blunt tooth-like markings below middle, teeth not reaching termen. Hindwings ochreous brown, darker with ♂. Underside of forewings with reniform obsolete, underside of hindwings with a discal spot, no subterminal line or shade.[3]

The wingspan for the male of the species is between 32 and 37 mm and for the female of the species is between 34 and 39 mm.[2] The distinctive colouration and patterns on the forewings of this moth ensures that it is unlikely to be confused with other species.[2]

Distribution[]

Mount Taranaki, the type locality of I. brunneosa

I. brunneosa is endemic to New Zealand.[5] This species is found in the South Island from Coromandel to Stewart Island.[2] However this species does not appear to be present in the centre of the South Island.[2]

Habitat[]

This species exists in native forests at localities with higher rainfalls.[2][6]

Behaviour[]

This is a species that is attracted to mercury vapour light traps.[2] Adult moths are on the wing from October to January.[2]

Life history and hosts[]

The life history of this species is unknown as are the host species of its larvae.[2]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Ichneutica brunneosa (Fox, 1970)". www.nzor.org.nz. Retrieved 2021-07-25.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n 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. ^ a b Fox, Kenneth John (1970-01-01). "A new species of Melanchra (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from New Zealand". Records of the Dominion Museum. 7 (3): 21–24.
  4. ^ Dugdale, John Stewart (1988-09-23). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 14: 1–264.
  5. ^ "Ichneutica brunneosa (Fox, 1970)". nztcs.org.nz. 2021. Retrieved 2021-07-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ Hoare, Robert J. B. (2020). "The Moths of Mt Te Aroha: A Summary" (PDF). www.cmer.nz. Retrieved 26 July 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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