Ichneutica eris

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Ichneutica eris
Ichneutica eris 113722944.jpg
male
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Noctuidae
Genus: Ichneutica
Species:
I. eris
Binomial name
Ichneutica eris
, 2019

Ichneutica eris is a moth of the family Noctuidae.[1] It is endemic to New Zealand. It is found in alpine habitat in the South Island and is on the wing from November to February. The species is attracted to light.

Taxonomy[]

This species was first described by Robert Hoare in 2019.[2] The holotype specimen was collected near the Homer Tunnel by in 1946.[1] I. eris was named in honour of Eris in light of the difficulty of the confusion this species has caused lepidopterists.[1]

Description[]

Adults of this species are brownish-grey in colour, with whitish markings on the forewings as well as greyish dots along the forewing edge.[1] The hindwings are grey in colour.[1] The wingspan range for the male of the species is between 37 to 46 mm, and for the female is between 43 to 51mm.[1]

This species is similar in appearance to both I. cana and I. fibriata.[1]

Habitat and geographic range[]

This species is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the South Island in alpine habitat.[1] This species overlaps with the range of I. cana although it appears to be more restricted in range than that species.[1] However I. eris can be found in the mountains surrounding Nelson whereas I. cana is not present in that locality.[1]

Life History[]

Little is known of the life history of this species.[1] However it is possible that the larvae exist on short alpine grasses and pupate on bare soil.[1]

Behaviour[]

Adults of this species are on the wing from November to February.[1] This species also appears to be attracted to light.[3]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Robert J. B. Hoare (9 December 2019). Illustrator: Birgit E. Rhode. "Noctuinae (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) part 2: Nivetica, Ichneutica" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 80: 1–455. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.80. ISSN 0111-5383. Wikidata Q94481265. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 April 2021.
  2. ^ "Ichneutica eris". nztcs.org.nz. Retrieved 2021-06-25.
  3. ^ "Ichneutica eris". iNaturalist. Retrieved 2021-07-13.
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