Ichneutica ceraunias

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 ceraunias
Female
Male
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Noctuidae
Genus: Ichneutica
Species:
I. ceraunias
Binomial name
Ichneutica ceraunias

Taxonomy

This species was first described in 1887 by Edward Meyrick using a male specimen collected at Mount Arthur.[1] This species was discussed and illustrated by George Hudson in his books published in 1898 and 1928.[2][3] John S. Dugdale agreed with the placement of this species within the Ichneutica genus in 1988.[4] Robert J. B. Hoare also confirmed the placement of this species within the Ichneutica genus in his major review of New Zealand Noctuidae species.[5]

Description
Ichneutica ceraunias observed in the St Bathans Mountains

Meyrick originally described this species as follows:

41 mm. Head, palpi, antennae, thorax, abdomen, and legs brownish-ochreous ; palpi externally suffused with dark fuscous ; stalk of antennae white above. Forewings moderately dilated, costa almost straight, apex obtuse, hindmargin rather oblique, rounded beneath ; whitish-ochreous, brownish-tinged ; a pale yellow-ochreous gradually dilated streak from base above middle to ​3⁄5, where it separates abruptly into two strong remote branches, nearly reaching hindmargin, upper acutely pointed, lower with two acute points ; space between and beyond these, and on a broad streak beneath them, reaching from ​1⁄3 to hindmargin but acutely attenuated anteriorly, ochreous-brown, sprinkled with black on margins ; a small blackish spot between branches at origin, and an irregular black divided streak from base beneath median streaks to middle : cilia whitish-ochreous (imperfect). Hindwings light fuscous-grey ; cilia whitish-ochreous (imperfect).[1]

This species is variable in the intensity of its colour and markings with darker specimens being found in the South.[3] The pale streaks on the forewing help identify this species but some forms of I. dione can be confused with I. ceraunias.[5] Some populations have full winged females, others have brachypterous, flightless females with the form of the wing reduction being variable.[5]

The larvae of the species has been partially described but there is no full description of the larvae of this species.[5]

Geographic range

I. ceraunias is found from central North Island down and throughout the South Island.[5]

Habitat

The species inhabits the alpine zone in the northern sections of its range down to sea-level in the south.[5]

Host species

The larvae of I. ceraunias feed on Chionochloa and Festuca species.[5]

Behaviour

Although adult moths are known to fly during the day it is more common to see them at night.[5] They are attracted to light.[3] Adults are on the wing from October to February.[5]

Conservation

Currently this species is not listed as in need of conservation efforts.[6]

References
  1. Edward Meyrick (1887). "Monograph of New Zealand Noctuina". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 19: 3–40. ISSN 1176-6158. Wikidata Q104048034.
  2. George Vernon Hudson (1898), New Zealand moths and butterflies (Macro-lepidoptera), Illustrator: George Hudson, London, p. 14, doi:10.5962/BHL.TITLE.7912, OCLC 980865393, Wikidata Q19073637
  3. Hudson, George Vernon (1928). The butterflies and moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. p. 50.
  4. John Stewart Dugdale (23 September 1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. 14: 1–264. ISSN 0111-5383. Wikidata Q45083134.
  5. 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.
  6. "Ichneutica ceraunias Meyrick, 1887". nztcs.org.nz. 2 December 2020. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
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