Ichneutica brunneosa

This species was first described by Kenneth John Fox 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] J. S. Dugdale in his catalogue 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 brunneosa.[2]

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]

Mount Taranaki, the type locality of I. brunneosa

I. brunneosa is endemic to New Zealand.[5] In the North Island this species has been observed at Mount Te Aroha which may be the northern most locality this moth can be found.[6] This species is also 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]

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

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

The life history of this species is unknown as are the host species of its larvae.[2][6]