Ichneutica dundastica

Ichneutica dundastica is a moth of the family Noctuidae.[1][2] This species is endemic to New Zealand.[3] As at 2019 this species has only been found near the Dundas Hut in the Tararua Range near Wellington. It inhabits alpine shrubland and is attracted to light. The life history of this species is unknown as are the host species of its larvae however adults are on the wing from late November to early December. The female of the species is larger and more conspicuous than the male.

Ichneutica dundastica
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Noctuidae
Genus:
Ichneutica
Species:
I. dundastica
Binomial name
Ichneutica dundastica[1]
Hoare, 2019

Taxonomy

This species was described by Robert Hoare in 2019.[2] The male holotype was collected at Dundas Hut in the Tararua Range in December by J. S. Dugdale.[2] The holotype specimen is held in the New Zealand Arthropod Collection.[2] This species is named in honour of its type locality Dundas Hut.[2]

Description

The female of this species is more conspicuous in appearance in comparison to the undistinguished appearance of the male of the species.[2] Along with the restrictive range of this species, the male can be distinguished from similar species as the pectinations on its antennae are very long.[2] The female can be distinguished from similar species as it is large in size and has distinctive colouration and markings on its forewings.[2] The male has a wingspan of between 38.5 and 42 mm whereas the female has a wingspan of between 39.5 and 45 mm.[2]

Distribution

This species has only been collected in the Tararua Range.[2]

Habitat

This species inhabits alpine shrubland.

Behaviour

Adults of this species are attracted to light.[2] As at 2019 adults are only current known to be on the wing between late November and early December.[2] However more sampling needs to be undertaken to confirm the months in which adults of this species are active.[2]

Life history and hosts

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

References
  1. "Ichneutica dundastica Hoare, 2019". www.nzor.org.nz. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
  2. 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. "Ichneutica dundastica Hoare, 2019". nztcs.org.nz. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
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