No widely accepted common name
Common NameNo widely accepted common name
Scientific NameIchneutica rubescens
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyNoctuinae
Wingspan (mm)34
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsbrown, reddish-brown, dark brown
HabitatNative forests, shrublands, subalpine areas
Geographic RangeNew Zealand
Host Plantsgrasses, herbaceous plants
Flight PeriodSeptember to May
Flight Stylefluttering
Lifecycle NotesUndergoes complete metamorphosis; larvae are caterpillars that typically feed on grasses and low-growing herbaceous plants, often pupating in the soil.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its reddish-brown, cryptically patterned forewings and its endemic range in New Zealand. Differentiation from closely related Ichneutica species often requires detailed examination of genitalic structures.
Description
This is a medium-sized moth with cryptically patterned forewings, displaying mottled shades of reddish-brown and dark brown, often with subtle darker streaks and small black spots, providing excellent camouflage against bark or lichen.
