Pasture Porina
Common NamePasture Porina
Scientific NameWiseana cervinata
FamilyHepialidae
Wingspan (mm)50
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsbrown, dark brown, cream
HabitatGrasslands, pastures, open fields
Geographic RangeNew Zealand
Host Plantsgrasses, clover
Flight PeriodFebruary to May
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae, known as porina caterpillars, live in vertical burrows underground, feeding on plant roots and emerging at night to graze on surface vegetation. Pupation occurs within the burrow, and adults emerge to mate.
Identification TipsLook for its robust, hairy body and the distinctive cryptic brown and cream mottled pattern on its forewings. Often observed flying erratically at dusk or night over pastures and grasslands in New Zealand.
Description
A robust, medium-sized moth with a hairy, light to dark brown body. Its forewings display a cryptic pattern of mottled brown shades with darker blotches and some distinct cream or white markings.
