Ichneutica paraxysta
Ichneutica paraxysta is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is very similar in appearance to its close relative "I. acontistis" but as the range of the two species do not overlap this is unlikely to cause confusion. "I. paraxysta" is only found in the North Island at the subalpine zones in the Mount Taranaki region and at Mount Ruapehu. It prefers tussock grassland and shrubland habitat. The life history of this species is unknown as are the host species of its larvae however it has been hypothesised that the larval  host plants are species in the genera of "Poa" and "Festuca." Taxonomy. This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1929 from specimens collected around Waiouru by George Hudson and named "Leucania paraxysta". The lectotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London. In 1971 John S. Dugdale transferred all the New Zealand species in the genus "Leucania" to the genus "Tmetolophota". In 1988 J. S. Dugdale, in his catalogue of New Zealand Lepidoptera, confirmed this placement. In 2019 Robert Hoare undertook a major review of New Zealand Noctuidae species. During this review the genus "Ichneutica" was greatly  expanded and the genus "Tmetolophota" was subsumed into that genus as a synonym. As a result of this review, this species is now known as "Ichneutica paraxysta." Description. Meyrick described this species as follows: The wingspan of the adult male of the species is between 34 and 38 mm and for the female is between 34 and 38 mm. "I. paraxysta" is a pale, medium-sized moth. Its hindwings are slightly darker than its forewings, and veins on the latter are clearly defined. This species is very similar in appearance to "I. acontistis", however this is unlikely to be confusion  between these species as "I. acontistis" is only found in the South Island. Distribution. "I. paraxysta" is endemic to New Zealand. It is found in the North Island only, in the Mount Taranaki region and at Mount Ruapehu. Habitat. This species is found at subalpine altitudes in native tussock grasslands and shrubland. Behaviour. Adults of this species is on the wing from November to January. Life history and host species. The life history of this species is unknown as are the host species of its larvae. Hoare hypothesised that as a result of its similarity to "I. acontistis" the larval  host species are likely to be species in the genera "Poa" and "Festuca."