Ichneutica moderata
Ichneutica moderata is a moth of the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and can be found from the Bay of Plenty south including the Chatham Islands. "I. moderata" inhabits open spaces in lowland to montane zones. Larvae likely feed on a variety of low growing herbaceous plants including on "Raoulia" species. Larvae create silk covered tunnels in the roots of their host plants. Pupa are enclosed in a loose silken cocoons and are sheltered amongst the host species roots. The adult moths are on the wing from October to April. Taxonomy. This species was  first described by Francis Walker in 1865 using specimens collected in Nelson by Mr T. R. Oxley. Walker was unsure of the genus and so named the species "Agrotis? moderata". The lectotype specimen is held by the Natural History Museum, London. Rudolf Felder and Alois Friedrich Rogenhofer also described this species, thinking it new, in 1875 and named it "Mamestra griseipennis". This name was synonymised with "Aletia moderata by" J. S. Dugdale in 1988. In 2019 Robert Hoare undertook a major review of New Zealand Noctuidae. During this review the genus "Ichneutica" was greatly expanded and the genus "Aletia" was  subsumed into that genus as a synonym. As a result of this review, this species is now known as "Ichneutica moderata". Description. Walker described this species as follows: The adult male of the species has a wingspan of between 33 and 38 mm, the female has a wingspan of between 36 and 43 mm. This species is nondescript but can be distinguished from other similar appearing species as both the male and female have unmarked creamy white fringes on their hindwings. Hudson described the larvae of the species as follows: Distribution. This species is found throughout New Zealand, including the  Chatham Islands, with the only exception being the northern part of the North Island, that is Bay of Plenty north. Habitat. "I. moderata" prefers open habitats in the montane to lowlands zones. Behaviour. Adults of this species are on the wing from October to April. Life history and host species. The larvae of this species likely feed on various kinds of low growing herbaceous plants. However "I. moderata" larvae is recorded as being associated with "Raoulia particularly the species" "R. australis, R. subulata" and "R. beauverdii" as well as "Crassula manaia." Larvae have also been reared on "Bellis perennis." Larvae  create tunnels lined with silk amongst the roots of the species' host plants. Pupa are enclosed in an insubstantial and easily damaged silken cocoon amongst the roots.