Ichneutica panda
Ichneutica panda is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and only found in central and southern parts of the South Island. The species has not been collected in Canterbury since the late 1950s and has not been seen at The Wilderness scientific reserve since 1941. This species is similar in appearance to "Ichneutica falsidica" however "I. panda" lack or have indistinct black dashes on their edge of their hindwings. "I. panda" inhabit shrubland from alpine zones down to river terraces and adults are on the wing between December to February . The life history of this species is unknown as is the host species of the larvae. Taxonomy. This species was first described by Alfred Philpott in 1920 from a male collected by George Hudson at Mount Earnslaw / Pikirakatahi and a female collected by Philpott at Routeburn. Philpott named the species "Aletia panda". The male lectotype specimen is held at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. The "argentaria" form of this species was first described by George Howes in 1945 using a specimen collected by him at The Wilderness scientific reserve in Southland under the name "Aletia argentaria". Prior to  2019, the genus level classification of New Zealand endemic moths within the genus "Aletia" was regarded as unsatisfactory and was due for revision. As such this species has previously been known as "Aletia" ("s.l.") "panda" as well as "Aletia" (s.l.) "argentaria". 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 panda." During this review Hoare also synonymised "Aletia argentaria" with "I. panda". Description . The original description of this species given by Philpott is as follows: The "argentaria" form of this species was described by Howes as follows: The "argentaria" form was regarded by George Hudson as being very similar to "Aletia panda", differing only in having narrower forewings, more oblique termen and smaller orbicular stigma. Hoare formally synonymised "argentaria" with "panda" as although the argentaria from is smaller and more uniform in colour the wingspan falls within the wingspan range of "panda", the genitalia of "argentaria" specimens show no differences to "panda" and, although "argentaria" has a variable forewing pattern, that difference is  not sufficient to justify being classified as a separate species. More strongly marked forms of "I. panda" can be confused with "I. falsidica." However the antennae of male "I. panda" have shorter pectinations and both the male and female "I. panda" lack or have unclearly defined dark dash marks on their hindwing termen in comparison to the more vivid marks in specimens of "I. falsidica". Distribution. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is only found in the central and southern parts of the South Island. Although this species has been collected in Canterbury, this was over 60 years  ago with a specimen collected at Arthur’s Pass in 1958 and at Bealey River in 1959. It has also not been recollected at the Wilderness Scientific Reserve since 1941. Habitat. The preferred habitat of this species is shrublands in alpine and subalpine zones as well as in river terraces. Behaviour. Adults of this species are on the wing between December to February. Life history and host species. The life history of this species is unknown as are the host species of its larvae.