Ichneutica hartii
Ichneutica hartii is a moth of the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and can be found only in the North Island. "I. hartii" is similar in appearance to "Ichneutica agrorastis" but can be distinguished as it tends to be smaller in size and have a more purplish shade to its fore wings. "I. hartii" tends to be found inhabiting lowland native forest or forests found in the hilly ranges of the North Island. It is attracted to light and the adults of this moth are on the wing between January and March. Much of  its life history is currently unknown as are the larvae host species. Taxonomy. This species was first described by W. G. Howes in 1914 from a single male specimen obtained by Mr S. Hart near Cape Egmont Lighthouse. This holotype species is held at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. In 1988 J. S. Dugdale placed this species within the "Tmetolophota" genus. 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 hartii." Description. Howes described this species as follows "I. hartii" is closely related to "I. agorastis" and as such is very similar in appearance. "I.hartii" can be distinguished from "I. agorastis" as the former has a smaller wingspan with an apporximate size of 33 mm. However in the central North Island some specimens are of a larger size than this norm. "I. hartii" also has a more purplish shade to its forewings in comparison to the reddish shade of "I. agorastis". Distribution. It is endemic to New Zealand and is widespread in  the North Island. Habitat. This species can be found in lowland native forest as well as in hill ranges up to approximately 800m in altitude. Behaviour. Adults of this species are on the wing from January to March. This species is attracted to light. Life history and host species. The life history of this species is unknown as are the host species of its larvae.