''Ichneutica eris'' is a

moth Moths are a group of insects that includes all members of the order Lepidoptera that are not Butterfly, butterflies. They were previously classified as suborder Heterocera, but the group is Paraphyly, paraphyletic with respect to butterflies (s ...

of the family

Noctuidae The Noctuidae, commonly known as owlet moths, cutworms or armyworms, are a family (biology), family of moths. Taxonomically, they are considered the most controversial family in the superfamily Noctuoidea because many of the clades are constantly ...

. It is

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found only in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also foun ...

New Zealand New Zealand () is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and List of islands of New Zealand, over 600 smaller islands. It is the List of isla ...

. It is found in alpine habitat in the

South Island The South Island ( , 'the waters of Pounamu, Greenstone') is the largest of the three major islands of New Zealand by surface area, the others being the smaller but more populous North Island and Stewart Island. It is bordered to the north by ...

and is on the wing from November to February. The species is attracted to light.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Robert Hoare in 2019. The holotype specimen was collected near the Homer Tunnel by John Salmon in 1946. ''I. eris'' was named in honour of Eris in light of the difficulty of the confusion this species has caused lepidopterists.

Description

Adults of this species are brownish-grey in colour, with whitish markings on the forewings as well as greyish dots along the forewing edge. The hindwings are grey in colour. The wingspan range for the male of the species is between 37 and 46 mm, and for the female is between 43 and 51 mm. This species is similar in appearance to both '' I. cana and I. fibriata.''

Habitat and geographic range

This species is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the South Island in alpine habitat. This species overlaps with the range of ''I. cana'' although it appears to be more restricted in range than that species. However, ''I. eris'' can be found in the mountains surrounding

Nelson Nelson may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Nelson'' (1918 film), a historical film directed by Maurice Elvey * ''Nelson'' (1926 film), a historical film directed by Walter Summers * ''Nelson'' (opera), an opera by Lennox Berkeley to a lib ...

, whereas ''I. cana'' is not present in that locality.

Life history

Little is known of the life history of this species. However, it is possible that the larvae exist on short alpine grasses and pupate on bare soil.

Behaviour

Adults of this species are on the wing from November to February. This species also appears to be attracted to light.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q104074564 Moths described in 2019 Moths of New Zealand Noctuinae Endemic fauna of New Zealand Taxa named by Robert Hoare Endemic moths of New Zealand