Bug FAQIchneutica moderata
Ichneutica moderata · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Noctuidae
Adult Ichneutica moderata moths have a wingspan of about 33 to 38 mm for males and 36 to 43 mm for females. They live throughout New Zealand, including the Chatham Islands, but are absent from the northern Bay of Plenty area. The moths fly from October through April and their larvae feed on low-growing herbaceous plants such as several Raoulia species and Crassula manaia.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
Both sexes are dark cinereous on top and cinereous underneath, with brown hindwings and a pale cinereous fringe. A key feature is the unmarked creamy-white fringe on the hindwings, which helps separate it from similar moths.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Males have a wingspan of 33 to 38 mm; females are slightly larger at 36 to 43 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
It prefers open habitats ranging from lowland areas up into montane zones.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
Recorded host plants include Raoulia australis, R. subulata, R. beauverdii and Crassula manaia.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Larvae construct silk-covered tunnels within the roots of their host plants. Pupae are enclosed in loose silken cocoons and are hidden among the roots of the host species.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Ichneutica moderata is endemic to New Zealand. It occurs throughout the country and the Chatham Islands, except for the northern part of the Bay of Plenty on the North Island.
Source: Wikipedia
Lookalikes
It can be distinguished from similar moths by the unmarked creamy-white fringe on the hindwings of both sexes.
Source: Wikipedia
More photos
Questions people ask
What do the larvae of Ichneutica moderata eat?
They feed on low-growing herbaceous plants, especially several Raoulia species and Crassula manaia.
Source: Wikipedia
How can I tell Ichneutica moderata apart from similar moths?
Look for the unmarked creamy-white fringe on the hindwings of both males and females.
Source: Wikipedia
Where is Ichneutica moderata found?
It is endemic to New Zealand and occurs throughout the country and the Chatham Islands, except the northern Bay of Plenty area.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Noctuidae)
Ipsilon Dart MothAgrotis ipsilonDamages trees, gardens or crops
Fall Armyworm MothSpodoptera frugiperdaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Army Cutworm MothEuxoa auxiliarisDamages trees, gardens or crops
Large Yellow UnderwingNoctua pronubaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Silver ΥAutographa gamma
American DaggerAcronicta americanaCan irritate skinSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichneutica_moderata
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Text written 2026-10-23 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-23.