Bug FAQIchneutica averilla
Ichneutica averilla · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Noctuidae
Ichneutica averilla is a medium-sized moth endemic to New Zealand, usually found in mountainous areas but also down to sea level in the southern South Island. Adults have a pinkish-brown forewing with a lengthwise streak, a V-shaped dark mark, and fly from November to March; the wingspan ranges from about 33 mm to 41 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
The forewings are pinkish-brown with grey tinges, a dark streak from the base, and a distinctive V-shaped dark mark near the wing tip.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
It is a medium-sized moth. Males have a wingspan of 33 to 41 mm and females 36 to 41 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
It lives mainly in mountainous country. In the southern South Island it can also be found at sea level, for example in the Catlins.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Adults are on the wing from November through March. When they first emerge, the larvae eat their own egg shell.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Adult moths can be seen flying between November and March.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
The species is endemic to New Zealand.
Source: Wikipedia
Lookalikes
It can be mistaken for I. mutas, but I. averilla has a uniform red-ochreous forewing colour and lacks a clear antemedian line. It also resembles I. mutans; the latter is browner with blackish tones, while I. averilla is uniformly red-ochreous.
Source: Wikipedia
More photos
Questions people ask
What do the larvae of Ichneutica averilla eat?
The larvae feed on Plantago species and likely on other herbaceous plants.
Source: Wikipedia
Where is Ichneutica averilla found?
It is endemic to New Zealand, mainly in mountainous areas but also at sea level in the southern South Island.
Source: Wikipedia
How can I tell Ichneutica averilla apart from similar species?
It has a uniform red-ochreous forewing colour and lacks a distinct antemedian line, unlike I. mutas and I. mutans.
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_averilla
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Text written 2026-10-24 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-24.