Aletia dentata

Aletia dentata is a moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand.

Aletia dentata
Female
Male
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Noctuidae
Subfamily:
Hadeninae
Genus:
Aletia
Species:
A. dentata
Binomial name
Aletia dentata
Synonyms
  • Mythimna dentata (Philpott, 1923)

Taxonomy

The species was first described by Alfred Philpott in 1923.[2] George Hudson in The Moths and Butterflies of New Zealand treated A. dentata as a synonym of Aletia cuneata.[3] Philpott argued against this. Philpott was of the opinion that A. dentata was a separate species as it was darker and smaller than A. cuneata. However he felt unable to confirm this through genitalia examination as no male specimens were available at that time.[4]

The genus level classification of New Zealand endemic moths within the genus Aletia is regarded as unsatisfactory and is under revision.[5] It is likely that this species will be removed from the genus Aletia and be placed within one of the following genera: Physetica, Graphania, Tmetolophota or Ichneutica.[5] As such the species is also known as Aletia (s.l.) dentata.[1] In 2019 Robert J. B. Hoare published a paper in which he undertook a major review of New Zealand noctuids. Hoare, having inspected the holotype specimen of this species, placed it within the genus Ichneutica and synonymised it with Ichneutica cuneata.[6]

Description

Philpott reported that the species had a 34-36mm wingspan.[2] He described the species as being similar to Aletia cuneata but distinguishable as A. dentata has darker colouring and ochreous cilia on its hind wings.[2]

Distribution

A. dentata was discovered by J. G. Myers at Tongariro, in the North Island of New Zealand.[2] Myers observed the species resting on rocks during the day as well as deceased specimens within a tramping hut.[2]

Ecology and habitat

Adults can be active during the day and frequent montane and alpine areas.[2]

References
  1. "Aletia dentata Philpott, 1923". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 2017-12-20.
  2. Philpott, Alfred (1923). "Notes and descriptions of New Zealand Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 54: 148–154 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  3. Hudson, G. V. (1928). The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd. pp. 56–57.
  4. Philpott, Alfred (1928). "Notes and descriptions of New Zealand Lepidoptera" (PDF). Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 59: 481–490. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  5. Hoare, R.J.B.; Rhode, B.E.; Emmerson, A.W. (March 2012). "Larger moths of New Zealand: Image gallery and online guide". www.landcareresearch.co.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 2017-12-18.
  6. Hoare, Robert J. B. (2019-12-09). "Noctuinae (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) part 2: Nivetica, Ichneutica". Fauna of New Zealand. 80: 1–455. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.80.
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