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New Zealand cutworm facts for kids

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New Zealand cutworm
Graphania mutans female.jpg
Female
Graphania mutans male.jpg
Male
Scientific classification
Genus:
Ichneutica
Species:
mutans
Synonyms
  • Graphania mutans Walker, 1857
  • Hadena mutans Walker, 1857
  • Maoria mutans Walker, 1857
  • Xylina spurcata Walker, 1857
  • Hadena lignifusca Walker, 1857
  • Xylina vexata Walker, 1865
  • Mamestra passa Morrison, 1874
  • Mamestra acceptrix Felder & Rogenhofer, 1875
  • Hadena debilis Butler, 1877
  • Maoria mutans pallescens Warren, 1912

Ichneutica mutans, commonly known as the New Zealand cutworm or the grey-brown cutworm, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It was first described by Francis Walker in 1857. It is endemic to New Zealand.

The larvae feed on pasture as well as the leaves and fruit of apple trees. This species is therefore considered a pest in apple orchards.

Ichneutica mutans was formerly a member of the genus Graphania.

Images for kids

  • Fig. 15 Pl. III New Zealand Moths and Butterflies (1898) cropped)

    Drawing of larva of Ichneutica mutans by George Hudson

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New Zealand cutworm Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.