New Zealand cutworm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids New Zealand cutworm |
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| Female | |
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| Male | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ichneutica
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| Species: |
mutans
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| Synonyms | |
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The Ichneutica mutans, also known as the New Zealand cutworm or the grey-brown cutworm, is a type of moth. It belongs to the Noctuidae family, which includes many common moths. This moth was first officially described by a scientist named Francis Walker in 1857. You can only find this moth in New Zealand, meaning it is endemic to that country.
About the New Zealand Cutworm
The Ichneutica mutans is a fascinating insect. Like all moths, it starts its life as a larva (a caterpillar). These larvae are known for their eating habits.
What They Eat
The young Ichneutica mutans larvae enjoy eating pasture plants. Pasture is land covered with grass and other low plants, often used for grazing animals. They also like to munch on the leaves and fruit of apple trees. Because they eat apple tree parts, these moths are sometimes seen as a pest in apple orchards. A pest is an animal that causes harm to crops or other things humans value.
Its Scientific Name Change
For a while, the Ichneutica mutans was part of a different group of moths called Graphania. Scientists often change the names or groups of animals as they learn more about them. This helps them better understand how different species are related. The word "genus" refers to a group of closely related species.
Images for kids
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Drawing of larva of Ichneutica mutans by George Hudson
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