Ichneutica petrograpta

Meyrick described the species as follows:

♀. 42 mm. Head, palpi, thorax fuscous mixed whitish and blackish. Forewings elongate-triangular, termen obliquely rounded, waved; grey, irrorated blackish and whitish; a small white spot in middle of base; lines white, blackish-edged, waved, subbasal curved, first rather irregular, slightly bent on fold, second sinuate, subterminal parallel to termen, slightly indented near extremities; median band darker grey irrorated blackish, without white irroration, median shade obscurely blackish, dentate; spots outlined white and then blackish, claviform small, wedged-shaped, resting on first line, orbicular rather oblique, oval, reniform narrow slightly bent in middle : cilia grey narrowly barred white. Hindwings grey; cilia light grey, slenderly barred whitish, outer half whitish.The male of this species has a wingspan of between 39 and 44 mm where as the female of the species has a wingspan of between 38 and 40 mm. I. petrograpta is very similar in appearance to I. mutans. Although females of these two species may be distinguished by markings on the forewings, males are more difficult to distinguish visually. When comparing the males of both species, I. petrograpta specimens are slightly darker in appearance and have antenna with slightly longer pectinations.

I. petrograpta is endemic to New Zealand. This species is found only in the southwest portion of the South Island in the districts of Westland, Otago Lakes and Fiordland.

Adults of this species are attracted to sugar traps and have also been collected with a mercury vapour moth trap. The adults of the species are on the wing from December to February.

The life history of this species is unknown as are the host species of the larvae.

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