Ichneutica sistens

S. Lindsay described the larvae of this species as follows:

25 mm. long, elongate, smooth, ochreous; numerous longitudinal stripes, pale fuscous; sixteen legs. Guenée describes the adults of this species as follows:

The thorax and superior wings testaceous-grey, with a greenish appearance; all the markings are well defined, especially the elbow line, which is formed of little black lunules slightly separated; the two ordinary spots are large, grey encircled with black; the orbicular is round, marked with a subcostal black dot; the reniform broad, filled in with black below; beneath it is the median shade which forms a series of zig-zags to the inner margin; the subterminal line is slender, pale, sometimes preceded by small isolated black dots; other dots, somewhat lunulate, precede the concolorous fringe : inferior blackish-grey, with terminal black dashes. Collar with a slight black line. Antennae thick, and, with the lens, thickened ciliated denticulations are perceptible. Abdomen without crests. The ♀ is slightly paler; its abdomen very thick, beneath with two lateral series of black markings. The antennae have only slight, scarcely perceptible ciliations.This species is variable in both size and colour. I. sistens has a forewing that is coloured grey or dark grey or a grey with a greenish tinge. …

I. sistens is endemic to New Zealand. It is found in the central North Island and throughout the South Island, although more frequently on the eastern side of that Island.

Adults of I. sistens are on the wing from January to May, though there are some specimens in the New Zealand Arthropod Collection that were collected in Central Otago in September. Adults of this species are attracted to light.