About Ichneutica mollis
Howes originally described Ichneutica mollis based on five specimens, with individual sizes ranging from 30 mm to 36 mm. He noted the species has ochreous, filiform antennae, light-ochreous legs and palpi, and a strongly crested thorax, with the crest outlined in light brown. The abdomen is ochreous, and was reddish-ochreous in one of the specimens. Forewings are light-ochreous, with all markings delicately shaded in reddish-brown. The reniform mark is barely visible but shaded with reddish-brown, especially towards the wing base. Seven short, distinct marks run from the base to the three-quarter point along the costa. A jagged transverse line sits near the termen, inclining towards the centre of the wing as it approaches the dorsum, and the edge of the termen is deeply scalloped. Forewing cilia are light brown. Hindwings are ochreous with a strong darker terminal suffusion, and hindwing cilia are ochreous. The wingspan of male I. mollis ranges from 34 to 43 mm, while the wingspan of females ranges from 38 to 42 mm. I. mollis has narrow, pale-coloured forewings, with distinctive dark scaling along the inner edge of the subterminal line. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It can be found in the North Island from the Coromandel Peninsula and Mount Te Aroha southwards, as well as throughout the South Island and on Stewart Island. It occupies a variety of habitats, including mountainous beech forest, podocarp forest, and grasslands.
