Meterana levis explained

Meterana levis is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand.^[1]

Description

M. levis was described as Melanchra levis in 1905 by New Zealand entomologist Alfred Philpott. He described the males and female of the species as both being 35mm, and having a greenish-brown head, thorax, abdomen, and upper wings. The hind wings he described as gray with dark cilia. The fore wings also have faint blackish markings.^[2]

Food sources

The larvae consume members of the Plagianthus genus,^[3] especially Plagianthus divaricatus.^[4]

Life history

M. levis emerges from its cocoon in the early spring.^[5]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Meterana levis (Philpott, 1905). 2022-02-21. www.nzor.org.nz.
2. Book: Philpott, Alfred . Alfred Philpott . Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand . . 1904 . Hamilton . A. . XXXVII . Wellington, New Zealand . 329 . On some New Species of Lepidoptera.
3. Bowie . Mike . Yarr's Flat Wildlife Reserve & Yarr's Lagoon: An assessment of fauna present to guide future restoration and conservation of native species . July 2016 . Lincoln University Wildlife Management Report . 58 . 26 . . 978-0-86476-414-0 . 10182/8226 . Hutson . Mitch . free.
4. Book: Peat, Neville . Wild rivers: discovering the natural history of the central South Island . Patrick . Brian . 2001 . . 978-1-877276-15-6 . Dunedin, N.Z . 81 . ocm49209579.
5. Patrick . Brian . Winter-emerging moths of New Zealand . 2014-12-01 . The Wētā . 48 . 8 . Entomological Society of New Zealand.