Mnesictena marmarina explained

Mnesictena marmarina, also known as the brown nettle moth, is a snout moth in the subfamily Spilomelinae of the family Crambidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1884.^[1] It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is similar in appearance to Mnesictena flavidalis but is distinguished by being larger in size and having a clear white spot on its forewings.

Larvae of this species feed on plants in the genus Urtica, including Urtica ferox.^[2]

Notes and References

1. Meyrick. Edward. 1884-10-01. On the classification of the Australian Pyralidina. Transactions of the Royal Entomological Society of London. en. 32. 3. 277–350. 10.1111/j.1365-2311.1884.tb01610.x. 1365-2311. Biodiversity Heritage Library.
2. Patrick. Hamish J.H.. Bowie. Mike H.. Fox. Barry W.. Patrick. Brian H.. The moths of Quail Island (Ōtamahua): a faunal comparison of an island under restoration with other sites on Banks Peninsula. New Zealand Natural Sciences. 2011. 36. 57–72. 10182/6365.