Wiseana Explained

Wiseana is a genus of ghost moths, collectively known as porina,^[1] of the family Hepialidae. There are seven described species, all endemic to New Zealand.^[2] Some species of this genus are a major pest in New Zealand exotic pastures. It is impossible to distinguish species at the larval/caterpillar stage without DNA technology, however adult porina moth species can be visually distinguished.^[3]

The genus was first identified by Pierre Viette in 1961, who recognised a distinction between the New Zealand members of the genus Oxycanus and those occurring in Australia and New Guinea.

Species

• Wiseana cervinata

• Recorded food plants: Trifolium, various grasses.
• Wiseana copularis
• Wiseana fuliginea
• Wiseana jocosa

• Larva feeds on grasses
• Wiseana mimica
• Wiseana signata

• Larva feeds on grasses
• Wiseana umbraculata

• Larva feeds on grasses

External links

• Hepialidae genera

Notes and References

1. Niche differentiation within the Wiseana (porina) species complex: pasture pests of New Zealand . 10182/10894 . Lincoln University . 2019 . PhD . en . Sylvester Richard . Atijegbe .
2. Grehan, J.R.; Mielke, C.G.C.; Turner, J.R.G.; Nielsen, S.E. (2023). "A revised world catalogue of ghost moths (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae), with taxonomic and biological annotations". ZooNova. 27: 1–313.
3. Web site: AgPest » Porina. 2021-12-21. en-US.