Mnesictena
| Mnesictena | |
|---|---|
| Mnesictena marmarina | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Crambidae |
| Tribe: | Udeini |
| Genus: | Mnesictena Meyrick, 1884 |
Mnesictena is a genus of snout moths in the subfamily Spilomelinae, where it is placed in the tribe Udeini. The genus was erected by the English entomologist Edward Meyrick in 1884. The currently known seven species are exclusively found on New Zealand and the associated Antipodes Islands and Chatham Islands.
In the past, Mnesictena was included in the genus Udea, but it is currently considered a separate genus.
The caterpillars feed on different plants, with Mnesictena flavidalis being recorded from Muehlenbeckia (Polygonaceae), M. daiclesalis from Veronica macrocarpa (Plantaginaceae), and M. notata as well as M. marmarina from Urtica, the latter also from Australina.