[1] It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the North, South and Stewart Islands at a range of altitudes from the lowlands to the alpine zone.

Adults are on the wing from December to May but have also been recorded in August and September in the northern parts of the North Island.

I. sulcana and I. supersulcana are very similar in appearance but can be distinguished as there are differences in the male abdomen and genitalia of the two species.

Also these two species do not appear to share a range as I. supersulcana seems to prefer to live at higher altitudes than I. sulcana.

[2] The female lectotype was collected Rowe's Bush in Akaroa by Fereday and is held at the Canterbury Museum.

[8] I. sulcana are fairly common and are found throughout the North, South and Stewart Islands at a range of altitudes from the lowlands to the alpine zone.

[5] The larval host plants of I. sulcana include Gahnia setifolia,[10] Melicytus ramiflorus,[5] and Microlaena avenacea as well as forest grasses and sedges and species within the genus Carex.

[4] This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain: New Zealand moths and butterflies (Macro-lepidoptera), by George Vernon Hudson (1898)