29 mm. Head and thorax ochreous, slightly tinged with rufous. Antennae filiform, rufous. Crests well defined, dotted with rufous. Abdomen ochreous, in ♀︎ dotted with minute dark specks, ochreous-rufous in ♂︎, with strong crests, especially the anal. Forewings ochreous, suffused with rufous; all markings rufous. Subbasal line double, much broken, double line at 1⁄3 bending strongly outwards at centre of wing. A mark on costa at 1⁄2, followed by two marks over reniform, which continue through reniform as faint jagged lines across wing. An indistinct subterminal line formed by a series of dots. Orbicular obsolete. Reniform filled with dark rufous. Veins faintly marked with rufous. Cilia ochreous. Hindwings ochreous, centre of wing clouded with rufous brown. Discoidal spot well defined. A faint series of subterminal dots. Cilia whitish-ochreous, with a darker line at base. Underside pale ochreous. Curved post-medial line across both wings. Reniform and discoidal lunule well defined.[3]
Distribution
This species is endemic to New Zealand.[1][2] It is only known from Dunedin[6] and Central Otago.[7]
Biology and behaviour
Very little is known about the biology of this species.[6] Adult moths emerge in spring.[8] The adults are on the wing in October and November.[4] The adult moths are attracted to sugar traps.[3]
Host species and habitat
The larvae of this moth feed on lacebark (Hoheria) species.[9]
^ abcHowes, William George (1912). "New species of Lepidoptera". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 44: 203–208 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
^Patrrick, B. H.; Archibald, R. D. (January 1988). "Lepidoptera light-trapped at Owaka, South Otago". New Zealand Entomologist. 11 (1): 70–72. doi:10.1080/00779962.1988.9722541.(subscription required)