Helastia semisignata

Walker described this species as follows:

Cinereous, minutely black-speckled. Head wanting. Fore wings with several denticulated blackish lines, some of which are most conspicuous on the veins, where they form black points; middle space without lines, containing the black transverse elongated discal point; interior, exterior and submarginal lines formed by whitish points on the veins; marginal lunules black; costa convex; exterior border hardly convex. Hind wings paler, with indistinct lines. Length of the body 4 lines; of the wings 12 lines.Species in the genus Helastia can be difficult to distinguish from one another. However this species normally has orange scaling present on its forewings and its wing veins have black and white patches.

H. semisignata can be found in a variety of habitats at a variety of altitudes including native forest and scrubland, subalpine herbfields and in coastal areas. This species also inhabits developed areas such as parks and gardens.

Adults are on the wing from most frequently from October until March and are attracted to light. They are nocturnal with adults resting on trees or stones during the day.