Kaitorete jumper

Philpott originally described the species as follows:

♂︎. 8mm. Head shining creamy white. Palpi ocherous white, apex of terminal segment blackish. Antennae brownish black. Thorax grey. Abdomen ocherous mixed with grey. Legs grey. Forewings lanceolate; whitish ocherous mixed with grey; a large subtriangular blackish blotch at 1⁄3; a round black spot in disk at 2⁄3; apex black anteriorly obscured margined with whitish; fringes ocherous grey. Hindwings greatly reduced; about a quarter the length of forewings; densely covered with long fine ocherous whitish hair-scales which radiate in all directions. It has been hypothesised that the hairs on the hind wings of the male may assist in the release of pheromones attracting the females of the species. Both the males and females of this species are brachypterous. This reduction in wing size is rare in male moths.

This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is found in North and Mid Canterbury. As well as its type locality, this species has also occurred at Kaitorete Spit, Amberley beach, at Leithfield beach, both near Amberley.

Very little is known of the biology of this species. The adult moths of this species jump like a flea. Adult moths have been collected from January to mid April.