Pasiphila charybdis

Hudson described the larvae of this species as follows:

The larva of this species, which feeds on the common Veronica in December, is, when full-grown, about 3⁄4 in. in length, rather attenuated anteriorly, almost uniform, dark reddish-brown, darker on the sides. The head is reddish, and there are traces of several longitudinal lines in younger larvae. Others are dull yellowish-brown, with the lines plainer and the prolegs pale-yellow; but as the larva is so extremely variable a detailed description hardly appears possible. Butler described the adults of this species as follows:

... primaries above smoky-grey, crossed by about eight zigzag blackish lines in pairs, forming indications of four bands which are most strongly defined upon the costa; a whitish-edged black lunule between the last two bands; the last band partially filled in with sandy-whitish and brown; fringe whitish flesh-coloured intersected by a grey line and interrupted at the terminations of the veins by blackish spots; secondaries pale smoky-grey, the veins black spotted with whitish; extreme outer margin black; fringe as in the primaries; body brownish-grey, head yellowish; antennae smoky-grey, strongly pectinated; under surface sericeous grey; markings of upper surface ill-defined; discocellulars black; primaries with pale reddish cupreous costal area; secondaries with a series of short black dashes beyond …

This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in southern parts of the South Island.

The pupa of this species can be found enfolded with silk between two leaves of its larval host. The adults of this species are on the wing from December.

== References ==