Xanthorhoe occulta

Philpott described the male adult of this species as follows:

♂. 28 mm. Head and thorax dull yellowish – brown. Legs and abdomen paler. Antennas shortly bipectinated. Fore wings dull yellowish – brown, sometimes with reddish tinge, more pronounced near base; a white dot posteriorly black-margined on vein 1 at 1⁄3; a similar dot near origin of vein 2; a chain of similar dots, black-margined anteriorly, from 3⁄4 costa to 3⁄4 dorsum. Cilia reddish-brown. Hind wings very pale whitish-yellow. Cilia same colour. The female of this species have wings that are reduced in size.

This species has been observed in the North, South and Stewart Islands, including in the Tararua Range, at Mount Arthur, Arthur's Pass, Otira, Dunedin and Invercargill in the South Island. In the North Island and the northern parts of the South Island this species appears to inhabit sub-alpine forest glades. However further south in the southern parts of the South Island and on Stewart Island this species can be found in lowland habitat.

The adults of this species are on the wing from October to February. The adult moths are attracted to light and have been collected via a mercury vapour light trap.