Alpine Lichen Looper

Butler described this species as follows:

Greyish black, speckled with white scales; primaries crossed by a broad dentated central black band; below shining dark grey, with a continuous paler discal line; pectus black. Expanse of wings 11 lines.Hudson described this species as follows: The expansion of the wings is about 7⁄8 inch. The fore-wings are dull black, finely speckled with white; there is a distinct discal dot; three very jagged black transverse lines, one at the base, one at 1⁄3 and one at 2⁄3, followed by a broad broken subterminal shading and a terminal series of elongate black dots. The hind-wings are greyish-black, sometimes strongly tinged with orange-yellow in the female, with one or two dusky bands.

It is endemic to New Zealand. This species known in the North Island from the Tararua Range south and also in the upper portion South Island as far south as Arthur's Pass. In the South Island mountains it has been observed at altitudes of between 600m to 1200m. This species has been observed by Hudson around Wellington as well as in Nelson on the Dunn Mountain. It has also been observed at Jack's Pass in Hanmer and Skelmorlie Peak near Lake Te Anau as well as in the Awatere River valley.

The larvae of this species writhe and fall to the ground in an evasive movement when they are disturbed. This adults are day flying and are a fast flyers. Adults are on the wing from November to January. Adults frequent forest clearings where they have been observed resting on the ground in strong sunshine.

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