rock face moth

The larvae of this species are cryptic, camouflaging themselves against their host species of lichens. Hudson described the larvae as follows:

The length of the larva was 1⁄2 inches. Blackish-grey, glacous-grey on sides; large dorsal spots on segments 6 to 9, small dorsal spots on segments 10 to 12, light grey. Body surface covered with minute tubercles and narrow transverse folds. Meyrick described this species as follows:

♂. 17mm. Head, palpi, thorax, and abdomen blackish-grey, slightly whitish-sprinkled, palpi 3 ½. Antennal pectinations 6. Forewings triangular, costa faintly sinuate, apex rounded-obtuse, termen obliquely rounded; dark grey sprinkled with black and grey-whitish, veins partially suffused with yellow-ochreous irroration; lines obscurely indicated by whitish irroration, irregular, first somewhat sinuate, indented below middle, edged posteriorly with black irroration becoming broad towards costa, second slightly prominent near costa and dorsum, and with a moderate bidentate prominence in middle, edged anteriorly with black irroration also becoming broad towards costa, subterminal hardly traceable; a small blackish transverse discal mark before second line: cilia dark grey, slightly sprinkled with black and whitish. …

It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is found only around Christchurch and the Banks Peninsular. As well as the type locality, this species has also been observed at Mount Grey.

The larvae of D. cynica feed on lichens growing on dry sunny rock faces. The adults of this species are on the wing from September to February. This species is active during the day and flies rapidly.

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