Trachypepla conspicuella

Walker described the adults of this species as follows:

Male. Blackish, cinereous beneath, allied to Oecophora. Palpi blackish, stout, much longer than the breadth of the head; third joint lanceolate, a little shorter than the second. Antennae smooth, much shorter than the fore wings. Thorax white, except in front. Abdomen cinereous. Tarsi with blackish bands. Wings rather broad, rounded at the tips; fringe long. Fore wings brownish cinereous along the interior border (except towards the base) and on full one-third of the length from the exterior border; a white band which is dilated on the interior border to the base of the wing, and has two black spots on the outer side; a whitish transverse line at three-fourths of the length, much dilated in front, bordered with black on the inner side; exterior border slightly convex, very oblique. Hind wings aeneous-cinereous. Length of the body 3 lines; of the wings 9 — 10 lines. This species is variable in appearance but can be recognised by its brown thorax and pale basal patch. Darker specimens of this species can be confused with specimens of T. euryleucota. Hudson was of the opinion that the colouration of T. conspicuella imitates bird droppings.

This species is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in the North and South Islands. Other than the type locality of Nelson, this species has been collected at Wellington, Christchurch and Lake Wakatipu.

Adults are on the wing from November to February. This moth is frequently observed resting on human made structures such as fences or walls and is known to enter houses.

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