behaviour The larvae are diurnal in their feeding habits. Prior to pupation the larva will retract its head and move the anterior segments of its body in a humping action. The pupa is formed by the larva after it attaches itself to a leaf or twig with a silk pad, hanging head down. The pupa is peculiarly shaped and can come in two colour shades, either a yellowish, green or a darkish brown. Hudson hypothesised that this species has two broods a year. The adults of this species have been observed on the wing all year round but is more commonly seen in late summer and autumn. Hosts The larval host plants of this species include Veronica stricta, Veronica salicifolia,Veronica elliptica, Veronica macrocarpa and Veronica speciosa. The larvae of A. falcatalis make mines in leaves of large leaved species of Veronica and also tunnel into centre of the buds of these plants. Predators Research undertaken prior to the introduction of Trigonospila brevifacies into New Zealand as a bio control, indicated that this species of fly uses A. falcatalis as a larval host. Reference Amblyptilia Moths described in 1864 Moths of New Zealand Endemic fauna of New Zealand Endemic moths of New Zealand Taxa named by Francis Walker (entomologist)