mm and the female has a wingspan of 32 mm. I. epiastra can be confused with the similar species I. arotis and I. haedifrontella. I. epiastra has small projections on its head that are diagnostic though these are sometimes difficult to discern. In comparison to the other two species these tubercles are long and sharp tipped. A row of black dots can be seen on the forewing of I. epiastra where as I. arotis, has faint dashes, if any markings at all, on a similar part of its forewings. I. haedifrontella only has short and blunt tubercles on its head. This is the only visible feature that distinguishes I. haedifrontella from I. epiatra although male I. haedifrontella have distinctive genitalia that can be seen via dissection. Distribution I. epiastra is endemic to New Zealand. This species is found throughout the North, South and Stewart Islands. Habitat This species lives in open habitats such as wetlands, dunes and forest clearings. Life history and behaviour Eggs of this species are laid in summer or autumn and larvae feed during winter and spring. The larvae feed at night. During the day larvae hide in the bases of the leaves of their host species. When ready to pupate the larva journeys to the flower stem of its host, eats into the internal part of the stem and makes a chamber at the joint. This is where the larva spends several weeks before pupating. In preparation, just prior to pupating the larva will create a hole at the top of the chamber leaving only a thin layer of plant material to cover the hole. After approximately 6 weeks the adult moth emerges - normally in the evening between 7pm and 9pm. Adults are on the wing between October to February. This species appears reluctantly attracted to light. It does however come more frequently to the brighter mercury vapour traps. Host species The plant host species for the larvae of I. epiastra are in the genus Austroderia. References Hadeninae Moths of New Zealand Endemic fauna of New Zealand Moths described in 1911 Taxa named by Edward Meyrick Endemic moths of New Zealand