mark frequently present on lower thorax. The pupa often has pinkish-mauve marks. There are numerous setae with those on dorsal and lateral surfaces coloured a golden-brown, while those on ventral surface are white. Adult The wingspan of the adult moth is between 21–23 mm. The head, palpi, antennae, thorax, abdomen, and legs are white. The forewings are snow-white with a few brownish-ochreous scales, a blackish dot before the cleft and a minute one on the inner margin before the middle. The hindwings and cilia are snow-white. This species has a form that has a brown streak on its forewing. This form can be confused with P. furcatalis but can be distinguished as the second plume is white where as with P. furcatalis that second plume is brown. Distribution This species is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the country. However it tends to be scarce in the northern parts of the North Island as well as in the southern parts of the South Island. Habitat and hosts The species inhabits native forest as well as domestic gardens and parks. The larvae feed on young new tips of Pseudopanax species including Pseudopanax arboreus, Pseudopanax colensoi and Pseudopanax lessonii as well as on Hedera helix, Meryta sinclairii, and Schefflera digitata. Life history and behaviour The larvae of this species are diurnal, slow moving, and feed exposed without external protection. When they pupate the cocoon-less pupa is attached to the host plant leaf via a thread of silk. There are several broods in year. Adults are on the wing from November to May. It has been hypothesised that some adults from the autumn brood hibernate through winter. However it is more likely that the species exists in pupa through winter. They are nocturnal and are attracted to light. References Moths described in 1864 monospilalis Moths of New Zealand Endemic fauna of New Zealand Taxa named by Francis Walker (entomologist) Endemic moths of New Zealand