Dichromodes gypsotis

Dichromodes gypsotis is a moth of the family Geometridae. This species was described by Edward Meyrick in 1888. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the lower half of the South Island. The species inhabits open rocky sites. The larvae of D. gypsotis feed on lichen. The adults are day flying and are on the wing from October to January.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1888. Meyrick had previously described the specimen he used to establish D. gypsotis in 1884 mistakenly thinking he was describing the female of the species Cacopsodos niger. He corrected this error in the 1888 publication recognising it as a new species. George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in his 1928 book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand. The female holotype specimen, collected by Meyrick at Lake Wakatipu in December at approximate 460m above sea-level, is held at the Natural History Museum, London.

Description

The larvae of this species resembles the larvae of D. ida.
Alfred Philpott discussed the larvae as follows:
Meyrick described the adult female of this species as follows:

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand. As well as the type locality of Lake Wakatipu D. gypostis has been observed at Poolburn, Central Otago, at Jacks Pass in Hanmer, Mount Grey, Aoraki / Mount Cook, and in the Takitimo Mountains.

Habitat and hosts

This species inhabits open rocky sites in Otago and Southland. The larvae of D. gypsotis feed on lichens.

Behaviour

The adults of this species is day flying. They are on the wing from October until January.