Pasiphila charybdis

Pasiphila charybdis is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It was first described by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1879. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the southern parts of the South Island. The larvae feed on Veronica species and adults are on the wing in December.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1879 and named Helastia charybdis using specimens collected by F. W. Hutton in Dunedin. In 1879, thinking he was describing a new species, Butler also named this species Helastia calida. George Hudson, also thinking he was describing a new species, named it Chloroclystis antarctica in 1898. In 1917 Meyrick placed this species within the genus Chloroclystis and synonymised Helastia calida with it. Hudson discussed Chloroclystis charybdis in his 1928 book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand but said he was unacquainted with the species. In 1971 John S. Dugdale placed this species in the genus Pasiphila. Dugdale confirmed this placement in 1988 and synonymised C. antarctica with P. charydbis. The male holotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London.

Description

Hudson described the larvae of this species as follows:
Butler described the adults of this species as follows:
When discussing this species Dugdale stated:

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in southern parts of the South Island.

Habitat and hosts

The larval hosts of this species are plants in the genus Veronica. Larvae have been successfully raised on Veronica species with species used being named Hebe elliptica.

Life cycle

The pupa of this species can be found enfolded with silk between two leaves of its larval host. The adults of this species are on the wing from December.