Pasiphila malachita
Pasiphila malachita is a moth of the family Geometridae. This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1913. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North and South Islands. This species inhabits native forest and larvae feed on Veronica species. Adults are most commonly observed on the wing in December and January. They are attracted to light.
Taxonomy
This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1913 collected at Lake Harris and Lake Wakatipu by George Hudson and originally named Chloroclystis malachita. In 1928 Hudson illustrated and discussed this species under that name in his book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand. In 1971 John S. Dugdale placed this species in the genus Pasiphila. The male lectotype specimen, collected at Lake Harris, is held at the Natural History Museum, London.Description
Meyrick described the adults of this species as follows:Hudson states that this species varies in appearance with the depth of the ground colour being different shades of green and is sometimes yellowish. The blackish red markings also vary in intensity.