Pasiphila melochlora
Pasiphila melochlora, also known as the Green Broom Pug, is a moth of the family Geometridae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1911. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the North and South Islands. P. melochlora inhabits native forest with larvae feeding on New Zealand-native broom as well as Clianthus maximus. This species pupates in a pupa attached to an object on the surface of the ground. Adults have been observed on the wing every month of the year apart from July.
Taxonomy
This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1911 using specimens collected by George Hudson at Ōtira River and originally named Chloroclystis melochlora. In 1928 Hudson illustrated and discussed this species under that name in his book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand. Hudson, in 1939, also discussed this species, describing and illustrating the larvae. In 1971 John S. Dugdale placed this species in the genus Pasiphila. The male lectotype specimen, collected at Ōtira River by Hudson, is held at the Natural History Museum, London.Description
Hudson described the larva of this species as follows:Hudson explained that larvae specimens can vary considerably in depth of colouring with the lateral band being much paler in some individuals than in others.
Meyrick first described the adults of this species as follows:
Hudson stated that in some specimens the veins of the forewings are broadly marked in bright yellow except where they are crossed by the blackish transverse lines.