Pseudocoremia colpogramma

Pseudocoremia colpogramma is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species was described by Edward Meyrick in 1936. It is endemic to New Zealand.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1936 using a specimen bred by George Hudson from a larva collected at Arthur's Pass. Meyrick originally named the species Selidosema colpogramma. Hudson discussed and illustrated both the adult male and female in his 1939 book A supplement to the butterflies and moths of New Zealand. In 1988 J. S. Dugdale placed this species in the genus Pseudocoremia. The female lectotype is held at the Natural History Museum, London.

Description

Hudson described this species as follows:
Meyrick described this species as follows:
The female of this species is paler than the male. Hudson pointed out that this species resembles P. productata but differs from it as P. colpogramma's antennal pectinations are slightly shorter and has distinctive dark grey subterminal spots on the hind-wings.

Distribution

P. colpogramma is endemic to New Zealand. Other than the type locality, this species has been observed in the Tasman, North Canterbury and Otago regions.

Habitat and hosts

This species inhabits subalpine forest and scrub. The larvae of this species feed on species in the genus Ozothamnus including Ozothamnus leptophyllus. Larvae also feed on native broom Carmichaelia.

Behaviour

Larvae usually rest quietly amongst the foliage, where it is almost invisible. Larvae emerge late in February and early in March. Adults are on the wing from January until March.