Phil Bendle Collection:Epyaxa rosearia (New Zealand Looper)

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae
Genus: Epyaxa
Species: E. rosearia
Binomial name: Epyaxa rosearia
Common name: New Zealand Looper, Common Carpet (because wing patterns look like a carpet)

Epyaxa rosearia is a common New Zealand native looper moth. Like many geometrids, it has slender abdomens and broad wings which are usually held flat with the hind wings visible. Width across wings is 25mm, 10mm body length.
As such it appears rather butterfly-like but in most respects, they are typical moths: they fly at night all year round.
They tend to blend into the background, often with intricate, wavy patterns on their wings.
Not much is known about the species, but the larvae seem to feed on the leaves of Trifolium caucasicum (Red clover), nasturtium and marigolds.

A male. The feathery antennae are just visible.

[1]

This moth often sits with wings held together.
[2]

Photos below are of male and female Epyaxa rosearia with different wing patterns and colours.

Female
[3]

Female
[4]

Female
[5]

Male
[6]

Male
[7]

Female
[8]

Male
[9]

Female
[10]

Male
[11]

The underside of a male moth.
[12]

Thanks to Wikipedia for text and information:https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

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