Pasiphila sandycias is a moth in the family Geometridae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1905. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the southern half of the North Island, throughout the South Island and on Stewart Island. It inhabits native scrub populated with its larval host plants, Coprosma areolata and Coprosma rotundifolia. The larvae feed on the blossoms of its hosts and this life stage is synchronised with the flowering of those plants. The larvae are well camouflaged as they appear similar to a roughened Comprosma twig. The pupa is enclosed in a cocoon made of silk and refuse and can be found amongst shoots of its host plants.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it venomous or poisonous?
We have no record of Pasiphila sandycias being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Geometridae
- Genus
- Pasiphila
- Species
- Pasiphila sandycias
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