Helastia semisignata
Helastia semisignata is a moth of the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is only found in the North Island. The life history of this species is in need of further investigation as sources differ about what plants host the larvae. Adults are on the wing commonly from October until March. Taxonomy It was first described by Francis Walker in 1862 using specimens collected by A. Sinclair in Auckland and originally named Larentia semisignata. In 1877 Arthur Gardiner Butler synonymised Cidaria dissociate and Cidaria semisilata with L. semisignata. In the same publication Butler also mistakenly synonymised Larentia corcularia with L. semisignata. This taxonomic error was correct by R. C. Craw in 1987. In 1912 L. B. Prout placed this species in the genus Xanthorhoe. This placement was followed by George Hudson in his 1928 book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand. Subsequently, in 1971, J. S. Dugdale placed this species in the genus Helastia. R. C. Craw confirmed this placement in his revision of the genus in 1987. The male holotype is held at the Natural History Museum, London. Description Walker described this species as follows: Species in the genus Helastia can be difficult to