About Chloroclystis filata Guenée, 1858
Chloroclystis filata Guenée, 1858 has a wingspan ranging from 20 to 25 mm. Its forewings are typically brownish, and the species shows noticeable variation across specimens: some individuals have forewings that are entirely brown, pinkish brown, or black, while others have large white patches on the middle to lower portion of the forewings. This species can be told apart from other similar-looking species by the dark brown band that crosses its hindwings. The notched shape of its hindwings further helps distinguish it from brown-colored specimens of Chloroclystis inductata. This species is native to Australia, where it occurs in the southeastern regions of the country and on Norfolk Island. It was introduced to New Zealand in 1960, and is now found across the whole country, where it is considered very common. The larvae of this species feed on shrub flowers. In Australia, larval host plants include blossoms of Acacia genus plants and petals of Fabaceae genus species. In New Zealand, larvae have been observed feeding on the flowers of gorse and Senecio species.
