About Poecilasthena schistaria (Walker, 1861)
Poecilasthena schistaria, commonly known as the kanuka looper, is a moth species that belongs to the family Geometridae. This species is found in New Zealand. The wing color of Poecilasthena schistaria ranges from very pale brown to a dull purplish-brown, and features numerous jagged darker transverse lines. Adult moths are active and in flight from October to April each year. The larvae of this species feed on Leptospermum scoparium. The larvae are dull green in overall color, with a more or less black-edged white band running down each side of their body. They have a thin central white line along their back, and a narrow yellow line positioned halfway between the central back line and the lateral white band. The larval head capsule is dull green. Pupation of this species occurs in a thin, loose cocoon constructed under the soil surface.
