[2][4][7][1][8] It can be found in the eastern, southern and central regions of New Zealand's South Island,[1] most abundantly in lowland Canterbury, Otago and Southland.

[1] The common tussock can be found in a variety of habitats ranging from sea-level saltmarshes and grasslands, to an alpine zone as high as 1950 metres.

[4] Furthermore, at sea level, A. antipodum was identified along the Southland coast in mosaic habitats which included areas such as salt marsh, swamp, and tussock grassland.

Male common tussocks are known to fly fast and more frequently,[1] whilst the females are smaller spend more time amongst flowers and grass to lay their eggs.

[4] It has also been noted that the common tussock's ability to cover relatively large flight distances, an observation made when a marked male was recaptured one week later approximately 1 kilometre away from the location of original capture.

[4] Both male and female common tussocks are known to have a slow, lazy flight pattern which is relatively close to the ground, thus allowing for frequent feeding on various flowers and plants.

[4] A. antipodum is known to specifically feed on plants such as Chionochloa rubra, meadow grass, Poa poiformis, snow tussock, and wood meadow-grass.

[2] Butterflies such as A. antipodum can be attacked by a number of insect parasites at the larvae and pupae stages of development,[9] although at present there is not a lot of information published specifically on the common tussock's predators.