[7] The male holotype of this species was collected in Dunedin by F. W. Hutton and is held at that Natural History Museum, London.

[2] Hudson described the larvae and pupa of this species as follows: The very handsome larva, which feeds on Coprosma rotundifolia, during the summer months, is about 1 inch in length, moderately slender, slightly flattened and of almost uniform thickness; very bright green much paler on the ventral surface; there is a conspicuous crimson lateral line sometimes edged with white and the prolegs are also crimson; the segmental divisions are marked in yellow, and there are a few isolated black bristles.

The pupa is enclosed in a fragile cocoon composed of several leaves joined together with silk and usually situated on the surface of the ground.

Hudson pointed out that this resting position along with the crests on the thorax ensures the insect mimics a patch of moss.

[5] Hudson hypothesised that this species spends the winter months either hibernating as full grown larvae or as a pupa.