The larvae pupate on the ground with the pupa being enclosed in a thin cocoon made up of silk and refuse.

During the day they can be observed resting on tree trunks where its forewing colouration provides camouflage protection from predators.

It was first described by Francis Walker in 1862 using a specimen obtained by William Colenso collected either in Hawkes Bay or Taupō and named Cidaria similata.

[7][8] In 1939 L. B. Prout discussed this species under the name Euphyia nigrofasciata as an aberration of Eyphyia similata.

[12] Hudson described the larvae of this species as follows: The larva, which feeds on Coprosma robusta and C. rotundifolia, is about 1 inch in length, rather stout, slightly attenuated at each end; dull brown thickly speckled and streaked with blackish; the central portions of the three thoracic segments are green as well as a series of prominent dorsal ridges situated on the posterior margins of the other segments; the spiracles are black margined with white and the legs and prolegs pale green.

[8]Hudson goes on to explain that the larvae resembles a small twig covered in moss thus making it hard to detect on its food plant.

The fore-wings are dark greyish-brown or purplish-brown, with the veins and margins broadly marked with bright green; there are numerous irregular wavy blackish streaks forming three very ill-defined darker transverse bands; the first at the base; the second from about one-fourth to two-thirds, usually with a paler central area; and the third near the termen outwardly edged with white.

[14] Hudson states that it can commonly be observed resting on moss covered tree trunks and that its colouring provides camouflage protection against predators.