Colour pattern: head dark-scaled, with frons and vertex purple-reflecting; antennal scape dark-scaled, pedicel and proximal 4 flagellomeres black dorsally, other flagellomeres black and white-scaled; gular tuft grey.

Forewings banded with speckled white markings: basal band oblique, not reaching costa in ♂, reaching costa and wider and less peppered (more obvious) in ♀; antemedian band parallel to basal band, with dull purple speckling, and edged irregularly in dark, strongly purple reflecting scales; postmedian band interrupted by dark purple scales discally; vein CuP with strong purple-reflecting patches at half length and at apex (just before tornus); terminal part of wing with irregular small patches of white scales.

Middle tibia dark, with white rings absent or faint.

[3]Specimens of this species has been confused with specimens of C. drosochalca, but can be distinguished as C. halocarpi has a purple shaded ground colour to its forewings, has dark throat scales in comparison to the white in C. drosochalca and lacks the white rings on the middle tibia which can be seen in C.

[3] This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the North and South Island.