[6] The eggs of this species are yellowish-white in appearance, elliptical in shape and have hexagonal depressions on the surface.

[4] The pupa is approximately 1+1⁄4cm long and is initially coloured pale yellow but darkens to golden then dark brown.

[9] D. partheniata larvae are nocturnal and when their safety is threatened drop to the centre of the plants they are feeding on.

[7] The adults of this species are day flying moths and are on the wing during the months of October to March.

In Wellington the species prefers coastal cliffs and at Mount Hutt specimens have been collected in tussock grass.