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Rhapsa scotosialis

Rs L
Photo by Olivier Ball

A 'snout', so-called because of their long, upcurved labial palps.

Family
Erebidae
Biostatus
Endemic
Host Plant
Trees, shrubs, hanging epiphytic mosses.
Larva
Feeds on freshly fallen leaves of trees and shrubs, or hanging epiphytic mosses.
Pupa
Pupates in a cocoon in leaf litter.
Adult/Imago
Variable forewing colour (pale greyish brown, chestnut brown with purplish suffusions, or blackish). Unique wing shape. Long upcurved labial palps. Male has a tuft of long scent scales concealed under forewing for courtship. Found all year. Rests in vegetation (e.g. hanging dead tree fern fronds) by day. Flies at night, attracted to flowers and light.
Forewing Length
14 - 19mm
Range
NZ
Habitat
Native forest.

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