Lichen Snoutlet

Hudson described the larva of the species as follows:

Its length when full-grown is about 3⁄4 inch. Cylindrical, slightly tapering at each end with the segments deeply excised. The head is dark reddish-brown, the second segment with shining brown dorsal plate; back of rest of segments bright pink, slightly tinged with purple; ventral surface pale whitish, slightly tinged with blue; there is a row of rather large horny warts around segments 2, 3 and 4; a double series of sub-dorsal warts on the other segments, except the last, and three lateral lines of such warts. The legs and prolegs are well developed. The male adult of this species was described by Meyrick as follows:

Male. — 26 mm. Head and thorax whitish-greenish, shoulders olive-greenish. Palpi whitish-greenish, apex of basal joint and a band before middle of second fuscous. Antennae greyish-ochreous, basal joint dilated, whitish-greenish. Abdomen pale whitish-ochreous. Legs dark fuscous, apex of joints whitish, posterior pair pale whitish-ochreous. …

This species is endemic to New Zealand. This species is found in the North Island and northern parts of the South Island. Specimens of this moth have been collected near the Wellington Botanic Gardens and at the Ōrongorongo Valley, as well as near Woodville in hill country. This moth has also been collected at Paroa. H. eriphylla is regarded as being relatively uncommon.

The larvae of this species feed on the callus tissue generated by their host trees as a result of damage caused by other insects including Aenetus virescens. Larvae are fully developed by October. The species pupates at their feeding site and have been observed emerging in December. The adult moths have been observed on the wing all year round but are most frequently seen from September to April. This moth is a night flier and is attracted to light. During the day the adult moths rest on tree trunks where their variable lichen mimicking colouration assists with their camouflage. W. P. Cohen stated that he collected his specimens during the day while they were at rest on the trunks of weeping-willows.