Asaphodes exoriens

This species was described by Louis Beethoven Prout in 1912 as Larentia exoriens using material collected by George Howes at Glenorchy in Otago in March.[2][3] In 1917 Edward Meyrick placed this species in the genus Xanthorhoe.[4] George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species under the name Xanthorhoe exoriens in his 1928 publication The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand.[5] In 1939 Louis Beethoven Prout placed this species in the genus Larentia.[6] This placement was not accepted by New Zealand taxonomists.[7] In 1971 John S. Dugdale assigned this species to the genus Asaphodes.[8] In 1988 John S. Dugdale confirmed this placement.[2] The male holotype specimen, collected at Glenorchy, is held at the Natural History Museum, London.[2]

Illustration of A. exoriens by George Hudson.

Hudson described the species as follows:

The expansion of the wings is 1+1⁄8 inches. All the wings are ochreous, the forewings being strongly tinged with reddish on the costa and extreme base; the median band consists of four very irregular faint blackish lines, the second and third lines forming three distinct loops; there is a distinct blackish discal dot and the outer edge of the median band is very strongly waved, with distinct projections above and below the middle; the subterminal area is broad with one or two very faint cloudy marks; all the wings have a terminal series of minute brown marks, and all the cilia are plain ochreous without bars. The underside of the hind-wings is dull reddish-ochreous without bars. The underside of the hind-wings is dull reddish-ochreous without distinct markings.[5]

This species is endemic to New Zealand.[1][9] It has only been found in Central Otago.[5]

A. exoriens is on the wing in March.[5]

A. exoriens is an alpine species that frequents open grassy habitat.[5][10] The adult moths are found in upland wetland habitat at altitudes of between 800-1100m.[11]