Asaphodes stephanitis

This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1907 using specimens collected in Invercargill and named Asaphodes stephanitis.[3] George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species under that name in his 1928 publication The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand.[4] In 1971 J. S. Dugdale agreed with the placement of this species in the genus Asaphodes.[5] In 1988 J. S. Dugdale again confirmed this placement.[2] The male lectotype specimen, collected at Invercargill, is held at the Natural History Museum, London.[2]

Illustration of male A. stephanitis by George Hudson.

Meyrick described this species as follows:

♂. 26–27 mm. Head and thorax yellow-ochreous, with a few blackish scales. Forewings triangular, costa gently arched, termen bowed, oblique, slightly waved; clear light yellow-ochreous; fasciae formed by dentate striae of blackish irroration, first and second separated by a suffused whitish line, second obsolete except on extremities; third reduced to a single curved stria, preceded by a white line, and followed by white suffusion above and below middle; fourth of three striae, posterior edge with acute short triangular projection in middle, followed by a strong white line; fifth of two striae, posterior sometimes very thick and suffused, followed by white subterminal line, sometimes partially obscured; sixth of one stria following subterminal line, terminated above by an oblique subapical suffusion; a blackish terminal line: cilia white, barred with blackish irroration. Hindwings light ochreous-yellow; terminal line and cilia as in forewings.[3]

This species is endemic to New Zealand.[1] This species has been collected at its type locality of Invercargill and at locations near Bluff where this species is regarded as being rare.[6][7]

The preferred habitat of this species is coastal sand hills and grassland.[4][7]

The adults of this species are on the wing from January until March.[4]