Orthoclydon pseudostinaria

This species was first described by George Vernon Hudson in 1918 under the name Xanthorhoe pseudostinaria.[3][4] Hudson subsequently placed the species within the genus Orthoclydon.[5]

Hudson described the species as follows:

The expansion of the wings is 1+1⁄8 inches. The fore wings are rather broad with the apex very slightly projecting and the termen slightly bowed ; cream-coloured with bright brown markings ; there is a narrow line along the costa ; a faint slightly curved line on the inner edge of the median band ; a small blackish discal dot; a straight, oblique, very strongly marked line from near the apex to the dorsum at 3⁄4, and a very faint wavy subterminal line ; a dark brown terminal line is situated below the apex, where the cilia are also dark brown. The hind wings are cream-coloured with a conspicuous brown line across the middle and very faint traces of one basal and two subterminal lines. Except as above indicated the cilia of all the wings are cream-coloured.[3]

Orthoclydon pseudostinaria is endemic to New Zealand.[2][6] Hudson first collected the species at Otira.[3] The moth was subsequently also found to be present at Gouland Downs near Nelson as well as in the Nelson district, Mount Grey and White Rock in Canterbury.[5]

The plant host of O. pseudostinaria is unknown. Given the rarity of the moth species it has been hypothesized that the host plant is also uncommon.[7]

In 1928 Hudson regarded this species as being very rare[5] and this moth is now classified under the New Zealand Threat Classification system as being Nationally Critical.[1]