Pyrausta comastis

It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1884 and given the name Proteroeca comastis.[1] In 1892 William Warren also described the same species but thinking it new gave it the name Ennychia intrudens.[2] This name was subsequently synonymised by Michael Shaffer.[3] George Vernon Hudson also gave a description and illustration of the species under the name Proteroeca comastis in 1928.[4] In 1988 John S. Dugdale listed the species under the genus Loxostege.[3] However the correct binomial nomenclature for this species is Pyrausta comastis.[5][6]

This species was described by Meyrick as follows:

♂︎,♀︎, 11 — 13 mm. Head, palpi, antennae, thorax, and abdomen brownish ochreous, more or less irrorated coarsely with blackish; palpi white beneath. Legs ochreous-whitish, anterior and middle tibiae irrorated with blackish above. Fore wings elongate-triangular, costa sinuate, slightly arched posteriorly, apex round-pointed, hind margin very obliquely rounded ; ochreous-whitish, suffused with reddish ochreous except in disc ; generally a dense blackish irroration (especially in male) forming a basal patch and broad fasciae following first and second lines, the last fascia separated from second line on costa by a pale spot ; lines blackish, rather thick ; first at one-third, slightly curved ; second from three-fourths of costa to three-fifths of inner margin, sinuate inwards below middle ; an irregular dark fuscous discal spot ; cilia ochreous-whitish, base more ochreous, with two dark grey lines, first interrupted. Hind wings ochreous-orange, with some scattered black scales anteriorly ; a blackish line beyond middle, sinuate inwards below costa, angulated below middle ; a blackish hind-marginal band, very narrow on lower half, gradually dilated on upper half ; cilia grey-whitish, basal half blackish.[1]

P. comastis is endemic to New Zealand.[5] It can be found in the South Island.[6] Meyrick stated that the species could be found at Castle Hill and Christchurch.[7] Hudson added to the locality list and included Lake Rotoiti, Wedderburn and New River, near Invercargill.[4] Philpott collected the species at Red Lake in the Mount Cook district.[8] It has also been collected in the Dansey ecological district in Otago.[9] It is present at higher elevations.[6]

This species life history is unknown.[6] Adults have been recorded on wing in December[9] and in January.[7]

This species has been collected in dry grassy areas[7] and damp open habitats.[6]

This moth is classified under the New Zealand Threat Classification system as being "nationally vulnerable".[10]