No idea, thought it was a Pseudocoremia at the time, but the linear 'stiches' rather than zig-zags don't line up with most. Something like Pseudocoremia foxi https://oldwww.landcareresearch.co.nz/__data/assets/image/0015/11940/pseudocoremia_foxi_m1.jpg? Or something Hydriomena?

Not sure, but looks kind of like the one and only pic I can find online! Underside also pictured, at least semi-blurrily! Making a start on a large batch from the upper Sinbad Gully, Fiordland. Drawn to light.

Caterpillar found under log in mixed grassland back in late November — I raised it, it eventually pupated and today it finally emerged! I assume it's just a common Ichneutica, but I still really struggle with Lep patterns so I won't even guess. If it's not something interesting, I'll let it go soon.

Try to ignore the garish background — noisy photo plus cheap tile flooring doesn't make a nice backdrop.

Drawn to light. Burgan skink monitoring in a remote part of the Lammermoor Range provided good opportunities for a little mothing. First of 3 uploads. Moths starting with 'A' (lots of moths seem to start with 'A').

Following the unexpected discovery, recorded in https://inaturalist.nz/observations/106485999 I discussed local occurrences of the host plant Streblus, with @moira_parker. She informed me of a small group of small-leaved milk trees about 1.5km away from the initial intercept. With landowner permission I set up a Heath Moth Trap at the location (6W Actinic bulb). A single female moth was caught and is shown in this observation. @nhudson @butterfly4

either Scoparia claranota or Eudonia trivirgata. Something about it doesn't look like all the Eudonia trivirgata I've seen (they're more angular maybe?). I have some more in the last batch of photos from earlier in the day.

turns green and brown when the light is angled right

ID based on Larger Moths photo and looks good to me:

https://oldwww.landcareresearch.co.nz/__data/assets/image/0008/72827/Glaucocharis_microdora.jpg

Drawn to light. Tussock, mixed scrub and rocks, above the treeline at about 1000m asl. The pattern and wing shapes are a good match for the LCR images. 2 more of these moths were seen on the following evening and may have better photographs.

With @carey_knox_southern_scales - who may also post observations of the same moth. Our different cameras, perspectives and photographic styles should enhance potential for correct identification.

Day flying at about 1000m asl, over tussocky scrub and rock. Unsure of ID.

With carey_knox_southern_scales - who may also post observations of the same moth. Our different cameras, perspectives and photographic styles should enhance potential for correct identification.

I was talking with Adrian Paterson in my office when, to our huge surprise, this painted lady butterfly(European Small Tortoiseshell!!!) flew in through my open window. I've only seen three of these butterflies before in Canterbury, and never in the winter. Very odd!

No idea on ID. Found by day clinging to an under-hang on a large rock tor. There were two individuals on top of each other, but one fluttered off. Same colour scheme as Meterana equisata, but obviously much different and much smaller (only 4-5 mm). Two warm (16 degrees), mild, cloudy nights at Mokomoko Drylands Sanctuary near Alexandra. Some moths also caught by day opportunistically with a hand net.