Pasiphila sandycias
In 3 days ~30% in a week ~60%
Pasiphila sandycias is a moth in the family Geometridae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1905. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the southern half of the North Island, throughout the South Island and on Stewart Island. It inhabits native scrub populated with its larval host plants, Coprosma areolata and Coprosma rotundifolia. The larvae feed on the blossoms of its hosts and this life stage is synchronised with the flowering of those plants. The larvae are well camouflaged as they appear similar to a roughened Comprosma twig. The pupa is enclosed in a cocoon made of silk and refuse and can be found amongst shoots of its host plants. Adult moths have been observed on the wing from August to February. They are nocturnal, attracted to light and have been shown to pollinate Leptospermum scoparium and Olearia virgata.
George Hudson in his 1898 book New Zealand moths and butterflies (Macro-lepidoptera) illustrated and discussed this species mistaking it for what is now known as Pasiphila plinthina. Edward Meyrick, recognising that the species was new, first described it in 1905 and originally named it Chloroclystis sandycias. In 1928 Hudson... Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rakiura National Park | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | |
| 2 | Fiordland National Park | 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
With luck
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Pasiphila sandycias sighting in Rakiura National Park on a given day, based on 9 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 68th most-seen of the 118 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 30%, and over a week to about 60%, if each day is a fresh chance.
December
In that month about 30% of wildlife watchers report a Pasiphila sandycias in Rakiura National Park on a given day, against under 5% in February to October, the lowest months.
Between 10 pm and 1 am
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Pasiphila sandycias sightings with a recorded time, and about 9 in 10 of them come between 6 pm and 6 am: it is mostly seen at night.
Yes
Of the 2 parks where we can rate Pasiphila sandycias sightings, Rakiura National Park has the highest daily chance: about 10%. Next come Fiordland National Park (New Zealand, about 10%).
Same family: Geometridae
The closest relatives of the Pasiphila sandycias that you can see in Rakiura National Park (family Geometridae, Geometer Moths) are Forest Semilooper (about 40%), Common Forest Looper (about 30%) and Barred Pink Carpet (about 20%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Pasiphila sandycias is recorded against all the insects logged in Rakiura National Park (9 verified sightings from 2019 to 2026), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
