Lepidoptera of New Zealand consists of both the butterflies and moths recorded from the islands of New Zealand. According to a recent estimate there are approximately 1,800 Lepidoptera species present in New Zealand. Of these, about 1,600 are endemic. Lepidoptera is the third largest insect order in New Zealand.
This page provides a link to either individual species or genera. The latter is used when all species of the genus are endemic to New Zealand, the individual species can be found on the genus page.
Eudonia is a large and widespread genus in the grass moth family (Crambidae), subfamily Scopariinae. There is no common name for the roughly 250 species placed here; new species are still being described regularly. Although the genus was proposed early in the 19th century, many of these moths were for a long time retained in Scoparia, the type genus of the subfamily and a close relative of Eudonia. A few small genera have been proposed for separation from Eudonia, but given the size of this group this is not particularly convincing; thus, all are retained here pending a comprehensive phylogenetic review.
Orocrambus is a genus of moths of the family Crambidae. All species are endemic to New Zealand.
Scoparia is a grass moth genus of subfamily Scopariinae. Some authors have assigned the synonymous taxon Sineudonia to the snout moth family (Pyralidae), where all grass moths were once also included, but this seems to be in error.
Ichneutica is a genus of cutworm or dart moths in the family Noctuidae. The genus is found in New Zealand and surrounding islands. There are more than 80 described species in Ichneutica, the largest known genus of Lepidoptera in New Zealand. In 2019 this genus was revised and greatly expanded with the genera Graphania Hampson, 1905, Tmetolophota Hampson, 1905 and Dipaustica Meyrick, 1912 all subsumed within it.
Meterana is a genus of moths of the family Noctuidae. This genus is endemic to New Zealand.
Asaphodes is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae erected by Edward Meyrick in 1885. This genus is endemic to New Zealand and species within this genus are found throughout New Zealand including the North, South and Stewart / Rakiura Islands.
Austrocidaria is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae. It was described by John S. Dugdale in 1971.
Dichromodes is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae first described by Achille Guenée in 1857. The type species is Dichromodes ainaria.
Pseudocoremia is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae erected by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1877. This genus is endemic to New Zealand.
Izatha is a genus of moths of the family Oecophoridae. They are commonly known as lichen tuft moths. This genus is endemic to New Zealand.
Glyphipterix tungella is a species of sedge moth in the genus Glyphipterix. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the country. Larvae mine the leaves of small sedges. Adults of this species are day flying and inhabit sheltered scrub or grassy areas and forest clearings.
Pasiphila muscosata, the emerald pug moth, is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been found in the North, South and Stewart Islands. The larvae of this species are known to be present in January and live on Muehlenbeckia species including Muehlenbeckia australis. The larvae tends to be brown but it is variable in both colour and markings. The larvae of this species pupates in a loose cocoon on the ground and adult moths emerge in September. Adults are commonly on the wing until the following May. Although adults tend to be a deep emerald green colour this species is again variable and there is also an orange-yellow variety as well as intermediate forms. Adults are attracted to light and often rest during the day on tree trunks.
Scoparia ustimacula, also known as the black-marked brown Scoparia moth, is a species of moth in the family Crambidae. It was described by Cajetan Felder, Rudolf Felder and Alois Friedrich Rogenhofer in 1875. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in the North, South and Stewart Islands. This species inhabits dense native forest at altitudes from sea level to approximately 1000 m. Although little is known of the life history of this species, larvae have been observed feeding on Hydrocotyle species. Adults are on the wing year round but are more commonly observed from September to March. Adults are nocturnal, are attracted to light and have been collected by beating scrub.
Tingena is a genus of the concealer moth family (Oecophoridae). This genus is endemic to New Zealand.
Pseudocoremia lupinata is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in both the North and South Islands. The favoured habitat of this species is Kānuka scrubland as its larval hosts are species in the genus Kunzea. Both the larvae and adults of this species are nocturnal. Adult moths are commonly on the wing from December to June and are attracted to light.
Charles Edwin Clarke was a New Zealand dentist and amateur entomologist, who specialised in collecting lepidoptera and coleoptera.