lives in the south island tussock lands

Size
Wingspan: 30-35 mm
Lifespan
Adult: 2-4 weeks. Caterpillar: several months.
Diet
Caterpillars feed on native tussock grasses (Chionochloa species). Adults feed on nectar from grassland flowers.
Habitat
Grasslands, tussocklands, and open areas. Prefers native tussock grasslands with Chionochloa host plants.
Range
Endemic to New Zealand. Found in tussock grasslands of the South Island, from Marlborough to Southland.
Endemism
Endemic
Main Threats
Tussock grassland degradation from farming, fire, and invasive weeds. Climate change may alter grassland composition.
Population
Common in tussock grasslands of the South Island. Not threatened.
Conservation Status
data_deficient
Human Risk
harmless
Handling Note
native tussock moth, endemic species leave undisturbed
Conservation Note
Endemic grass; data insufficient for full threat classification.
Te Ao Māori
Argyrophenga antipodum has no recognised Māori name. It lives in the tussock grasslands. This is a landscape of significance to Māori for hunting and travel. The butterfly is part of that landscape.
Grassland species. Subtle browns, not flashy but very "NZ landscape". Argyrophenga antipodum, the Common Tussock, is a butterfly of the grasslands. It flies low among the tussocks. A soft brown against the green and gold. The wings are brown above, with a small white spot. The underside is patterned with brown and grey. The wingspan is small. About three centimetres. The caterpillars feed on native tussock grasses (Chionochloa species). The pupa is brown. It is hidden at the base of a tussock. The Common Tussock lives in native grasslands, tussocklands, and open areas. It likes the high country. It likes the windswept plains. It is a butterfly of the landscape. The species is endemic to New Zealand. It is found only in the South Island. The name Argyrophenga means silver-winged. Antipodum means of the antipodes. The butterfly is named for its home. The Common Tussock is not threatened. Its habitat is extensive. But tussock grasslands are threatened by farming and fire. This butterfly is a reminder. Not all butterflies are flashy. Some are subtle. Brown on brown. They are no less beautiful for being understated.