Notoreas arcuata

This species was described by Alfred Philpott in 1921 using material collected in the Saint Arnaud Range by Mr R. Grimmett.[1] George Hudson also discussed and illustrated this species in his book The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand.[2] The genus Notoreas was reviewed in 1986 by R. C. Craw and the placement of this species within it was confirmed.[3] However species within the genus Notoreas are currently regarded as being in need of revision.[4] The holotype specimen is held at the New Zealand Arthropod Collection.[5]

Philpott described the species as follows:

♀︎. 27 mm. Head, palpi, and thorax golden-yellow with some whitish scales. Antennae black, annulated with whitish. Abdomen black, segmental divisions whitish. Legs ochreous-whitish, strongly infuscated, tarsi annulated with ochreous. Forewings triangular, apex obtuse, termen bowed, oblique; dark fuscous, densely irrorated with yellow; lines narrow, white, sometimes yellow-tinged; a basal line anteriorly broadly margined with black, curved, distinct, slightly irregular; first line strongly curved, irregular, posteriorly margined with black; a black discal dot; an obscure irregular yellow median line; second line anteriorly broadly margined with black and followed by narrow yellow margin indented above and below middle; subterminal irregular, dilated on costa and at middle, yellowish above dorsum : cilia white, prominently barred with blackish. Hindwings and cilia as forewings but basal line absent and subterminal wholly yellow. Undersides reproducing markings of upper surfaces but with the lines much broader and the basal area of costa suffused with clear yellow.[1]

This species is endemic to New Zealand.[6][7] Other than its type locality of the Saint Arnaud Range, the species has also been found at Arthur's Pass.[2]

This species is on the wing from December to February.[2]

Larvae in the genus Notoreas feed on woody plants in the genera Kelleria and Pimelea (daphe family).[8]