Chalastra ochrea

The larvae of this species is brown coloured with distinctive markings. Hudson described the larvae of this species (under the name Selidosema prototoxa) as follows:

The length of the full-grown larva is about 1 inch. Cylindrical, of fairly even thickness, with segments well defined. General colour deep greyish-ochreous, slightly suffused with reddishbrown on lateral ridge, which is prominent, but somewhat irregular. The whole larva is covered with very numerous, slender, broken, greyish-white marks which give it a very fine dappled appearance; these marks are denser and whiter on and below the lateral ridge. Spiracles white edged with black. Legs ochreous-brown, dappled with greyish-white near base. Hudson described the adults of this species as follows:

The expansion of the wings is about 1+1⁄4 inches. The fore-wings are dull brownish-grey mixed with blackish-grey; there is a small irregular, ochreous basal patch, followed by a slender blackish transverse line, acutely angulated above the middle; the outer edge of the median band has a very prominent rounded projection slightly above the middle, and the subterminal line has seven sharp dentations; the space between the median band and the subterminal line is bright ochreous. The hind-wings are bright ochreous.

This species is endemic to New Zealand. Along with the type locality in Dunedin this species has also been observed in the Canterbury region as well as around the Wairarapa region and in the Central Hawke's Bay District.

The adults of this species have been collected via sugar traps. They are on the wing from February until April.