Barred Pink Carpet

George Hudson described this species in 1898 as follows:

The expansion of the wings is about an inch. The fore-wings of the male are pale pink; there are several wavy brown lines near the base, a very distinct brown central band, narrowest near the middle, but much broader on the costa than on the dorsum; the centre of this band is paler towards the costa; the termen is shaded with brown, except near the apex of the wing; the veins are dotted in black. The hind-wings are bright ochreous with numerous wavy darker lines. The female is darker in colour than the male, the central band is broader; there are numerous brown and pink wavy lines on each side of the central band, and the principal veins are marked in pale ochreous. The grey transverse lines on the hind-wings are much more distinct in the female than in the male.

This species is found in the North and South Islands of New Zealand as well as on Stewart Island. However this species is not common in the south and west mountains of the South Island. X. semifissata has been collected in Riccarton Bush, Christchurch. The preferred habitat of this species is edge of forests as well as montaine grasslands. The hosts for the larvae of this moth are herbaceous plants. Gaskin noted eggs are laid on watercress (Nasturtium officinale). White listed Cardamine and stream Nasturtium as known larval foods.

Adults are attracted to light and have been collected via a mercury vapour light trap.

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