Xanthorhoe orophyla

In 1898 George Hudson described the species as follows:

The expansion of the wings of the male is 1+1⁄4 inches, of the female 1+3⁄8 inches. The fore-wings of the male are pale brownish-grey; there is an obscure bent blackish line near the base, a moderately broad central band bounded by two very distinct shaded blackish lines, the basal one of which is not curved; the termen is shaded with darker grey, and there is an oblique pale mark near the apex. The hind-wings are pale grey tinged with ochreous. The female is slightly darker than the male; and there are numerous wavy pale and dark grey lines filling up the entire wing on each side of the central band.

X. orophyla can be found in the high country of the South Island and has been collected in Nelson, Canterbury, and Otago. They prefer open areas in lowland to alpine habitat.

This species has one brood a year. Adults are on the wing from December to February. The moths are attracted to light. This species is said to be common on Aoraki / Mount Cook's lower slopes.