Physetica cucullina

Guenée first described the species as follows:

It is scarcely the size of inceptura, and the wings are rather more obtuse. Superior cinereous, with intensely black terminal clots; the costa also marked with black dots, which indicate the origin of the ordinary lines, which are little visible; the half-line is the most apparent, formed of two arcs, one placed above the other; no basal line; subterminal indicated by a series of wedge-shaped blackish spots; and the central shade by a black dot on the inner margin; the two ordinary spots are visible, and of the normal form : inferior smoky-grey, without markings, and with a white fringe; their under-side whitish, with a large black cellular lunule, and a strongly defined border, which resembles that of the species of Anarta. Antennae stout, scarcely ciliated. The terminal joint of the palpi strongly projecting, but much shorter than the second, naked, and somewhat club-shaped. Thorax with a black line on each patagium.The male of this species has a wingspan of between 29 and 37 mm and the female has a wingspan of between 29 and 36 mm. This species has variable colouration of its forewings. P. cucullina is almost identical in appearance to P. funerea. The only reliable distinguishing feature between the two species is the antennae of the male. Male P. cucullina have antennae with distinct erect ciliations. …

It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is found throughout the South Island apart from in the Nelson district with the exception of the St Arnaud Range where it is present. It is likely to be also resident in Stewart Island.

Adults of this species is on the wing from October to March and are attracted to light. They have been collected via a mercury vapour light trap.

The life history of this species is poorly documented. As at 2017, there is no description of the larvae and there is only one known record in the New Zealand Arthropod Collection of the larvae of this species having been reared. This record indicates the larvae were reared on Leucopogon fraseri.

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