Orthoclydon praefectata

Orthoclydon praefectata, the flax looper moth or flax window maker, is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.

Description
The wing span of this species is 38–45 mm. The male moth is a pale brown and the female a glossy white.

Taxonomy
O. praefectata was first described by Francis Walker under the name Acidalia praefectata. George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in 1898 under the name Xanthorhoe praefectata.

Distribution and habitat
This moth is endemic to and is widely distributed throughout New Zealand.

The habitat/food plant for this moth is the New Zealand native flax Phormium tenax.

Eggs
Eggs are straw coloured and are laid on the underside of the flax leaf.

Larva
The caterpillar is a brown/green colour. It has three dark red lines on its back and a yellow line on each flank. When fully grown it is approximately 2.5 cm long.

Adult
Adult moths are seen in all the summer months.