Helastia clandestina is a moth of the family Geometridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found only in the South Island in and around Arthur's Pass. Adults have been collected on the wing in February and are nocturnal. Its preferred habitat is dry stony riverbeds and flood plains. The glossy blueish grey colouration of the adults of this species helps camouflage them against the rocks in their preferred habitat. H. clandestina is classified as having the conservation status of "At Risk, Relict'" by the Department of Conservation.
This species was first described by Alfred Philpott in 1921 using a specimen collected by E.S. Gourlay at Arthur's Pass and named Xanthorhoe clandestina.[1][2]George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in his 1928 book The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand under the same name.[3] In 1987 Robin C. Craw placed this species within the genus Helastia.[4] The holotype specimen is held at the Canterbury Museum.[2]
Philpott described the species as follows:
Шаблон:QuoteThe glossy blueish grey colouration of the adults of this species helps camouflage them against rocks.[5]
The host species for the larvae of H. clandestina is unknown.[8]H. clandestina prefers stony riverbed habitat such as at the Waimakariri River flood plain.[8][9]
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