This species was first described by John T. Salmon as Porina unimaculata in 1948 from specimens obtained by Graham Turbott on the Three Kings Islands.[1] In 1966 Dumbleton moved the species to a new genus and gave the new combination as Trioxycanus unimaculatus.[2]
Description
The wingspan is 51–67 mm for males and 74–90 mm for females. The colour pattern of the forewings is complex in males and usually reduced or obsolete in female. The hindwings are unicolorous yellow, orange-yellow or pink.[3] The bright colouration of the hindwing of the male of the species fades rapidly after death.[4]
Adults are on wing from December to April. The larvae probably feed on fallen leaves.[3]
Distribution
Dumbletonius unimaculatus is endemic to New Zealand[5] and can be found only in the North Island where it is common.[4]
Hosts
The caterpillar of this species is a host for the vegetable caterpillar fungus Ophiocordyceps robertsii. This fungus mummifies the caterpillar then grows its fruiting body from the caterpillar's head through the soil.[4]