This species was first described by Alfred Philpott in 1930, using specimens collected by C. E. Clarke at Arthur's Pass in January, and named Simaethis fasciata.[3] In 1939 George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species under that name.[4] In 1979 J. S. Dugdale placed this species within the genus Asterivora.[5] In 1988 Dugdale confirmed this placement.[2] The male holotype specimen, collected in the Arthur's Pass, is held at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.[2]
Description
Illustration of A. fasciata by George Hudson.
Philpott described this species as follows:
♂♀ . 10-11 mm. Head and thorax bronzy brown sprinkled with white scales. Palpi brown closely annulated with white, second segment roundly tufted beneath. Antennae black annulated with white, ciliations in ♂ 2. Abdomen bronzy brown sprinkled with white. Legs bronzy brown mixed with whitish. Forewings with costa slightly arched, apex subrectangular, termen almost straight, oblique; bronzy brown; densely irrorated with white except on broad median angled band: fringes bronzy brown, subbasal line and tips white. Hindwings pale bronzy brown, greyish towards base; an interrupted white fascia from tornus along termen to about 1⁄4, thence diverging into disc and reaching about middle of wing: fringes as in forewings.[3]
Philpott stated that this species is distinguishable by the dark median band on the forewings.[3]
Behaviour
The adults of this species is on the wing in January.[4]
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