This species was described by Edward Meyrick in 1884 as Harpalyce parora.[1][2] In 1886 Meyrick recognised that the genus name he had used for this species had been used previously and renamed the genus in which he placed this species as Probolaea.[3] In 1898 George Hudson placed this species within the Asaphodes genus.[4] In 1906 George Howes, discussing the species under the name Asaphodes parora, also illustrated it.[5] In 1928 Hudson discussed and illustrated the species again under the name Asaphodes parora.[6] In 1988 J. S. Dugdale placed this species within the genus Austrocidaria.[7]
The lectotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London.[7]
Description
Hudson described this species in 1898 as follows:
Male, female. — 29-34 mm. (about 1+1⁄4 inches) . Fore-wings moderate, apex acute, termen excavated on upper half, acutely projecting in middle; varying from light grey to light reddish-fuscous; about eighteen irregular dentate darker striae, sometimes partially obsolete; first three, seventh and eighth, and eleventh to thirteenth usually more distinct and blackish; seventh and eighth closely approximated, forming a small blackish or reddish spot on dorsum, sometimes partially suffused with blackish; eleventh to thirteenth closely approximated, widely remote from eighth, parallel to termen; a blackish discal dot; sometimes a broad purplish-grey median band; sixteenth sometimes spotted with blackish towards costa; a terminal row of blackish dots. Hind-wings moderate, upper angle broadly projecting, termen shortly projecting in middle; varying from whitish-grey to very pale reddish- fuscous, faintly striated with darker.[4]
Adults have been recorded as being on wing in January and February as well as in August and September.[10][13] The larvae feed on Coprosma species.[12]
