Bug FAQGadira acerella
Gadira acerella · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Crambidae
Gadira acerella is a small moth about three lines long, with wings that span roughly nine lines. It lives throughout New Zealand in native forests from sea level up to sub-alpine zones, often resting on lichen-covered rocks in a steep V shape. Adults fly from October to March, are nocturnal and attracted to light; larvae are thought to feed on lichens or moss.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
The moth is aeneous-brown on top and whitish underneath; forewings have whitish veins, two oblique white lines, a black spot with a white streak, two outward-curved white lines (inner broader), black speckles, and a white fringe. Hindwings are aeneous-cinereous with a white-aeneous bordered sub-inarginal line.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Body length is about three lines; each wing measures about nine lines.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
Found in native forest from sea level to sub-alpine heights across New Zealand. Adults rest with wings together in a steep V on lichen-covered rocks and fences.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
Larvae are presumed to eat lichens or moss. Larvae have been seen on lichen-covered rocks.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
It is endemic to New Zealand and occurs throughout the country.
Source: Wikipedia
Lookalikes
Raised scales and coloration on the forewing break up the outline, helping the moth blend into lichens where it rests.
Source: Wikipedia
More photos
Questions people ask
When are Gadira acerella moths active?
Adults fly from October to March, are nocturnal and come to lights at night.
Source: Wikipedia
What do the larvae eat?
They are thought to feed on lichens or moss and have been observed on lichen-covered rocks.
Source: Wikipedia
Where can I find this moth in New Zealand?
It lives throughout the country in native forest from sea level up to sub-alpine areas, often resting on lichen-covered rocks.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Crambidae)
Box Tree MothCydalima perspectalisDamages trees, gardens or crops
Celery Leaftier MothUdea rubigalisDamages trees, gardens or crops
Elegant Grass-veneerMicrocrambus elegans
Hawaiian Beet Webworm MothSpoladea recurvalisDamages trees, gardens or crops
Garden Grass-veneerChrysoteuchia culmellaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Bluegrass Webworm MothParapediasia teterrellusDamages trees, gardens or cropsSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadira_acerella
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-23 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-23.