Dasyuris micropolis is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1929. It is endemic to New Zealand and have been observed in the South Island. This species frequents montane habitat. Adults are day flying and have been observed in January. It has been suggested that the larval host plants of this species are in the genus Veronica, specifically Veronica densifolia or Veronica thomsonii. D. micropolis has been classified in 2025 as having the New Zealand conservation status of "At Risk, Declining".
Taxonomy This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1929. George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in his 1939 book A supplement to the butterflies and moths of New Zealand. The male lectotype, collected by Hudson at Arthur's Pass, is held at the Natural History Museum, London.
Description
Meyrick described this species as follows:
This species is similar in appearance to D. leucobathra but can be distinguished from that species as D. micropolis is smaller in size, has a different undersurface and an absence of bright yellow colouring on the veins of the upper surface as well as a much paler yellowish tinge on under surface generally.
Distribution
D. micropolis is endemic to New Zealand and have been observed in the South Island.
Habitat and hosts This species frequents montane habitat. It has been hypothesised that the larvae are hosted by species of Veronica, specifically Veronica densifolia or Veronica thomsonii.
Behaviour The adults are day flying and are on the wing in January.
Conservation status In 2025 this moth was classified under the New Zealand Threat Classification system as being "At Risk, Declining" as a result of being biologically sparse and suffering from population fragmentation.
References