Orthoclydon praefectata, the flax looper moth or flax window maker, is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.
The wing span of this species is 38–45 mm. The male moth is a pale brown and the female a glossy white.[2]
O. praefectata was first described by Francis Walker under the name Acidalia praefectata.[3][4] George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in 1898 under the name Xanthorhoe praefectata.[5]
This moth is endemic to and is widely distributed throughout New Zealand.[6][2]
The habitat/food plant for this moth is the New Zealand native flax Phormium tenax.[2]
Eggs are straw coloured and are laid on the underside of the flax leaf.[2]
The caterpillar is a brown/green colour . It has three dark red lines on its back and a yellow line on each flank. When fully grown it is approximately 2.5 cm long.[2]
Adult moths are seen in all the summer months.[2]
Orthoclydon praefectata, the flax looper moth or flax window maker, is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand.