Asaphodes stephanitis is a species of moth in the family Geometridae.[1] This species is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed in the southern parts of the South Island. this species inhabits coastal sand hills and grassland and is regarded as being rare. Adults are on the wing from January to March.
This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1907 using specimens collected in Invercargill and named Asaphodes stephanitis.[2] George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species under that name in his 1928 publication The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand.[3] In 1971 J. S. Dugdale agreed with the placement of this species in the genus Asaphodes. In 1988 J. S. Dugdale again confirmed this placement. The male lectotype specimen, collected at Invercargill, is held at the Natural History Museum, London.
Meyrick described this species as follows:
This species is endemic to New Zealand.[4] This species has been collected at its type locality of Invercargill and at locations near Bluff where this species is regarded as being rare.[5]
The preferred habitat of this species is coastal sand hills and grassland.
The adults of this species are on the wing from January until March.