Helastia cryptica is a moth of the family Geometridae. It was first described by Robin C. Craw in 1987. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found from mid Canterbury south. This preferred habitat of H. cryptica is native forest and scrub at altitudes ranging from lowland to subalpine. It has also been observed in human modified habitat. The larvae of this species has been observed on Melicytus alpinus, likely feeding on perched dead leaves and have been hypothesised as feeding on epiphytic mosses. Adults are nocturnal and are on the wing from November until January. Externally this species is indistinguishable from its close relative H. cymozeucta. However the distribution of these two species can assist in the correct identification of specimens.

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