Drosophila neoclavisetae is an endangered endemic species found only on the island of Maui. It is between 0.2 and 0.25 in (6.0 and 6.4 mm) in length, with wings 0.26 to 0.3 in (6.5 to 7.0 mm) long. It is distinguished by its amber brown head and yellow face, with the middle portion raised to form a prominent ridge. The thorax is predominantly reddish brown with a distinct brown median stripe, bordered on each side by two brown stripes. The legs are yellow, with brown on the femora and a distinct brown band on the tips of the tibiae. The wings are broad and rounded, more than twice as long as wide, and with the front portion covered with brown markings and large clear spots tinged light yellow. It shares with D. clavisetae an extra cross-vein in the wing, which distinguishes both these species from the other species of the D. adiastola group. The abdomen is dark brown and black with numerous long hairs on the hind segments of the male (Kaneshiro and Kaneshiro 1995). The host plant of Drosophila neoclavisetae has not yet been confirmed, although it is likely associated with Cyanea sp. (family Campanulaceae). Because both collections of this species occurred within a small patch of Cyanea sp. and because many other species in the D. adiastola species group use species in this genus and other plants in the family Campanulaceae, researchers believe the Cyanea sp. found at Puu Kukui is likely the correct host plant for D. neoclavisetae (Science Panel 2005; Kaneshiro and Kaneshiro 1995). Due to its inaccessibility, some potential habitat surrounding the known range of D. neoclavisetae remains unsurveyed for the species (Science Panel 2005). D. neoclavisetae is a member of the Drosophila adiastola species group (Perreira and Kaneshiro 1990), and while other species in this group perform similarly unusual mating dances, the behavior is highly exaggerated in D. neoclavisetae.