New Zealand Moths and Butterflies/Notodontina

by George Vernon Hudson

II.—THE NOTODONTINA.

The Notodontina are characterized as follows:—

"The maxillary palpi are obsolete. Fore-wings with vein 1b usually furcate, but with lower fork often weak or tending to be obsolete, 5 rising not nearer to 4 than to 6, parallel, 7 and 8 out of 9. Hind-wings almost always with frenulum, 1c absent. (Plate II., figs. 19 to 64, and Plate I., figs. 12 and 13.)

"Imago with fore-wings more or less broad-triangular; hind-wings broad-ovate."—(Meyrick.)

Larva (in New Zealand) generally with 10 or 12 legs only (Plate III., figs. 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 24), rarely with 16 (Sphinx, Pl. III., figs. 13 and 14).

"Pupa with segments 9 to 11 free; not protruded from cocoon in emergence."—(Meyrick.)

This is a very extensive group of the Lepidoptera, and so far as it is represented in New Zealand is equivalent to that group formerly known as the Geometrina, with the addition of the family Sphingidæ. The insects here included comprise many of our most interesting, abundant, and beautiful species. Some of them are so extremely variable that it is often a matter of considerable difficulty to determine the most convenient points on which to base the specific distinctions; although fortunately great advances have been made in this direction of late years owing to the increase in the number of workers, and the consequent accumulation of available material. In connection with this portion of the subject, special mention should be made of Mr. Meyrick's paper on the group, which appeared in the 'Transactions' of the New Zealand Institute for 1883. This essay has been of the greatest value in dispelling the doubts which formerly existed respecting the limits of many of the most variable species.

The Notodontina are represented in New Zealand by the six following families:—

1. Hydriomenidæ.	4. Orthostixidæ.
2. Sterrhidæ.	5. Selidosemidæ.
3. Monocteniadæ.	6. Sphingidæ.

Family 1.—HYDRIOMENIDÆ.

The Hydriomenidae are thus characterized:—

"Tongue well developed. Fore-wings with vein 10 rising separate; anastomosing with 11 and 9 (forming double areole), or rising out of 11 and anastomosing with 9 (forming simple areole). Hind-wings with vein 5 fully developed, parallel to 4, 6, and 7 almost always stalked or connate, 8 anastomosing with upper margin of cell from near base to beyond middle, or sometimes approximated only and connected by a bar or shortly anastomosing beyond middle." (Plate II., figs. 19 to 43.)

"A very large family distributed in equal plenty throughout all temperate regions, but becoming scarcer within the tropics. The structure is very uniform throughout, and the generic distinctions slight. Imago with body slender, fore-wings usually broad.

"Ovum broad, oval, rather flattened with usually oval reticulations. Larva elongate, slender, with few hairs, without prolegs on segments 7 to 9; often imitating live or dead twigs and shoots. Pupa usually subterranean."—(Meyrick.)

This family is very extensively represented in New Zealand by the following fifteen genera:—

1. Tatosoma.	5. Elvia.	09. Venusia.	13. Dasyuris.
2. Paradetis.	6. Hydriomena.	10. Asaphodes.	14. Notoreas.
3. Chloroclystis.	7. Euchœca.	11. Xanthorhoe.	15. Samana.
4. Phrixogonus.	8. Asthena.	12. Lythria.

Genus 1.—TATOSOMA, Butl.

"Face smooth. Palpi long, straight, porrected, shortly rough-scaled, terminal joint short. Antennæ in male simple, stout, gradually dilated from base to near apex, apex attenuated. Abdomen in male very excessively elongate. Hind-wings in male deeply excised near dorsum, dorsal lobe folded into a long pocket, fringed with hairs. Fore-wings with vein 6 rising out of 9, 7 from or above angle of areole, 10 anastomosing moderately with 9, 11 anastomosing moderately with 10, 12 free. Hind-wings with veins 6 and 7 separate, 8 free, united with 7 before transverse vein by an oblique bar.

"This singular genus is a remnant of a widely diffused, but now fragmentary group, to which belong also Lobophora (Europe), Rhopalodes (South America), Sauris (Ceylon), and Remodes (Borneo.) In all, the hind-wings of the male are peculiarly modified, usually much diminished in size, and with the dorsum formed into a distinct lobe, the object of which is unknown. A similar structure is found only in one or two genera of Tortricina. Rhopalodes is the nearest genus to this, but vein 5 is said to be obsolete, and the lobe does not form a pocket; in Sauris the areole is simple, and the antennæ thickly scaled; in Remodes the areole is also simple, the antennæ flattened and scaled, and the dorsum is furnished with three superposed lobular folds, so that it represents the extreme of development in this direction."—(Meyrick.)

It will be seen on reference to Plate II., figs. 22 and 23, which represent the structure of the hind-wings of the male and female of Tatosoma agrionata respectively, that in the male veins 1 and 2 are absent, having no doubt become absorbed during the formation of the characteristic sexual lobe; vein 8 is connected with the margin of the cell by an oblique bar, this being probably due to an extension of the wing in the costal region, compensating for the loss in the dorsal region due to the above-mentioned lobe. In the hind-wings of the female the normal neuration of the family is almost preserved, the only peculiar feature consisting in the origin of veins 6 and 7 from a point on the margin of the cell.

Of this remarkable genus we have three species, and I think it quite possible that others may reward the industry of future collectors.

TATOSOMA LESTEVATA, Walk.

(Cidaria lestevata, Walk. 1416. Sauris ranata, Feld. cxxxi. 11., Tatosoma lestevata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 67.)

(Plate VI., fig. 25 ♂.)

This beautiful species has occurred at Wainuiomata, near Wellington, in the North Island, and at Nelson and Christchurch, in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings is 1⅜ inches. The fore-wings are bright-green; there are four wavy, black, transverse lines; the first near the base, the second a little before the middle, the third considerably beyond the middle, and the fourth near the termen; the terminal line is very faint towards the tornus, and it emits three or four very sharp, longitudinal, black, tooth-like marks; all the transverse lines are much stronger where they cross the principal veins. The hind-wings are very pale yellowish-green.

The perfect insect appears in February. At present I believe the species is represented by four specimens only—two in Mr. Fereday's collection and two in my own.

TATOSOMA AGRIONATA, Walk.

(Cidaria agrionata, Walk. 1417. Cidaria tipulata, ib. 1417. Cidaria inclinataria, ib. 1418. Cidaria transitaria, ib. 1419. Sauris mistata, Feld. cxxxi. 12. Tatosoma transitaria, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 68. Tatosoma agrionata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvii. 64.)

(Plate VI., fig. 26 ♂, 27 ♀.)

This fine species has occurred commonly at Wellington in the North Island. It is generally distributed in the South Island, and has also been found at Stewart Island.

The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. The fore-wings are bright-green traversed by numerous black, wavy, transverse lines; these black lines are grouped into four more or less distinct bands, the outermost of which is interrupted at each of the veins; there is a conspicuous black dot in the middle of the wing, a number of small triangular black marks near the termen, and a series of minute black dots on the termen. The hind-wings are ochreous, tinged with green towards the termen. In the female the abdomen is much shorter, and the hind-wings are larger than in the male.

The perfect insect appears from December till April. It frequents dense forests, and is generally found at rest on the trunks of trees. In these situations the pattern of the fore-wings is extremely protective, the whole insect bearing the closest possible resemblance to a patch of moss. This species may also be taken at sugar, and sometimes at light, but I have found that it can be obtained most plentifully by a careful scrutiny of the tree-trunks in a favourable locality. As a rule I think that the males are considerably commoner than the females. I have noticed them in the proportion of about four to one.

TATOSOMA TIMORA, Meyr.

(Tatosoma agrionata, Meyr. (nec Walker), Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 68. Tatosoma timora, Meyr., ib. xvii. 64.)

(Plate VI., fig. 28 ♂, 29 ♀.)

This rather sombre, though interesting insect, has occurred at Palmerston and Wellington in the North Island, and at Christchurch and Akaroa in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings is 1⅜ inches. All the wings are sparsely covered with scales. The fore-wings of the male are dull reddish-brown, with numerous obscure transverse dusky stripes; there are two rather conspicuous blackish blotches on the costa, a white dot in the middle of the wing, a wavy, pale, transverse line near the termen, and a series of black terminal dots; the veins are dotted in black. The hind-wings are very small, dull grey, with the lobe large and conspicuous. The female is faintly tinged with green, the markings on the fore-wings are rather indistinct; the hind-wings are small, though much larger than those of the male.

The perfect insect appears from November till May. It frequents densely wooded districts, but is not a common species.

Genus 2.—PARADETIS, Meyr.

"Palpi short, arched, roughly-scaled beneath. Antennæ bipectinated. Fore-wings with vein 6 from below 9, 7 from below angle of areole, 10 very shortly anastomosing with 9, 11 out of 10 considerably before angle of areole, 12 free. Hind-wings with veins 6 and 7 stalked, 8 separate, united to 7 before transverse vein by an oblique bar.

"This singular genus is of quite uncertain affinity, and stands at present alone. The simple areole, and connecting bar of 7 and 8, can only have arisen by modification of the normal type of this family, to which it must be referred. It is also the only New Zealand genus except Declana in which the female has pectinated antennæ; but this character recurs in a few exotic genera not otherwise allied."—(Meyrick.)

Plate II., figs. 27 and 28 represent the neuration of the male of Paradetis porphyrias, vein 2 of the hind-wings being absent in that sex. In the female, which is the sex from which Mr. Meyrick characterized the genus, the vein is present as usual. Only one species is known.

PARADETIS PORPHYRIAS, Meyr.

(Parysatis porphyrias, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 58. Paradetis porphyrias, Meyr., ib. xviii. 184.)

(Plate VI., fig. 36 ♂.)

This interesting little insect has occurred in the South Island at Mount Arthur, Castle Hill, the Otira Gorge, and Lake Wakatipu.

The expansion of the wings is about ¾ inch. The fore-wings of the male are deep purplish-brown; there is a wavy, reddish, transverse line at about one-third and another at about two-thirds; between these two lines near the dorsum there are often four, more or less distinct, yellow dots; there is an obscure orange mark at the origin of the first line and a conspicuous mark at the origin of the second. The hind-wings are deep purplish-brown. The cilia of all the wings are white. The fore-wing has the apex hooked and the termen deeply excavated above and below the middle. The female is very much paler; the lines are more distinct and the veins are marked in brown.

The perfect insect appears in January. It frequents rather open spots in the forest, and flies in a very busy manner close to the ground amongst the numerous ferns and other plants, which are always abundant in such situations. It is consequently very inconspicuous and sometimes difficult to capture. Thus, no doubt, it is often overlooked, and perhaps is much commoner than at present appears probable.

Genus 3.—CHLOROCLYSTIS, Hb.

"Face with short cone of scales. Palpi rough-scaled. Antennæ in male shortly ciliated. Abdomen crested. Fore-wings with areole simple, vein 11 running into or anastomosing with 12. Hind-wings with vein 8 anastomosing with cell from near base to beyond middle." (Plate II., figs. 19 and 20.)

"This genus is especially characteristic of New Zealand, and is also found in South Asia, a few stragglers occurring in Europe and elsewhere."—(Meyrick.)

We have twelve species, several of which are very beautiful.

CHLOROCLYSTIS PLINTHINA, Meyr.

(Pasiphila plinthina, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 49.)

(Plate VI., fig. 8.)

This pretty species has occurred at Wellington.

The expansion of the wings is about ½ inch. All the wings are traversed by numerous obscure, wavy, reddish-yellow lines; the fore-wings have a dark shading near the base, a very large white blotch in the middle, and a dark chocolate-brown patch near the apex. The hind-wings have a large shaded white patch in the middle, a blackish dot near the base, and a series of brownish crescentic marks on the termen; the cilia of all the wings are pale brown barred with brownish-black. The termen of the fore-wings is very oblique, of the hind-wings rather irregular.

Many specimens of this insect are strongly tinged with green, and the shape and size of the white patches on the fore- and hind-wings are subject to slight variations.

The perfect insect appears in November and December. It frequents brushwood, where it may be occasionally taken at rest on tree-trunks but more often dislodged from the foliage. It is not a very common species.

CHLOROCLYSTIS BILINEOLATA, Walk.

(Eupithecia bilineolata, Walk. 1246. E. muscosata, ib. 1246. Scotosia humerata, ib. 1362. Eupithecia semialbata, ib. 1708. E. cidariaria, Gn., Ent. Mo. Mag. v. 62. Cidiaria aquosata, Feld., pl. cxxxi. 33. Helastia charybdis, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 503. H. calida, ib. 504. Pasiphila muscosata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. 50. P. bilineolata, ib.)

(Plate VI., fig. 9 type, fig. 10 variety.)

This beautiful little species is common, and generally distributed throughout the country.

The expansion of the wings is ¾ inch. The fore-wings are bright green with numerous wavy darker lines. There is a jagged transverse black line near the base, two at about one-fourth, enclosing a rather paler space; beyond this there are several rather irregular, fine black marks, and an obscure white patch below the apex; the cilia are dull green. The hind-wings are grey slightly tinged with reddish; the dorsum and termen are shaded with green, and there is a number of curved black lines on the dorsum; the cilia are dull greenish-grey. The termen of the fore-wings is slightly bowed, and all the wings are finely scalloped and sharply outlined in black.

A very distinct variety frequently occurs in which the entire ground colour is orange-yellow. This variety can be artificially produced by exposing a typical specimen to the fumes of bruised laurel leaves. Intermediate forms may also be found, but are much scarcer than either the typical form or the variety.

The larva (according to Mr. Purdie^[1]) is about ½ inch long; colour brownish, surface very rugged; body tapering somewhat towards the head. Two pairs of small dorsal tubercles about the middle, the posterior pair being larger; oblique lateral dark markings faintly seen on dark ground colour; below lighter. Food-plants: Aristotelia, Leptospermum ericoides, Rubus (?), and Muhlenbeckia (?). Found in December and January.

The perfect insect appears from September till May, and is often very common. It rests on tree-trunks with outspread wings, in which position it so closely resembles a patch of moss that it is extremely difficult to detect, even when specially searched for.

CHLOROCLYSTIS ANTARCTICA, n. sp.

(Plate VI., fig. 20.)

This species was discovered by Mr. Philpott at West Plains, near Invercargill.

The expansion of the wings is ⅞ inch. The fore-wings are rather dull green; there is a reddish-brown patch near the base, followed by two, slightly oblique, reddish bands; the central band is very broad, green, traversed by numerous fine wavy lines; there is a broad reddish band on the termen. The hind-wings are slaty-grey, tinged with pink towards the termen and dorsum. The cilia of all the wings are pink barred with black.

Two other specimens kindly given to me by Mr. Philpott have the bands on the fore-wings more or less brown in place of red, but are otherwise identical.

This insect is evidently very closely allied to C. bilineolata, but its larger size, longer wings, and barred cilia will, I think, distinguish it from that species.

The perfect insect appears in November.

CHLOROCLYSTIS ARISTIAS, Meyr.

(Chloroclystis aristias, Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1897, 385.)

(Plate VI., fig. 21 ♂, 22 ♀.)

This beautiful insect was discovered on the Mount Arthur Tableland in January, 1896, at an elevation of about 4,000 feet.

The expansion of the wings is 1⅛ inches. All the wings are very pale greenish-grey. The male has three distinct dark brownish bands near the base, an irregular broad suffused band near the middle, becoming obsolete before it reaches the dorsum, a dark patch at the apex, another patch on the termen below the apex and another near the tornus. The hind-wings are traversed by numerous, very fine, wavy blackish lines, becoming darker towards the dorsum. In the female there are three wavy reddish-brown bands on the costa of the fore-wings, becoming obsolete towards the dorsum, then a wavy yellowish line, followed by two rust-red patches. The hind-wings resemble those of the male. Both sexes have the veins dotted with black, and the cilia of all the wings are grey barred with black.

The perfect insect was found in a limestone valley at the foot of Mount Peel, where it was fairly common.

CHLOROCLYSTIS NEREIS, Meyr.

(Pasiphila nereis, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 51.)

(Plate VI., fig. 11 ♂.)

This insect has occurred at Mount Arthur, Mount Hutt, and the Humboldt Range, Lake Wakatipu, at elevations from 2,500 to 4,000 feet.

The expansion of the wings is nearly an inch. All the wings are dusky grey with numerous black and dull white, wavy transverse lines; there is often a somewhat paler area near the apex of the fore-wings, and the termen of the hind-wings is slightly scalloped; the cilia are dull white barred with dark greyish-black.

The perfect insect appears in January and February. It generally frequents cliffs on mountain sides, resting with outspread wings on the dark rocky surfaces. In these situations it is extremely difficult to detect, and the protective value of its colouring is thus at once demonstrated.

CHLOROCLYSTIS DRYAS, Meyr.

(Pasiphila dryas, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxiii. 97.)

(Plate VI., fig. 12 ♂.)

This species has occurred at Wellington.

The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. The fore-wings are dull rosy-brown, traversed by numerous obscure blackish transverse lines, somewhat concentrated towards the middle and forming an ill-defined central band; the termen is slightly shaded with blackish, and the veins are marked with dotted lines. The hind-wings are grey, tinged with rosy-brown; there are numerous very faint blackish transverse lines and the veins are marked with blackish dots. The cilia of all the wings are dark grey. The termen of the hind-wings is rather irregular.

The perfect insect appears in December and January, and is attracted by light. I once took a specimen in July, but this may have been due to an exceptionally mild winter.

CHLOROCLYSTIS SPHRAGITIS, Meyr.

(Pasiphila sphragitis, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 51.)

(Plate VI., fig. 13 ♂, 14 ♀.)

This extremely variable insect has occurred at Wellington in the North Island, and at Christchurch in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings of the male is ⅝ inch, of the female ¾ inch. The fore-wings are pale ochreous; there is a narrow darker area at the base followed by a narrow oblique pale band; then a broad central band, formed of numerous oblique, wavy, brown, transverse lines, next, a rather narrow curved pale band, followed by several small irregular patches on the termen, sometimes forming a dark brown terminal band; all the markings are much darker on the costa, and portions of the costa, termen, and dorsum are frequently tinged with green. The hind-wings are pale ochreous; there are numerous wavy, pale brown lines on the dorsum, becoming obsolete towards the costa. The termen of all the wings is edged with fine black crescents. The cilia are pale ochreous barred with dark brown.

The perfect insect may be met with from September till February, but is most abundant in the early spring. It is extremely common in the Wellington Botanical Gardens, frequenting the forest gullies, where numerous specimens may be easily dislodged from amongst the dense undergrowth. This moth rests with expanded wings on the leaves and stems of shrubs, but is extremely difficult to find in such situations, the colouring of the insect causing it to closely resemble the droppings of birds.

CHLOROCLYSTIS LICHENODES, Purd.

(Pasiphila lichenodes, Purdie, Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 70.)

(Plate VI., figs. 15 and 16, varieties.)

This extremely interesting species has occurred at Wellington in the North Island, and at Dunedin in the South Island; it has also been found at Stewart Island.

The expansion of the wings is about ¾ inch. The fore-wings are dull green; there is a large pale brown area near the base, divided by fine black lines into three distinct patches; the central portion of the wing is mottled with black, pale brown, and dull green; there is a very broad, irregular band of chocolate-brown near the termen, outlined with black towards the base and with white towards the termen, the white line almost dividing the band into four or five patches. The hind-wings are dull greenish-brown; there are several irregular black and white transverse lines and small patches of chocolate-brown, the markings being more distinct towards the dorsum. The cilia of all the wings are pale brown barred with dark brown.

I have observed that in many specimens of this species the ground colour is entirely pale brown instead of green; the markings, however, are not variable.

The perfect insect appears from November till February. It frequents forests, resting with outspread wings on lichen-covered tree-trunks, where its wonderfully perfect protective colouring may be seen to great advantage. The remarkable brown patches on the wings have undoubtedly been acquired for this protective purpose, and Mr. Purdie's name is certainly a most appropriate one. It is not, I think, a common species.

CHLOROCLYSTIS INDICATARIA.

(Eupithecia indicataria, Walk. 1708. Pasiphila indicataria, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 52.)

(Plate VI., fig. 17 ♂, 17A ♀.)

This rather dull-looking species has occurred at Napier and Wellington in the North Island, and at Nelson in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings is ⅞ inch. The fore-wings of the male are dull greenish-grey; there is an oblique, black-edged, reddish, transverse band at about one-third, and another very irregular band near the termen; between and beyond these bands there are numerous irregular, broken, reddish and blackish transverse lines; there is a rust-red patch on the termen below the apex. The cilia are grey barred with brown. The hind-wings are dull grey with several faint, jagged, transverse lines; the termen is rather irregular. The female is much browner than the male, and the lines are more numerous and distinct, especially on the hind-wings. The antennæ are simple in both sexes.

The perfect insect appears from October till March, and is fairly common in wooded localities. It is sometimes attracted by light.

CHLOROCLYSTIS INDUCTATA, Walk.

(Coremia inductata, Walk. 1322. Scotosia subitata, ib. 1362. Pasiphila inductata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 53.)

"This is a distinct species; but I have only seen the British Museum specimens, and am unable to say to which section it belongs, or to give a proper description. The termen of the fore-wings is more bent, and the hind-wings are narrower than in any other species; ground colour light reddish, with the margins of the median band formed by distinct black lines."—(Meyrick.)

I am unacquainted with this insect.

CHLOROCLYSTIS MACULATA, n. sp.

(Plate VI., fig. 18.)

This interesting species was discovered at Wellington by Mr. W. P. Cohen.

The expansion of the wings is about ⅞ inch. All the wings are creamy-white slightly tinged with green. The fore-wings have several irregular large black marks on the costa extending about two-thirds towards the apex; there is a curved transverse series of black dots at about two-thirds, and several obscure brown marks on the termen near the middle and at the tornus. The hind-wings have several irregular rows of conspicuous black spots. The cilia are cream-coloured barred with black. The apex of the fore-wing is very much rounded.

The perfect insect appears in December, and is attracted by light.

Described and figured from a specimen kindly given to me by Mr. Cohen.

CHLOROCLYSTIS RECTILINEATA, n. sp.

(Plate VI., fig. 22.)

This species was discovered at Wellington by Mr. W. P. Cohen.

The expansion of the wings is ¾ inch. The fore-wings are pale grey; there are several irregular black, transverse lines near the base, very broad on the costa; a broad, pale, central area with no distinct markings; then two very fine, almost straight, parallel, dark transverse lines alternating with two broader white lines, and followed by a very conspicuous black line, this being again immediately followed by a fainter black line; beyond these lines the wing is darker, with a wavy transverse white line and a row of black terminal marks. The hind-wings are grey with several faint, wavy, transverse lines and a series of darker marks on the termen. The cilia of all the wings are grey.

Described and figured from a specimen kindly given to me by Mr. Cohen.

Genus 4.—PHRISSOGONUS, Butl.

"Face with short cone of scales or smooth. Palpi moderate or short, porrected, more or less rough-scaled. Antennæ in male ciliated or naked. Posterior tibiæ with all spurs present. Fore-wings in male with swelling or tuft or rough scales on costa, vein 5 sometimes distorted or absent; areole simple, 11 running into 12. Hind-wings with vein 8 anastomosing with cell from near base to beyond middle."—(Meyrick.)

We have one species in New Zealand.

PHRISSOGONUS DENOTATUS, Walk.

(Scotosia denotata, Walk. 1361. Phibalapteryx parvulata, ib. 1721. Phrixogonus denotatus, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 53.)

(Plate VI., fig. 19 ♂.)

This dull-looking insect is common and generally distributed throughout the country.

The expansion of the wings is ¾ inch. The fore-wings are very dark grey, with numerous obscure black and pale brown transverse lines; there are several black dots on the veins, and a white mark on the termen near the apex. The hind-wings are pale grey with numerous wavy black lines, especially near the dorsum. The antennæ are simple in both sexes. The cilia are dull pink barred with black. The female is slightly tinged with reddish-brown. The male has a peculiar dilation on the costa, beyond the middle, beneath which is a naked longitudinal mark occupying the space between veins 10 and 12, these veins being slightly distorted in consequence.

The larva, which feeds on the blossoms of the wharangi (Brachyglottis repanda), is pale green with a series of elongate triangular brown markings down the back and an obscure series of brown marks on each side. It may be found during the latter end of October and beginning of November, but is extremely inconspicuous amongst its food-plant. The pupa is concealed in a light cocoon constructed of the remains of the blossoms.

The perfect insect appears from October till February. It frequents dense undergrowth in the forest, and is generally found resting with extended wings on the dark-coloured stems of the kawakawa (Piper excelsum), where it is practically invisible. In this situation its colouring is evidently specially adapted for protective purposes.

Genus 5.—ELVIA, Walk.

"Face smooth. Palpi rather long, straight, porrected, densely rough-scaled above and beneath, terminal joint short. Antennæ in male stout, flattened, bipectinated (2½). Thorax somewhat crested. Fore-wings with vein 6 from a point with 9, 7 from angle of areole, 10 anastomosing moderately with 9, 11 out of 10, running shortly into 12. Hind-wings with veins 6 and 7 stalked, 8 anastomosing with 7 from near base to near transverse vein."—(Meyrick.)

We have one species.

ELVIA GLAUCATA, Walk.

(Elvia glaucata, Walk. 1431; Feld. cxxxii. 25. Elvia donovani, Feld. cxxxii. 5. Elvia glaucata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 65.)

(Plate VI., fig. 23 and 24 varieties.)

This very pretty insect is generally distributed throughout the country.

The expansion of the wings is about an inch.

The fore-wings vary from pale green to dark steely blue, rarely pale reddish-brown; there is an almost straight, black transverse line near the base; a broad curved line before the middle, shaded towards the termen; then a straight line, breaking up into dots towards the dorsum, followed by a conspicuous cream-coloured blotch near the costa; this again is followed by a fine jagged cream-coloured line; there is a terminal series of black dots. The hind-wings are cream-coloured, tinged with steely blue or green towards the termen; there are a few obscure transverse lines and a short series of dots from the dorsum. The apex of the fore-wing is very blunt, and the termen is slightly hollowed out towards the tornus; the termen of the hind-wings is deeply scalloped.

This species is extremely variable. In addition to the variations above indicated, the markings of many specimens differ considerably in intensity, and there are frequently several large cream-coloured blotches towards the base or middle of the forewings.

The perfect insect appears from September till March, but is not a common species. It frequents forest districts, and may sometimes be found at rest on tree-trunks, where the beautiful colouring of its fore-wings closely imitates that of certain lichens, and renders its detection in such situations extremely difficult. Unlike the insects included in the two preceding genera, this species closes its wings when at rest, the anterior pair alone being visible. These wings are not held flat, but are curiously folded longitudinally, and the end of the abdomen is also curled upwards. By slightly raising the insect above the level of the surrounding surface, this peculiar attitude considerably increases its resemblance to a lichen growing on the stem or branch of a tree. It will also be observed that in this species, which when at rest exposes only its fore-wings, these alone are protectively coloured; whilst in the genera Chloroclystis and Phrissogonus, where both pairs of wings are displayed, both pairs are protectively coloured.

Genus 6.—HYDRIOMENA, Hb.

"Face with somewhat projecting or loose scales, or with conical tuft. Palpi rough-scaled. Antennæ in male ciliated, rarely dentate or naked. Abdomen not crested, or with crests on two basal segments only. Fore-wings with areole double. Hind-wings with 8 anastomosing with cell from near base to beyond middle. (See Plate II., fig. 32 head, figs. 33 and 34 neuration of Hydriomena deltoidata.)

"A very large genus, principally characteristic of temperate regions in both hemispheres.—(Meyrick.)

There are twelve New Zealand species.

HYDRIOMENA GOBIATA, Feld.

(Cidaria gobiata, Feld. cxxxi. 2. Phibalapteryx simulans, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 506. Phibalapteryx undulifera, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 506. Phibalapteryx anguligera, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 507. Phibalapteryx rivularis, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 507. Scotosia gobiata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 70. Cephalissa gobiata, ib. xviii. 184.)

(Plate VI., fig. 43 ♂, 44 ♀.)

This insect has occurred plentifully at Wanganui and Wellington in the North Island, and is generally distributed throughout the South Island.

The expansion of the wings is from 1 to 1¼ inches. All the wings vary from pale ochreous to rather dull yellowish brown, sometimes very slightly tinged with green. There is usually a large number of fine, slightly waved, oblique lines arranged on both pairs of wings, very like the markings in Venusia verriculata (see page 53), both insects evidently having acquired this style of colouring for similar protective purposes. In many specimens the whole of the anterior portion of the fore-wings, a small area at the base of the hind-wings, and a band near the termen are much paler in colour than the rest. There is usually a very oblique elongate pale area near the apex, and an irregular dark spot considerably below the apex. The outline of all the wings is more or less distinctly scalloped.

The larva (according to Mr. Purdie^[2]) is about 1 inch in length, greyish-brown, with a rough prominent dorsal tubercle about the ninth segment. There are sometimes other smaller tubercles. It feeds on various species of Coprosoma in January, March, and May.

The perfect insect appears from October till March, and generally frequents rather open country where Manuka and Cabbage Tree Palms are abundant.

HYDRIOMENA PRIONOTA, Meyr.

(Arsinoe prionata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 73. Anachloris prionata, Meyr., ib. xviii. 184.)

(Plate VI., fig. 47.)

This species has been taken in the South Island at Mount Arthur, Castle Hill and Dunedin.

The expansion of the wings is rather under 1½ inches. The fore-wings are dull yellowish-brown, with many obscure, wavy, transverse, brown lines, which tend to form two ill-defined bands, one rather narrow near the base and the other much broader near the middle of the wing. The hind-wings are very pale yellowish-brown; there are a few obscure dark lines near the dorsum. The veins are distinctly dotted in black, and the outline of all the wings is deeply scalloped.

The perfect insect appears in January, but is not common.

HYDRIOMENA DELTOIDATA, Walk.

(Coremia deltoidata, Walk. 1321. Cidaria inclarata, Walk. 1411. Cidaria perductata, Walk. 1412. Cidaria congressata, Walk. 1412. Cidaria conversata, Walk. 1413. Cidaria descriptata, Walk. 1414. Cidaria bisignata, Walk. 1415. Cidaria aggregata, Walk. 1415. Cidaria congregata, Walk. 1415. Cidaria plagifurcata, Walk. 1416. Coremia pastinaria, Gn., E. M. M. v. 64. Cidaria inopiata, Feld. cxxxii. 3. Cidaria monoliata, Feld. cxxxii. 8. Cidaria perversata, Feld. cxxxii. 14, 24. Scotosia deltoidata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 70. Cephalissa deltoidata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xviii. 184.)

(Plate VII., figs. 1 to 9 varieties.)

This pretty insect is extremely abundant throughout the country.

The expansion of the wings varies from 1⅛ to 1⅜ inches. The fore-wings vary from brownish-black to dull orange-brown; there is a small darker area near the base, then two pale whitish wavy transverse lines, then a broad darker central band, often containing within it a still darker central band, bounded by two wavy black transverse lines; beyond the central band there are nearly always two or three pale brown or whitish, wavy, transverse lines, then an interrupted line just before the termen, and a short oblique whitish line below the apex; there is a black dot a little above the centre of the wing, and a white dot on the termen near the middle. The hind-wings are yellowish-brown, with several wavy, transverse lines near the dorsum; there is a series of fine crescentic black lines on the termen of both fore- and hind-wings.

This species is extremely variable, but may generally be recognised by a careful scrutiny of the above-named characters. One very striking variety occasionally met with has the central band of the fore-wing completely divided in the middle, which thus forms two dark patches, one on the costa, and one on the dorsum. (See Plate VII., figs. 7 and 8.) A further development of this variety, of which I have only seen one example, taken by Mr. Hawthorne at Springfield, Canterbury, and now in his collection, has only the costal patch present, the whole of the lower portions of the band being completely obliterated.^[3] (See Plate VII., fig. 9.) The minor varieties are too numerous to specify.

The larva feeds on grasses. When full-grown its length is about 1 inch. The colour is dark brown, with the skin very much wrinkled. It is sluggish in its habits, and lives through the winter, becoming full-grown about the end of September. During severe weather it generally seeks refuge from the elements amongst the stalks and roots of the rank herbage often surrounding stones or fallen logs.

The pupa is concealed in the earth.

The perfect insect appears early in January, and continues in the utmost profusion until the middle or end of March. It may often be seen resting with the wings folded backwards and forming together a triangle, whence the moth has probably derived its name of deltoidata. In the neighbourhood of Wellington I have observed that this insect has very much decreased in numbers during the last ten or fifteen years.

HYDRIOMENA HEMIZONA, Meyr.

(Hydriomena hemizona, Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1897, 385.)

(Plate VII., fig. 10.)

This insect has occurred at Terawhiti in the North Island, and at Mount Arthur in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings is about 1⅜ inches. The fore-wings are blackish-brown, darker towards the apex and termen; there is an obscure rust-red wavy band near the base, and another at three-fourths, considerably bowed towards the termen at the middle; there are also numerous wavy darker lines. The hind-wings are dull grey, and the termen is slightly scalloped.

This species may be distinguished from any of the varieties of H. deltoidata by its narrower wings, and the absence of any distinct central band on the fore-wings.

The perfect insect appears in January. It is a scarce species.

HYDRIOMENA SUBOCHRARIA, Dbld.

(Aspilates (?) subochraria, Dbld., Dieff. N. Z. ii. 285. Camptogramma subochraria, Butl., Cat., pl. iii. 16. Camptogramma strangulata, Gn. x. 423. Camptogramma fuscinata, Gn., E. M. M. v. 92. Arsinoe subochraria, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 73. Anachloris subochraria, Meyr., ib. xviii. 184.)

(Plate VI., figs. 45 and 46 varieties.)

This species is fairly common and generally distributed throughout the country.

The expansion of the wings is about 1¼ inches. The fore-wings are bright ochreous-yellow; there is a brown dot a little above the middle, and a dark brown transverse band at about three-fourths; the termen is shaded with dark brown. The hind-wings are ochreous, with an obscure central transverse line. A variety (Hydriomena fuscinata, Gn.) often occurs in which the whole of the wings are more or less tinged with purplish-brown (Plate VI., fig. 46).

The perfect insect appears from November till April. It chiefly frequents tussock country and swampy situations. In the Wellington district it is extremely abundant in the clearings at the foot of the Tararua Range. According to Mr. Meyrick the typical form is common in Tasmania and Victoria.

HYDRIOMENA TRIPHRAGMA, Meyr.

(Cidaria triphragma, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 74.)

"Male.—26-27 mm. (about 1 inch). Fore-wings moderate, termen strongly sinuate; pale dull greyish-purple; a very small darker basal patch, outer edge strongly convex, margined by a dark fuscous fascia, posteriorly whitish-edged; a dark fuscous fascia before one-third, irregularly outwards-curved, posteriorly suffused, anteriorly sharply defined and whitish-edged; a minute blackish discal dot; a dark fuscous fascia beyond middle, forming a strong angle in middle, upper and lower halves both inwards-curved, anteriorly suffused, posteriorly sharply defined and whitish-edged. Hind-wings moderate, termen somewhat irregular, projecting in middle; whitish-ochreous mixed with pale purplish; an angulated darker band before middle.

"A very distinct species, probably not variable.

"Blenheim; two specimens received by Mr. Fereday from Mr. Skellon."—(Meyrick).

I am unacquainted with this species, which Mr. Fereday stated he was unable to identify. I have therefore inserted Mr. Meyrick's description without alteration.

HYDRIOMENA RIXATA, Feld.

(Cidaria rixata, Feld. cxxxii. 1; Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 75. Coremia squalida, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 505.)

(Plate VII., fig. 11.)

This pretty insect is very common, and generally distributed throughout the country.

The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. The fore-wings have a dull green patch near the base, with numerous dull brown and dull white wavy transverse lines; there is a very broad blackish-brown central band paler in the middle, but almost black at the edges; this band has a large rounded projection on its outer edge near the middle, and below this projection it is deeply indented; the remainder of the wing is dull yellowish-green, with several brown and white transverse lines; one of the white lines is more conspicuous than the rest and very wavy; there is a shaded oblique black mark from the apex. The hind-wings are very pale yellowish-brown; there are a few obscure brownish transverse lines near the dorsum, and a faint series of crescentic marks near the termen.

The perfect insect appears in December and January, and frequents the overhanging banks of streams in densely wooded ravines, where it often occurs in the utmost profusion.

HYDRIOMENA PURPURIFERA, Fereday.

(Cidaria purpurifera, Fereday, Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 119; Meyr., ib. 75.)

(Plate VII., fig. 12.)

This extremely pretty insect has been taken in the South Island at Mount Arthur, Mount Hutt, Castle Hill, Dunedin, and Lake Wakatipu.

The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. The fore-wings are rather bright green; there is a darker area near the base, a very broad purplish-brown central band, with a large square projection on the middle of its outer edge; above this projection there is a very conspicuous white mark, bordering the central band; the remainder of the wing is green; there is a wavy white line near the termen, and an oblique bluish-black mark near the apex. The hind-wings are pale brownish-yellow.

This species is closely allied to Hydriomena rixata, but easily distinguished by its brighter green colouring, purplish central band with square projection, and broad white marking beyond the central band.

The perfect insect appears in December and January, and frequents forest at elevations of from 1,000 to 3,000 feet. It is found in drier situations than the preceding species, and is not confined to forest streams. It is common in certain localities, but is not nearly so generally distributed as Hydriomena rixata.

HYDRIOMENA SIMILATA, Walk.

(Cidaria similata, Walk. 1413. Cidaria timarata, Feld. cxxxii. 19. Cidaria similata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 76.)

(Plate VII., fig. 14.)

This beautiful species has occurred at Napier and Wellington in the North Island, and at Christchurch, Dunedin, Lake Wakatipu, and Invercargill in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings is 1¼ inches. The fore-wings are dark brown, with the veins and margins broadly shaded with bright green; there are numerous irregular wavy blackish streaks forming three ill-defined darker transverse bands; the first at the base; the second from one-fourth to about two-thirds, partially divided into two from the costa downwards; and the third near the termen outwardly edged with white. The termen itself is bordered first with green, and then with a series of fine black marks; the cilia are dark brown. The hind-wings are very pale reddish-brown, darker towards the dorsum, with numerous pale brown wavy transverse lines. There is a series of black crescentic marks on the termen, and the cilia are pale reddish-brown.

This species is rather variable. The spaces between the darker bands on the fore-wings are usually green, but in some specimens this is partially or wholly replaced by pale yellowish-brown. The dark bands also vary considerably in width and distinctness, and in many specimens the central band is entirely divided by a conspicuous pale brown or green transverse space.

The larva, according to Mr. Purdie, is about 1 inch long, cylindrical. Back a dull deep green; lateral stripe reddish-white, edged below with a darker colour; ventral side lighter green, with four parallel white or yellow lines close together, extending from the forelegs to the prolegs. Outer side of prolegs white. There are traces of a median dorsal stripe of brownish-red on the anal segments. Beaten from Coprosma. Found in January. Mr. Purdie states that he is not quite certain as to the identification of the species, as the median belt of the fore-wings is much more distinctly defined, and the colour is a duller green than is usual in H. similata.

The perfect insect appears from November till March. It is generally found resting on moss-covered tree-trunks, where its colouring affords it a most efficient protection from enemies.

HYDRIOMENA CALLICHLORA, Butl.

(Cidaria callichlora, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 509; Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 76.)

(Plate VII., fig. 13.)

This beautiful insect has occurred at Wellington in the North Island, and at Christchurch and Invercargill in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. The fore-wings are bright green, with three very distinct wavy black transverse lines; the first near the base, the second a little before the middle, and the third considerably beyond the middle; between these there is a number of fainter fine wavy lines. The hind-wings are whitish with several very faint wavy transverse lines; the cilia of all the wings are dull yellowish-brown.

The perfect insect appears in January, February, and March. Described and figured from a specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection.

HYDRIOMENA ARIDA, Butl.

(Melanthia arida, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 505. Cidaria chaotica, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 76. Cidaria arida, Meyr., ib. xvii. 64.)

(Plate VII., fig. 15.)

This species has occurred in the South Island at Akaroa, Mount Hutt, Arthur's Pass, and Dunedin.

The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. The fore-wings are dull grey; there is a fine yellowish transverse line near the base, and a very broad central band with a prominent projection somewhat below the middle, almost touching the termen; there is a brown dot above the middle of the wing and numerous fine brown wavy lines in the central band; the veins are marked in white near the termen. The hind-wings are pale ochreous, with a few very faint transverse marks near the dorsum. The termen of the fore-wings is slightly bowed in the middle.

The perfect insect appears in January and February, and frequents forest, sometimes being found as high as 2,600 feet above the sea-level. Described and figured from a specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection.

HYDRIOMENA SIRIA, Meyr.

(Cephalissa siria, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 93.)

(Plate VI., fig. 48.)

This odd little species was discovered by Professor Hutton at Dunedin.

The expansion of the wings is ⅝ inch. The fore-wings are rich brown with two transverse bands of darker brown; the first near the base, rather narrow; the second near the middle, considerably broader, especially on the costa. The hind-wings are bright orange. The termen of the fore-wings is slightly excavated below the apex, and considerably bowed a little below the middle.

Described and figured from a specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection.

Genus 7.—EUCHŒCA, Hb.

"Face smooth, flat. Antennæ in ♂ shortly ciliated. Palpi short, slender, loosely scaled. Fore-wings with areole simple. Hind-wings with vein 8 anastomosing with cell to beyond middle.

"A small genus containing a few species distributed throughout the northern hemisphere and one Australian."—(Meyrick.)

We have one species.

EUCHŒCA RUBROPUNCTARIA, Dbld.

(Ptychopoda rubropunctaria, Dbld., Dieff. N. Z. li. 287. Asthena visata, Gn. ix. 438. Asthena, Gn., E. M. M. v. 42. Asthena pulchraria, Butl., Cat. pl. iii. 18. Hippolyte rubropunctaria, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 60. Epicyme rubropunctaria, Meyr., ib. xviii. 184.)

(Plate VI., fig. 35.)

This little species is common and generally distributed throughout both the North and South Islands, and has also occurred at Stewart Island.

The expansion of the wings is about ⅞ inch. All the wings are pale ochreous, with numerous obscure reddish transverse lines. On the fore-wings there are four transverse series of black dots; the first near the base, the second a little before the middle, the third a little beyond the middle, and the fourth on the termen; between the second and third series of dots there is very frequently an elongate blackish patch, especially towards the dorsum. The hind-wings have three series of black dots; the first near the base, the second near the middle, and the third on the termen. The termen of both fore- and hind-wings slightly projects near the middle.

This species varies considerably in the extent of the blackish marking near the middle of the fore-wings, as well as in the colour and intensity of the reddish transverse lines.

The larva is thus described by Mr. Fereday:^[4] "The caterpillar has ten legs, is cylindrical, rather stout, with the segmental divisions incised; its colour is pale dull green, sometimes suffused with pink, brown, purple, or dark green; the dorsal line is purplish-brown, suffused, the central line whitish; the spiracular line is whitish, broadly margined with purplish-brown; the segmental divisions are pale yellowish-brown."

The food is Haloragis alata, a common herbaceous plant growing in swampy situations. The pupa is enclosed in a slight earth-covered cocoon.

The perfect insect appears from September till March, and is sometimes common. It is generally found in wooded districts, but prefers rather open situations in the vicinity of streams, where its food-plant may often be seen. According to Mr. Meyrick,^[5] this insect is common in New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania, and the Australian and New Zealand specimens are similar in appearance.

Genus 8.—ASTHENA.

"Face smooth, flat. Antennæ in ♂ shortly ciliated. Palpi short, slender, loosely scaled. Fore-wings with areole double. Hind-wings with vein 8 anastomosing with cell to beyond middle.

(Plate II., figs. 30 and 31.)

"A genus of a few widely scattered species most numerous in the Australian Region."—(Meyrick.)

We have two species.

ASTHENA PULCHRARIA, Dbld.

(Acidalia pulchraria, Dbld., Dieff. N. Z. ii. 286. Chlorochroma plurilineata, Walk. 563, 676. Asthena ondinata, Gn. ix. 438, pl. xix. 4; Butl., Cat. pl. iii. 20. Cidaria ondinata, Feld. cxxviii. 17. Asthena pulchraria, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 69.)

(Plate VI., fig. 37 ♂, 38 ♀.)

This beautiful little insect has occurred at many localities throughout both the North and South Islands. It is probably a common species in most wooded districts.

The expansion of the wings is almost an inch. All the wings are very pale greenish-white with numerous faint green, wavy, transverse lines. The fore-wings have a more or less distinct brown band on the costal edge, and a conspicuous greenish central dot. The hind-wings often have a slight projection on the termen near the middle.

The perfect insect appears from October till May, and frequents dense forest undergrowth. It is chiefly attached to the Kawakawa (Piper excelsum), and may often be found resting with outspread wings on the under-surfaces of the leaves of this plant, where it is very inconspicuous. There are probably two or more broods during the summer.

On the 11th of May, 1892, I observed large numbers of this species flying over the Manuka bushes in the Wellington Botanical Gardens in brilliant moonlight. The night was very cold, but notwithstanding this the moths were most numerous and active. The appearance of this insect under such unusual conditions may have been quite accidental, as I have never seen a recurrence; but one is often somewhat unobservant in the winter, hence the record of this observation may be of use in directing the attention of others to the subject.

According to Mr. Meyrick this species is also found in Tasmania, and South-east Australia.

ASTHENA SCHISTARIA, Walk.

(Acidalia schistaria, Walk. 782. Asthena subpurpureata, Walk. 1588. Acidalia tuhuata, Feld. cxxviii. 5. Asthena schistaria, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 69.)

(Plate VI., figs. 39, 40 ♂, 41, 42 ♀ varieties.)

This pretty species is common, and generally distributed throughout the country.

The expansion of the wings is nearly an inch. All the wings vary from very pale brown to rather dull purplish-brown; there are numerous jagged, darker, transverse lines forming several more or less distinct bands. The first of these bands extends from the base to about one-eighth; the second, composed of only two or three lines, is situated at about one-third; the third extends from three-fourths to about five-eighths; there are in addition, numerous very fine, wavy lines near the termen. The spaces between these bands are paler, and in some specimens the bands are very conspicuous, whilst in others they are hardly perceptible. One specimen in my collection (Plate VI., fig. 39) has a very broad chocolate-brown band across the middle of both pairs of wings, the remaining portions being unusually pale in colour. There is always a dark brown dot in the centre of each wing, and a series of very fine dots on the termen. The larva, which feeds on Manuka (Leptospermum), is very ornamental. Its general colour is light green, with black dorsal and lateral stripes, and a series of diagonal markings bordered with crimson; the legs and prolegs are also crimson, and the segments are divided by brilliant yellow rings, a white line extending down each side of the larva.

This caterpillar is difficult to find, as it remains closely concealed amongst the dense Manuka foliage, from which it can be dislodged only by vigorous and continued beating. The larvæ allow themselves to fall a short distance, hanging suspended by a silken thread, which they rapidly ascend when the danger is past.

The pupa is enclosed in a slight cocoon about one inch below the surface of the earth.

The perfect insect appears from October till April. It is very common in most situations where its food-plant is found and, owing to its pale colour, is readily seen when flying in the evening twilight. Specimens may also be taken in the daytime resting with outspread wings on the trunks of trees and on fences, where they are much more easily detected than many other species.

Mr. Meyrick thinks that this insect will also be found in Australia.

Genus 9.—VENUSIA, Curt.

"Face smooth. Antennæ in ♂ bi-pectinated, apex simple. Palpi loosely scaled. Fore-wings with areole simple. Hind-wings with vein 8 anastomosing with cell to beyond middle."—(Meyrick.) (Plate II., fig. 13, head of V. verriculata; figs. 25 and 26, neuration of V. undosata.)

We have three species represented in New Zealand.

VENUSIA VERRICULATA, Feld.

(Cidaria verriculata, Feld. cxxxi. 20. Panopæa verriculata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 62. Pancyma verriculata, ib. xviii. 184.)

(Plate VI., fig. 30 ♂, 31 ♀.)

This remarkable species has occurred at Wellington in the North Island, and in the South Island at Christchurch, Ashburton, Dunedin and West Plains.

The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. All the wings are pale yellowish-brown, with many straight oblique parallel dull brown lines; on the fore-wings there are three lines broader and more isolated than the rest, running from the apex to the dorsum; on the hind-wings the lines near the middle are rather thicker than the others, and have a broad space on each side of them; all the lines are clearly marked on the abdomen, so that each line appears to be continuous from one side of the moth to the other.

The perfect insect appears from October till May, and frequents the Cabbage Tree Palm (Cordyline), on which its larva probably feeds. According to Mr. Fereday the moth always rests on the dead leaves of the plant, keeping its wings in such a position that the lines are continuous with the parallel veins of the dead leaf, which they precisely resemble in appearance. We have, I think, in this species a most instructive instance of special adaptation to surrounding conditions; and the action of natural selection, in preserving favourable variations of colour and habit, appears to be here unmistakably indicated. Had our investigations been confined to the examination of cabinet specimens only, we might have long remained in the dark as to the explanation of such an unusual type of wing-marking.

VENUSIA XANTHASPIS, Meyr.

(Hermione xanthaspis, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 61. Aulopola xanthaspis, Meyr., ib. xviii. 184.)

(Plate VI., fig. 32 ♂.)

This handsome insect has occurred in the South Island at Mount Arthur and at Lake Guyon.

The expansion of the wings is a little over 1 inch. The fore-wings are bright yellow; there is a broad pale reddish-brown band on the costa; a conspicuous oval dark brown spot above the middle, often touching the costal band; a double series of minute brown dots near the termen. The hind-wings are pale yellow, with a double series of minute brown dots parallel to the termen.

The perfect insect appears in January, February, and March. It is apparently a rare species. Mr. Fereday has six specimens taken at Lake Guyon, and I have two specimens captured on the Tableland of Mount Arthur, at an elevation of about 3,500 feet. These comprise, I believe, all the specimens at present taken.

VENUSIA UNDOSATA, Feld.

(Cidaria undosata, Feld. cxxviii. 2. Epiphryne undosata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 60.)

(Plate VI., fig. 33 ♂, 34 ♀.)

This neatly marked little insect has occurred at Napier and Palmerston in the North Island; and at Nelson, Mount Hutt, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Lake Wakatipu in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings is hardly an inch. All the wings are pale yellow with a variable number of fine jagged reddish-brown transverse lines, which are usually most distinct towards the termen. The fore-wings have a broad band of reddish-brown along the costal edge; a blackish dot above the middle just touching the costal band, and a small brown mark near the apex. The hind-wings have a minute black dot a little above the middle.

This species is rather variable: in some specimens the transverse lines are much broader, forming bands of reddish-brown; in others the whole of the wings are dull reddish-brown, except a small yellow area near the base; whilst others are entirely dull greyish-brown with the transverse lines very faint, intermediate varieties between all these forms also occurring.

The larva, according to Mr. Purdie,^[6] is about ½ inch long, feeding on the Ribbonwood (Plagianthus betulinus). The ground colour is green, with the dorsal and lateral stripes white. The dorsal stripe is interlined with short black dashes, and there is a dark blotch about the ninth segment. The dorsal and lateral stripes may be margined with purplish-red. The under side is green. The larvæ were found in April.

The perfect insect appears from November till February, and frequents forest. According to my experience it is rather a local species, although plentiful where found. Mr. Meyrick states that it is "very common in bush, from August to February, and in May."^[7]

Genus 10.—ASAPHODES, Meyr.

"Face with a tuft or hardly projecting scales. Palpi moderate, porrected, rough-scaled. Antennæ in male bi-pectinated, apex simple. Thorax glabrous beneath. Posterior tibiæ with all spurs present. Fore-wings with areole simple. Hind-wings with vein 8 anastomosing with cell from near base to beyond middle."—(Meyrick.) (See Plate II., figs. 35 and 36, neuration of Asaphodes megaspilata.)

We have five species of this genus in New Zealand.

ASAPHODES ABROGATA, Walk.

(Aspilates abrogata, Walk. 1075. Fidonia (?) servularia, Gn., E. M. M. v. 43. Thyone abrogata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 61. Asaphodes abrogata, Meyr., ib. xviii. 184.)

(Plate VII., fig. 21 ♂.)

This species has occurred at Murimutu in the North Island; and in the South Island at Kekerangu, Christchurch, Castle Hill, Dunedin, and Invercargill.

The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. All the wings are ochreous with pale brown markings. The fore-wings have a conspicuous dot in the middle, a wavy transverse line a little beyond the middle, another line just before the termen, and a brown shading on the termen broader near the apex of the wing. The hind-wings have a brown central dot and two transverse lines. The cilia of all the wings are brownish.

This species varies considerably in the distinctness of the brown markings, and there is occasionally a transverse line near the base of the fore-wings.

The perfect insect appears in February and March, and frequents open country, often at elevations of from 2,000 to 4,000 feet above the sea-level. It is, I think, rather a local species, though abundant where found. I met with it in considerable numbers on the chalk range near Kekerangu in the Marlborough Province.

ASAPHODES SIRIS, Hawth.

(Asaphodes siris, Hawth., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxix. 283.)

(Plate VII., fig. 16.)

This interesting little species was discovered near Wellington by Mr. Hawthorne.

The expansion of the wings is about ⅞ inch. The fore-wings are dull ochreous; there is a small curved brown patch near the base; then a pale band, followed by a very broad brown central band, paler in the middle; there is a very sharp projection on the outer edge of the central band, a conspicuous black dot in the centre of the wing, and a series of minute black dots on the termen. The hind-wings are pale ochreous, with a faint central transverse line.

The perfect insect appears in March.

Described and figured from the type specimen in Mr. Hawthorne's collection.

ASAPHODES MEGASPILATA, Walk.

(Larentia megaspilata, Walk. 1198. Cidaria assata, Feld. cxxxi. 4. Cidaria nehata, Feld. cxxxi. 6. Harpalyce megaspilata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 63. Probolæa megaspilata, Meyr., ib. xviii. 184.)

(Plate VII., figs. 17, 18, and 19 ♂; figs. 19A and 20 ♀, varieties.)

This species is very common, and generally distributed throughout the country.

The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. The fore-wings are dull ochreous; there is a series of fine brown and reddish wavy transverse lines near the base, forming a rather broad basal band; then a pale central area containing a blackish dot above the middle; next, a very distinct band made up of several fine wavy grey lines, with a rounded projection near the middle; this is followed by numerous pale brown curved marks forming more or less broken transverse lines; there is always an oblique slaty patch below the apex, and a series of minute dots on the termen. The hind-wings are ochreous brown, slightly darker towards the base, with numerous indistinct wavy brown lines. The apex of the fore-wing is very pointed and slightly hooked downwards; the termen is bowed near the middle. The female is much duller and more uniform in colour than the male, and the antennæ are simple.

This species is very variable. Some male specimens have several more or less distinct white markings on the middle of the fore-wings; the transverse bands also differ considerably in both size and intensity. The females are not so variable; but in some specimens the bands on the fore-wings are almost absent, whilst others have the fore-wings rich brown, with a very conspicuous dark central band.

The eggs when first deposited are pale yellow. They turn dark reddish-brown for some days before the young larva emerges. The young larva is rather stout, dark brownish-black with numerous fine parallel ochreous lines; the whole body is covered with rather long bristles.

The perfect insect appears from October till April, and frequents forest, where it is generally very abundant. It is a difficult insect to identify on the wing, and in consequence is often captured under a misapprehension.

This species probably hibernates in the imago state during the winter months, as we may often observe specimens abroad on mild evenings, at that season.

ASAPHODES PARORA, Meyr.

(Harpalyce humeraria, Meyr. (nec Walk.), Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 64. Harpalyce parora, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvii. 63. Probolæa parora, ib. xviii. 184.)

"Male, female.—29-34 mm. (about 1¼ inches). Fore-wings moderate, apex acute, termen excavated on upper half, acutely projecting in middle; varying from light grey to light reddish-fuscous; about eighteen irregular dentate darker striæ, sometimes partially obsolete; first three, seventh and eighth, and eleventh to thirteenth usually more distinct and blackish; seventh and eighth closely approximated, forming a small blackish or reddish spot on dorsum, sometimes partially suffused with blackish; eleventh to thirteenth closely approximated, widely remote from eighth, parallel to termen; a blackish discal dot; sometimes a broad purplish-grey median band; sixteenth sometimes spotted with blackish towards costa; a terminal row of blackish dots. Hind-wings moderate, upper angle broadly projecting, termen shortly projecting in middle; varying from whitish-grey to very pale reddish-fuscous, faintly striated with darker.

"Very variable in colour, but always distinguishable by the peculiar form of wing.

"Wellington, Christchurch, Mount Hutt; common amongst bush, in January, February, April, and May; probably generally distributed; twenty specimens."—(Meyrick.)

I am unacquainted with this insect, but it would appear to closely resemble A. megaspilata.

ASAPHODES RUFESCENS, Butl.

(Larentia(?) rufescens, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 502. Eurydice cymosema, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 63. Eurydice rufescens, ib. xvii. 63. Homodotis rufescens, ib. xviii. 184.)

"Male, female.—25-29 mm. (about 1¼ inches). Fore-wings moderate, termen rather strongly sinuate; brown-whitish, sometimes more or less suffused with brown; numerous fine dark fuscous sinuate subdentate lines; three before middle and four beyond middle more blackish, generally partially suffused with brown, leaving a clear median space on costal half, in which is a transverse blackish discal dot; termen suffusedly greyish; a suffused oblique dark fuscous sub-apical streak. Hind-wings moderate, termen irregularly crenulate, somewhat projecting in middle; grey whitish; several subdentate grey lines, only distinct towards dorsum; a dark grey discal dot.

"Variable only in the degree of the brownish suffusion; in the markings of the fore-wings it agrees almost exactly with some forms of A. megaspilata, but, apart from structure, may be always known by the whitish hind-wings and rather larger size.

"Dunedin; ten specimens sent to Mr. Fereday by Capt. Hutton."—(Meyrick.)

I have only seen one specimen of this insect, in Mr. Fereday's collection, and it appeared to me to be identical with the somewhat variable female of A. megaspilata.

Genus 11.—XANTHORHOE, Hb.

"Face with somewhat projecting scales or conical tuft. Antennæ in male bi-pectinated, apex usually simple. Palpi rough-scaled. Fore-wings with areole double. Hind-wings with vein 8 anastomosing with cell to beyond middle."—(Meyrick.) (See Plate II., figs. 37 and 38.)

This interesting genus is relatively far more numerous in New Zealand than elsewhere, its place in other regions being largely taken by Hydriomena. We have no less than thirty-one known species, and many others will no doubt be ultimately discovered, especially in the mountainous districts of the west coast of the South Island.

XANTHORHOE LIMONODES, Meyr.

(Epyaxa limonodes, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 54.)

(Plate VII., fig. 46 ♂.)

This species has occurred at Wellington and at Cape Terawhiti in the North Island.

The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. The fore-wings of the male are dull olive-green with numerous, rather obscure, wavy brownish transverse lines; these lines are all more distinct near the costa; there are two transverse rows of white dots near the base, a very broken line of white dots at about three-fourths, one of the dots forming a crescentic mark above the middle; beyond this line the colour is often paler, especially towards the apex, but inside this line there is often a considerably darker patch; there is a very distinct blackish patch just below the apex. The apex of the wing slightly projects, and the termen is arched. The hind-wings are very pale greenish-ochreous; there is an obscure dusky transverse line in the middle. The female has the fore-wings much browner; there are several additional rows of white dots and two conspicuous white spots above the middle.

The species is rather variable. In many specimens the dorsal half of the fore-wing is much paler than the costal half.

The perfect insect appears from November till March, and frequents dense forest. It is not a common species.

XANTHORHOE SUBDUCTATA, Walk.

(Larentia subductata, Walk. 1198. Epyaxa subductata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 55.)

This species has occurred at Auckland.

"The expansion of the wings of the female is 26 mm. (about 1 inch). Head, palpi, and thorax pale greyish-ochreous, somewhat mixed with yellow-greenish, and densely irrorated with fuscous. Antennæ whitish-ochreous annulated with fuscous. Abdomen grey-whitish, densely irrorated with fuscous. Legs dark fuscous, apex of joints ochreous-whitish, middle and posterior pair irrorated with grey-whitish. Fore-wings with costa gently arched, termen waved, slightly rounded, oblique; pale greyish-ochreous, mixed with yellow-greenish, and thinly sprinkled with fuscous, tending to form faint waved lines; three light fuscous fasciæ, each marked with three dark fuscous lines; first near base, outer edge sharply angulated above middle; second from two-fifths of costa to before middle of dorsum, slightly curved; third from two-thirds of costa to two-thirds of dorsum, outer edge somewhat prominent in middle, rather sinuate above it; a crescentic black obscurely whitish-margined discal spot; a short oblique cloudy fuscous streak from apex; cilia light fuscous, somewhat sprinkled with whitish. Hind-wings light grey; a grey discal dot before middle; a median band of three darker lines, outer rather prominent in middle; faint indications of other darker lines, most distinct posteriorly; cilia grey-whitish, with two cloudy grey lines."—(Meyrick.)

The perfect insect appears in December.

XANTHORHOE ROSEARIA, Dbld.

(Cidaria rosearia, Dbld., Dieff. N. Z. ii. 285, Butl., Cat. pl. iii. 13. Coremia ardularia, Gn., E. M. M. v. 63. Coremia inamænaria, Gn., E. M. M. v. 63. Epyaxa rosearia, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 71.)

(Plate VII., fig. 22 ♂, 23 ♀.)

This species has occurred at Wellington in the North Island; and in the South Island at Akaroa, Christchurch, and Dunedin.

The expansion of the wings is about 1⅜ inches. The fore-wings of the male vary from pale pinkish-grey to pale greenish-grey; there is an obscure darker basal area, a rather broad central band, formed of numerous shaded, wavy, dark grey lines, which are generally absent towards the middle of the band; there is a black dot above the middle; the termen is shaded with dark grey, and there is an oblique pale mark near the apex. The hind-wings are grey with a few very faint wavy lines. The cilia of all the wings are pinkish-grey. The female is dull yellowish-grey, with the markings very indistinct.

Both sexes vary slightly in the ground colour, and in the intensity of the markings. Mr. Purdie has pointed out that the species is very liable to fade, and hence it appears to vary more than is actually the case.^[8]

The eggs are oval, pale yellow, changing first to orange, and then to dull grey before hatching. The young larva, when first emerged, is pale greyish-brown and very slender. Later on the caterpillar becomes dull olive-green speckled with black; there are two paler stripes just below the middle of the back, then a fine black line, followed by a very fine white one, then a broad pink stripe on the side; below this is a broad black line followed by a white line and two fine black ones. The larva is moderately stout, and the two prolegs are very close together. The larva, when full-grown, measures about ¾ inch in length. The general colour is dull reddish-brown, often greenish-tinged. The back and sides are marked with numerous slightly waved fine black lines; there is a double series of black dots down the back, a broad black lateral line, followed by a fine white line. The under side of the larva is pinkish-brown; the head greenish-brown speckled with black. The caterpillar is obscurely marked, and very variable. It is often clouded with greenish colouring.

The food-plant is watercress.

The pupa, which is enclosed in a slight cocoon constructed of earth and silk, is found on the surface of the ground.

The perfect insect is most abundant in December, and is attracted by light. It seems to be about during the entire year, as Mr. Meyrick states that he has taken numerous specimens from May till September, and hence concludes that it is essentially a winter species.^[9] I can to some extent confirm this observation, as I have also found the insect during the winter, although not commonly. It is probable that there are several broods in the course of a year, and that the species hibernates as an imago.

Regarding the synonymy of this species Mr. Meyrick remarks that "C. ardularia, Gn., is the male and C. inamænaria, Gn., the female of this species. C. subidaria, Gn., quoted by Butler as a synonym, is an Australian species, and not identical."^[10]

XANTHORHOE OROPHYLA, Meyr.

(Epyaxa orophyla, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 71.)

(Plate VII., fig. 24 ♂, 25 ♀.)

This fine species has occurred in the South Island at Nelson, Castle Hill, Mount Hutt, Dunedin and Lake Wakatipu.

The expansion of the wings of the male is 1¼ inches, of the female 1⅜ inches. The fore-wings of the male are pale brownish-grey; there is an obscure bent blackish line near the base, a moderately broad central band bounded by two very distinct shaded blackish lines, the basal one of which is not curved; the termen is shaded with darker grey, and there is an oblique pale mark near the apex. The hind-wings are pale grey tinged with ochreous. The female is slightly darker than the male; and there are numerous wavy pale and dark grey lines filling up the entire wing on each side of the central band.

The perfect insect appears in December, January, and February. It frequents open country on the mountain sides, at elevations of from 2,500 to 4,000 feet.

I observed it in great abundance on the Humboldt Range at the head of Lake Wakatipu, where it frequented the damp rocky precipices which were fringed with a luxuriant growth of Alpine plants. At Castle Hill it occurred much less commonly, so that it would appear to be most plentiful in the extreme south of New Zealand. The colouring is protective when the insect is resting on rock surfaces.

XANTHORHOE SEMIFISSATA, Walk.

(Coremia semifissata, Walk. 1320. Coremia ypsilonaria, Gn., E. M. M. v. 64. Cidaria delicatulata, Gn., E. M. M. v. 94. Epyaxa semifissata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 72.)

(Plate VII., fig. 26 ♂, 27 ♀.)

This extremely pretty insect is very common, and generally distributed throughout the country.

The expansion of the wings is about an inch. The fore-wings of the male are pale pink; there are several wavy brown lines near the base, a very distinct brown central band, narrowest near the middle, but much broader on the costa than on the dorsum; the centre of this band is paler towards the costa; the termen is shaded with brown, except near the apex of the wing; the veins are dotted in black. The hind-wings are bright ochreous with numerous wavy darker lines. The female is darker in colour than the male, the central band is broader; there are numerous brown and pink wavy lines on each side of the central band, and the principal veins are marked in pale ochreous. The grey transverse lines on the hind-wings are much more distinct in the female than in the male.

The perfect insect appears from September till April, and is very common in rather open forest districts, usually frequenting undergrowth on the edges of the denser forest. It is often one of the earliest of the Notodontina to appear in spring, and its advent is then especially welcome to the collector after the long inaction of winter. It is evidently closely allied to X. orophyla, which appears to be the southern and Alpine representative of this interesting insect. Coremia ypsilonaria, Gn., is the male, and Cidaria delicatulata, Gn., is the female of this species.

XANTHORHOE LOPHOGRAMMA, Meyr.

(Xanthorhoe lophogramma, Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1897, 386.)

(Plate VII., fig. 47 ♂, 48 ♀.)

This species was discovered at Castle Hill in January, 1893.

The expansion of the wings is about 1⅛ inches. The insect differs from X. semifissata in the following respects: In the male the general colour is slightly duller, the outer edge of the central band on the fore-wings is more indented, and the veins are not dotted in black. In the female the markings on the fore-wings are less distinct, the veins are not marked in pale ochreous, the outer edge of the central band is more deeply indented, and there is a darker shading near the termen than in X. semifissata. The hind-wings of both sexes are dark ochreous, without any transverse markings.

XANTHORHOE CHLAMYDOTA, Meyr.

(Epyaxa chlamydota, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 72.)

(Plate VII., fig. 28.)

This very handsome species has occurred at Wellington in the North Island, and at Christchurch and Akaroa in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings is 1¼ inches. The fore-wings are pale ochreous, with two broad, dark, purplish-brown bands. The first, which is at the base, is slightly paler near the body, and strongly curved outwards towards the termen; it is followed by several very fine pale brown transverse lines. The second band is very broad, and is situated near the middle of the wing; its inner edge is curved inwards, and its outer edge has two rounded projections, one very large about the middle, and another much smaller near the dorsum; the middle portion of this central band is considerably paler than the edges; the two projections of the central band are bordered with bright red. The upper part of the termen is ochreous, with several faint brown marks; the lower part is dull grey. The hind-wings are dark ochreous, with a few obscure purplish-grey markings; the termen of the hind-wing projects slightly near the middle, and is rather jagged.

The species varies a little in the depth of its colouring, but the markings appear to be constant. The perfect insect appears from November till April. It chiefly frequents forest, but is not a common species. At present, more specimens have been found in the Wellington Botanical Gardens than elsewhere.

XANTHORHOE STINARIA, Gn.

(Camptogramma stinaria, Gn., E. M. M. v. 92. Larentia stinaria, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 78.)

(Plate VII., fig. 29 ♂.)

This species has occurred in the South Island at Christchurch, Dunedin, and at the foot of Mount Hutt.

The expansion of the wings is barely 1 inch. All the wings are deep ochreous; the fore-wings have an oblique white line running from the dorsum near the base, towards the middle of the wing; this line is edged with blackish-brown towards the dorsum; there is a very conspicuous white transverse line at about three-fourths shaded with brown towards the body; the apex of the fore-wing slightly projects. The hind-wings have no markings.

The perfect insect appears in December and January. It seems to be fairly common, frequenting Carex subdola.^[11]

Described and figured from a specimen kindly given to me by Mr. Fereday.

XANTHORHOE MNESICHOLA.

(Larentia mnesichola, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 56.)

(Plate VII., fig. 39 ♂.)

This dull little species has occurred in the South Island on Mount Arthur, at elevations of from 4,000 to 4,800 feet.

The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. The fore-wings are pale brownish-ochreous, and rather glossy; there is a series of minute black dots at the base, a second series at about one-third, then a cloudy curved band, slightly darker than the rest of the wing, followed by a third series of minute black dots; a fourth series is situated slightly before the termen. The hind-wings are very pale brownish-ochreous.

The perfect insect appears in January. Mr. Meyrick states that it is rather common.

XANTHORHOE PRÆFECTATA, Walk.

(Acidalia præfectata, Walk. 781. Acidalia subtentaria, Walk. 1610. Acidalia absconditaria, Walk. 1611; Butl., Cat. pl. iii. 21. Larentia præfectata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 78.)

(Plate VII., fig. 30.)

This interesting species has occurred in the South Island at the Dun Mountain, Mount Arthur, Christchurch, and Dunedin.

The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. All the wings are pure white; the fore-wings have a minute grey dot above the middle, a series of extremely minute dots a little before the termen, and several rows of very faint grey marks close to the termen. The hind-wings have a row of very obscure dots across the middle, and several rows of very faint grey marks close to the termen. The face and collar are brown, and there is sometimes an extremely faint brown tinge on the costal edge of the fore-wings. The body is pure white.

The perfect insect appears in November, December, January, and February. I do not think it is a very common species, and at present I have only observed it on the Dun Mountain near Nelson, at an elevation of about 2,700 feet above the sea-level. Here I took several specimens on the flowers of an Alpine veronica in the dusk of evening, and saw several others, which I was unable to capture. Mr. Meyrick has taken it on Mount Arthur at an elevation of 4,500 feet, and Mr. Fereday states that it frequents swampy places near Christchurch.

XANTHORHOE NEPHELIAS, Meyr.

(Larentia nephelias, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 78.)

This species was discovered by Mr. Meyrick in the South Island at Arthur's Pass, West Coast Road, and he has since taken it on Mount Arthur.

"Male, female.—The expansion of the wings is 32-34 mm. (about 1¼ inches). Fore-wings moderate, in female narrower and more elongate, termen rounded; pale whitish-grey, slightly ochreous-tinged; an indistinct suffusion of dark fuscous scales before middle; a small dark fuscous discal dot; a rather irregular cloudy dark fuscous line beyond middle, sinuate beneath costa, shortly angulated in middle; a very faint stria beyond this; a terminal band composed of two rows of cloudy partially confluent dark fuscous spots, separating on costa; cilia pale whitish-grey. Hind-wings moderate, in female narrower, termen rounded; ground colour as in fore-wings, with a few grey scales posteriorly.

"A remarkable-looking species.

"I took two fine specimens above Arthur's Pass (4,600 feet), in January."—(Meyrick).

I am unacquainted with this species. It is evidently very conspicuous and distinct.

XANTHORHOE CATAPHRACTA, Meyr.

(Larentia cataphracta, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 79.)

(Plate VII., fig. 33 ♂, 34 ♀.)

This large and conspicuous species has occurred in the South Island at Mount Arthur, Arthur's Pass, Lake Guyon, and Lake Wakatipu.

The expansion of the wings of the male is 1⅝ inches, of the female 1½ inches. The fore-wings are dull yellowish-brown, with numerous slightly waved oblique black and white transverse bands; one very broad white band is situated near the middle, and another at about three-fourths; there is a broad longitudinal reddish-brown line on the costal edge, in which the transverse lines almost disappear; there is also a pale, somewhat triangular, area at the apex. The hind-wings are very pale greyish-ochreous. The cilia of all the wings are very pale ochreous. The female is duller and paler than the male.

The perfect insect appears from December till March, and frequents grassy slopes on the mountain sides, at elevations of from 3,000 to 4,000 feet. I observed this insect in great abundance on the Humboldt Range at the head of Lake Wakatipu, but have not found it at any of the other Alpine localities I have visited, so I imagine that it is a rather local species.

XANTHORHOE CLARATA, Walk.

(Larentia clarata, Walk. 1197; Butl., Cat. pl. iii. 14. Cideria pyramaria, Gn., E. M. M. v. 93. Larentia clarata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 79.)

(Plate VII., fig. 31 ♂, 32 ♀.)

This conspicuous species has occurred in the South Island at Lake Rotoiti, Mount Arthur, Castle Hill, Mount Hutt, Dunedin, and Lake Wakatipu.

The expansion of the wings of the male is 1½ inches, of the female 1⅜ inches. The species differs from the preceding in the following respects: The ground colour of the fore-wings is brighter, the markings are less oblique and much more jagged; the large white central band is often broken up into several distinct oval patches; the costal edge is very slightly shaded with brown, and the transverse lines do not disappear before reaching the costa. The hind-wings are bright ochreous. The cilia of all the wings are white, strongly barred with yellowish-brown.

There is slight variation in the details of the markings, but the species can always be immediately recognised.

The perfect insect appears in December, January, and February. It frequents open grassy places at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 4,500 feet, and is often extremely abundant in these situations.

XANTHORHOE COSMODORA, Meyr.

(Larentia cosmodora, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 57.)

This species was discovered by Mr. Meyrick in the South Island on Mount Arthur, at an elevation of 4,500 feet.

Female.—27 mm. (slightly over 1 inch). Head, palpi, antennæ, thorax, abdomen, and legs whitish-ochreous, slightly brownish-tinged; abdomen with a double dorsal series of dark fuscous dots. Fore-wings with costa hardly perceptibly arched, termen slightly rounded, oblique; whitish-ochreous, slightly yellowish-tinged; a curved irregular black line rather near base, followed by a white line; median band rather darker, tinged with yellowish-fuscous towards edges, margined with dentate black lines and outside these with white, anterior from one-third of costa to two-fifths of dorsum, rather curved, posterior from two-thirds of costa to three-fourths of dorsum, somewhat prominent beneath costa, and with a more distinct double prominence in middle; two white dentate-edged spots within median band, first beneath costa, containing small black discal dot, second on dorsum; a waved white subterminal line; a fine dark fuscous terminal line interrupted into numerous dots; cilia whitish-ochreous, with dark fuscous bars hardly reaching base. Hind-wings whitish-ochreous, with faint darker greyish-tinged lines; a median band of four more distinct cloudy grey lines, first three straight, fourth well marked, rather dark fuscous, waved, somewhat prominent in middle, beneath confluent with third; a faint white subterminal line; cilia pale whitish-ochreous, with a faint greyish line tending to form spots.

"Appears in January; one specimen. It is conceivable that this may be the other sex of the following species, but they are very dissimilar, and I do not at present think it probable."—(Meyrick.)

XANTHORHOE BRYOPIS, Meyr.

(Larentia bryopis, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 57.)

Discovered by Mr. Meyrick in the South Island on Mount Arthur, 4,500 feet above the sea-level.

"Male.—29-32 mm. (about 1¼ inches). Head, palpi, thorax, abdomen, and legs pale greyish-ochreous, slightly greenish-tinged, irrorated with blackish. Antennæ whitish, annulated with black. Fore-wings with costa gently arched, termen somewhat rounded, rather oblique; pale greyish-ochreous, tinged with olive-greenish, irrorated with blackish-grey, tending to form waved transverse lines on basal area; median band margined with dentate black lines and outside them with white; anterior from one-third of costa to one-third of dorsum, curved, posterior from beyond two-thirds of costa to three-fourths of dorsum, somewhat indented above middle, with a moderate double prominence in middle; three blackish-grey subdentate lines within median band, first near and parallel to anterior edge, other two near and parallel to posterior edge, first and second tending to be confluent below middle, space between these more or less suffused with white, enclosing a small black discal spot; an obscure dentate whitish subterminal line, anteriorly margined with dark fuscous, preceded and followed by waved fuscous lines; a terminal series of pairs of dark fuscous dots; cilia ochreish-grey, whitish, barred with fuscous, and with a fuscous basal line. Hind-wings ochreous-grey, with waved darker grey transverse lines, except towards base; a dark grey discal dot before middle; posterior edge of median band formed as in fore-wings, followed by an obscure whitish line and somewhat paler band; terminal dots and cilia as in fore-wings, but more obscure.

"Appears in January; not uncommon. Nearest allied to X. beata."—(Meyrick.)

XANTHORHOE BEATA, Butl.

(Cidaria beata, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1877, 397, pl. xliii. 6. Larentia beata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 79.)

(Plate VII., fig. 35 ♂, 36 ♀.)

This very beautiful species has occurred at Wellington in the North Island, is common and generally distributed throughout the South Island, and has also been found at Stewart Island.

The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. The fore-wings are bright green; there is a darker area at the base edged with a jagged white line; then a paler band followed by a very broad darker green central band edged with very jagged white lines, and containing several white patches in the middle, one of which is situated close to the costa and encloses a black dot; beyond this central band there is a paler area, then an interrupted darker green band edged with white towards the termen. There is an oblique pale mark from the apex of the wing. The hind-wings are very pale ochreous, sometimes slightly tinged with green; there are several obscure rows of dusky spots.

The white markings included in the central band are rather variable.

The egg is smooth, oval, and pale green in colour.

The young larva is orange-brown, becoming greenish-brown soon after emergence. The full-grown larva is dark brown above and pale brown beneath, the two colours being sharply separated on the sides by a broken white line. A series of V-shaped markings is situated on the back, each mark enclosing a paler area. Several fine black wavy lines traverse the darker portions of the larva, and a dark mark, edged with black beneath, is situated on each segment just above the ventral surface.

The food-plant is watercress.

The pupa is enclosed in a frail cocoon on the surface of the ground.

The perfect insect appears from October till March, and frequents forest. It is often dislodged from dense undergrowth during the daytime, and may be found in the evening on the blossoms of the white rata. It is very much commoner in some years than in others; but occasionally several seasons will pass without our noticing a single specimen of this attractive insect. The colouring is extremely protective when the moth is resting on moss-covered tree trunks.

XANTHORHOE ADONIS, n. sp.

(Plate VII., fig. 49 ♂.)

This extremely beautiful insect has occurred in the South Island at Castle Hill, and at Lake Wakatipu.

The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. The fore-wings are vivid green; there is a broad, wavy, black transverse line near the base; a somewhat broken line at about one-third, much broader on the costa and edged with white towards the base; a very conspicuous broad black line at two-thirds, shaded towards the base, and sharply edged with white towards the termen; between this line and the termen there are several black marks, forming another extremely broken transverse line. The hind-wings are pale orange-brown, with a faint grey central band.

The perfect insect appears in January. It frequents forests at elevations of from 1,000 to 2,000 feet above the sea-level, but it is not common.

Mr. Meyrick regards this insect as identical with Xanthorhoe beata.

XANTHORHOE CHLORIAS, Meyr.

(Larentia chlorias, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 80.)

This species was discovered in the South Island at Castle Hill, by Mr. Meyrick.

"The expansion of the wings of the male is 30 mm. (about 1¼ inches). Fore-wings moderate, termen hardly rounded; bright yellow; base of costa dark fuscous-purple; a curved row of three very small dark purple-fuscous spots about one-fourth, and another of four spots before middle, costal spots larger; a triangular purple blotch on costa before apex, reaching half across wing, anteriorly margined by a strongly sinuate bluish-black streak; a row of three dark purple-fuscous dots from apex of this to dorsum, and a subterminal row of six similar dots; cilia yellow. Hind-wings moderate, termen rounded; rather paler than fore-wings, with two curved posterior rows of cloudy purple-fuscous dots.

"A very beautiful and conspicuous species.

"I took one fine specimen in a wooded gully near Castle Hill, at 3,100 feet, in January."—(Meyrick.)

XANTHORHOE ÆGROTA, Butl.

(Selidosema ægrota, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 499. Larentia ægrota, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 80.)

(Plate VII., fig. 37 ♂.)

This rather inconspicuous species has occurred at Palmerston and Kaitoke in the North Island; and at Christchurch, Dunedin, and Lake Wakatipu in the South Island. It has also been taken at Stewart Island.

The expansion of the wings is about 1⅛ inches. The fore-wings are dull ochreous-brown; there are several indistinct wavy blackish lines near the base, a black dot above the middle, then three or four more lines, followed by a cloudy shading on the termen. The hind-wings are pale ochreous-brown. The cilia of all the wings are dull ochreous-brown barred with black.

The perfect insect appears from November till March and is sometimes very common. It usually frequents rather open situations in the neighbourhood of forest, and I have often observed it amongst the bushes of "Wild Irishman" (Discaria toumatou.) It is extremely abundant on the banks of the River Dart, at the head of Lake Wakatipu.

XANTHORHOE LUCIDATA, Walk.

(Larentia lucidata, Walk. 1200. Coremia plurimata, ib. 1321. Panagra venipunctata, ib. 1666. Larentia psamathodes, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 81. Larentia lucidata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvii. 64.)

(Plate VII., fig. 38 ♂.)

This rather dull-coloured species has occurred at Napier, Palmerston, and Wellington in the North Island, and at Dunedin in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. The fore-wings are dull yellowish-brown; there are numerous fine, almost straight blackish lines parallel to the termen, forming four more or less distinct transverse bands; the first at the base rather broad, the second a little before the middle, the third beyond the middle, and the fourth just before the termen; there is a black dot a little above the middle of the wing, and the veins are marked with white dots between the transverse bands. The hind-wings are pale brownish-ochreous; there are numerous, rather faint, wavy, blackish, transverse lines, which are much more distinct near the dorsum. There is a series of distinct black dots on the termen of both fore- and hind-wings.

The perfect insect appears during the winter months from March till August. It is rather a scarce species, but on mild evenings it is sometimes taken at light.

XANTHORHOE HELIAS, Meyr.

(Larentia helias, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 81.)

(Plate VII., fig. 40.)

Two specimens of this species have been taken at Dunedin in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. All the wings are pale ochreous; the fore-wings have a slender brown transverse line at the base, then a large loop-like marking from the costa, almost meeting a smaller, similarly looped marking from the dorsum; next a broad irregular dark brown band a little beyond the middle, considerably indented towards the termen; this is followed by a rather narrow pale band, and then by a narrow brown band, also indented towards the termen; there is a small oblique brown mark below the apex, and a terminal series of black dots. The hind-wings have several faint dusky transverse lines near the base, a row of small spots near the termen, and a terminal series of minute black dots. The cilia of all the wings are reddish-ochreous.

The perfect insect appears in January.

Described and figured from a specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection.

XANTHORHOE PRASINIAS, Meyr.

(Larentia prasinias, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 81.)

(Plate VII., fig. 41.)

This bright-looking species has occurred in the South Island at Mount Arthur, Castle Hill, and Invercargill.

The expansion of the wings is 1⅜ inches. The fore-wings are bright orange-yellow; there is a small brown area near the base, with the outer edge indented; then a pale band followed by a very broad brown central band, composed of wavy transverse lines, with irregular yellow spaces between them, the largest of these spaces containing a small black dot; the outer edge of the central band is very wavy, and has several rather prominent projections near the middle; beyond this are several rather faint brownish lines; the cilia are yellow, barred with dark brown. The hind-wings are pale ochreous, shaded with grey near the base, and with yellow near the termen; the cilia are yellow, barred with brown.

The perfect insect appears in January, and frequents forest. It is found at elevations of from 2,000 to 3,000 feet, but is not by any means a common species.

XANTHORHOE CHIONOGRAMMA, Meyr.

(Larentia chionogramma, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 82.)

(Plate VII., fig. 42 ♂, 43 ♀.)

This rather dull-looking species has occurred in the South Island at Mount Arthur and Mount Hutt.

The expansion of the wings is about 1⅛ inches. The fore-wings are rather dark greyish-brown; there are numerous indistinct wavy paler and darker transverse lines near the base; a rather broad transverse brown band towards the middle, shaded towards the base, and edged with an interrupted jagged white line towards the termen; beyond this there are several broken darker and paler lines. The hind-wings are very pale greyish-ochreous, clouded with grey near the base, and with several rows of small cloudy grey spots near the termen. The female is paler than the male and the markings are less distinct.

The perfect insect appears in December and January, and frequents wooded valleys on the lower slopes of the mountains, at elevations of from 2,000 to 3,000 feet.

XANTHORHOE CAMELIAS, Meyr.

(Larentia camelias, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 58.)

This species was discovered by Mr. Meyrick in the North Island at Whangarei.

"The expansion of the wings of the male is 23 mm. (rather less than 1 inch). Head, antennæ, and thorax whitish-ochreous, greyish-tinged, with a few dark fuscous scales. Palpi fuscous. Abdomen whitish-ochreous, with a double dorsal series of dark fuscous dots. Legs whitish-ochreous, irrorated with purple-reddish and dark fuscous. Fore-wings with costa rather sinuate in middle, on anterior half gently, on posterior half very strongly arched, termen moderately sinuate below apex, bowed in middle; light greyish-ochreous, with numerous cloudy, waved, brown-grey transverse lines, somewhat bent near costa; a black discal dot; margin of basal patch and anterior edge of median band indicated by series of very minute white dots, preceded and followed by black points; posterior edge of median band marked by a darker line, followed by a fine white line reduced on lower half to a series of points, subterminal line represented by four cloudy blackish dots on upper half and another above tornus; cilia greyish-ochreous (imperfect). Hind-wings fuscous-whitish; a median band of four cloudy greyish lines, bent near costa; a cloudy grey spot above tornus; cilia fuscous-whitish (imperfect.)

"Appears in December. Immediately recognisable by the peculiar form of forewings."—(Meyrick.)

XANTHORHOE FALCATA, Butl.

(Larentia falcata, Butl., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 58.)

A single specimen of this species is in the British Museum collection of New Zealand Lepidoptera. Of this specimen Mr. Meyrick remarks as follows:—

"This appears to be a good species allied to X. camelias, but with the costa of fore-wings less arched posteriorly, and posterior edge of median band practically straight, not bent near costa; also much darker in general colouring. I have not yet seen any specimen except the original type."

XANTHORHOE OBARATA, Feld.

(Cidaria obarata, Feld. cxxxii. 33. Larentia obarata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 82.)

(Plate VII., fig. 45.)

This little species has occurred at Wellington in the North Island, and at Christchurch and Mount Hutt in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings is barely 1 inch. The fore-wings are pale greyish-ochreous; there is an interrupted reddish-brown transverse band near the base; two faint, interrupted, shaded blackish lines, one at about one-third and the other at about two-thirds, enclosing between them a large central area, which contains a very distinct black dot above the middle, and several irregular shaded black marks; beyond this there is a wavy reddish-brown band; the apex of the wing is somewhat projecting, and the termen is considerably bowed. The hind-wings are pale grey, with a paler central band, and numerous faint, wavy, darker grey lines. The cilia of all the icings are white, banded with dark grey.

The perfect insect appears from November till January. Mr. Fereday states that it is a plain-frequenting species, especially attached to gorse hedges.^[12]

Described and figured from a specimen kindly given to me by Mr. Fereday.

XANTHORHOE CHORICA, Meyr.

(Larentia chorica, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 58.)

(Plate VII., fig. 44.)

A single specimen of this beautiful insect was taken at Akaroa by Mr. Fereday.

The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. All the wings are pale ochreous. The fore-wings have a short transverse black mark from the costa near the base; a fine wavy white transverse line, followed by a wavy black band; the middle of the wing is white, marbled with very pale blue; beyond this there is a broad black band wavy towards the termen, with a very prominent rounded projection near the middle; there are two reddish-brown marks on the costa before the apex, a blackish patch on the termen below the apex, and a row of terminal black dots; the apex is slightly projecting, and the termen is strongly arched. The hind-wings have several fine blackish transverse lines near the base; a broad shaded band in the middle, and a terminal series of black dots.

The perfect insect appears in January.

Described and figured from the specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection.

XANTHORHOE SUBOBSCURATA, Walk.

(Scotosia subobscurata, Walk. 1358. Larentia petropola, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 82.)

This species has occurred in the South Island at the Otira Gorge.

"The expansion of the wings is 39 mm. (1½ inches). Fore-wings moderate, termen rounded dark grey, densely irrorated with bluish-whitish; costa broadly suffused with ochreous-whitish anteriorly; a very obscure curved ochreous-whitish line towards base, anteriorly dark-margined; two obscure curved subdentate adjacent whitish lines about one-third, followed by a dark line; a blackish discal dot; a very irregular dentate curved dark grey line beyond middle, followed by two adjacent whitish lines; a sharply dentate obscure whitish subterminal line, anteriorly dark-margined. Hind-wings moderate, termen rounded; markings as in fore-wings, but more obscure, paler and more suffused towards base.

"A fine species, with a peculiar bluish tinge.

"I took two specimens at rest on rock-faces in the Otira Gorge, at 1,800 feet, in January, and saw others."—(Meyrick.)

XANTHORHOE CINEREARIA, Dbld.

(Cidaria (?) cinerearia, Dbld., Dieff. N. Z. ii. 286. Larentia (?) invexata, Walk. 1199; Butl., Cat., pl. iii. 11. Larentia semisignata, Walk. 1200. Larentia inoperata, Walk. 1201. Larentia diffusaria, Walk. 1201. Larentia punctilineata, Walk. 1202; Butl., Cat., pl. iii. 12. Cidaria dissociata, Walk. 1734. Cidaria semilisata, Walk. 1735. Larentia corcularia, Gn., E. M. M. v. 61. Larentia infantaria, Gn., E. M. M. v. 62. Helastia eupitheciaria, Gn., E. M. M. v. 95. ? Cidaria sphæriata, Feld. cxxxi. 14. Larentia cinerearia, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 83.)

(Plate VIII., figs. 2 and 2A, varieties.)

This species is extremely abundant, and generally distributed throughout the country.

The expansion of the wings is from ⅝ inch to 1 inch. The fore-wings vary from pale to dark grey; there are generally four more or less distinct blackish marks on the costa, forming the beginning of transverse bands; the rest of the wing is marbled with dark-grey or black, the disposition of the markings varying exceedingly in different specimens. The hind-wings are pale grey, with a black dot above the middle.

The variation existing in this species is very great, and is thus described by Mr. Meyrick:^[13] "Three main forms occur: one large, greyer, and more uniform; a second of middle size whiter and generally strongly marked sometimes bluish-tinged, only found in the hills; and a third small greyish but ochreous-tinged, strongly marked; these are connected by scarcer intermediate forms, and are, I believe, due to the direct effect of food and situation.

"The larva feeds on lichens."

The perfect insect appears from October till March, and frequents a great variety of situations. The colouring of the fore-wings is beautifully adapted for protection on lichen-covered banks, rocks, or fences, where specimens may often be found resting with closed wings during the daytime. This species flies rather freely at evening dusk, and may then be taken plentifully at sugar, blossoms or light. It is, however, a difficult matter to procure specimens in really good condition for the cabinet, as the insect is so extremely restless when confined in a box that if it is not killed at once, it will speedily injure itself during its struggles to escape. This moth is found at elevations ranging from the sea-level to 3,500 feet.

XANTHORHOE ANTHRACIAS, Meyr.

(Larentia anthracias, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 84.)

This species has occurred in the South Island at Mount Hutt and Lake Wakatipu.

"The expansion of the wings of the male is from 24-25 mm. (about 1 inch). Fore-wings moderate, termen sinuate; dark fuscous, faintly striated, more or less sprinkled with whitish; a curved blackish line near base, posteriorly obscurely whitish-margined; a curved, obscure whitish fascia at one-third, blackish margined and bisected by a blackish line; a well-defined black discal dot; a white fascia, partially mixed with fuscous, beyond middle, anteriorly strongly blackish-margined, posteriorly more obscurely, and bisected by a blackish line, somewhat irregular, moderately angulated in middle; an obscure dentate yellowish or whitish subterminal line; an interrupted black terminal line. Hind-wings moderate, termen rounded; dark fuscous; two nearly straight lines before middle, faintly darker; a faint paler or sometimes whitish sinuate fascia beyond middle, margined and bisected with darker.

"Varies slightly in distinctness of pale markings.

"Mount Hutt and Lake Wakatipu (5,400 feet), on the open mountain sides, in December and January; twelve specimens."—(Meyrick.)

XANTHORHOE BULBULATA, Gn.

(Cidaria bulbulata, Gn., E. M. M. v. 94. Larentia bulbulata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 84.)

(Plate VIII., fig. 1.)

This species has occurred in the South Island at Kekerangu, Christchurch, Castle Hill, and Dunedin.

The expansion of the wings is barely 1 inch. The fore-wings are very pale brownish-ochreous; there is a brown area near the base; a moderately broad brown central band with a distinct projection near the middle; the termen is broadly shaded with brown, with a wavy paler line in the middle of the shading; there are often several oval paler marks in the middle of the central band, and pale brown spots and lines between the darker brown markings. The hind-wings are bright orange, with the cilia pale brown.

The perfect insect appears from September till March, and frequents open, grassy places, from the sea-level to elevations of from 2,000 to 3,000 feet.

Genus 12.—LYTHRIA, Hb.

"Face rough-haired or loosely scaled, antennæ in male bi-pectinated, apex sometimes simple. Palpi with long rough hairs. Thorax roughly hairy beneath. Fore-wings with areole simple. Hind-wings with vein 8 anastomosing with cell to beyond middle."—(Meyrick.) (Plate II., figs. 39 and 40, neuration of L. chrysopeda.)

We have two interesting little species in New Zealand. The genus also occurs in Europe, and probably elsewhere.

LYTHRIA CHRYSOPEDA, Meyr.

(Arcteuthes chrysopeda, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 48.)

(Plate VIII., fig. 33 ♂, 34 ♀.)

This bright-looking little species has been taken in the South Island at Mount Arthur.

The expansion of the wings is about ¾ inch. The fore-wings are very dark, glossy brown; there is a pale yellowish transverse line near the base, a broader, rather wavy orange-yellow line a little before the middle, another still broader at about two-thirds, and an indistinct fine line near the termen. The hind-wings are rich orange-brown, with three broad, wavy, dark brown transverse bands; the termen is narrowly margined with dark orange-brown. The female is generally rather paler than the male, very faintly marked specimens occasionally occurring.

The perfect insect appears in January and February. It frequents the tussock openings in the forest on the Tableland of Mount Arthur, at elevations of from 3,000 to 4,000 feet. In these situations it appears to be fairly abundant, flying actively in the hottest sunshine.

LYTHRIA EUCLIDIATA, Gn.

(Coremia euclidiata, Gn. x. 420. Coremia glyphicata, ib. 420. Fidonia catapyrrha, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 392, pl. xliii. 2. Stratonice catapyrrha, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 64. Stratonice euclidiata, ib. xvii. 63. Arctesthes euclidiata, ib. xviii. 184. Arcteuthes euclidiata, ib. xx. 47.)

(Plate VIII., fig. 35 ♂.)

This pretty little species has occurred in the South Island at Lake Rotoiti near Nelson, Lake Guyon, Otira Gorge, Dunedin, and Mount Linton near Invercargill.

The expansion of the wings is ¾ inch. The fore-wings are dark greyish-brown speckled with black and white; there is a curved black transverse line near the base, followed by a white line, then two black lines close together followed by another white line, then a broad black line followed by a pale central band containing a well-marked central dot, beyond this there are two angulated black lines, and a very conspicuous white line; there is a broad black shading on the termen, traversed by a rather obscure fine white line. The hind-wings are rather narrow, yellowish-orange speckled with black near the base, there is a strongly angulated black line near the middle, and an obscure blackish band near the termen. On the under side the fore-wings are yellow, with two black transverse bands from the costa near the termen and a red mark near the apex; the hind-wings are streaked with white and yellow, and broadly bordered with red on the costa and termen; there are two very broad black transverse bands. The female is paler than the male, with the dark markings rather narrower.

The perfect insect appears in February and March, and frequents open, sunny places, at elevations of from 1,000 to 2,000 feet above the sea-level.

Genus 13.—DASYURIS, Gn.

"Face rough-haired or with projecting scales. Palpi moderate, porrected, with long dense rough hairs. Antennæ in male shortly ciliated. Thorax and coxæ densely hairy beneath. Posterior tibiæ with all spurs present. Fore-wings with areole double. Hind-wings with vein 8 anastomosing with cell from near base to beyond middle."—(Meyrick.) (Plate II., fig. 42, neuration of fore-wing. Hind-wing as in Xanthorhoe.)

Of this genus we have four species in New Zealand.

DASYURIS ENYSII, Butl.

(Fidonia enysii, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 391, pl. xlii. 9. Statira homomorpha, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 91. Statira enysii, ib. xvii. 65. Stathmonyma enysii, ib. xviii. 184.)

(Plate VIII., fig. 28.)

This species has occurred in the South Island on the Dun Mountain near Nelson, and at Mount Hutt.

The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. The fore-wings are greyish-brown, with numerous wavy blackish transverse lines; there is usually a wavy yellowish transverse stripe near the base, and another broader and more conspicuous stripe near the termen; the termen itself is broadly shaded with dark brown. The hind-wings are orange-yellow; there is a small dusky brown area near the base, then a faint straight transverse line, followed by a slightly waved conspicuous dark brown line; there is a very wavy broad dark brown line near the termen, and the termen itself is narrowly edged with dark brown.

The perfect insect appears in January and February, and frequents stony situations on the mountains, at elevations of from 2,500 to 4,000 feet. I have taken numerous specimens on the "Mineral Belt," Dun Mountain, but have not yet met with it elsewhere. This insect is probably often mistaken during flight for Notoreas brephos, from which it may easily be distinguished by its larger size, paler colouring, and simple antennæ of the male.

DASYURIS ANCEPS, Butl.

(Fidonia anceps, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 392, pl. xliii. 3. Statira anceps, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 91. Stathmonyma anceps, ib. xviii. 184.)

(Plate VIII., fig. 29.)

This species has been taken in the South Island at Mount Arthur, Castle Hill, and Arthur's Pass.

The expansion of the wings is about 1⅛ inches. The fore-wings are bluish-grey; there are four wavy dark grey transverse lines, the three lines nearest the base are double, and the line nearest the termen is shaded towards the base. The hind-wings are pale yellow; there is a small dusky area near the base, then a slightly curved grey line, followed by two curved dark grey lines close together; there is a series of irregular blotches near the termen, and the termen itself is broadly edged with black near the apex of the wing, and narrowly near the tornus. The cilia of all the wings are bluish-grey, barred with dusky black.

The perfect insect appears in January and February, and frequents bare rocky situations on the mountains, at elevations of from 4,000 to 5,000 feet. On one occasion I met with this species very plentifully, though in poor condition, on Mount Peel, near Mount Arthur; but subsequent visits have led me to think that, as a rule, it is rather a scarce species. The bluish-grey colouring of the fore-wings affords this moth a most efficient protection from enemies, whilst resting on the rocky ground which it always frequents.

Apart from special characters, the fainter colouring of this insect will at once distinguish it from any of the numerous allied species.

DASYURIS PARTHENIATA, Gn.

(Dasyuris partheniata, Gn., E. M. M. v. 93; Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 92.)

(Plate VIII., fig. 30 ♂, 31 ♀.)

This bright-looking species has occurred at Wellington in the North Island, and at Mount Arthur and Mount Hutt in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings is about 1⅛ inches. The fore-wings are bright orange-yellow; the base is speckled with black and dull green scales; there is a rather indistinct band at about one-third; a broad wavy dark brown band a little beyond the middle, with a projection towards the termen, followed by a clear space and another broad irregular dark transverse band; the termen is broadly bordered with dark brown, which is often almost continuous with the last-named transverse band. The hind-wings are bright orange; there is a large speckled area near the base edged with a curved black line, followed by a clear space, and an interrupted dark brown transverse line considerably beyond the middle; the termen is rather narrowly edged with a dark brown line, wavy towards the base of the wing. The cilia of all the wings are yellow barred with black.

The species varies considerably in the extent of the dark markings, especially on the fore-wings.

The egg is oval and white, without sculpture.

The young larva, which is very attenuated, has sixteen legs. Its colour is pale yellowish-brown above, and dull ochreous beneath. The food-plant is unknown.

The perfect insect appears from October till March, and frequents open, grassy situations. At Wellington, during October and November, it is common on the cliffs close to the shores of Cook's Strait, flying very rapidly on hot, sunny days, which renders its capture very difficult in such steep situations. Mr. Fereday's specimens were obtained amongst the tussock grass at the foot of Mount Hutt. The insect was also found plentifully on the slopes of Mount Arthur, at an elevation of about 4,500 feet above the sea-level, and also on the Tararua Range in the North Island.

DASYURIS HECTORI, Butl.

(Euclidia hectori, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 387, pl. xlii. 4. Statira hectori, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 91. Stathmonyma hectori, ib. xviii. 184.)

(Plate VIII., fig. 32.)

This very striking species has occurred in the South Island at Mount Arthur, Mount Hutt, and Ben Lomond, Lake Wakatipu.

The expansion of the wings is 1½ inches. All the wings are dark greyish-black, speckled with bluish-grey scales. The fore-wings have five rather indistinct wavy darker transverse lines, and a very broad darker shading near the termen; there is a fine white mark near the apex, continued as an indistinct wavy line towards the tornus. The hind-wings have three or four indistinct darker transverse lines, and a very broad terminal shading; there are two, more or less distinct, fine, wavy, white lines, the first a little below the middle, and the second near the termen; the cilia are dark grey barred with pale grey. On the under side all the wings are dark blackish-grey, traversed by six broad, wavy whitish lines.

The perfect insect appears in December, January and February, and frequents rocky crags on mountains, at elevations of from 4,700 to 5,700 feet above the sea-level. It delights to rest on blackened rocks in the hottest sunshine, but dashes away with the greatest rapidity on the approach of the collector, so that it is generally rather difficult to capture.

Genus 14.—NOTOREAS, Meyr.

"Face roughly haired. Palpi moderate, second joint with long or very long spreading hairs beneath, terminal joint moderate or rather long, often concealed. Antennæ in male bi-pectinated. Thorax beneath more or less strongly clothed with long hairs. Fore-wings with vein 6 rising out of 9, 7 almost from angle of areole, 10 anastomosing moderately with 9, 11 anastomosing moderately or very shortly with 10, 12 free. Hind-wings normal."—(Meyrick.) (See Plate II., fig. 43, fore-wing of Notoreas brephos.)

This interesting genus, of which we have no less than fifteen species, comprises a number of gaily coloured little insects, chiefly inhabiting mountain regions. All the species are day-fliers, and most of them only appear during the hottest sunshine. Mr. Meyrick regards the genus Notoreas as most closely approaching to the ancestor of the family Hydriomenidæ.

NOTOREAS INSIGNIS, Butl.

(Aspilates insignis, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 393, pl. xliii. 1. Pasithea insignis, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 85. Notoreas insignis, ib. xviii. 184.)

(Plate VIII., fig. 3 ♂.)

This very striking species has been taken in the South Island at Castle Hill.

The expansion of the wings of the male is 1¼ inches, of the female 1 inch. The fore-wings of the male are dull yellowish-brown; in the middle of the wing there is an almost straight long white streak from the base to about three-fourths; there is another straight white streak parallel to the termen and almost touching the apex. The hind-wings are bright ochreous speckled with brown near the base. The female has the wings rather narrower than the male, and the ground colour is paler.

The perfect insect appears in January. Mr. Fereday's specimens, which formed the basis for the above figure and description, were captured on a bare mountain side at an elevation of about 4,000 feet. Mr. Hawthorne has directed my attention to the remarkable similarity existing between the markings on the fore-wings of this species and those on Xanthorhoe stinaria.

NOTOREAS ORPHNÆA, Meyr.

(Pasithea orphnæa, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 85. Notoreas orphnæa, ib. xviii. 184.)

This species was discovered by Mr. Meyrick in the South Island at Lake Wakatipu.

The expansion of the wings of the female is from 28 to 30 mm. (about 1¼ inches). "Fore-wings moderate, termen rounded; dark fuscous, mixed with yellowish and whitish, which tend to form alternate fasciæ; a discal dot and numerous curved irregularly dentate blackish lines, varying in strength and intensity; cilia barred with blackish and whitish. Hind-wings moderate, termen rounded; dark fuscous; a blackish discal dot; a cloudy whitish irroration forming a double curved fascia beyond middle, and a dentate subterminal line; cilia as in fore-wings.

"Imitative in colour of the dark lichen-grown rocks.

"I took three specimens almost on the summit of Ben Lomond, Lake Wakatipu, at 5,600 feet, in January."—(Meyrick.)

NOTOREAS ISOLEUCA, Meyr.

(Notoreas isoleuca, Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1897, 386.)

(Plate VIII., fig. 27.)

This little species has been taken in the South Island on the Craigieburn Range, near Castle Hill.

The expansion of the wings is about ¾ inch. All the wings are very dark blackish-brown; the fore-wings have five slender wavy white transverse lines. The hind-wings have three white transverse lines, the first near the base, the second near the middle, and the third, which is very slender and considerably broken, near the termen. The cilia of all the wings are white, barred with blackish-brown.

The perfect insect was captured in January, amongst a varied growth of stunted Alpine vegetation, at an elevation of about 5,600 feet.

NOTOREAS MECHANITIS, Meyr.

(Pasithea mechanitis, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 86. Notoreas mechanitis, ib. xviii. 184.)

(Plate VIII., figs. 9, 10, 11, varieties.)

This insect has occurred in the South Island at Mount Arthur, Arthur's Pass and Mount Hutt.

The expansion of the wings is about ⅞ inch. All the wings are dark brownish-black. The fore-wings have an almost straight transverse yellow or white stripe near the base, edged with black towards the body; a rather wavy stripe at about one-third, edged with black towards the termen; then several irregular yellowish or white spots or marks, followed by a very distinct white stripe, somewhat projecting towards the termen near the middle; there is a broken fine yellow line near the termen. The hind-wings have a shaded white or yellow transverse line near the base, another near the middle, a third, considerably finer and often broken, near the termen. The cilia of all the wings are white shaded with grey near the base, but with no distinct bars.

The perfect insect appears from January till March, and flies with great activity in the hottest sunshine. It frequents grassy mountain sides at elevations ranging from 3,000 to 4,500 feet above the sea-level, and in these situations it is often very abundant.

NOTOREAS PARADELPHA, Meyr.

(Pasithea paradelpha, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 86. Notoreas paradelpha, ib. xviii. 184.)

(Plate VIII., figs. 12, 13, 14, varieties.)

In the South Island this insect has occurred on Mount Arthur, and on Ben Lomond, Lake Wakatipu, at elevations of from 3,600 to 5,000 feet.

The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. The species is said to be distinguished from the preceding "by the barred cilia, the absence of any clear yellow colouring, the less prominent angulation of the post-median line and the more elongate wings."^[14] (Meyrick.)

The perfect insect appears in December, January and February. In habits it exactly resembles Notoreas mechanitis.

NOTOREAS PERORNATA, Walk.

(Fidonia perornata, Walk. 1672. Pasithea perornata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 87. Notoreas perornata, ib. xviii. 184.)

(Plate VIII., figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, varieties.)

This very pretty insect has occurred at Palmerston and Wellington in the North Island, and at Kekerangu, Mount Arthur, Lake Coleridge, Mount Hutt and Lake Wakatipu, in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings is about ¾ inch. The fore-wings are dark brownish-black, with five transverse white or orange-yellow lines, which vary considerably both in width and colour in different specimens; the two basal lines are almost straight, the rest are wavy, the last but one has, near the middle, a strong projection towards the termen. The hind-wings are bright orange, with three or four more or less broken black transverse lines. The termen is narrowly bordered with black; the cilia of all the wings are white, more or less distinctly barred with blackish-brown.

The perfect insect appears in February, March and April, flying very actively in the hot afternoon sunshine. It is extremely abundant on the coast hills in the neighbourhood of Wellington. It also occurs commonly at Kekerangu, and is occasionally found on mountains as high as from 3,000 to 4,000 feet above the sea-level. I have observed that all the Wellington specimens have the transverse lines on the fore-wings narrow and mostly white; those from Mount Arthur broad and white, those from Kekerangu and Lake Wakatipu broad and orange-yellow. The last-named forms approximate most closely to some of the very yellow varieties of Notoreas paradelpha.^[15]

NOTOREAS STRATEGICA, Meyr.

(Pasithea strategica, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 87. Notoreas strategica, ib. xviii. 184.)

(Plate VIII., fig. 15.)

A single specimen of this conspicuous species was taken in the South Island at Lake Guyon, by Mr. W. T. L. Travers.

The expansion of the wings is 1⅜ inches. The fore-wings are dull yellowish-brown, becoming blackish-brown near the base; there are two broad white transverse lines near the base, the outermost slightly curved, then a dull orange shading, followed by a very broad, outwardly bent, white transverse band, edged with black towards the base; between this band and the termen there is a fine wavy white transverse line. The hind-wings are dull yellowish-brown near the base, becoming blackish towards the termen; there is a small cream-coloured area near the base, then two rather broad, slightly irregular, cream-coloured bands, and a rather fine wavy white line near the termen. The cilia of all the wings are white, barred with blackish-brown.

The perfect insect appears in January.

Described and figured from the type specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection.

NOTOREAS CALLICRENA, Meyr.

(Pasithea callicrena Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 87. Notoreas callicrena, ib. xviii. 184.)

(Plate VIII., fig. 16.)

A single specimen of this very handsome species was captured by Mr. Fereday in the South Island, high on the mountains at the head of Lake Wakatipu.

The expansion of the wings is 1⅜ inches. The fore-wings are deep orange-brown, shaded with black near the base and in the vicinity of the three cream-coloured transverse bands; the first of these bands is situated near the base, the second at about one-third, and the third, which is rather wavy, at about two-thirds; there is a fine wavy white line close to the termen. The hind-wings are dark grey, with two broad cream-coloured bands, the first near the base and the second near the middle; there is a slender wavy line near the termen. The cilia of all the wings are cream-coloured, barred with brownish-black.

The perfect insect appears in January, and evidently frequents high mountains.

Described and figured from the type-specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection.

NOTOREAS NIPHOCRENA, Meyr.

(Pasithea niphocrena, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 88. Notoreas niphocrena, ib. xviii. 184.)

This species was discovered by Mr. Meyrick in the South Island, at Arthur's Pass, West Coast Road.

"The expansion of the wings of the female is from 24 to 25 mm. (1 inch). Fore-wings moderate, termen rounded; rather dark fuscous, mixed and obscurely striated with orange; a curved white subdentate line before one-fourth, anteriorly blackish-margined; a similar white line beyond one-fourth, posteriorly blackish-margined; space between these sometimes suffused with orange; a slender irregularly dentate white fascia beyond middle, rather strongly angulated in middle, anteriorly blackish-margined, posteriorly closely followed by a dentate orange line; a dentate orange line near termen, dilated on costa. Hind-wings moderate, termen rounded; orange, lighter anteriorly; basal half dark fuscous mixed with orange, its outer edge irregularly curved; a dentate subterminal fascia and narrow terminal fascia dark fuscous, sometimes obscure.

"Possibly when the male is known this may prove to be a Dasyuris.

"I took two specimens on the mountain-side above Arthur's Pass at 4,500 feet, in January."—(Meyrick.)

NOTOREAS SIMPLEX, n. sp.

(Plate VIII., fig. 26.)

A single specimen of this species was captured on Mount Arthur in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings is about 1⅛ inches. The fore-wings are bright ochreous; there are four broad black transverse bands near the base, edged with white, and separated from one another by yellow spaces of almost equal width; the outermost of these bands is situated a little more than half-way between the base and termen; the last two lines become obsolete before they reach the costa; there are no other markings, except a black shading on the termen near the tornus, which is traversed by an obscure jagged paler line; the cilia are white barred with black. The hind-wings are bright orange-yellow, without markings; the cilia are ochreous.

The perfect insect appears in January.

The type-specimen was taken on the mountain-side, at an elevation of about 4,000 feet.

NOTOREAS FEROX, Butl.

(Fidonia ferox, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 392, pl. xlii. 8. Pasithea ferox, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 88. Notoreas ferox, ib. xviii. 184.)

(Plate VIII., fig. 17.)

Two specimens of this species were captured by Mr. J. D. Enys, at Castle Hill in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. The fore-wings are dull brown, with numerous fine, wavy, dusky lines and a faint dot above the middle. The hind-wings are orange-yellow, dotted with black near the base; there is a rather broad STRAIGHT transverse black band near the middle, followed by a much finer wavy line; there are three fine, wavy lines parallel with the termen, and the termen itself is finely bordered with black.

Described and figured from a specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection.

NOTOREAS ZOPYRA, Meyr.

(Pasithea zopyra, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 89. Notoreas zopyra, ib. xviii. 184.)

(Plate VIII., figs. 18 and 19, varieties.)

This bright-looking little species has occurred at Mount Arthur and at Mount Hutt, in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings is about ¾ inch. The fore-wings are dark bluish-grey, with numerous slender, wavy, blackish transverse lines, and a distinct blackish dot above the middle. The hind-wings are bright orange, speckled with grey near the base and dorsum; there are from two to four very fine, wavy, broken, blackish, transverse lines, and the termen is narrowly bordered with black.

The perfect insect appears in January, frequenting shingle flats on the mountain sides, at about 4,000 feet above the sea-level. It flies rapidly in the hottest sunshine, and, when it alights on the stones, is extremely difficult to find. The brilliant hind-wings, which are very conspicuous when the moth is flying, quite disqualify the eye from detecting the extremely obscure object, which the insect instantly becomes when resting with its fore-wings alone exposed. This method of increasing the value of protective tints by means of bright colours temporarily displayed was very clearly described, I believe for the first time, by Lord Walsingham in his address to the Fellows of the Entomological Society of London, in January, 1891. It is certainly well exemplified by this and several other species of the genus Notoreas, and it will be at once noticed by the collector, how extremely difficult it is to follow these active little moths, as they fly with short and rapid flight over the grey rocks and stones, with which their fore-wings so completely harmonize; the momentary glimpse obtained of the brilliant hind-wings so completely deceives the eye, that there is much more difficulty in marking the spot where the insect alights, than would have been the case if the brilliant colour had never been displayed.

NOTOREAS VULCANICA, Meyr.

(Pasithea vulcanica, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 89. Notoreas vulcanica, ib. xviii. 184.)

(Plate VIII., fig. 24.)

This species has been taken in the North Island at Makotuku, and the Kaweka Range, in the Hawkes Bay District.

The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. The fore-wings are very dark blackish-grey; there is a rather narrow black transverse line near the base, another at about one-third; then a small black dot, followed by a wavy, rather broad, black band, and two cloudy wavy black transverse lines near the termen. The hind-wings are very dark orange; there is a large black basal patch, then a broad black band joining the basal patch near the dorsum; beyond this is a fine black line, then another broad black line followed by a very fine wavy line of the orange ground colour; the termen is very broadly margined with black.

The perfect insect appears from January to March. Mr. Meyrick states that he found it resting on the roads near Makotuku.

Described and figured from a specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection.

NOTOREAS BREPHOS, Walk.

(Fidonia brephosata, Walk. 1037; Butl., Cat. pl. iii. 14. Larentia catocalaria, Gn., E. M. M. v. 62. Fidonia brephos, Feld. cxxix. 5. Pasithea brephos, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 89. Notoreas brephos, ib. xviii. 184.)

(Plate VIII., figs. 20, 21, 22, and 23, varieties.)

This very pretty species is common, and generally distributed throughout the country.

The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. The fore-wings are dark grey; there is a wavy black line near the base, two similar lines enclosing a very broad central area, with a black dot a little above the middle; beyond this there is a more or less distinct wavy band of pale grey or brown; there are several obscure wavy blackish lines near the termen. The hind-wings are bright orange, dotted with grey near the base and dorsum, with from two to four more or less distinct wavy black transverse lines, generally rather narrow; the termen is moderately broadly bordered with black.

This insect is extremely variable, and, so far as I can judge from an extensive series, several of the varieties appear to indicate that both Notoreas zopyra and N. vulcanica may ultimately have to be ranked as varieties of N. brephos, but the evidence on this point is not yet conclusive enough to render such a course at present desirable.

The perfect insect appears from December to March. It is very active, and is extremely fond of settling on roads or bare ground in the hot sunshine, instantly darting away on the approach of an enemy. It is also common on the mountains, and is often found at elevations of from 3,000 to 4,000 feet above the sea-level.

NOTOREAS OMICHLIAS, Meyr.

(Pasithea omichlias, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 90. Notoreas omichlias, ib. xviii. 184.)

(Plate VIII., fig. 25.)

Two specimens of this dull-looking little species were captured at Castle Hill, by Mr. J. D. Enys.

The expansion of the wings is ⅞ inch. All the wings are dark grey; the fore-wings have several obscure blackish marks near the base, a dull black spot on the costa at about one-third with a yellowish centre; beyond this there are four similar spots forming a transverse band, and several more or less conspicuous wavy blackish lines near the termen. The hind-wings have several obscure wavy blackish transverse lines near the base and dorsum; the cilia are pale grey, obscurely barred with darker grey.

The perfect insect was taken "high up" on the mountains, probably at an elevation of about 5,000 feet.

This species is probably often overlooked through being mistaken for Xanthorhoe cinerearia.

Genus 15.—SAMANA, Walk.

"Face loosely haired. Palpi long, straight, porrected, attenuated. Antennæ in male dentate, ciliated (1). Fore-wings with vein 6 rising below 9, 7 from below angle of areole, 10 anastomosing strongly with 9, 11 anastomosing strongly with 10, 12 free. Hind-wings normal."—(Meyrick.)

Of this genus we have two species in New Zealand.

SAMANA FALCATELLA, Walk.

(Samana falcatella, Walk. xxvii. 197. Panagra falcatella, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 93. Samana falcatella, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvii. 65.)

(Plate VIII., fig. 36.)

This unusual-looking species has occurred in the South Island, at Nelson and at Dunedin.

The expansion of the wings is 1¼ inches. The fore-wings are very pale ochreous, speckled with grey; there is a very fine longitudinal black streak from a little beyond the base to considerably before the middle, slightly clouded above; an elongate dot above the middle; a very oblique slightly curved black streak from near the apex to the middle of the dorsum, edged with white towards the base, and clouded with brown towards the termen; the apex of the wing is very acute. The hind-wings are white, with a black dot above the middle.

The perfect insect appears in February. It is apparently a rare species.

SAMANA ACUTATA, Butl.

(Samana acutata, Butl., P. Z. S. L. 1877, 401; Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvii. 67.)

The type-specimen of this species exists in the collection of the British Museum. According to Mr. Meyrick, who made a cursory examination of it, the species differs from S. falcatella in the following respects:—

The first dark line runs from the dorsum near the base to below the costa before the middle; the lower extremity of the second line is connected with the tornus by an oblique streak.

Family 2.—STERRHIDÆ.

"Face smooth. Tongue developed. Palpi shortly rough-scaled. Fore-wings with vein 10 rising out of 9, 11 anastomosing or connected with 9. Hind-wings with vein 5 fully developed, rising from middle of transverse vein, parallel to 4, 8 very shortly anastomosing with upper margin of cell near base, thence rapidly diverging."—(Meyrick.) (See Plate II., figs. 49 and 50.)

Although less numerous than the preceding, the family is pretty evenly distributed throughout the world, but poorly represented in New Zealand. We have only one genus, viz., Leptomeris.

Genus 1.—LEPTOMERIS, Hb.

"Antennæ in male ciliated with fascicles. Posterior tibia in male dilated without spurs, in female with all spurs present. Hind-wings with veins 6 and 7 sometimes stalked (variable in the same species)."—(Meyrick.) (See Plate II., figs. 49 and 50.)

We have one species, which also occurs in Australia.

LEPTOMERIS RUBRARIA, Dbld.

(Ptychopoda (?) rubraria, Dbld., Dieff. N. Z. ii. 286; Walk. 781. Fidonia (?) acidaliaria, Walk. 1037. Acidalia figlinaria, Gn. ix. 454, pl. xii. 8. Acidalia rubraria, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 57.)

(Plate VIII., fig. 37 ♂, 38 ♀.)

This pretty little insect is very common, and generally distributed throughout the country.

The expansion of the wings is about ⅞ inch. The fore-wings are reddish-ochreous with three dull brown wavy transverse lines, the first rather narrow at about one-fourth, the second slightly broader at about one-half, the third much broader, and sometimes partially divided near the costa; there is a black central dot, a series of rather large dull brown spots near the termen, and a chain of minute black dots on the termen. The hind-wings are pinkish-ochreous; there is a dull brown wavy transverse band near the base, then two close together a little beyond one-half, a shading on the termen, and a very distinct series of minute black terminal dots. The cilia of all the wings are dull brown, mixed with reddish-ochreous.

There is often considerable variation in the intensity of the colouring of this insect, some specimens being much darker than others, but the markings are very constant, and the species is thus always easily recognizable.

The eggs are yellowish-white, and very large for the size of the moth.

The young larva is brownish-purple with a dull white line on each side. The food-plant is unknown.

The perfect insect appears in January, February and March. In the late summer and autumn it frequents dried-up, weedy pastures, where it is often extremely abundant. Straggling specimens, which have probably hibernated during the winter, may also be taken in the early spring.

Mr. Meyrick states that this species occurs very commonly in New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania, and that there is no difference between Australian and New Zealand specimens.^[16]

Family 3.—MONOCTENIADÆ.

"Hind-wings with vein 5 fully developed, parallel to 4, rising from about or below middle of transverse vein, 8 free or anastomosing shortly near base or seldom from near base to beyond middle (then without areole of fore-wings), approximated to upper margin of cell to middle or beyond." (See Plate II., figs. 44 and 45.) "Ovum subcylindrical, smooth. Larva more or less elongate, usually with few hairs, prolegs on segments 7, 8, and sometimes 9 rudimentary or absent. Pupa subterranean or in bark."—(Meyrick.)

According to Mr. Meyrick this is to be regarded as a decaying family. In Australia it is still prominent, being represented there by nearly 100 known species.

We have two genera represented in this country—

1. Dichromodes.⁠2. Theoxena.

Genus 1.—DICHROMODES, Gn.

"Face smooth. Palpi long, straight, porrected, roughly scaled above and beneath. Antennæ in male pectinated on inner side only. Fore-wings with vein 6 from a point with 9, 7 from angle of areole, 10 anastomosing moderately with 9, 11 separate, approximated to 10 in middle, 12 free. Hind-wings with veins 6 and 7 separate, 8 free, closely approximated to 7 from base to near transverse vein."—(Meyrick.) (See Plate II., figs. 44 and 45, neuration of D. petrina.)

There are three species belonging to this genus known in New Zealand.

DICHROMODES NIGRA, Butl.

(Cacopsodos niger, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc., Lond. 1877, 395, pl. xliii. 4. Dichromodes nigra, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 60.)

(Plate VIII., fig. 40.)

This little insect has been taken at Nelson.

The expansion of the wings is ⅞ inch. All the wings are dull black. The fore-wings have a darker central area, bordered by two jagged pale grey transverse lines, the first at about one-third and the second at about two-thirds; there is also a faint line near the termen. The hind-wings have a very obscure dark central line.

The perfect insect appears in February. It occurs quite commonly on the track to the Dun Mountain, near Nelson, frequenting openings in the birch forest, where it may be captured at rest on bare ground in the hot sunshine, at elevations of from 1,500 to 2,000 feet.

DICHROMODES GYPSOTIS, Meyr.

(Cacopsodos niger, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 94 (nec Butl.). Dichromodes gypsotis, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 60.)

This insect was discovered by Mr. Meyrick at Lake Wakatipu in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings of the female is 13 mm. (½ inch). "Fore-wings rather narrow, costa sinuate, termen sinuate; white, slightly mixed with grey; dorsum narrowly grey; a slender black fascia almost at base; a slender black fascia at one-third, dentate inwards above middle, dilated on costa; a slender black fascia beyond middle, sharply angulated in middle, dilated on costa, connected below middle with preceding fascia by a suffused bar; close beyond this a rather broad parallel grey fascia; an indistinct grey subterminal line. Hind-wings moderate; termen rounded dark grey."—(Meyrick.)

Taken in December, at an elevation of about 1,500 feet above the sea-level.

DICHROMODES PETRINA, Meyr.

(Dichromodes petrina, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxiv. 216.)

(Plate VIII., fig. 39.)

This dull-looking little insect has occurred at Paikakariki and Wellington in the North Island, and at Kekerangu in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings is ¾ inch. The fore-wings are dull greenish-grey; there is a black, wavy, somewhat broken transverse line at about one-third, and another at about two-thirds, enclosing a slightly darker central band, with a black dot above middle; there is also a darker shading on the termen, and an obscure wavy paler line. The hind-wings are grey, with an obscure wavy central line.

The perfect insect appears in January, February and March. It frequents dry, open, sunny situations, generally alighting on paths or roads. It is also attracted by light.

Genus 2.—THEOXENA, Meyr.

"Palpi moderate, triangularly scaled, porrected. Antennæ in male bi-ciliated with long tufts of cilia (5). Fore-wings with vein 6 from below 9, 7 from angle of areole, 10 out of 9 above 7, 11 anastomosing shortly with 9, 12 free, closely approximated to 11 on areole. Hind-wings with veins 6 and 7 from a point or short-stalked, 8 free, closely approximated to 7 from base to near transverse vein."—(Meyrick.)

We have one species.

THEOXENA SCISSARIA, Gn.

(Panagra scissaria, Gn., E. M. M. v. 43. Theoxena scissaria, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 56.)

(Plate VIII., fig. 41.)

This delicate-looking species has occurred at Christchurch.

The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. All the wings are white. The fore-wings have a longitudinal, slightly curved black line, extending from a little beyond the base, almost as far as the termen below the apex; above this line there is a black dot at about one-third; the apex of the fore-wing is slightly hooked, and there is a row of minute black dots on the termen of both fore- and hind-wings.

The perfect insect appears in January. According to Mr. Fereday it frequents the plains near Christchurch, and towards the foot of Mount Hutt.

Described and figured from a specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection.

Family 4.—ORTHOSTIXIDÆ.

"Hind-wings with vein 5 fully developed, rising from about middle of transverse vein, 8 connected with upper margin of cell by an oblique bar towards base."—(Meyrick.) (See Plate II., figs. 46 and 47.)

This small family is represented in New Zealand by a single genus only. The peculiar oblique bar connecting vein 8 with the cell towards base, combined with the development of vein 5, distinguish it from all other families. If there is any chance of confusion with those forms of Hydriomenidæ in which vein 8 is also connected by a bar (though in them the bar is placed beyond and not before the middle of cell), the absence of the characteristic areole of the Hydriomenidæ will be a further test.

Genus 1.—EPIRRANTHIS, Hb.

"Face with appressed scales. Tongue developed. Palpi very short or moderate, porrected or subascending, rough-scaled. Antennæ in male evenly ciliated. Thorax rather hairy beneath. Femora glabrous; posterior tibiæ with all spurs present. Fore-wings with vein 10 anastomosing with 9, 11 anastomosing with 12 and 10 before 9. Hind-wings with 6 and 7 separate."—(Meyrick.) (Plate II., figs. 46 and 47, neuration of Epirranthis alectoraria; fig. 48, head of ditto.)

Represented in New Zealand by two species.

EPIRRANTHIS ALECTORARIA, Walk.

(Lyrcea alectoraria, Walk. 259; Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 95. Aspilates (?) primata, Walk. 1076; Butl., Cat. pl. iii. 4. Endropia mixtaria, Walk. 1506; Butl., Cat. pl. iii. 5. Amilapis (?) acroiaria, Feld. cxxiii. 6. Lyrcea varians, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 496. Ploseria alectoraria, Hdsn., Manual N. Z. Ent. 86.)

(Plate VIII., figs. 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, and 47, varieties; Plate III., fig. 24, larva.)

This species has occurred in tolerable abundance at many localities in both the North and the South Islands. It is probably generally distributed throughout the country.

The expansion of the wings is from 1 inch to 1½ inches. The wings range in colour from pale yellow to dark orange-brown, dark reddish-brown, or even dull brown, with innumerable intermediate tints. There is often a central transverse line reaching from the costa of the fore-wing to the dorsum of the hind-wing. Many of the varieties are speckled with darker colour; others have irregular yellow patches, generally situated on the fore-wings just below the apex and on the dorsum near the base; there are often two white dots near the apex of the fore-wings.

Most of the varieties closely resemble the varied hues of fading leaves. In many of the forms greyish speckled marks occur on various parts of the wings, no doubt imitating the irregular patches of mould which are often present on dead leaves. One very well-marked variety is bright yellow, with the costa rosy and two large white-centred rosy spots arranged transversely on each wing. (See Plate VIII., fig. 47.) All the specimens of this insect are so extremely variable that it is almost impossible to adequately describe the species. The apex of the fore-wing is always very acute; the termen is bowed just below the apex, and is furnished with slight indentations of variable depth. The termen of the hind-wing is also furnished with variable indentations.

The egg is oval and much flattened above. When first laid it is pale green in colour, but becomes dull olive-green as the embryo develops.

The young larva is very pale green, with the head brownish-yellow. At this early stage its colouring already completely harmonises with that of the under side of the leaves of its food-plants, Pittosporum eugenioides and P. tenuifolium.

The full-grown larva is very robust, and about 1 inch in length. Its colour is pale green, with numerous yellow dots and a series of diagonal yellow stripes on each segment; there is, in addition, a series of broad crimson blotches on the back and a small crimson flap projecting from the end of the terminal segment; the prolegs and spiracles are also crimson.

The remarkable shape and colouring of this caterpillar, in conjunction with the peculiar attitude assumed when at rest, affords it complete protection, causing it to resemble, in the closest possible manner, one of the buds of its food-plant. These larvæ grow very slowly, and probably occupy three or four months in attaining their full size. They are very sluggish in their habits. The pupa is greenish-brown in colour. It is enclosed in a cocoon, constructed of two or three leaves of the food-plant, fastened together with silk. The insect remains in this condition for three weeks or a month. The moth first appears about the end of October, and is met with until the middle of March. It frequents forest, where it is occasionally dislodged from amongst the undergrowth. It is also found in the evening on the flowers of the white rata. It is, however, rather uncertain in its appearance, being much commoner in some years than in others.

EPIRRANTHIS HEMIPTERARIA, Gn.

(Hemerophila hemipteraria, Gn. ix. 220, pl. vi. 2. Xyridacina hemipteraria, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 60. Ploseria hemipteraria, Hdsn., Manual N. Z. Ent. 85.)

(Plate VIII., fig. 48 ♂, 49 ♀; Plate III., fig. 19, larva.)

This remarkable-looking species has occurred in the North Island, at Auckland and Wellington. At present it has not been observed in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings is from 1⅜ to 1⅝ inches. All the wings are pale ochreous-brown, with a variable number of minute black dots; there are four or five oblique, wavy brown transverse lines on both fore- and hind-wings, the central and terminal lines being often slightly darker than the others; there is always a black dot in the middle of the fore-wing, and a shaded spot near the termen below the apex. The apex of the hind-wing is very pointed and projects downwards; the almost straight termen has a series of prominent projections.

This species varies much in the intensity of the markings, and in the number of the black dots on both the fore- and hind-wings. The peculiar outline of its hind-wings, however, distinguishes it from any other species with which I am acquainted.

The larva feeds on veronicas in September and October.

Its length when full grown is about 1 inch. Some larvæ are green, with a broad bluish dorsal line, and two fine yellow lateral lines. Others are brown, with a dull yellow dorsal line.

During the daytime these caterpillars firmly clasp the stem of their food-plant with their prolegs, and hold the rest of their body rigidly out from the branch. In this position they are very inconspicuous, and may readily be mistaken for young leaves or twigs. At night they become much more active, and may then be seen walking about and feeding.

The pupa is rather robust, with a sharp spine at its extremity. Its colour is pale olive-brown, with the wing-cases and sides of the abdomen pinkish. It is not enclosed in any cocoon, but is merely concealed amongst the dead leaves and rubbish around the stem of the veronica. The insect remains in this state for less than a month, so that the protection of a cocoon would appear to be unnecessary.

The moth appears in December and January. It usually frequents gardens and other cultivated places, probably on account of the number of veronicas that are often growing in such situations. It is also attracted by blossoms and by light, but is not a common species. The colouring and wing-outline of this moth cause it to very closely resemble a dead leaf, especially when resting amongst foliage or on the ground. This insect may be occasionally noticed abroad on mild evenings in the middle of winter; the females probably hibernate and deposit their eggs early in the spring.

Family 5.—SELIDOSEMIDÆ.

"Hind-wings with vein 5 imperfect (not tubular) or obsolete, 6 and 7 usually separate, 8 usually obsoletely connected with upper margin of cell near base, approximated to near middle." (See Plate II., figs. 51 to 64.)

"A very large family, equally common throughout all regions. It varies considerably in superficial appearance, and is also remarkable for the variability of structure of veins 10 and 11 of the fore-wings in many (not all) species. Imago with body slender to rather stout; fore-wings broad to rather elongate, triangular; posterior tibiæ of male often enlarged and enclosing an expansible tuft of hairs. The structure termed the fovea is a circular impression on the lower surface of the fore-wings above the dorsum near the base, usually placed about the origin of the basal fork of 1b; it is generally confined to the male, and is often sub-hyaline, sometimes surmounted by a small thickened gland; it may possibly be a scent-producing organ. It is strictly confined to that branch of which Selidosema is the type, but is not invariably present there.

"Ovum subcylindrical or elongate-ovate, more or less reticulated, sometimes ribbed. Larva elongate, more or less slender, with few hairs, without developed prolegs on segments 7, 8, and usually 9; often remarkably like a twig of its food-plant. Pupa subterranean, or in a slight cocoon above ground."—(Meyrick.)

Of this extensive family we have nine genera represented in New Zealand:

1. Selidosema.	4. Sestra.	7. Azelina.
2. Hybernia.	5. Gonophylla.	8. Ipana.
3. Chalastra.	6. Drepanodes.	9. Declana.

Genus 1.—SELIDOSEMA, Hb.

"Face with appressed or shortly projecting scales. Tongue developed. Antennæ in male bipectinated, towards apex simple. Palpi rough-scaled. Thorax sometimes crested posteriorly, hairy beneath. Femora nearly glabrous; posterior tibiæ in male dilated. Fore-wings in male with fovea; vein 10 sometimes connected with 9, 11 sometimes out of 10 near base only, or if separate, sometimes anastomosing with 12."—(Meyrick.) (Plate II., figs. 59 and 60, neuration of Selidosema dejectaria.)

This genus is universally distributed and of considerable extent. We have nine species in New Zealand.

SELIDOSEMA FENERATA, Feld.

(Rhyparia fenerata, Feld. cxxxi. 7. Zylobara fenerata, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 498. Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 97.)

(Plate VIII., fig. 50 ♂, 51 ♀.)

This species is common, and generally distributed throughout the country.

The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. The fore-wings of the male are very pale ochreous-brown; there is a double jagged transverse line near the base, a single jagged line a little before the middle, and a double one a little beyond the middle; an almost continuous jagged line near the termen. The hind-wings are very pale ochreous, almost white; their outline is peculiar; the dorsum is very short, the termen very long, first oblique and then rounded with a small projection midway between the apex and the tornus. The female has the fore-wings pale grey, and the hind-wings dull white; the markings resemble those of the male, but the outline of the hind-wing is of the usual form.

This insect varies slightly in the depth of its colouring. It may be distinguished from the allied species by the peculiar outline of the hind-wings in the male, and by the pale grey colouring of the female.

The perfect insect appears from October till March and is very common. It has a great liking for the faded fronds of tree-ferns, from which specimens may often be dislodged. Both sexes are very abundant at various blossoms during the evening, and are also attracted by light. The female is sometimes observed in the winter months, and probably hibernates.

SELIDOSEMA RUDIATA, Walk.

(Cidaria rudiata, Walk. 1420. Boarmia astrapia, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxii. 218. Boarmia rudiata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxiii. 101.)

(Plate IX., fig. 1 ♂, 2 ♀.)

This species is fairly common in the neighbourhood of Wellington, and has occurred at Dunedin, and at Stewart Island. It is probably generally distributed throughout the country.

The expansion of the wings of the male is 1½ inches, of the female 1⅝ inches. The fore-wings are very pale ochreous-brown; there are two interrupted jagged transverse lines near the base; a single very indistinct line in the middle; a double, nearly continuous jagged transverse line beyond the middle; a double jagged line near the termen completely interrupted in the middle; there is generally a dark patch on the termen just below the apex of the wing. The hind-wings are very pale ochreous. There is a series of black dots on the termen of both fore-wings and hind-wings, and the termen of the hind-wing is slightly indented.

This species varies a good deal in size; the specimens from Stewart Island are considerably larger and have more distinct markings, than those found in the vicinity of Wellington.

The larva is cylindrical, of even thickness throughout, and almost uniform dull greyish-brown in colour, occasionally with a series of small oblong black marks on segments 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. It feeds on the young leaves and buds of the ake ake (Olearia traversii). It is extremely difficult to find as it almost exactly resembles a twig of its food-plant. It is full grown about April.

The pupa is concealed in the earth.

The perfect insect appears from October till March. It seems to prefer cultivated districts, and is generally observed at rest on garden fences or tree-trunks. It also frequents flowers in the evening.

SELIDOSEMA SUAVIS, Butl.

(Pseudocoremia suavis, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 497. Pachycnemia usitata, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 501. Pseudocoremia lupinata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 98. Boarmia suavis, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxiii. 101.)

(Plate IX., fig. 3 ♂, 4 ♀.)

This species is very common and generally distributed throughout the country, and has occurred as far south as Stewart Island.

The expansion of the wings is 1¼ inches. The fore-wings of the male are dull yellowish-brown, speckled with black; there are two curved transverse lines near the base; a very obscure line near the middle, darker on the costa; two doubly curved lines beyond the middle, slightly darker on the dorsum; and two very faint jagged lines near the termen. The hind-wings are pale ochreous, tinged with brown near the termen. The female has narrower wings, shorter body, and is usually duller in colour than the male.

This insect is rather variable, some specimens of both sexes being much darker than others; but all the forms may usually be recognised by their dull speckled colouring and absence of conspicuous markings.

The larva feeds on the white rata (M. scandens) and the tawa (Beilschmiedia tawa).

Its length when full grown is about 1⅛ inches. The upper surface is dark reddish-brown with numerous blackish stripes and white markings, which give it a very variegated appearance; the under side is pale green; there are two small tubercles on the back of the eighth segment.

The pupa is concealed amongst refuse on the ground, the larva constructing no cocoon before changing.

The perfect insect appears from October till April, and may often be observed on mild days in the middle of winter. It is common in forest districts, where it is usually seen resting on the tree-trunks, in which situation its colouring must afford it efficient protection from many enemies.

SELIDOSEMA HUMILLIMA, n. sp.

(Plate IX., fig. 5.)

This inconspicuous-looking insect has occurred at Wellington.

The expansion of the wings of the male is about 1⅛ inches. The fore-wings are dull yellowish-brown; there are three short oblique dark brown stripes on the costa, inclined very much towards the termen; the first of these stripes is distinctly double, and the second and third partially so; there is an indistinct brown mark just below the apex, several slender faint streaks on the veins near the middle of the wing, and a very distinct brown shading on the dorsum. The hind-wings are very pale ochreous.

This species may be readily distinguished from the other species of the genus by its small size and by the obliquity of the costal stripes. In S. humillima the costal markings slope very rapidly from the base towards the termen; in the other allied species these markings are but slightly inclined, and in some cases slope in the reverse direction.

The perfect insect appears from December till March. It frequents the immediate neighbourhood of Wellington, but is not a common species. At present I am only acquainted with the male insect.

SELIDOSEMA PRODUCTATA, Walk.

(Larentia productata, Walk. 1197 (?). Selidosema pungata, Feld. cxxxi. 23. Selidosema (?) fragosata, Feld. cxxxi. 29. Zylobara productata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 98.)

(Plate IX., figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 ♂ varieties, 11, 12, 13, and 14 ♀ ditto; Plate III., fig. 22, larva.)

This species is very common, and generally distributed throughout both the North and South Islands. It has also occurred at Stewart Island.

The expansion of the wings of the male is 1⅜ inches, of the female 1⅛ inches.

The fore-wings vary from pale yellowish-brown to rich chocolate-brown; there are two curved transverse lines near the base, generally enclosing a paler stripe between them; next a broad dark central area; then a wavy paler transverse line, usually followed by a very much paler irregular band, generally formed by two partially disconnected patches, one on the costa and one on the dorsum; there is a jagged, whitish, transverse line near the termen, always broken in the middle, and often shaded with black towards the base of the wing. The hind-wings are ochreous, speckled with brown towards the dorsum; there is usually a brown central dot.

This is an extremely variable insect. In some specimens there are very extensive white patches on the wings, whilst in others the colouring is almost uniform rich brown, and the characteristic markings can only be detected with difficulty. It may, however, be distinguished from the allied species by the interrupted pale jagged transverse line near the termen and by the absence of greenish colouring.

The eggs are oval with the surface honeycombed; they are pale green in colour. The young larva, when first hatched, is much attenuated, light reddish-brown with a broad pale lateral stripe, and a few bristles. The full-grown larva measures about 1½ inches in length; it is rather slender and has a large hump on the sixth segment. Its colour is dark reddish-brown, mottled and striped with dull white and greenish.

It feeds on the white rata (Metrosideros scandens). During the day it firmly grasps a stem of its food-plant with its prolegs, holding the rest of its body out from the branch in a perfectly straight and rigid position. When in this attitude it so exactly resembles a twig, that, even in the case of captive specimens, it is often a matter of the greatest difficulty to find a caterpillar amongst the branches. Several times I have even caught hold of a larva, thinking it to be a twig, so perfect is the resemblance. At night these larvæ become much more active, and by the aid of a lantern they may then be seen busily walking about and feeding.

The pupa is enclosed in a slight cocoon about two inches below the surface of the earth. The larvæ of the autumnal brood remain in this condition during the winter, but in the case of the spring and summer broods the pupa state only occupies a few weeks.

The moth appears from November till May. It is very common in forest regions, and may be observed resting on the trunks of the trees, its pale yellow hind-wings being completely concealed by the mottled brown fore-wings. In this position the insect is almost invisible, and the protection afforded by its colouring is at once apparent. In the autumn evenings it is often very abundant at the blossoms of the white rata.

SELIDOSEMA ARISTARCHA, Meyr.

(Selidosema aristarcha, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxiv. 216.)

(Plate IX., fig. 17 ♂, 18 ♀; Plate III., fig. 17, larva.)

Of this fine species only about a dozen specimens have hitherto been captured, all of which have occurred in the immediate vicinity of Wellington. It is consequently at present a rarity, but future collectors will probably find the insect in many other parts of the country.

The expansion of the wings varies from 1¼ to 1½ inches. The fore-wings are light ochreous-brown; there is a small white-edged brown spot near the base; two oblique curved brown transverse lines enclosing between them a white space towards the dorsum; a short stripe on the costa, near the middle, edged with white towards the base of the wing; a doubly curved transverse line beyond the middle, finely edged with white towards the base of the wing; there is also a short white-edged brown stripe extending from the apex of the wing to the last-named transverse line, the two lines enclosing between them a small pale triangular area; there are five short longitudinal brown lines running from the termen to the outermost of the transverse lines, two of them being tipped with white towards the base of the wing. The hind-wings are dull ochreous-brown, with two very faint brown transverse lines towards the dorsum, and several whitish spots and one brown spot near the tornus. The female is a little darker in colour than the male.

This insect varies slightly in size.

The larva feeds on Cyathea dealbata (tree-fern) in September. Its colour is dull reddish-brown with an irregular brownish-black blotch on the side of each segment, and a dark brown dorsal line. It is very sluggish in its habits.

The pupa is concealed amongst moss, &c., on the surface of the ground, the insect remaining in this state for about six weeks.

The moth appears from September till March, and frequents dense forests. It has been dislodged from its food-plant in the daytime, and has also been taken on the flowers of the white rata in the evening.

SELIDOSEMA MELINATA, Feld.

(Numeria melinata, Feld. cxxix. 9. Pseudocoremia indistincta, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 394, pl. xliii. 8. Pseudocoremia melinata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 99.)

(Plate IX., fig. 15 ♂, 16 ♀.)

This species is very common, and generally distributed throughout the country.

The expansion of the wings of the male is 1¼ inches, of the female 1½ inches. The fore-wings are dull greenish-grey, with black markings; there is a transverse line near the base; another near the middle, followed by two broken irregular lines, then a broader, paler area sometimes white, followed by a series of jagged pale markings shaded with black. The hind-wings are ochreous mottled with pale brown near the dorsum; there is a series of black dots on the termen of both fore- and hind-wings.

This species is extremely variable, but may always be recognised by its greenish tinge, and the absence of indentations on the termen of both fore- and hind-wings.

The larva, according to Mr. Purdie, is about ¾ inch long; dull green with darker longitudinal striations. It may be beaten from New Zealand broom (Carmichælia) in February. There must be some other commoner food-plant, as the moth is found in many localities where the New Zealand broom does not occur.

The perfect insect appears from November till March, and is generally very abundant in all wooded districts. It is also common in birch forests on the mountain sides, where it may be taken at altitudes of from 3,000 to 4,000 feet above the sea-level. In the lowlands I have observed as many as half a dozen specimens on a single tree-trunk. Whilst resting in this situation they are very inconspicuous, the colouring of the fore-wings harmonizing perfectly with the insect's surroundings, and the pale-coloured hind-wings being then entirely concealed by the upper pair. In connection with this fact it is very interesting to notice that in all those cases where the hind-wings are exposed to view during repose, they are protectively coloured in a similar manner to the fore-wings. It will be observed that the two following species of Selidosema exhibit protective colouring on both pairs of wings, these being invariably exposed when the insects are at rest.

SELIDOSEMA DEJECTARIA.

(Boarmia dejectaria, Walk. 394. Boarmia attracta, Walk. 394. Boarmia exprompta, Walk. 395. Tephrosia patularia, Walk. 422; Butl., Cat., pl. iii. 8. Tephrosia scriptaria, Walk. 422. Scotosia erebinata, Walk. 1358. Scotosia stigmaticata, Walk. 1359. Scotosia lignosata, Walk. 1361. Gnophos pannularia, Gn., E. M. M. v. 42. Scotopteryx maoriata, Feld. cxxvi. 4. Hemerophila (?) sulpitiata, Feld. cxxvi. 7. Hemerophila caprimulgata, Feld. cxxvi. 12. Boarmia dejectaria, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 100.)

(Plate IX., figs. 19, 20, 21 and 22 ♂ varieties, 23 and 24 ♀ ditto; Plate III., fig. 12, larva.)

This large insect is very common, and generally distributed throughout the country.

The expansion of the wings is from 1½ to 2 inches. The fore-wings vary from pale ochreous to very dark rich brown; there is an oblique transverse line near the base, often enclosing a darker basal area; a small dark brown spot in the middle of the wing surrounded by a ring; a very oblique, wavy, transverse line beyond the middle, often double towards the dorsum, and several irregular markings on the termen; there is often a white spot on the middle of the termen, and a pale blotch on the apex of the wing. The hind-wings resemble the fore-wings in colour; there are two obscure transverse lines near the base; generally forming a dark basal area; a wavy line near the middle, and a strongly shaded line near the termen. The termen of both the wings is indented, the depth of the indentations varying greatly in different specimens.

This insect is very variable, but its large size and oblique transverse lines suffice to distinguish it from any of the other allied species.

The larva feeds on a great variety of plants, mahoe (Melicytus ramiflorus), white rata (Metrosideros scandens), Solanum aviculare, fuchsia (Fuchsia excorticata), and Pennantia corymbosa being amongst the number. The caterpillar may often be recognised by a large hump, which is situated on each side of the third segment. Its colouring appears to be so entirely influenced by its surroundings that a description is impossible. For instance, larvæ taken from the pale green foliage of the mahoe resemble in colour the twigs of that plant; others captured feeding on the white rata are dark reddish-brown, those from Solanum aviculare are purplish slate-colour, whilst those from the fuchsia are pale olive-green tinged with brown, like the sprouting twigs.

The pupa is enclosed in a slight cocoon situated about two inches below the surface of the ground. Those larvæ which become full grown in the autumn remain as pupæ during the winter, but the summer broods only remain in the pupa state a few weeks.

The perfect insect appears from November till March. It has a great partiality for resting with outspread wings on the walls of sheds and outhouses, where it is frequently noticed by the most casual observer. It is very common in most situations, and may be taken in large numbers at sugar, light, or blossoms, during the whole of the summer. Its extreme abundance and great variability, in both the larval and imago states, would render it a good subject for a series of experiments, resembling those conducted by Messrs. Poulton and Merrifield on several allied European species.

SELIDOSEMA PANAGRATA, Walk.

(Scotosia panagrata, Walk. 1360. Angerona menanaria, Walk. 1500. Epirrhanthis (?) antipodaria, Feld. cxxvi. 3. Hyperythra desiccata, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 495. Hyperythra arenacea, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 495. Barsine panagrata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 100.)

(Plate IX., figs. 25, 26, 27, and 28 ♂ varieties, 29 and 30 ♀ ditto.)

This species is very common, and generally distributed throughout the country. It has occurred as far south as Stewart Island.

The expansion of the wings is from 1½ to 1¾ inches. The fore-wings of the male vary from pale yellowish-white to rich brown or dark brownish-black; there is a jagged transverse line near the base; a large black or white spot in the middle of the wing; a doubly curved transverse line beyond the middle, then a very jagged transverse line, followed by several paler markings, and an obscure line parallel with the termen. The hind-wings are paler in colour; there is a slightly curved transverse line near the base; a jagged line near the middle, and a very faint line beyond the middle. The termen of both fore- and hind-wings is slightly indented. The female varies from pale ochreous to dark slate-colour; the markings resemble those of the male, but the termen of the wings is more indented.

This species is so extremely variable that a more detailed description would be useless; its numerous forms may, however, be at once recognised by the unbroken jagged transverse lines of both fore- and hind-wings.

The larva is quite as variable as the perfect insect. When very young it is bright green, with a conspicuous white dorsal line; as age advances the caterpillar becomes dark olive-brown, sometimes striped with paler brown or green, whilst many specimens retain the green colouring throughout the whole of their lives. The favourite food-plant is the kawa-kawa (Piper excelsum), which the larvæ voraciously devour, thus causing the riddled appearance which the leaves of that plant almost invariably present. These larvæ often select a forked twig to rest in, where they lie curled round, with the head and tail close together. Other food-plants are Aristotelia racemosa and Myrtus bullata. Those caterpillars found on the latter plant are strongly tinged with pink, and are consequently very inconspicuous amongst the young shoots, where they generally feed. The burrows of the larvæ of Hepialus virescens are frequently utilised by the caterpillars, which feed on the Aristotelia, as convenient retreats during the winter. When full-grown these caterpillars descend to the ground and construct loose cocoons of silk and earth on the under sides of fallen leaves. The moth usually emerges in about a month's time, but the autumnal larvæ either hibernate or remain in the pupa state throughout the winter.

The perfect insect appears from October till April. It frequents forest and is extremely common. It also occurs in great abundance on the white rata blossoms in the autumn, and specimens may be occasionally seen even in the depth of winter.

Genus 2.—HYBERNIA, Latr.

"Face with appressed scales or short rough scales. Tongue developed or weak. Antennæ in male bi-pectinated, pectinations sometimes short and terminating in fascicles of cilia, apex simple. Palpi shortly rough-scaled. Thorax with small triangular anterior crest, hairy beneath. Femora glabrous; posterior tibiæ in male not dilated. Fore-wings in male without fovea; vein 10 sometimes out of 9, sometimes anastomosing or connected with 9, 11 sometimes out of 10, usually anastomosing with or running into 12, rarely absent. Female semiapterous or apterous."—(Meyrick.)

We have one species.

HYBERNIA INDOCILIS, Walk.

(Zermizinga indocilisaria, Walk. 1530. Hybernia boreophilaria, Gn., E. M. M. v. 61. Hybernia indocilis, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 97.)

(Plate IX., fig. 31 ♂, 32 ♀.)

This species has occurred plentifully in the neighbourhood of Christchurch.

The expansion of the wings of the male is 1¼ inches, of the female ½ inch. All the wings are pale grey, speckled with darker grey. The fore-wings have four obscure wavy transverse lines; the first near the base, the second and third near the middle, rather close together, and the fourth near the termen, much interrupted; there is a series of black dots on the termen. The hind-wings have two very faint transverse lines, and a series of black terminal dots; the termen of the hind-wings is slightly scalloped. The cilia of all the wings are grey. The female has the wings extremely small and quite useless for flight; in colour and markings they resemble those of the male, except that the transverse lines are black and sharply defined.

The perfect insect appears from July to January. Mr. R. W. Fereday states that the male is found plentifully at rest on the bare ground, amongst Leptospermum, and the female on the stems.

Described and figured from specimens kindly given to me by Mr. Fereday.

Genus 3.—CHALASTRA, Walk.

"Face with a slight cone of scales. Palpi rather long, porrected, roughly scaled. Antennæ in male bi-pectinated. Fore-wings with vein 6 from below 9, 7 from below angle of areole, 10 very shortly touching 9, 11 free, 12 very shortly touching 11. Hind-wings normal."—(Meyrick.) (Plate II., figs. 51 and 52.)

This genus is represented by one species only.

I have made a very careful examination of several denuded specimens of Chalastra pelurgata, and I find that in the fore-wings veins 9, 10, and 11 rise almost from a point. Vein 10 afterwards approaches closely to 9, but does not actually touch it, and consequently does not form a true areole. Vein 12 also appears to me to be free.

CHALASTRA PELURGATA, Walk.

(Chalastra pelurgata, Walk. 1430. Itama cinerascens, Feld. cxxxi. 1. Stratocleis streptophora, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 106.)

(Plate IX., figs. 33 and 34 ♂ varieties, 35 and 36 ♀ ditto; Plate III., fig. 21, larva.)

This species is very abundant in the neighbourhood of Wellington. It has also occurred at Palmerston North, and is probably common throughout the whole of the North Island. In the South Island it has been taken in the Otira Gorge, and at Dunedin, Otara and Invercargill.

The expansion of the wings is about 1⅜ inches. The fore-wings of the male vary from pale orange-brown to dull yellowish-brown; there is a doubly curved dark brown transverse line near the base; a broad straight line a little before the middle; a very strongly curved line a little beyond the middle, and a less strongly curved line near the termen, often composed of a series of triangular white dots edged with dark brown; all these lines are much stronger on the costa, and are sometimes almost obliterated elsewhere. The hind-wings are pale yellow, with several brown-edged white spots at the tornus, and an indistinct line parallel to the termen. The apex of the fore-wing is considerably produced, and there is a large rounded projection on the termen. The hind-wings have several small projections on the termen. In the female the fore-wings are pale yellow or orange, the transverse lines and white spots are usually more conspicuous, and the projections on the termen of the fore- and hind-wings larger.

This is a very variable insect, especially in the male, some specimens of which sex are very much clouded and dappled with dark brown both on the fore- and hind-wings. Many of these darker forms might readily be taken for distinct species, when compared with the pale orange-brown variety, but a good series of specimens presents numerous intermediate forms which completely connect these extreme varieties. The females also vary, but are never as dark as the males.

The larva feeds on Todea hymenophylloides, a fern which grows in shady places in the depths of the forest. The length of the caterpillar when full grown is about 1¼ inches. It is very variable; some specimens are dull brown, with a row of green or pale brown lunate spots down each side, and a dark brown line down the back. Others are bright green, with a diagonal reddish-brown stripe on the side of each segment; the segmental divisions are reddish-brown, intersected by numerous very minute whitish lines.

The pupa is enclosed in a loose cocoon on the surface of the ground.

The perfect insect appears from November till March, and is very common in forest regions. It may often be dislodged from the dead fronds surrounding the stems of tree-ferns, and is also met with in great abundance towards the end of summer on the blossoms of the white rata.

Genus 4.—SESTRA, Walk.

"Face smooth. Palpi short, rough-haired beneath, porrected. Antennæ in male stout, serrate, shortly ciliated. Fore-wings with vein 6 from below 9, 7 from below angle of areole, 10 rising out of 9 above origin, anastomosing again shortly with 9, 11 anastomosing shortly with 10, 12 anastomosing shortly with 11. Hind-wings normal."—(Meyrick.) (Plate II., fig. 53, neuration of fore-wing of Sestra humeraria.)

We have two species in New Zealand.

It will be seen that my figure of the neuration of Sestra humeraria does not precisely agree with Mr. Meyrick's description. The differences in the results arrived at are probably due to the variability in structure of veins 10, 11 (and 12), mentioned when dealing with the characters of the entire family. Similar slight discrepancies also occur in connection with the three following genera.

SESTRA HUMERARIA, Walk.

(Macaria humeraria, Walk. 940. Lozogramma obtusaria, ib. 985. Cidaria obtruncata, ib. 1421. Sestra fusiplagiata, ib. 1751. Amastris encausta, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 105. Sestra humeraria, ib. xviii. 184.)

(Plate X., figs. 1 and 2 varieties; Plate III., fig. 20, larva.)

This species is very common, and generally distributed throughout both the North and the South Islands; it also occurs plentifully at Stewart Island.

The expansion of the wings is 1⅜ inches. The fore-wings are pale plum-colour; there is an indistinct, curved, brownish transverse line near the base; a straight dark brown line across the middle, and a curved series of blackish dots beyond the middle; the apex is pointed, and the termen has a strong projection a little above the middle. The hind-wings are ochreous, with a series of minute brownish dots across the middle.

This is a variable species. The fore-wings are often much clouded with rich brown, and in some specimens scarcely a trace of the original purplish colour remains; the central straight transverse line is often absent, and the other lines are frequently very indistinct, except on the costa; the dots on the hind-wings are also often absent, and occasionally specimens are met with in which all the wings are almost white.

The larva is rather elongate, dull yellowish-brown or greenish-brown; there is a very broad dark brown dorsal line, and several wavy lateral lines; the prolegs are black, the spiracles are also black; there is a slight hump on the posterior edge of each of the last six segments, the hump on the penultimate segment being considerably larger than the others. The length of the caterpillar when full grown is about 1 inch.

It feeds on Pteris incisa, a beautiful pale green fern, attaining a height of four feet or more, and growing in open situations in the forest. This fern is especially abundant on old decaying logs situated amongst light brushwood. When disturbed these larvæ immediately drop to the ground and coil themselves up. In this situation they are very inconspicuous, as their colouring so closely resembles that of the faded fronds or stems of the fern.

The pupa is buried in the earth about two inches below the surface, the insect remaining in this state during the winter months.

The moth first appears about September, and continues in great abundance until the end of March or beginning of April. It frequents forest, and is noticed most commonly in the neighbourhood of its food-plant. There are probably several broods in the course of a year.

SESTRA FLEXATA, Walk.

(Cidaria flexata, Walk. 1421.)

(Plate IX., fig. 37.)

This species has occasionally occurred in the neighbourhood of Wellington. I have no records of its capture elsewhere, but expect it will be found to be generally distributed.

The expansion of the wings is about 1¼ inches. The fore-wings are bright orange-red; there is a very faint transverse line near the base, darker on the costa; a dark red oblong mark on the costa near the middle; and a faint transverse line beyond the middle, also darker on the costa. The hind-wings are bright ochreous-yellow, with the cilia orange.

This insect varies considerably in the intensity of its colouring. It has long been considered as merely a variety of Sestra humeraria, but as I have not observed any intermediate forms, although the two insects frequently occur together, I think it may be regarded for the present as a distinct species.

The perfect insect appears from October till December, and is found in the same localities as S. humeraria.

Genus 5.—GONOPHYLLA, Meyr.

"Face shortly rough-haired. Palpi moderate, arched, ascending, shortly rough-scaled, terminal joint short. Antennæ in male rather stout, pubescent. Coxæ and femora densely rough-haired beneath. Fore-wings with vein 6 from below 9, 7 from below angle of areole, 10 shortly touching 9, 11 separate, 12 free. Hind-wings normal."—(Meyrick.) (Plate II., figs. 63 and 64, neuration of Gonophylla nelsonaria.)

Of this genus we have but one species.

GONOPHYLLA NELSONARIA, Feld.

(Gonodontis (?) nelsonaria, Feld. cxxiii. 3. Gonodontis felix, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 389, pl. xlii. 10. Phyllodoce nelsonaria, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 104. Gonophylla nelsonaria, ib. xviii. 184.)

(Plate X., figs. 3 and 4 ♂ varieties, 5 and 6 ♀ ditto.)

This handsome insect is common in the neighbourhood of Wellington. It has also occurred at Nelson and Dunedin, and is possibly generally distributed throughout the country.

The expansion of the wings is 1½ inches. The fore-wings of the male are rich reddish-brown, mottled with darker; there are several small white marks on the costa; a black dot in the middle of the wing, and an almost straight white transverse line beyond the middle; outside this line the wing is speckled with greyish-white. The hind-wings are pale pinkish-brown; there is a black dot in the middle, and a curved blackish transverse line a little beyond the middle, being a continuation of the transverse line of the fore-wing; beyond this line, and on the dorsum, there are generally several small blackish markings. The female has the fore-wings orange-red, speckled with darker; there is a doubly curved transverse line near the base, and an almost straight transverse line near the termen, both dark red; beyond the outer transverse line the wing is shaded with dark brown. The hind-wings are pale reddish-orange, with a curved blackish transverse line. In both sexes the apex of the fore-wing is projecting, and there is a strong angular projection on the termen a little before the middle; the termen of the hind-wing has several small projections.

The variation of this insect is considerable, especially in the male. The ground colour of the fore-wings often inclines to dull brown, or even dull yellowish-brown; the light and dark mottling, and the greyish markings near the termen are sometimes hardly visible; there is often a yellowish blotch opposite the large angle in the termen of the fore-wing. The hind-wings also are very variable in their colouring. All these varieties exist in the female in a less pronounced degree.

The perfect insect appears during the first week in February, and is generally over by the middle or end of March. The males are first noticed, the females not appearing until about a fortnight later. I have never taken this insect in the daytime, and in fact have never seen it except on the blossoms of the white rata, where, on fine evenings, it is often very abundant. As yet, however, Wellington is the only locality where I have met with it.

Genus 6.—DREPANODES, Gn.

"Face with cone of scales. Palpi moderate, triangularly scaled, porrected. Antennæ in male moderate, simple. Fore-wings with vein 6 from below 9, 7 from below angle of areole, 10 very shortly touching 9, 11 rising out of 10 before angle of areole, 12 free. Hind-wings normal. (Plate II., figs. 61 and 62 neuration of Drepanodes muriferata.)

A characteristic South American genus. The single New Zealand species is very similar to some South American forms."—(Meyrick.)

DREPANODES MURIFERATA, Walk.

(Gargaphia muriferata, Walk. 1635. Panagra ephyraria, Walk. 1761. ? Zanclognatha (?) cookaria, Feld. cxxiii. 26. Zanclognatha (?) haastiaria, Feld. cxxiii. 32. Drepanodes muriferata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 107.)

(Plate X., figs. 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 ♂ varieties, 12 ♀.)

This species is very abundant in the neighbourhood of Wellington. It has also been taken at Taranaki, Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill and Stewart Island, and is probably common and generally distributed throughout the country.

The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. All the wings of the male are yellowish-brown; there is a faint transverse line near the base, and a conspicuous darker transverse line running from a little before the apex of the fore-wing to the middle of the dorsum of the hind-wing; there is also a dark spot in the centre of the fore-wing, often containing two white dots. In the female, all the wings are slate-coloured; the transverse lines are very faintly indicated, and the central dot of the fore-wing is reddish-brown. The apex of the fore-wing in each sex is conspicuously hooked, and the termen is bowed and sometimes has a very slight angle in the middle.

Both sexes of this insect are very variable. In the male, the ground colour ranges from dingy-brown to bright orange-brown; the transverse lines differ much in intensity, and in some specimens the central area of the wings enclosed by them is much darker than either the basal or the marginal portions; occasionally there is a series of black markings between the outer transverse line and the termen of the fore-wings, whilst the transverse line itself is frequently edged with a band of paler colouring. The female also varies in the ground colour and in the intensity of the transverse lines, which are sometimes marked by a few black dots.

The larva, according to Mr. Purdie, is light grey, cylindrical, about ⅝ inch in length. It may be beaten in February from an undergrowth of Carpodetus and Aristotelia.

The perfect insect appears from November till March. It frequents dense forest and is often very abundant. The colouring of the upper and under surfaces of its wings, and the shape of the wings are both very protective, giving the moth an exact resemblance to a dead leaf. When disturbed, the insect adds to this deception by keeping its wings quite motionless and rigidly extended, and allowing itself to fall through the air like a leaf. The resemblance in this case to the inanimate object is very perfect, and has no doubt enabled the moth to escape from many enemies. It is, in fact, an extremely interesting example of the simultaneous development of structure and instinct in a useful direction, through the agency of natural selection.

This species is much attracted both by light and by blossoms.

Genus 7.—AZELINA, Gn.

"Face with some projecting hairs. Palpi rather long, obliquely ascending, roughly scaled, attenuated. Antennæ in male thick, simple. Fore-wings with vein 6 from below 9, 7 from below angle of areole, 10 very shortly touching 9, 11 separate, 12 free. Hind-wings normal. A genus of some extent, specially characteristic of South America. Guenée made a separate genus (Polygonia) of the New Zealand species, but without any point of distinction."—(Meyrick.) (Plate II., figs. 54 and 55, neuration of Azelina gallaria.)

We have three species in New Zealand.^[17]

AZELINA GALLARIA, Walk.

(Selenia gallaria, Walk. 185, Butl., Cat., pl. iii. 6, 7. Euchlaena (?) palthidata, Feld. cxxxii. 21, 22. Stratocleis gallaria, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 105; Azelina gallaria, xx. 62.)

(Plate X., figs. 13 to 20 ♂ varieties, 21 to 23 ♀ ditto.)

This species is very common in the neighbourhood of Wellington. It has also occurred at Palmerston North, Makotuku, Christchurch, Dunedin and Stewart Island.

The expansion of the wings is 1¼ inches. The fore-wings of the male vary from pale yellowish-brown to bright orange-brown, or reddish-brown; there is a wavy transverse line near the base, often obsolete except on the costa; another wavy transverse line beyond the middle, also frequently obsolete except on the costa; followed by a very conspicuous straight line, often double, running obliquely from a little before the apex to the dorsum; outside this line, near the tornus, there are, in most specimens, two black spots or one large rust-red spot; the termen has two projections near the apex, inside which there is usually a darker blotch. The hind-wings are as variable in colour as the fore-wings; there is one wavy line near the base, followed by an almost straight line, which is a continuation of the straight line of the fore-wing; beyond this line the ground colour is generally much darker; the termen itself has no projections. The female has broader wings and a shorter body than the male; the ground colour and markings are similar to those of the male, but are usually more sombre, and the termen of both fore- and hind-wings is furnished with a number of prominent projections. The under side of the wings in both sexes is beautifully marbled with yellow and reddish-brown, and several of the markings of the upper surface are faintly indicated.

This species, as will be seen from the foregoing, is so extremely variable that a more detailed description would be useless, especially as the straight, oblique, transverse lines of both fore- and hind-wings will at once distinguish it from the two other members of the genus.

The perfect insect appears from November till March. It frequents dense forest, and is most abundant at the flowers of the white rata in the evening. Earlier in the year, before the rata blooms, it may sometimes be taken at sugar.

AZELINA OPHIOPA, Meyr.

(Gonophylla ophiopa, Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1897, 387.)

(Plate X., fig. 26 ♂, 27 ♂ variety, 28 ♀.)

This species has occurred occasionally in the neighbourhood of Wellington, but has not yet been recorded from any other locality.

The expansion of the wings is 1½ inches. The fore-wings of the male are pale orange-brown; there is a doubly toothed shaded transverse line near the base, the teeth being marked with two black spots; a conspicuous wavy transverse line runs from the apex to the dorsum, and is also marked with several black dots; the space between the two transverse lines is paler than the rest of the wing; there is a row of small black dots on the termen, and the termen itself has two small projections. The hind-wings are yellowish at the base, becoming orange beyond the middle; there is a faint brownish transverse line near the base, and a conspicuous wavy transverse line at the middle, marked by a series of black dots; this central transverse line divides the yellowish ground colour of the basal area, from the orange ground colour of the rest of the wing. The female is larger and duller than the male; the fore-wings are yellowish drab, with the outer transverse line dull red; there is a series of minute black dots on the termen; the hind-wings are dull yellow, with a wavy central transverse line.

The only variety of this species which has come under my observation is a male. In this specimen all the wings are pale yellowish-brown, with very broad black transverse lines. (See Plate X., fig. 27.)

This insect is evidently closely allied to Azelina fortinata. It may, however, be distinguished from that species by the smaller projections on the termen of the fore- and hind-wings, and the dotted transverse lines of the male.

The perfect insect appears from January till April. It is met with much later in the season than either of the two other species of Azelina. It frequents forest, and may be found on the blossoms of the white rata, but is, I think, the rarest of the genus.

AZELINA FORTINATA, Gn.

(Polygonia fortinata, Gn., E. M. M. v. 41. Caustoloma (?) ziczac, Feld. cxxxii. 4. Azelina fortinata, Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 106.)

(Plate X., fig. 24 ♂, 25 ♀.)

This beautiful insect occurs occasionally in forests in both the North and the South Islands. It has been taken at Wellington, Nelson, Castle Hill, Akaroa, Mount Hutt, West Plains and Otara.

The expansion of the wings is 1¼ inches. The fore-wings of the male are pale orange-brown, with a doubly toothed black transverse line near the base, and a less acutely toothed line beyond the middle; between these there is a black mark on the costa; the termen has two large projections, and several smaller ones; between the outer transverse line and the termen there are several small black markings. The hind-wings are yellowish, clouded with orange-brown towards the termen, which also has several projections; there is a faint blackish line near the base, and a much stronger black line near the middle, starting from the dorsum and reaching about half-way across the wing. The female has the fore-wings dark brown, with the central area between the two transverse lines paler; the hind-wings are also considerably darker than those in the male.

This species varies a little in the depth of the ground colour, but not otherwise.

The perfect insect appears in December, January and February. It frequents dense forest, and is generally disturbed from amongst ferns and undergrowth.

Genus 8.—IPANA, Walk.

"Face roughly haired. Antennæ in male simple, shortly ciliated. Palpi as in Declana. Thorax densely hairy above and beneath, with slight median crest. Abdomen in male elongate. Femora densely hairy; posterior tibiæ in male short and much swollen, furnished on inner side with very large dense tuft of hairs. Fore-wings in male without fovea; veins 10 and 11 separate."—(Meyrick).

We have one species in New Zealand.

IPANA LEPTOMERA, Walk.

(Ipana leptomera, Walk., Noct. 1662.)

(Plate X., figs. 29, 31, and 31A ♂ varieties, 30 ♀.)

This species is common in the neighbourhood of Wellington, and I expect generally distributed throughout New Zealand; but as there appears to have been some confusion in Mr. Meyrick's papers between it and the female of Declana junctilinea, I am unable to assign the localities there mentioned to either of the species.

The expansion of the wings of the male is 1½ inches, of the female 1⅜ inches. The fore-wings of the male are uniform pale brownish-ochreous, generally with two transverse series of minute darker brown dots parallel to the termen, and two or three similar dots near the middle of the wing. There is a series of very small parallel brown lines on the costa. The hind-wings are greyish-brown with two very deep indentations in the termen. The female has the fore-wings pale grey, and the hind-wings darker grey; the markings and outline resemble the male.

In a few male specimens I have observed four large black spots on the fore-wings, two near the base, and two near the termen. All these spots are sometimes joined together by a very broad black band, which extends along the whole of the central portion of the fore-wings. I have also a male specimen in which the fore-wings are entirely marbled with dark grey. In the female two or three moderately large spots are occasionally present on the fore-wings, near the termen. All these varieties appear to be much scarcer than the typical form.

The larva, which feeds on manuka (Leptospermum), has ten legs. It is rather slender, dark brown, mottled with grey and dull red. There are two large tubercles on the sides of the seventh and eighth segments. It is a sluggish caterpillar and is generally seen in a motionless condition, clasping the stem of its food-plant with its prolegs, and holding the rest of its body in a perfectly rigid position like a small branch. The pupa is enclosed in a cocoon of silk and refuse on the surface of the ground.

The perfect insect appears in January, February and March. It is a forest-dwelling species, and may often be captured in some numbers, at dusk, on the flowers of the white rata (M. scandens). It is very sluggish and nearly always drops to the ground when disturbed and feigns death.

Genus 9.—DECLANA, Walk.

"Face roughly haired. Antennæ in male bi-pectinated to apex or simple. Palpi with second joint ascending, rough-haired, terminal joint rather long, slender, clavate, porrected. Thorax densely hairy above and beneath, with more or less developed median crest. Femora densely hairy. Fore-wings in male without fovea; vein 6 sometimes out of 9, 10 sometimes out of 9, connected or anastomosing with 9, 11 sometimes out of 10, sometimes connected or anastomosing with 10."—(Meyrick.) (Plate II., figs. 56 and 57, neuration of Declana floccosa, 58 head of ditto.)

We have seven species.

DECLANA ATRONIVEA, Walk.

(Detunda atronivea, Walk., Suppl. ii. 619. Chlenias (?) manxifera, Fereday, Trans. N. Z. Inst. xii. (1879), 268, pl. ix. 1. Detunda atronivea, Meyr., ib. xvi. 101.)

(Plate X., fig. 33 ♂, 34 ♀; Plate III., fig. 18, larva.)

This very handsome and conspicuous insect appears to be restricted to the North Island, where it is rather rare. It has occurred at Wellington, Otaki, and Napier.

The expansion of the wings of the male is 1⅝ inches, of the female nearly 2 inches. The fore-wings are brilliant shining white, with numerous black markings; these consist chiefly of three irregular branching transverse bands, and a series of wedge-shaped spots on the termen; the larger markings are brownish in the centre. The hind-wings are dark grey, becoming almost black on the termen, with a fine wavy transverse black line.

This species varies considerably in the size and shape of the black markings on the fore-wings, which are often slightly different on the opposite sides, in the same specimen.

The eggs of this moth are oval in shape, slightly roughened on the surface and light blue in colour. They are deposited towards the end of October. The young larva escapes by gnawing a hole out of the side.

When first hatched it is dull brownish-black, with creamy-white lateral lines and prolegs; the head is reddish. It feeds on Panax arborea. After the first moult the lateral lines become much wider, especially towards the head. After the second moult the two dorsal tubercles are fully developed, the thoracic segments much swollen and flattened above, the latter bearing traces of the black markings of the full-grown larva. After the third moult the larva becomes a dark brownish colour inclining to chocolate on the dorsal surface. The characteristic markings on the penultimate and anal segments of the adult larva now appear, and the dorsal tubercles are yellowish in colour; the extra prolegs are very small, and are visible as wart-like appendages on the lower surface of the tenth segment. The full-grown caterpillar is a remarkable-looking animal. The head is very small; the first three segments of the body are enormously swollen and flattened above, the flattened portions being white, with several small black ring-shaped markings; there is a pair of large yellowish tubercles on the dorsal surface of the seventh segment, and two smaller ones on the tenth and eleventh segments; the larva is much stouter towards the posterior extremity, especially behind the ninth segment; the penultimate segment is furnished with a large creamy-white ridge, starting on the back and proceeding downwards and forwards; the extra pair of prolegs is small and only occasionally used in walking. The general colour of the larva is brownish- or blackish-green; the tenth and eleventh segments are generally darker, and there are many fine parallel lines of darker colouring on the central portions of the larva; the whole insect is also speckled with black; the spiracles are red. The larva varies a good deal in colour, but its peculiar structure will at once distinguish it from any other.

These larvæ often coil themselves up when at rest, clinging firmly with their large prolegs to their food-plant. Whilst thus engaged they have a very remarkable appearance. I have not yet ascertained the precise object of the peculiar shape and coloration of this caterpillar. It appears to resemble very closely a lichen-covered twig, but I suspect in this case there is something more special aimed at.

In connection with this subject, it is noteworthy that the flattened extremities of the elytra of the beetle, Ectopsis ferrugalis, closely resemble in both shape and colour the remarkable anterior segments of the larva of D. atronivea. As both insects feed on the same plant, and thus exist under very similar conditions, it is highly probable that the peculiarities have been independently acquired in each species for similar purposes.

The pupa is enclosed in a light cocoon amongst dead leaves, &c, on the surface of the ground.

The perfect insect appears in February and March, and may sometimes be taken at blossoms in the evening. It is also attracted by light, and has been found occasionally, in the daytime, resting on tree-trunks. It hibernates during the winter, coming abroad again the following spring to lay its eggs. I have observed that a good many pupæ from the autumnal brood do not emerge until September or October, so that the insect evidently spends the winter both as a pupa and as an imago.

DECLANA EGREGIA, Feld.

(Chlenias egregia, Feld. cxxxi. 24; Fereday, Trans. N. Z. Inst. xii. 268, pl. ix. 2. Detunda egregia, Meyr., ib. xvi. 101.)

(Plate X., fig. 35.)

This very handsome insect has occurred in the South Island at Nelson, Christchurch, Akaroa and the Otira Gorge.

The expansion of the wings is about 1¾ inches. The fore-wings are creamy-white; there is a small dark brown mark at the base, a broad transverse wavy brown band before the middle, a very large four-cornered irregular brown mark beyond the middle, one of its corners touching the apex and the other the tornus; the termen is shaded with pale grey, and there is a series of faint brown marks on the costa and dorsum. The hind-wings are dull white, darker towards the termen; there are two very faint transverse lines.

The perfect insect appears from November till February. It is a very rare species.

Described and figured from a specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection.

DECLANA FLOCCOSA, Walk.

(Declana floccosa, Walk. xv. 1649. Argua scabra, Walk, xxviii. 448. Declana feredayi, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 398, pl. xliii. 5. Declana nigrosparsa, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 500. Declana floccosa, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 102.)

(Plate X., figs. 39 to 43 ♂ varieties, 44 to 47 ♀ ditto.)

This species has occurred very commonly at Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. It is probably generally distributed throughout the country.

The expansion of the wings is about 1⅜ inches. The fore-wings are pale greyish-white with numerous small brownish-black streaks, exhibiting a slight concentration near the apex. The hind-wings are dull white, clouded with greyish towards the termen.

This insect is so extremely variable that I have given descriptions of a few of the principal varieties below; all these forms may, however, be connected by specimens exhibiting every intermediate gradation both in colour and in markings.

1. Fore-wings with several large brown spots near the middle.

2. Fore-wings covered with numerous black spots (formerly known as Declana nigrosparsa) (fig. 47).

3. Fore-wings with two more or less conspicuous curved black or brown lines from costa to dorsum (figs. 41, 42, and 44).

4. Fore-wings with these transverse lines joined by two others running parallel to dorsum and costa.

5. Fore-wings with transverse lines and black spots (fig. 43).

6. Fore-wings diffused with dark greyish-black, except two broad bands of the original light colour extending from costa to dorsum; hind-wings darker than usual (fig. 45).

7. Fore-wings with a dark brown central band; hind-wings clouded with dark brown towards termen, with a faint curved transverse line near the middle (figs. 39 and 40).

All these varieties occasionally have tufts of orange-yellow scales on both the wings and on the body, and they also vary in other minor particulars (fig. 46).

The egg of this insect when first laid is oval in shape and light green in colour, becoming bronzy a few days before the emergence of the larva. The young larva is very attenuated, with only ten legs. Its colour is pale yellow striped with brownish-pink near the segmental divisions. It is very active, and does not devour the egg-shell after emergence.

The full-grown larva has the body much flattened underneath. In colour it is pale brownish-pink, with numerous irregular darker markings, which in some specimens almost form two broad subdorsal lines. The under surface of the larva is pale green. There is a series of fleshy filaments of a pinkish-brown colour along each side of the insect, and an extra pair of prolegs on the ninth segment.

This caterpillar is, however, very variable, its colouring appearing to depend largely on its surroundings. The favourite food-plants are Leptospermum ericoides and Aristotelia racemosa. The larvæ found on the former plant are usually pale yellowish-brown, whilst those from the latter are much darker brown, often mottled with grey like the stems of the Aristotelia. A specimen I once found on a mountain beech (Fagus cliffortioides), the gnarled stem and branches of which were covered with grey lichens and mosses, was mottled with the most beautiful shades of greenish-grey. These larval varieties are very interesting, and in order to test the direct influence of food on the colouring of the larvæ, I once divided a batch of eggs deposited by a single female into two equal parts, and fed one half on Aristotelia, and the other half on Leptospermum. The differences in colouring between the two lots of larvæ thus treated were, however, of the most trivial description. This somewhat surprised me at first, as I had previously observed quite distinct varieties on each plant, when found in a state of nature. Hence I am now disposed to think that these differences have been brought about gradually, by natural selection acting on larvæ feeding on the same plant for a large number of generations. By this means a sufficient amount of variation might be accumulated, to cause the closest possible approximation in colouring to the stems of the several food-plants. It is also noteworthy that many of these food-plants grow in widely dissimilar localities, so that the free inter-breeding of insects dependent on them would not be likely to occur, and thus the peculiarities of colouring adapted to the stems of each food-plant would not be disturbed by the effects of inter-breeding.

In connection with the foregoing experiment it is also interesting to observe, that the specimens fed on Aristotelia matured much more rapidly than those on Leptospermum; the former plant evidently being the more nourishing food for the larvæ. Also that out of the batch fed on Aristotelia 28 became moths, of which 12 were males and 16 females; whilst out of those fed on Leptospermum only 24 became moths, of which 15 were males and 9 females. In all other respects, excepting food-plant, the two lots of larvæ were subjected to identical treatment.

During the day this larva rests quietly attached to the stem of its food-plant, where it is very difficult to detect, as the filaments so closely embrace the twig or tree-trunk that the whole insect exactly resembles a swelling in the stem.

The pupa of D. floccosa is enclosed in a loose cocoon on the surface of the ground.

The perfect insect appears about September, and continues in more or less abundance until the end of April. There are most likely several broods in a season, and, as we frequently meet with specimens of the moth on mild days in the middle of winter, it probably also hibernates.

This insect is usually observed at rest on fences and tree-trunks, where its grey mottled colouring causes it to closely resemble a patch of lichen.

DECLANA JUNCTILINEA, Feld.

(Plate X., fig. 37 ♂, 38 ♀.)

This species has occurred occasionally in the Wellington Botanical Gardens. It is no doubt found elsewhere, but I cannot give any other localities with certainty.

The expansion of the wings of the male is 1¼ inches, of the female 1⅜ inches. The fore-wings of the male are pale yellowish-brown, with two indistinct, irregular, transverse darker lines near the base, a conspicuous curved line a little beyond the middle, followed by a blackish patch; there is a series of very fine parallel oblique brown stripes on the costa, and several series of curved, blackish marks near the termen, and on the central portions of the wing. The fore-wings of the female are much greyer, with a conspicuous, irregular, white streak from the apex towards the dorsum, the central portions of the wing are white, and, with the exception of the fine, oblique costal stripes, the other markings of the male are usually absent. The hind-wings of both sexes are dull ochreous. The strongly pectinated antennæ of the male, and the oblique costal markings of both sexes, will at once distinguish this species from any of the varieties of Declana floccosa.

This moth varies in the intensity of the markings, which in some specimens are very indistinct.

The perfect insect appears from November till March. It is generally captured on blossoms in the evening.

DECLANA HERMIONE, n. sp.

(Plate X., fig. 36.)

A single specimen of this very handsome insect was captured at Khandallah near Wellington.

The expansion of the wings is 1¼ inches. The fore-wings are bright purplish-brown, clouded with silvery-white towards the middle and on the termen; there is a very fine oblique chocolate-brown mark at the base, a broad broken transverse band at about one-eighth; a fine curved transverse line at about three-fourths, shaded towards the termen; there are four wavy brown marks on the termen inclining obliquely upwards towards the costa; the termen itself is narrowly edged with chocolate-brown. The cilia are silvery mixed with brown; the termen is very strongly bowed. The hind-wings are grey, shaded with purplish-grey towards the termen; the cilia are grey.

The type specimen was captured at sugar in November.

DECLANA GRISEATA, n. sp.

(Plate X., fig. 32 ♀.)

This species has occurred at Wellington in the North Island, and at Lake Wakatipu in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings of the male is 1⅛ inches, of the female 1⅜ inches. The fore-wings are dull slaty-grey, with a slightly paler central band; there is a fine oblique wavy transverse line at about one-fourth, another at about one-half, and indications of a third at about three-fourths; numerous minute black streaks are thickly scattered over the wing, especially near the base and the termen; the outline of the termen is very slightly scalloped. The hind-wings are pale grey, darker near the termen. The body is very dark slaty-grey. The antennæ of the male are not bi-pectinated.

The perfect insect appears in January, and is attracted by light. It is a scarce species.

DECLANA NIVEATA, Butl.

(Declana niveata, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 500. Atossa niveata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 104.)

This species has occurred at Dunedin, in the South Island.

"The expansion of the wings of the male is 30 mm. (about 1¼ inches). Fore-wings elongate-triangular, costa somewhat sinuate, termen rounded, dentate; dull white, faintly irrorated with grey; costa marked with short indistinct dark grey direct strigulæ; an irregular line towards base, and another twice angulated about two-thirds, obscurely indicated by dark grey scales; some scattered dark grey strigulæ before termen. Hind-wings moderate, termen crenate, angularly projecting in middle; wholly white.

"I took one fine specimen at rest on a tree-trunk near Dunedin, in February."—(Meyrick.)

Family 6.—SPHINGIDÆ.

"Head with dense appressed hairs. Ocelli absent. Eyes glabrous. Antennæ thickened towards middle or posteriorly, in male ciliated with partial whorls. Labial palpi moderate, ascending, with dense projecting scales. Thorax densely hairy beneath. Femora densely hairy. Fore-wings with vein 1b furcate, 6 out of 8, 9 absent (rarely present in exceptional individuals). Hind-wings with veins 3 and 4 approximated at base, 5 from middle of transverse vein, parallel to 4, 6 and 7 connate or stalked, 8 connected by oblique bar with margin of cell before middle, more or less approximated to 7 near beyond cell." (Plate I., figs. 12 and 13, neuration of Deilephila [after Meyrick].)

"This family is generally distributed, but is most plentiful in the tropics. The imagos are usually large insects, with stout, heavy bodies, elongate-triangular fore-wings with very oblique termen, and relatively small hind-wings; the wing muscles are very strong, and the flight exceptionally powerful. Ovum spheroidal, smooth. Larva stout, usually with an oblique, projecting anal horn, anterior segments sometimes retractile or raised in repose. Pupa subterranean."—(Meyrick.)

Only one genus is represented in New Zealand, viz., Sphinx.

Genus 1.—SPHINX.

"Tongue strongly developed. Antennæ less than one-half, gradually thickened to apex, then pointed, apex slender, hooked. Thorax with low double posterior tuft. Abdomen smooth, broad, conical, pointed. Tibiæ with appressed scales.

"A moderately large genus, ranging over the whole world, but principally characteristic of America. Imago flying at dusk, feeding on the wing."—(Meyrick.)

This genus is represented in New Zealand by one almost cosmopolitan species.

SPHINX CONVOLVULI, L.

(Protoparce distans, Butl. Sphinx convolvuli, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxii. 213.)

(Plate XIII., fig. 1.; Plate III., figs. 13 and 14 varieties of larvæ.)

This handsome insect often occurs in the northern portions of the North Island, but becomes very rare southward of Napier and New Plymouth. In the South Island it has been taken at Nelson, and recently a very mutilated specimen of what appears to be this species has been found by Mr. Philpott, near West Plains, Invercargill. With these exceptions I have not heard of its appearance in any other localities in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings is about 3½ inches. The fore-wings are greyish-brown with several irregular, darker markings near the base; and a broad, dark, central band; beyond the central band there is a very irregular, pale grey, toothed line. The hind-wings are yellowish-grey, with four transverse, darker stripes, the outermost one strongly toothed. The head and thorax are dark grey, paler on the back, with two conspicuous tufts of pale grey hair on the shoulders. The abdomen is grey, striped on the sides with rose-colour and black.

The larva feeds on Convolvulus. Like many of the caterpillars of the Sphingidæ, there are two very distinct varieties: one is bright green, with white spiracles, and a series of diagonal yellow lines above them; the other is dull yellowish-brown, with broad blackish-brown dorsal and ventral lines, and a series of triangular blackish spots above the spiracles, which in this variety are jet-black. In both these forms of larvæ the anal horn is dark red tipped with black, and the skin is covered with numerous fine wrinkles. The length of the caterpillar when full grown is 3½ inches.

About the middle or end of February these larvæ generally bury themselves in the ground, where they are transformed into pupæ. They remain in that condition until the following summer.

The pupa is about 2 inches in length and is of a dark mahogany-brown colour. It is furnished with a large curved process, projecting from the lower side of the head, and containing the enormous proboscis of the future moth.

The perfect insect appears in November and December. It flies with incredible velocity at evening dusk, and is often observed hovering over flowers, and whilst poised in the air above them, extracts the honey with its long proboscis. Mr. A. P. Buller has very kindly furnished me with the following interesting notes on the habits of this species, as observed by him in the Auckland district:—

"During the summer of 1879 I came across S. convolvuli in great numbers, near Ohinemutu, in the Hot Lake district, frequenting at dusk a tall, delicately perfumed meadow flower (Œnothera biennis, commonly called the evening primrose). They were to be seen on the wing soon after sundown, and on warm, still evenings literally swarmed. It was an extremely pretty sight to watch their rapid movements as they darted from flower to flower, never alighting, and keeping up a constant vibration of their wings as they probed the yellow blossoms. They appeared to be extremely local, for I only met with them on a few of the grassy slopes round the shores of Lake Rotorua. I visited the same locality two years later, at the same season, and only occasionally saw one, although the evening primrose was in full bloom at the time. In 1882 I captured several at flowers of the trumpet-tree (Brugmansia) in a garden near Auckland. The same summer I found large numbers of the larvæ at Waiwera (near Auckland), on a species of convolvulus growing in profusion on the sandhills in the vicinity. Although the larvæ were so abundant I never came across the perfect insect. I obtained some twenty or thirty of the pupæ, but unfortunately was never successful in hatching out the imago. As far as my knowledge goes, this beautiful moth is confined to the Auckland and Waikato districts, although I have heard of a single specimen being taken in Hawkes Bay."

I am also much indebted to Mr. Buller for the loan of a very perfect specimen of this moth, expressly lent to me for figuring and describing in the present work.

Mr. Meyrick informs us that this insect occurs throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and the islands of the South Pacific, wherever a suitable situation is found, and has been met with far out at sea.^[18] In America it is represented by a form which seems to be regarded as specifically distinct, but which he thinks is probably identical. If this be the case the insect is practically cosmopolitan.

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1. N. Z. 'Journal of Science,' July, 1884.
2. N. Z. 'Journal of Science,' July, 1884.
3. A second specimen of this variety has since occurred in the neighbourhood of Nelson.
4. Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 60.
5. Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 60.
6. N. Z. 'Journal of Science,' July, 1884.
7. Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 60.
8. Trans. N. Z. Inst. xviii. 208.
9. Ib. xvi. 71.
10. Ib.
11. Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 78.
12. Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 82.
13. Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 83.
14. Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 86.
15. In connection with these three species of Notoreas I should here mention that I have a number of specimens in my collection which appear to me to establish a complete transition between N. mechanitis, N. paradelpha, and N. perornata. From a careful study of these specimens I am led to believe that these three forms are really only varieties of one very variable species. Mr. Meyrick does not at present share this opinion, but I am disposed to think that this is chiefly due to the comparatively limited number of specimens he has had the opportunity of examining. In any case I do not regard the question of the specific or varietal values of these, or indeed of any other forms, as matters of great scientific importance, being, to a great extent, merely matters of individual opinion.
16. Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 57.
17. Mr. Meyrick now includes these three species in the genus Gonophylla. (See Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1897, 387.)
18. 'Trans. N. Z. Inst.' xxii. 214.