NEW ZEALAND

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.

"The rearing of larvæ, . . . when joined with the entomological collection, adds immense interest to Saturday afternoon rambles, and forms an admirable introduction to the study of physiology."

Herbert Spencer, in 'Education.'

"When simple curiosity passes into the love of knowledge as such, and the gratification of the æsthetic sense of the beauty of completeness and accuracy seems more desirable than the easy indolence of ignorance; when the finding out of the causes of things becomes a source of joy, and he is counted happy who is successful in the search; common knowledge of Nature passes into what our forefathers called Natural History, from whence there is but a step to that which used to be termed Natural Philosophy, and now passes by the name of Physical Science."

Thomas Henry Huxley, in 'The Crayfish.'

"It is interesting to contemplate a tangled bank, clothed with many plants of many kinds, with birds singing on the bushes, with various insects flitting about, and with worms crawling through the damp earth, and to reflect that these elaborately constructed forms, so different from each other, and dependent upon each other in so complex a manner, have all been produced by laws acting around us. These laws, taken in the largest sense, being Growth with Reproduction; Inheritance which is almost implied by reproduction; Variability from the indirect and direct action of the conditions of life, and from use and disuse: a Ratio of Increase so high as to lead to a Struggle for Life, and as a consequence to Natural Selection, entailing Divergence of Character and the Extinction of less-improved forms. Thus, from the war of Nature, from famine and death, the most exalted object which we are capable of conceiving, namely, the production of the higher animals, directly follows. There is a grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed by the Creator into a few forms or into one; and that, whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being evolved."

Darwin, in 'The Origin of Species.'

NEW ZEALAND

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES

(MACRO-LEPIDOPTERA).

BY

G. V. HUDSON, F.E.S.,

Author of 'An Elementary Manual of New Zealand Entomology.'

WITH 13 PLATES.

LONDON:

WEST, NEWMAN & Co., 54, HATTON GARDEN, E.C.

1898.

PREFACE.

The present work is intended as a guide to those who desire to collect or study our native Lepidoptera, and also as a book of reference to the general reader.

In the Introduction I have first given an outline of the Transformations and Structure of the Lepidoptera. Then a brief sketch of the Darwinian theories respecting the origin of species and their special application to various phenomena exhibited by moths and butterflies, as well as a short outline of the general principles which have been followed in framing modern classifications of the order. Next follow five chapters on the various groups dealt with.

With a few exceptions this work only treats of what are, for the sake of convenience, termed the Macro-Lepidoptera. A similar work on the numerous and interesting species of Micro-Lepidoptera found in New Zealand may at some future time be undertaken.

In conclusion, I have to discharge the pleasurable duty of thanking the numerous entomologists who have so liberally assisted me in the production of this work. First, and especially, my thanks are due to Mr. Meyrick, without whose masterly papers and 'Handbook' but little could have been accomplished. Next, to Mr. R. W. Fereday, who very kindly allowed me to figure many species of which he alone possesses specimens—in itself an invaluable assistance. I have also to express my thanks to Messrs. E. F. Hawthorne, H. P. Hanify, R. I. Kingsley, A. Norris, A. Philpott, and others for the loan of specimens, and for much valuable information regarding the localities and habits of rare or local species. Lastly, I have to acknowledge the aid so willingly given by my lamented friend, the late Mr. A. S. Olliff, of Sydney.

Karori, Wellington,

New Zealand,

1897.

CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTION.

The order Lepidoptera, which includes all those insects commonly known as Moths and Butterflies, is chiefly distinguished by its members possessing four wings clothed with numerous minute scales, the term Lepidoptera being derived from the two Greek words, λεπις, a scale, and πτερον, a wing. The mouth of these insects is suctorial, the maxillæ forming a spiral proboscis which is coiled up between the large labial palpi when not in use (see Plate [I]., figs. 5 and 6). The other oral organs are rudimentary. To acquire this form these insects pass through three very distinct stages, viz., the Egg, the Larva, and the Pupa.

I.—METAMORPHOSIS.

THE EGG.

The eggs of Lepidoptera are generally somewhat globular, much flattened above and beneath. Some are very elaborately sculptured, whilst others are quite smooth. They are usually white or yellowish, but always change much in colour as the contained embryo develops.

THE LARVA.

The larvæ of moths and butterflies are popularly known as caterpillars. They always consist of thirteen segments, segment number one being the head. The head is furnished with several simple eyes (Plate [I]., fig. 2, AA), a pair of very short antennæ (BB), and a very powerful masticatory mouth. The mouth consists of the following organs: The labrum, or upper lip (1); a pair of mandibles, or upper jaws, working like scissor-blades (2,2); two maxillæ, or lower jaws (3,3), each carrying a jointed organ termed the maxillary palpus; and the labium, or lower lip (4); which bears another pair of minute jointed appendages—the labial palpi.

Segments 2, 3, and 4, which answer to the thorax of the perfect insect, are each furnished with a pair of legs. They consist of the six following joints (fig. 2): (a) coxa, (b) trochanter, (c) femur, (d) tibia, (e) tarsus, and (f) claw. These legs correspond to those of the perfect insect. The remaining nine segments of the body constitute the abdomen. Usually segments 7 to 9 and 13, each have a pair of fleshy pads, which are termed prolegs and are furnished on their edges with a row of minute hooklets (see Plate [I]., fig. 14, proleg highly magnified). It is these hooklets which enable caterpillars to hold on by means of their prolegs with such great tenacity. The number of the prolegs varies considerably in different groups and families.

The spiracles, or orifices of the air-tubes, are situated on each side of the larva just above the legs. They are usually present on segments 2 and 5 to 12, but vary considerably in different groups and families. The larva is provided with a very complete digestive system, which consists of the following organs (see Plate [I]., fig. 9): A, the œsophagus; D, the ventriculus; F, the clavate intestine; E, the ilium; H, the colon; K, the biliary vessels; and O, the spinning vessels. These last open at a small orifice in the labium termed the spinneret (fig. 2, 5). They supply the silken threads which are employed by most larvæ in constructing their cocoons, and which also serve in cases of danger as a rapid means of retreat. Many larvæ, which live on shrubs and trees, suddenly lower themselves to the ground by means of one of these silken threads, and thus often escape being devoured by insectivorous animals.

The entire growth of the insect is accomplished during the larval condition, the increase in size being frequently very rapid. Owing to this circumstance larvæ are often compelled to shed their skin, and in many species a very considerable alteration both in the shape and colour takes place at each moult, or ecdysis as it is sometimes termed.

THE PUPA.

The pupa of a Lepidopterous insect is completely encased in a chitinous envelope. With the exception of a slight twirling of the abdominal segments it is incapable of any motion. In the pupa of Micropteryx the mandibles and labial palpi are said to be functionally active, but this is a very exceptional though extremely interesting case. In conjunction with other evidence it would appear to indicate that the Lepidoptera originated from insects with active pupæ. The number of free or movable segments of pupæ varies considerably in different groups and genera, and by some modern authors it is regarded as a character of much importance in the framing of their classifications. The various organs of the perfect insect are distinctly marked out on the otherwise uniform integument of the pupa. In some groups, notably the Micropterygina, these organs are much more distinctly indicated than in others.

II.—ANATOMY.

THE PERFECT INSECT OR IMAGO.

In common with all other members of the class, the body of a Lepidopterous insect consists of three main divisions: (1) the head, (2) the thorax, and (3) the abdomen.

THE HEAD.

The front of the head is termed the face, the top the crown, the sides are nearly entirely occupied by the compound eyes (Plate [I]., fig. 11, AA), and the lower surface by the organs of the mouth.

The Eyes consist of a very large number of simple lenses arranged in the form of two hemispheres, one on each side of the head. The ocelli, or simple eyes, are situated on the crown, and are usually almost entirely covered by scales.

The Antennæ are two jointed appendages attached to the top of the head above the eyes. They vary very much in structure. The following are the terms used in describing the different forms of antennæ in the Lepidoptera:—

1. Pectinated, when the joints have long processes like the teeth of a comb. If these are on one side only, the antennæ are unipectinated; if on both sides, bipectinated. (Plate [I]., fig. 20, bipectinated antenna of Nyctemera annulata.)

2. Dentate, when the joints are armed with slight pointed spines.

3. Serrate, when the joints have sharp projections like the teeth of a saw. (Fig. 18, antenna of Melanchra composita.)

4. Filiform, when the whole antenna is simple or thread-like. (Fig. 19, antenna of Epirranthis alectoraria.)

The clothing of the antennæ also varies, and is distinguished as under:—

1. Ciliated, when clothed with one or two series of short, fine hairs.

2. Fasciculate-ciliated, when the hairs are collected into tufts. (Fig. 17, antenna of Chloroclystis plinthina.)

3. Pubescent, when the antennæ are clothed with uniform short hairs. (Fig. 19.)

The functions of the antennæ are still a matter of dispute amongst entomologists. The majority of the older naturalists regarded them as organs of hearing. The antennæ are almost always more fully developed in the male than in the female. From this circumstance many modern entomologists consider that one of their functions is to enable the former to find the latter.

The organs of the mouth are thus distinguished:—

1. The Labrum, or upper lip (Plate [I]., fig. 11, l), a minute rudimentary plate situated in front immediately above the proboscis.

2. The Mandibles, or upper jaws (m.m), two minute sickle-shaped organs situated just below the labrum, also rudimentary.

3. The Proboscis, or Haustellum[^[1]] (c), a tubular extensible organ formed of the two maxillæ, or lower jaws, which have become greatly elongated, semi-tubular, and closely pressed together at the edges, but separable at the will of the insect—a structure which enables the organ to be easily cleansed when necessary, and is extremely interesting as indicating so clearly the true development of the proboscis from the maxillæ.

The Maxillary palpi (p.p) are two jointed organs attached to the base of the proboscis and very frequently rudimentary, but fully developed amongst certain of the Micro-Lepidoptera.

The Labium, or lower lip, is situated below the proboscis and carries the Labial palpi (figs. 5 and 6), two large jointed organs which are very conspicuous in nearly all the species and often quite conceal the maxillary palpi. They are usually regarded as organs of touch, but their true function does not seem to be properly understood. In the Lepidoptera they appear to protect the proboscis, which, when out of use, is always coiled up in a spiral between them. The labrum and mandibles can only be seen by removing the large labial palpi.

THE THORAX

carries the organs of locomotion, which consist of two pairs of wings attached to its sides, and three pairs of legs attached beneath, a pair belonging to each of the three segments of which the thorax is composed. On the front of the thorax there are two flap-like organs covered with scales, termed the patagia.

The Wings vary greatly in shape, but usually they are triangular. The portion of the wing which joins on to the thorax is termed the base. The front margin is called the costa, the outer margin the termen, and the lower margin the dorsum, these being described as situated when the wing is extended in flight. The angle between the costa and termen is called the apex, and the angle between the termen and the dorsum the tornus (see Plate [I]., fig. 1). The termen and dorsum are edged with a fringe of hair-like scales, termed the cilia. At the base of the hind-wings is generally situated a stiff bristle, or several stiff hairs, called the frenulum, the ends of which pass through a chitinous process on the under side of the fore-wing near the dorsum. This process is termed the retinaculum, and serves, in conjunction with the frenulum, to lock the wings together during flight. In the female both these organs are often very imperfectly developed, the frenulum consisting of several bristly hairs, and the retinaculum of a group of stiff scales. In many of the Lepidoptera both frenulum and retinaculum are entirely wanting.

"In the Micropterygina, a membranous or spine-like process called the jugum rises from the dorsum of the fore-wing near the base and passes under the hind-wing, which is thus held between the process and the overlapping portion of the fore-wing."—(Meyrick.)

The veins of the wings are thus described by Mr. Meyrick:—

"The wings are traversed by a system of Veins—tubular structures which serve at once as extensions of the tracheal system, and to form a stiff framework for the support of the wing. In the normal type of Lepidoptera the fore-wings possess three free veins towards the dorsum, termed 1a, 1b, and 1c; a central cell, out of which rise ten veins, numbered 2 to 11, the sides of the cell being known as the upper median, lower median, and transverse veins respectively; and a free subcostal vein, numbered 12; whilst the hind-wings differ from the fore-wings in having only six veins rising from the central cell, numbered 2 to 7, so that the free subcostal vein is numbered 8 (see Plate [I]., figs. 3 and 4, assumed type of neuration of a Lepidopterous insect). In some forms a forked parting-vein traverses the middle of the cell longitudinally, and a second parting-vein traverses the upper portion, so as to form a secondary cell; but these are more frequently absent or represented only by folds in the membrane. In a few forms there is a tendency to the production of several false veins, termed pseudoneuria, appearing as short branches from the subcostal vein of the hind-wings to the costa; these are thickenings of the membrane, and are commonly very irregular and variable, often uneven in thickness or incomplete. Sometimes one of these near the base is better developed and more permanent in character; it is then termed the præcostal spur (see Plate [I]., figs. 8⁹ and 27⁹). Modifications in the general arrangement of the veins may arise through any of the following processes, viz.: (1) obsolescence, when a vein loses its normal tubular structure, becoming attenuated and reduced in substance, until it appears a mere fold of the membrane (Plate [II]., fig. 60, vein 5 in hind-wings of Selidosema); (2) stalking, when the two veins are fused together for a portion of their length from their base, so as to appear to rise on a common stalk (Plate [II]., fig. 34, veins 6 and 7 in hind-wing of Hydriomena); (3) coincidence, when two veins are fused together for the whole of their length, so that one appears entirely absent, an extreme form of stalking; (4) anastomosis, when two veins rise separate, meet, and are fused together for a certain distance, and then separate again (Plate [II]., fig. 23, veins 7 and 8 in the hind-wings of the ♀ of Tatosoma); (5) concurrence, when a vein rises separate, runs into another, and does not separate again, an extreme form of anastomosis; (6) connection, when two veins are connected by a short transverse bar passing from one to the other, a special form of anastomosis, evolved from the ordinary form under the influence of a tendency to lateral extension (Plate [II]., fig. 28, veins 7 and 8 in hind-wing of Paradetis). Vein 1b in both wings is often furcate at the base.

"The type of veins in the Micropterygina differs from that described above in two essential particulars, viz.: (1) there may be three additional veins in the fore-wings, rising out of vein 11 or 12; and (2) the veins of the hind-wings are practically identical in number and structure with those of the fore-wings, being thus much more numerous than in the ordinary type. There is also often a system of cross-bars between the veins near the base of the wing (Plate [I]., figs. 22 and 23, neuration of Hepialus).

"The structure of the veins can be best observed on the under surface of the wing, where they are more prominent. The student should begin by completely denuding of scales a few wings of common species: the wing should be cut off and laid on a moistened piece of glass, to which it will adhere; the scales should then be removed, first from one surface and then from the other, with a fine, moist camel's-hair brush—an operation requiring a little patience and delicacy of touch; the veins will thus be rendered conspicuous.[^[2]] When, however, the student has familiarised himself with the general subject, it will not be found necessary in practice to resort to this process; most details will be easily observed without denudation[^[3]]; where this is not the case (as where the veins are closely crowded or otherwise obscured), the scales can be removed with the brush on the under surface in the locality of the difficulty only, without cutting off the wing or otherwise damaging the specimen, which remains in the collection available for all purposes as before; with proper practice, even the smallest species are amenable to this treatment, which does not require more skill than the actual setting of the specimen. Some workers prefer to put a drop of benzine on the spot, which renders it temporarily transparent; the effect is short-lived, as the benzine evaporates rapidly, and the cilia (if long) are liable to be damaged by this method."

The Legs consist of the following joints (see Plate [I]., fig. 21): (1) coxa, (2) trochanter, (3) femur, (4) tibia, (5) tarsus, (6) claw. The tarsus normally consists of five joints, but is more or less aborted when the leg is not employed for walking. The spines (SS) on the tibiæ of the several legs vary considerably in size and number. They are often useful to the systematist for purposes of classification.

THE ABDOMEN

consists of nine segments, some of which are often fused together. It contains the various internal organs, of which the most important are those of Digestion and Reproduction. The Digestive System (Plate [I]., fig. 10) consists of the following organs: A, the œsophagus, or throat; C, the sucking stomach; D, the ventriculus or stomach; E, the small intestine; G, the cæcum; H, the colon; K, the biliary vessels; N, the salivary vessels. The function of the sucking stomach is to exhaust the air in the throat and proboscis, and thus to cause the ascent of the fluids into the stomach when the insect is feeding.

III.—ORIGIN OF SPECIES.

The theory of the origin of species as propounded by Darwin may be thus very briefly summarised:—

Variation.—No two organisms are exactly alike; there is always some variation from the parent form, in some cases very slight, in others considerable. (For examples of variation see Plate [VII]., figs. 1 to 9, varieties of Hydriomena deltoidata; Plate [VIII]., figs. 42 to 47, varieties of Epirranthis alectoraria; Plate [IX]., figs. 6 to 14, varieties of Selidosema productata; Plate [X]., figs. 13 to 23, varieties of Azelina gallaria; Plate [X]., figs. 39 to 47, varieties of Declana floccosa.)

Inheritance.—Many of these variations are inherited—a fact demonstrated by our domestic plants and animals, where man has selected and bred from varieties suitable for his purposes, and has thus produced races in which the variation is permanent. Many of the races of domestic animals differ as much from one another as do some distinct species of wild animals.

Struggle for Existence.—All animals and plants produce far more offspring than can possibly survive, thus giving rise to the struggle for existence. For example: The average number of eggs laid by a Lepidopterous insect is certainly over 100, and in many species this number is greatly exceeded. Assuming each female to lay 100 eggs, the progeny from a single pair would amount, after six generations, to over six million individuals.

Natural Selection, or the Survival of the Fittest.—In the struggle for existence which necessarily results from such a great increase of individuals, those variations which favoured the possessors would be preserved, whilst those which did not, would be gradually exterminated. This principle of the preservation of the favourable varieties in the struggle for life is called Natural Selection, or the Survival of the Fittest.

Divergence of Character.—As there are so many different places and conditions in the economy of nature which can be occupied by organic beings differently constituted, individuals which diverged most from the original type would be brought into less severe competition, than those which diverged only in a slight degree. For instance, if we represent the original form as A, occupying one place in the economy of nature; a second form as B, occupying a somewhat similar place; a third form as C, occupying a very different place to A although somewhat similar place to B, it is obvious that B would enter into severe competition with both A and C, whilst A and C might not trend to any great extent on one another's place in the natural economy; hence B would be exterminated before either A or C. In other words, natural selection continually tends to increase the slight differences, which we call varieties, into the greater differences, which we call species.

The following phenomena, which have long been observed by students of the Lepidoptera, will serve as excellent examples of the operation of natural selection:—

Protective Resemblance.—This term is applied to those classes of form or colour which enable an animal to so closely resemble its surroundings as to escape the notice of its enemies. Numerous examples of protective resemblance exist in the New Zealand moths and butterflies; in fact, it may safely be asserted that nearly all the colouring we observe in these insects has been acquired for protective purposes. The following species, amongst many others which will be described hereafter, exhibit in a very marked degree the phenomenon of protective resemblance: Epirranthis alectoraria, Selidosema dejectaria, and Drepanodes muriferata resemble dead leaves; Chloroclystis bilineolata, Tatosoma agrionata, and Erana graminosa resemble, when at rest, patches of moss; Selidosema productata and S. lupinata resemble the bark of trees; Chloroclystis lichenodes, Declana floccosa, and Elvia glaucata resemble variously coloured lichens. It is almost unnecessary to point out that all those variations, which tended to conceal the possessors from their enemies, would be preserved in the struggle for existence, and that these numerous and perfect instances of protective resemblance would inevitably result from the operation of natural selection. The dark colouration of Alpine and Arctic Lepidoptera, which enables them to rapidly absorb heat during the short and fitful gleams of sunshine experienced on mountains or in high latitudes, is also an instance of adaptation to conditions through the influence of natural selection. This was first pointed out by Lord Walsingham in 1885. The almost complete absence of white species in these localities is a good example of the extinction of forms unfitted to their surroundings.

Contrast Colours.—In this class of colouring the fore-wings only are protectively coloured, the hind-wings being very conspicuous. Contrast colouring is well exemplified by several of the insects included in the genus Notoreas. The sudden exhibition of the hind-wings during flight dazzles the eye of the pursuer. When the insect immediately afterwards closes its wings and the fore-wings alone are visible, it is extremely difficult to see. This form of protective colouring was also first drawn attention to by Lord Walsingham. (See page 75.)

Warning Colours.—Insects, which are unfit for food or nauseous, are not protectively coloured, but on the contrary are rendered as conspicuous as possible. This class of colouring is well illustrated by one of our commonest moths, Nyctemera annulata (Pl. IV., figs. 1 and 2). The principle of warning colours was first discovered by Mr. A. R. Wallace, and is graphically described in Professor Poulton's entertaining work, 'The Colours of Animals.' The possession of nauseous qualities would be of little value to an insect, unless it could be at once recognised by insectivorous animals and avoided as food. If a nauseous insect were not easily identified it would speedily be destroyed by what Professor Poulton ingeniously terms "experimental tasting"; hence, through the process of natural selection, all nauseous species have become very conspicuously coloured. It may be remarked that warning colours are extremely rare amongst the New Zealand species, and I am not aware of any other example than that already given.

Mimicry.—This term is applied to those remarkable cases where a harmless or edible species imitates in form and colouring a highly armed or nauseous species. No instances of this extremely interesting class of protection are yet known amongst the New Zealand Lepidoptera, but a very perfect example of mimicry exists between two common introduced species of Hymenoptera and Diptera, the well-known honey-bee and the drone-fly. The superficial resemblance between these two insects is very close. The bee, as every one knows, is armed with a powerful sting, whilst the drone-fly is unarmed. In this case it can be seen that if a harmless insect varied in the direction of resembling a formidable or objectionable species it would be a decided advantage to it, and such varieties would tend to be continually preserved and improved, through the operation of natural selection. The subject of mimicry has been alluded to here as it is not impossible that some instances of it may yet be discovered in connection with our native Lepidoptera.

Ornamental Colouring.—This class of colouring occurs in many species, especially amongst the butterflies, and is not apparently connected in any way with protection. Darwin supposes that it has arisen through the females of each species always selecting the most beautiful males as mates, hence these alone would leave progeny, and the females themselves would afterwards become beautiful through the effects of inheritance. This principle Darwin has termed Sexual Selection, and has discussed it in great detail in his work on the 'Descent of Man.' The fact, that amongst birds and butterflies the males are nearly always the most brilliantly coloured and the most beautiful, together with an immense mass of other evidence, tends, I think, to entirely support Darwin's theory, although it should be mentioned that several eminent naturalists, including Mr. Wallace, do not admit the principle of Sexual Selection.

IV.—CLASSIFICATION.

From a further consideration of the foregoing principles it will be seen that all existing species are held to be descended by true generation from pre-existing species, and that, consequently, all the relationships we observe between species are explained by community of origin. The most natural system of classification is, therefore, that which best reveals the scheme of descent, or, as it is termed, the phylogeny, of the group of organisms classified. To construct a perfect system of classification on these principles a knowledge of not only all the existing species of Lepidoptera would be essential, but also of all the extinct species, and it is needless to say that such knowledge is quite unattainable. Nevertheless large numbers of species are now known from many parts of the world, and a very extensive collection has recently been employed by Mr. Meyrick in framing a classification of the Lepidoptera, which is, to the best of my belief, the first constructed on strictly Darwinian principles. Although adopting Mr. Meyrick's system in the present work I do not agree unreservedly with all his conclusions; but I have not attempted to alter his system in accordance with my own views, as I conceive that the conclusions of a naturalist, who has only had the opportunity of studying a restricted fauna, would necessarily be liable to considerable error.

The general principles on which Mr. Meyrick has founded his system are practically those laid down by Darwin in his 'Origin of Species,' and may be thus summarised:—

A. Resemblances between all organisms are explained by community of origin, the amount of difference representing the amount of modification and expressible in the classification as varieties, species, genera, families, groups, orders, &c. The amount of difference does not necessarily bear any direct relation to time, many forms remaining almost stationary whilst others are undergoing development.

B. By a consideration of the following laws the age of a division can be approximately arrived at; that is to say, its position in the great genealogical tree of the Lepidoptera can be, to some extent, determined:—

"(1) No new organ can be produced except as a modification of some previously existing structure.

"(2) A lost organ cannot be regained.

"(3) A rudimentary organ is rarely redeveloped."—(Meyrick.)

C. The greatest care is necessary to avoid being misled by adaptive characters, i.e., characters which are very important to the welfare of the species, and hence much modified through the agency of natural selection. A familiar instance of superficial resemblance, due to the presence of similar adaptive characters, may be observed in fishes and whales, where two groups of animals with but little real relationship have, through living under similar conditions, become extremely like each other in external appearance. Other examples might be given amongst exotic Lepidoptera. Thus, many noxious species are closely mimicked by harmless forms which are often far removed from them in real affinity. These cases of adaptive resemblances abound amongst all organisms, and have often deceived experienced naturalists. It is in consequence of the illusive nature of these external resemblances amongst different members of the Lepidoptera, that the structure of the neuration of the wings is now considered of such great importance as a character for purposes of classification. The numerous modifications in the position of the veins and their presence or absence in certain groups can, so far as we are able to see, have had very little effect on the well-being of those insects possessing such modifications. Hence it may fairly be assumed, that these structures have been free from the influence of natural selection for a very lengthened period. It is thus contended that the neuration of a Lepidopterous insect probably reveals more plainly than any other character its true relationship with other species.

The descent of all the Lepidoptera from some ancient member of the Trichoptera (or caddis-flies) is thus proved, according to Mr. Meyrick:—

"From a consideration of the laws enunciated above, there can be no doubt that the Micropterygina are the ancestral group of the Lepidoptera, from which all others have descended; this is sufficiently proved by the existence of the four or more additional veins in the hind-wings of that group, for these veins, if not originally present, could not have been afterwards produced. Of the two families of that group, the Micropterygidæ, which possess an additional vein (or veins) in the fore-wings, and fully developed six-jointed maxillary palpi, must be more primitive than the Hepialidæ. Now if the neuration of the whole of the Lepidoptera is compared with that of all other insects, it will be found that in no instance is there any close resemblance, except in the case of the Micropterygidæ; but the neuration of these so closely approaches that of certain Trichoptera (caddis-flies) as to be practically identical. The conclusion is clear, that the Lepidoptera are descended from the Trichoptera, and that the Micropterygidæ are the true connecting link. If the other marked structural characters of the Micropterygidæ are taken into consideration, viz., the possession of the jugum, the large development of the maxillary palpi as compared with the labial, and the sometimes functionally active mandibles, they will be all found commonly in the Trichoptera, affording additional confirmation. It may be added that in one New Zealand species of Micropterygidæ (Palæomicra chalcophanes) vein 1b is basally trifurcate, a character frequent in the Trichoptera, but not yet discovered in any other Lepidopteron. In most Trichoptera the veins of the hindwings are much more numerous than those of the fore-wings, in the Micropterygina they are usually equal in number, in other Lepidoptera they are less numerous; in the course of descent there has therefore been a greater progressive diminution in the number of veins of the hind-wings as compared with those of the fore-wings, though these also have diminished.

"It is unnecessary to trace back the descent of the Lepidoptera further; but it may be worth while to point out that we may assume as the primitive type of Trichopterous neuration, a system of numerous longitudinal veins gradually diverging from the base, mostly furcate terminally, and connected by a series of irregularly placed cross-bars near base, and another series beyond middle."

The following is Mr. Meyrick's method of arrangement, which has been adopted in this book:—

"The natural order of arrangement, which is that of a much-branched tree, cannot be adequately expressed by a simple linear succession, such as is alone practicable in a book. It is, however, possible to devise a linear succession which shall be consistent with the natural genealogical order, if some additional explanation can be given. The method here adopted is as follows:—

"Suppose the accompanying diagram represents a portion of the genealogical tree; then the order will begin at M and descend to K, recommence at L and descend to K, and thence to G, recommence at H and descend to G, and thence to B, recommence at F and descend to D, recommence at E and descend to D and thence to B, recommence at C and descend to B and thence to A, and so on. Thus the order begins with the most recently developed forms and descends gradually to the earliest or most ancestral, which are the last in the book. To understand the order in practice, it may be assumed that each genus is descended from that which immediately follows it in the book, unless its actual descent is expressly stated otherwise; such statement will, of course, require to be made before every recommencement of a fresh branch. This system has been adhered to throughout, and after a little use will not be found unintelligible. If adopted in the arrangement of a collection in the cabinet, it would be a good plan to indicate the recommencement of a fresh branch by a special mark, such as a red bar drawn above the first (or highest) species."

Phylogeny of Lepidoptera. (After Meyrick.)

V.—GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.

The details of geographical distribution are given under the headings of the respective species, so far as I have been able to ascertain them; but our knowledge in this direction is necessarily limited, and I have found much difficulty in obtaining reliable information, on account of the obstacles which exist in regard to the correct identification of species in other countries.

The distribution of the species within New Zealand is also very imperfectly known at present, owing to the paucity of collectors and observers, particularly in the extreme north of New Zealand, and on the west coast of the South Island. In the latter locality no doubt many interesting species remain to be discovered, especially amongst the mountain ranges.

In employing the book for identifications, the reader is recommended to first refer to the Plates and see if he can find anything at all resembling the species he has, and then to refer to the description for verification. In dealing with variable forms, it is always well to remember that the shape of markings is generally far more constant than their intensity, or even their colour.

The purely descriptive portions of the work have been made as brief as possible, and characters, of special importance for the identification of species, are printed in italics. Those who desire to consult more detailed descriptions may readily do so by referring to Mr. Meyrick's papers, in the Transactions of the New Zealand Institute and elsewhere. References to such papers are invariably given under the synonomy of each species which has been described by Mr. Meyrick.

It should be mentioned that the figures and descriptions in this work have been prepared from nature, quite separately, and no attempt has been made to reconcile the figure with the description. This course has been followed so that any character, which may have been accidentally omitted from the figure, will not necessarily be wanting in the description.

The figures of neuration (Plates [I]. and [II].) have all been made from fully denuded specimens examined under the microscope. They are in nearly every instance considerably enlarged. Each drawing has afterwards been compared with Mr. Meyrick's description, and if found to differ, a second examination of the wings has been made with a view to a reconciliation of results. Any important differences observed between Mr. Meyrick's descriptions and my final results are in every case specially mentioned.

NEW ZEALAND

MACRO-LEPIDOPTERA.

I.—THE CARADRININA.

The Caradrinina may be distinguished by the following characters:—

"The maxillary palpi are obsolete, the fore-wings have vein 1b simple or hardly furcate, 1c absent, and 5 approximated to 4 towards base. The hind-wings are furnished with a frenulum, vein 1c is absent, and 8 is connected or anastomosing with cell." (See Plate [II]., figs. 1 to 12 and 14 to 18.)

"Imago with the fore-wings more or less elongate-triangular, termen not very oblique; hind-wings broad-ovate.

"Larva sometimes very hairy, usually with 10 prolegs, those on segments 7 and 8 sometimes absent. (Plate [III]., figs. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15 and 16.) Pupa with segments 9 to 11 free; not protruded from cocoon in emergence."—(Meyrick.)

So far as New Zealand is concerned, the Caradrinina may be said to comprise that group of the Lepidoptera formerly known as the Noctuina, with the addition of the family Arctiadæ. Its members are chiefly nocturnal fliers; the body is usually stout, the forewings are narrow, and (except in the Arctiadæ) mostly dull-coloured, with three very characteristic spots. 1. The orbicular stigma, a round spot situated near the middle of the wing; 2. The claviform stigma usually somewhat club-shaped and situated immediately below the orbicular; and 3. The reniform stigma, a kidney-shaped marking situated beyond the orbicular. The claviform is very frequently absent, and the orbicular less frequently so, but the reniform is an almost constant character throughout the entire group, with the exception of the Arctiadæ.

There are three families of the Caradrinina represented in New Zealand, viz.:—

1. [Arctiadæ]. 2. [Caradrinidæ]. 3. [Plusiadæ].

Family 1.—ARCTIADÆ.

The Arctiadæ may be characterised as follows:—

"Eyes smooth. Tongue developed. Posterior tibiæ with all spurs present. Hind-wings with veins 6 and 7 connate or stalked (rarely approximated or coincident), 8 anastomosing with cell nearly or quite from base to middle or beyond."—(Meyrick.) (See Plate [II]., figs. 1, 2, and 4, 5.)

This interesting family, although generally distributed throughout the world, is very poorly represented in New Zealand. Unlike most of the Caradrinina, many of the included species are day fliers and gaily coloured. One of these, Nyctemera annulata, is probably one of the most familiar of New Zealand insects, whilst the four remaining representatives of the family are but seldom seen. To British entomologists the name of "tiger moths" will probably at once recall several conspicuous and beautiful members of this family.

Three genera of the Arctiadæ are represented in New Zealand, viz.:—

1. [Nyctemera]. 2. [Utetheisa]. 3. [Metacrias].

Genus 1.—NYCTEMERA, Hb.

"Tongue well developed. Antennæ in ♂ bipectinated throughout. Palpi moderately long, porrected or rather ascending, with appressed scales; terminal joint moderate, cylindrical. Forewings with vein 6 out of 9 or separate, 7 and 8 out of 9, 10 connected with 9 by a bar. Hind-wings with veins 6 and 7 stalked or separate, 8 anastomosing shortly with margin of cell near base." (Plate [II]., fig. 3 head, 4 neuration of fore-wing, 5 ditto of hind-wing.)

"The single New Zealand species is endemic, but nearly allied to an Australian form."—(Meyrick.)

NYCTEMERA ANNULATA, Boisd.

(Leptosoma annulata, Boisd., Voy. Astr. v. 197, pl. v. 9; Dbld., Dieff, N. Z. ii. 284. Nyctemera doubledayi, Walk., Bomb. 392. Nyctemera annulata, Meyr., Proc. Linn. Soc., N.S.W., 1886, 700; ditto, Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxii. 218.)

(Plate [IV]., fig. 1 ♂, 2 ♀; Plate [III]., fig. 9, larva.)

This species is perhaps one of the best known of the New Zealand Lepidoptera, occurring in great profusion in all parts of both North and South Islands. It is also common at Stewart Island, in the neighbourhood of cultivation.

The expansion of the wings is about 1¾ inches. All the wings are deep sooty black. The forewings have an irregular cream-coloured band running from beyond the middle of the costa towards the tornus. This band is interrupted in the middle, and crossed by several black veins, which sometimes almost break it up into a chain of spots. The hind-wings have a single large cream-coloured spot near the middle. The body is black, with several orange markings on the thorax, and a series of broad orange rings on the abdomen.

This species varies a good deal in the extent of the cream-coloured markings.

The larva feeds on the New Zealand groundsel (Senecio bellidioides), but in cultivated districts it is more often observed on Senecio scandens, a plant having a superficial resemblance to ivy, which frequently grows in great profusion on fences and hedgerows in various parts of the country.

Mr. W. W. Smith informs us[^[4]] that it also feeds on the common groundsel (S. vulgaris) as well as on Cineraria maritima. I have often seen these caterpillars on mild days in the middle of winter, and full-grown specimens are very common towards the end of August, so that I think there is little doubt that the species passes the winter in the larval condition. At other seasons there is a continuous succession of broods.

The length of the caterpillar when full grown is 1½ inches. It is covered with numerous tufts of long black hair, and is black in colour, with the dorsal and lateral lines dark-red. There are several large blue spots round the middle of each of the segments, and the membrane between each segment is bluish-grey. In younger larvæ the bluish-grey colouring extends over a considerable portion of the insect.

This caterpillar may be readily found, as it feeds on the upper surface of the leaves fully exposed to view. Its hairy armour evidently renders it unpalatable to birds, and hence the secret habits we observe in most larvæ are absent in this species.

When full-fed it selects a secluded spot, generally a crevice in the trunk of a tree, where it spins an oval cocoon of silk intermixed with its own hairs. Here it changes into a shining black pupa, speckled and striped with yellow. The insect remains in this state about six weeks.

The moth first appears in September, and continues abundant until about the end of March. It is extremely common, especially during the latter end of summer, when specimens may often be seen flying in all directions. Mr. Meyrick observes[^[5]] that this species has the curious habit of soaring in the early morning sunshine, soon after sunrise, in calm, fine weather. He states that he has seen them in numbers, flying round the tops of trees, at a height of over 100 feet. I can fully corroborate the accuracy of this interesting observation, and have noticed the insect to be most active between the hours of five and eight on fine mornings in midsummer. The habit is certainly a very unusual one, as most insects are rarely seen at that time of the day.

This moth is confined to New Zealand, but two closely allied species, belonging to the same genus, are found in Australia.

Genus 2.—UTETHEISA, Hb.

"Head smooth. Ocelli large. Antennæ in ♂ ciliated, with longer setæ at joints. Palpi moderate, ascending, with loosely appressed scales. Thorax smooth beneath. Abdomen smooth-scaled. Tibiæ smooth-scaled, spurs very short. Fore-wings with veins 7 and 8 out of 9, 10 connected with 9. Hind-legs with veins 3, 4, 5 rather approximated, 6 or 7 connate or short-stalked, 8 from middle of cell."

"A small genus inhabiting the warmer regions of the world. Larva with rather scanty hairs, some finely branched."—(Meyrick.)

Represented in New Zealand by a single species of wide distribution.

UTETHEISA PULCHELLA, L.

(Deiopeia pulchella, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxii. 217.)

(Plate [IV]., fig. 3.)

This species was first observed in New Zealand in February, 1887, when I captured a single specimen in the Wainui-o-mata valley. Since that time Mr. A. Norris has seen two others near Petone, one of which is now in his collection. All the specimens at present noticed have consequently occurred in a very restricted portion of the Wellington District, though it is probable that the insect is far more generally distributed throughout the country than these records would seem to indicate.

The expansion of the wings is about 1¼ inches. The fore-wings are white, with five irregular transverse rows of oblong crimson spots, alternating with six irregular rows of small black dots. The hind-wings are white, irregularly clouded with black on the termen; there are two small black spots near the middle. The body is white; the head and thorax are spotted with crimson, and the antennæ are black.

The larva is thus described by Newman:—[^[6]]

"The ground colour is leaden with a covering of black hairs; there is a broad white stripe down the back, and on each segment down the side is a double scarlet spot. On the continent of Europe this caterpillar is said to feed on the forget-me-not (Myosotis arvensis)."

In New Zealand the moth appears in February. Mr. Meyrick remarks[^[7]]:—"It is probably only an occasional immigrant. Although a feeble-looking insect, it possesses extraordinary capabilities of flight, and is sometimes met with far out at sea. It occurs throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Pacific Islands." It is well known to English entomologists as a great rarity, and many discussions have taken place at various times as to the propriety of retaining it on the list of British Lepidoptera.

Genus 3.—METACRIAS, Meyr.

"Tongue obsolete. Antennæ in ♂ moderately bipectinated throughout. Palpi rather short, hairy, concealed in rough hairs of head. Thorax and femora densely hairy beneath. Anterior tibiæ with developed spine beneath, and apical hook. Fore-wings with vein 2 from ⅔, 6 from point with or out of 9, 7 and 8 out of 9, 10 sometimes connected with 9 at a point above 7. Hind-wings with veins 3 and 4 almost from point, 6 and 7 from point or short-stalked, 8 from about ⅓. Wings in ♀ rudimentary. (Plate [II]., fig. 1 neuration of fore-wing, fig. 2 ditto of hind-wing.)

"An interesting and peculiar genus, apparently most allied to some Australian forms of Spilosoma, but quite distinct. Three species have been discovered, two of them quite recently, and it is not unreasonable to hope that additional forms may hereafter be found amongst the mountains, to which they seem especially attached."—(Meyrick).

METACRIAS STRATEGICA, Hdsn.

(Arctia strategica, Hdsn., Entom., 1889, 53. Metacrias strategica, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxii. 216.)

(Plate [IV]., fig. 4.)

This handsome species is at present only known by a single specimen, captured by Mr. W. W. Smith, near the summit of the Richardson Range, in South Canterbury, at an elevation of about 3,000 feet.

The expansion of the wings of the male is 1½ inches. The fore-wings are black, with two broad, dull yellow, longitudinal streaks; between the costa and the first streak is a very fine yellowish line, and between the two streaks there are three similar lines. The hind-wings are bright yellow, with a broad black band, parallel to the termen, interrupted just before the tornus; the vicinity of this black band is tinged with crimson. The body is black; the top of the head, collar, and sides of the thorax and abdomen are dull yellow. The female is probably apterous.

This species may be readily distinguished from the two following by the yellow collar, absence of any large spot in the centre of both fore-wings and hind-wings, and the red colouring of the termen of the hind-wings. The moth was taken in February, frequenting a species of Carmichælia. It may be looked for in the mountainous regions of South Canterbury, but at present nothing further is known of its habits.

METACRIAS ERICHRYSA, Meyr.

(Metacrias erichrysa, Meyr., Proc. Linn. Soc. N. S. W., 1886, 749; ditto, Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxii. 216.)

(Plate [IV]., fig. 5.)

This species was discovered by Mr. Meyrick on Mount Arthur in the Nelson District in 1886. Since that time I have taken eleven specimens in the same locality, and have seen several others, but as yet I have not heard of its occurrence elsewhere.

The expansion of the wings is 1½ inches. The fore-wings are black, with orange-yellow markings. These consist of a fine line near the costa, becoming very broad near the base, several elongate markings between the veins near the middle, a series of spots near the termen, and a broad streak parallel to the dorsum. The hind-wings are orange-yellow, with a curved black spot in the middle, and a broad black band on the termen, ending considerably before the tornus, and nearly broken a little before its termination. The female, according to Mr. Meyrick,[^[8]] is "wholly whitish-ochreous; wings minute, aborted; legs short, stout, well developed."

The life-history is thus described by Mr. Meyrick[^[9]]: "The larva is wholly black, clothed with long black hairs, those covering segmental incisions brownish-ochreous. It feeds on Senecio bellidioides. The pupa is enclosed in a slight cocoon."

The perfect insect occurs in January, frequenting sunny, grassy slopes on the mountain-sides, at about 4,000 feet above the sea-level. It flies with great rapidity; hence it is generally very difficult to catch.

METACRIAS HUTTONII, Butl.

(Phaos huttonii, Butl., Cist. Ent. 487; Metacrias huttonii, Meyr., Proc. Linn. Soc. N. S. W., 1886, 750; Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxii. 216.)

(Plate [IV]., fig. 6.)

This interesting species was discovered at Lake Wakatipu, by Professor Hutton.

The expansion of the wings of the male is 1⅛ inches. The fore-wings are black; there is an oblique crimson line near the base, two broad longitudinal cream-coloured lines above and below the middle, and a double transverse series of oblong cream-coloured spots near the termen. The hind-wings are pale ochreous, with a black crescent-shaped spot near the middle, and a broad black band almost touching the termen except a little before the tornus. The female is apterous.

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

Family 2.—CARADRINIDÆ.

The Caradrinidæ are distinguished by the following characters:—

"Ocelli usually present. Tongue usually well developed. Labial palpi moderate, more or less ascending, second joint densely scaled, usually rough, terminal rather short, obtuse. Thorax usually densely hairy beneath. Posterior tibiæ with all spurs present. Fore-wings with veins 7 and 8 out of 9, 10 connected with 9. Hind-wings with veins 3 and 4 connate or short-stalked, 5 obsolete or imperfect, parallel to 4, 6 and 7 connate or short-stalked or seldom closely approximated only, 8 shortly anastomosing with cell near base, thence evenly diverging." (Plate [II]., figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11.)

"A dominant family in temperate regions, especially in the northern hemisphere, the species being very numerous and often occurring in great plenty; within the tropics, however, their place is largely taken by the Plusiadæ. The structure is in most particulars remarkably uniform, the neuration and palpi being practically identical throughout the family. The markings are usually very similar, and the colouring dull and adapted to conceal insects which are accustomed to hide amongst dead leaves or refuse; hence this family is not one of the easiest or most attractive to study. The species are the most truly nocturnal of all the Lepidoptera; few are readily obtainable by day, but at night they are found in abundance at flowers or sugar. Imago with fore-wings usually elongate, body relatively stout, and densely scaled. It may be noted as an established conclusion that antennal pectinations, if not extending to the apex of the antennæ, are in this family seldom sufficient to mark generic distinction.

"Ovum spherical, more or less distinctly ribbed, and reticulated. Larva usually with few hairs, often nocturnal, sometimes subterranean; often very polyphagous. Pupa usually subterranean."—(Meyrick.)

The family is represented in New Zealand by the following twelve genera:—

Sub-family 1.—POLIADES.

"Eyes naked, ciliated (i.e., furnished with a marginal row of long cilia curving over them)."—(Meyrick.)

Genus 1.—MISELIA, Steph.

"Antennæ in male filiform, moderately ciliated. Thorax with anterior angles projecting, somewhat crested. Abdomen not crested."—(Meyrick.)

We have at present but one New Zealand species.

MISELIA PESSOTA, Meyr.

(Miselia pessota, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 29.)

(Plate [V]., fig. 26.)

This little species has occurred at Wellington in the North Island, and at Lake Coleridge and Rakaia in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. The fore-wings are dull purplish-brown; there is an oblong black mark at the base of the dorsum containing a slender curved white line; the orbicular is rather small, round, margined first with dull white and then with black; the reniform is large, oblong, dull white, margined with pale ochreous towards the base of the wing; there is a conspicuous oblong black mark between the orbicular and reniform stigmata. The hind-wings are dull grey, with the cilia paler.

The perfect insect appears in January. One specimen was taken at sugar in the Wellington Botanical Gardens, and two specimens are recorded from Canterbury. It is evidently a scarce species.

Genus 2.—ORTHOSIA, Ochs.

"Head rough-scaled; eyes naked, ciliated. Antennæ in male ciliated. Thorax with or without anterior crest. Abdomen not crested.

"A considerable genus of nearly universal distribution, though mainly found in temperate regions of both hemispheres. The imagos are almost all autumnal, and their yellow and ferruginous colouring is doubtless adapted to the autumn tints of falling leaves."—(Meyrick.)

Represented in New Zealand by three species.

ORTHOSIA MARGARITA, Hawth.

(Orthosia margarita, Hawth., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxix. 283.)

(Plate [V]., fig. 31.)

This species was discovered at Wellington by Mr. E. F. Hawthorne.

The expansion of the wings is about 1⅓ inches. The fore-wings are dark brownish-black and rather glossy; there are several obscure dark marks near the base; the orbicular is oval, oblique, brownish-yellow, slightly darker in the middle; the claviform is almost obsolete; the reniform is rather large, bordered with dull white towards the base and termen; beyond the reniform there is a very distinct wavy transverse line; another line is situated near the termen emitting several black wedge-shaped markings from its inner edge. The hind-wings are shining white and iridescent, with the veins black and the costa and termen narrowly shaded with black.

Described and figured from specimens in Mr. Hawthorne's collection.

ORTHOSIA COMMA, Walk.

(Mamestra comma, Walk., Noct. 239; Butl., Voy. Ereb., pl. ix., 6. Graphiphora implexa, Walk., Noct. 405. Hadena plusiata, ib., Suppl. 742; Nitocris bicomma, Gn., Ent. Mon. Mag. v., 4. Orthosia comma, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 30.)

(Plate [V]., fig. 27 ♂, 28 ♀; Plate [III]., fig. 11, larva.)

This is apparently a common and generally distributed species. It has occurred plentifully at Wellington, Blenheim, Christchurch, and Rakaia.

The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. The fore-wings are dark grey crossed by four wavy, black-margined, transverse lines; beyond the outermost of these lines there is a black band running parallel with the termen, and beyond this again a broader band of the ground colour; the orbicular spot is very minute and dull white; the reniform, which is surrounded by a black shading, is large, yellow towards the costa, and white towards the termen. The hind-wings are dark grey. The females are generally much darker than the males, some specimens having the fore-wings very dark brownish-black.

Both sexes vary a good deal in the depth of colouring, but the markings appear to be quite constant.

The larva is dark brown, tinged with pink; the subdorsal region is paler, there are a series of diagonal blackish stripes on each segment, and the anterior portions of the larva are much darker than the rest of the body.

The specimens I reared were fed on lettuce, but I expect that the caterpillar feeds on low plants generally. It is full grown about January. The pupa state is spent in the earth.

The moth appears in January, February, and March. It is very common at the flowers of the white rata, and may also be attracted by sugar and by light.

ORTHOSIA IMMUNIS, Walk.

(Tæniocampa immunis, Walk., Noct. 430. Cerastis innocua, ib. 1710 (locality probably erroneous). Agrotis acetina, Feld., Reis. Nov. pl. cix. 6. Orthosia immunis, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 30.)

(Plate [V]., fig. 29.)

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

The expansion of the wings is 1⅜ inches. The fore-wings vary from bright orange-brown to dull reddish-brown; there is an obscure black dot near the base, a faint transverse line at about one-fourth; the orbicular is oval, faintly outlined in brown; the claviform is very faint, its position indicated by a small brown dot; the reniform is large, oblong, much indented towards the termen, doubly outlined with dull yellow and containing a blackish spot towards its lower edge, its posterior margin is shaded with dark brown; there are several faint, wavy, transverse lines near the termen, and the termen itself is shaded with brownish-black; the cilia are reddish-brown. The hind-wings are dull grey; the cilia are pale reddish-ochreous tipped with white. The head is covered with scattered white scales, the thorax is reddish-brown, and the abdomen is grey tipped with reddish-brown; the upper joints of the tarsi of the anterior legs are white.

The perfect insect appears in January, February, and March. It frequents the blossoms of the white rata, where it occasionally may be taken in the daytime, but more frequently at night. It is not, however, a common species.

Genus 3.—XANTHIA, Tr.

"Antennæ in male filiform, moderately ciliated. Thorax with sharp compressed anterior and small posterior crest. Abdomen not crested."—(Meyrick.)

Only one New Zealand species is known at present.

XANTHIA PURPUREA, Butl.

(Graphiphora purpurea, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. Xanthia ceramodes, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 31. X. purpurea, ib. xx. 46.)

(Plate [V]., fig. 32.)

This handsome species has been found at Wellington in the North Island, and at Dunedin in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings is 1½ inches. The fore-wings are rich, glossy reddish-brown with several scattered whitish scales; there is a distinct yellow mark on the costa at about one-fourth, forming the beginning of a broken transverse line; the orbicular is small, round, and yellowish; the reniform is small, crescentic and yellowish, the space between the orbicular and the reniform is very dark blackish-brown; beyond the reniform there is a conspicuous white mark on the costa forming the beginning of a second broken transverse line; a third shaded line is situated near the termen. The hind-wings are pale brown with a dark spot in the middle, very conspicuous on the under surface.

The perfect insect appears from September till April. It is usually taken at sugar or light, but is not a very common species.

Sub-family 2.—MELANCHRIDES.

Eyes hairy.

Genus 4.—PHYSETICA, Meyr.

"Palpi with terminal joint in male greatly swollen, as broad as second, rather short, rounded, with an orifice in outer side, in female normal. Antennæ in male filiform, simple. Thorax and abdomen smooth."—(Meyrick.) (Plate [II]., fig. 8.)

PHYSETICA CÆRULEA, Gn.

(Agrotis cærulea, Gn., Ent. Mo. Mag. v. 38. Physetica cærulea, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 5.)

(Plate [IV]., fig. 7.)

This fine species has occurred at Wellington in the North Island, and at Blenheim and Rakaia in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings is 1⅝ inches. The fore-wings are slaty-blue; there is an obscure, wavy, whitish transverse line near the base, two very wavy blackish lines at about one-third, a dark transverse shaded line across the middle, containing the orbicular spot, then a very wavy line followed by a darker space and a wavy, dull, whitish terminal line. Hind-wings dark grey, paler near the base, cilia shining white.

The perfect insect appears in October, December, and January. Mr. Fereday states that it was formerly very common at blossoms.

Genus 5.—LEUCANIA, Ochs.

"Head rough-scaled; eyes hairy. Antennæ in male ciliated. Thorax with or without slight anterior crest. Abdomen not crested.

"A very large cosmopolitan genus, equally common everywhere; it is a development of Melanchra, to which some of the New Zealand species give such a complete transition that a line of demarcation can hardly be drawn. The larvæ all feed on Gramineæ."—(Meyrick.)

We have seventeen species.

LEUCANIA GRISEIPENNIS, Feld.

(Mamestra griseipennis, Feld., pl. cix. 22. Chera virescens, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 489. Spælotis inconstans, ib. 545; Leucania moderata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 7 (nec Walk.). Leucania griseipennis, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 44.)

(Plate [IV]., fig. 8.)

This species has occurred at Wellington in the North Island. In the South Island it has been taken at Mount Arthur, Lake Coleridge, Rakaia, Akaroa, and Lake Guyon.

The expansion of the wings is 1½ inches. The fore-wings are dull greenish-grey; there are two obscure blackish transverse lines near the base and several dull white dots; a very conspicuous transverse curved black shade near the middle, followed by an extremely jagged dull white transverse line, another less jagged transverse line near the termen; the orbicular is oval, pale, edged with black; the reniform and claviform are also pale but inconspicuous; the cilia are tinged with brown. The hind-wings are grey with the cilia wholly white.

The following variety, taken on Mount Arthur, is thus described by Mr. Meyrick:—

"Var. A. Thorax and fore-wings without ochreous tinge, with numerous white scales tending to form suffused spots and margins to lines; cilia distinctly barred with darker; hind-wings grey, with dark grey, irregular terminal band."[^[10]]

The perfect insect appears from November till March, and is said to be very common in certain localities. It has been taken at considerable elevations in the Nelson province (4,700 feet above the sea-level on Mount Arthur, by Mr. Meyrick and myself). In Wellington it is certainly a scarce species.

LEUCANIA MODERATA, Walk.

(Agrotis moderata, Walk., Suppl. 705. Eumichtis sistens, Gn., Ent. Mo. Mag. v. 39. Mamestra sistens, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 19. Leucania moderata, ib. xx. 45.)

This species has occurred at Rakaia in the South Island. It very closely resembles the preceding species, from which it is said to be distinguished by the cilia of the hind-wings, which are "partially grey in Leucania moderata, wholly white in L. griseipennis."—(Meyrick.)

The perfect insect appears in February. I am unacquainted with this species.

LEUCANIA TEMPERATA, Walk.

(Bryophila temperata, Walk., 1648 (nec Meyrick). Xylina inceptura, ib. 1736. X. deceptura, ib. 1737. Leucania temperata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 45.)

"Terminal joint of palpi moderate; form of wing as in Leucania griseipennis, first and second lines whitish, inconspicuous, margined with black dots, second line evenly curved, subterminal perceptible; cilia grey, indistinctly barred with white. Hind-wings grey."—(Meyrick.)

Described by Mr. Meyrick from the British Museum specimens.

I am unacquainted with this species.

LEUCANIA NULLIFERA, Walk.

(Agrotis nullifera, Walk., Noct. 742; Butl., Voy. Ereb., pl. ix. 5. Alysia specifica, Gn., Ent. Mo. Mag. v. 3. Leucania nullifera, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 7.)

(Plate [IV]., fig. 9; head, Plate [II]., fig. 11.)

This large though sombre-looking insect has occurred in the North Island at Taupo and Wellington. In the South Island it has been taken commonly at Mount Arthur, Christchurch, and Rakaia.

The expansion of the wings is from 2½ to 2¾ inches. The fore-wings are uniform dull grey, with a double row of very faint white spots parallel to the termen; the hind-wings, head, thorax, and abdomen are pale grey.

In some specimens the fore-wings are quite destitute of markings, whilst in others the ground colouring varies considerably, and is occasionally dull brown instead of grey.

The larva is very stout, bright yellowish-brown, considerably paler on the under surface; the dorsal line is faintly indicated, the subdorsal and lateral lines are dull brown, with a chain of elongate white spots beneath each; the spiracles and dorsal surface of the posterior segments are black; there are also numerous white dots all over the larva.

This caterpillar feeds on spear-grass (Aciphylla squarrosa), and only a single individual inhabits each clump. It devours the soft, central portions of the tussock, and its presence can generally be detected by a quantity of pale brown "frass," or discoloration, which is generally visible near the bases of the leaves. Owing to the formidable array of spines presented by the spear-grass, this larva can have but few enemies. The presence of these spines makes the insect a difficult one to obtain without special apparatus. A sharp pair of strong scissors, however, will enable the collector to cut off a sufficient number of the "spears" to allow of the insertion of a small trowel or hatchet under the root. The plant can then be lifted out of the ground, and the larva afterwards carefully extracted from its burrow in the stem. These larvæ are full grown about the end of May, which is consequently the best time to obtain them for rearing. The pupa is enclosed in an earthen cell amongst the roots of the spear-grass. The moth appears in November, December, January, February, and March. It is sometimes attracted by light. I have found it commonly on the Tableland of Mount Arthur at elevations of from 3,500 to 4,000 feet above the sea-level, where its food-plant also flourishes.

LEUCANIA PURDII, Frdy.

(Leucania purdii, Frdy., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xv. 195; Meyr., ib. xix. 8.)

(Plate [IV]., fig. 11.)

This fine species was discovered at Dunedin by Mr. Purdie. A single specimen has also been taken at Wellington.

The expansion of the wings is from 2¼ to 2½ inches. The fore-wings are brownish-crimson; there are two broad, shaded, yellow, longitudinal streaks above and below the middle; the costa is margined with yellow near the base, and the dorsum is yellow throughout its entire length; the cilia are deep orange. The hind-wings are dark grey, and the cilia yellow.

The perfect insect appears in December.

Described and figured from specimens in the collections of Messrs. Fereday and Hawthorne.

LEUCANIA ATRISTRIGA, Walk.

(Xylina atristriga, Walk., Suppl. 756. Mamestra antipoda, Feld., Reis. Nov., pl. cix. 23. Leucania atristriga, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 8.)

(Plate [IV]., fig. 12.)

This smart-looking species is very common in the North Island in the neighbourhood of Wellington. In the South Island it has occurred abundantly at Nelson, Christchurch, Lake Coleridge, and Dunedin.

The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. The fore-wings are rich reddish-brown; there is a broad bluish-grey longitudinal streak on the costa, reaching nearly to the apex, and a very broad, pale brown, longitudinal shading on the dorsum; there is a conspicuous longitudinal black stripe in the middle of the wing from the base to one-third, the orbicular, reniform, and claviform spots are bluish-grey, edged with black, the transverse lines are very indistinct; the cilia are reddish-brown. The hind-wings are dark grey with the cilia ochreous.

This species varies slightly in the intensity of its markings and in the extent of the pale dorsal area.

The moth first appears about January and continues in great abundance until the middle or end of April, being one of the last of our Leucanias to disappear in the autumn. It is extremely partial to the flowers of the white rata (Metrosideros scandens), where, on warm, still evenings, it may be often met with in the utmost profusion. It also comes freely to sugar, and is frequently attracted by light.

LEUCANIA PROPRIA, Walk.

(Leucania propria, Walk., Noct. iii.; Gn., Ent. Mo. Mag. v. 2; Butl., Voy. Ereb., pl. ix. 4; Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 9.)

(Plate [IV]., fig. 13.)

This insect has occurred in the South Island at Mount Arthur, Blenheim, and Mount Hutt.

The expansion of the wings is 1½ inches. The fore-wings are pale ochreous; there is a conspicuous longitudinal black streak in the middle of the wing, extending from the base to about one-third, and a broad, dark brown longitudinal shading, slightly above the middle, from one-fourth to the termen; the reniform is rather small, dull grey, faintly edged with darker, the orbicular and claviform are very indistinct or absent; there is a transverse series of black dots on the veins a little before the termen, and another series on the termen; the cilia are ochreous banded with brown. The hind-wings are pale grey, with a terminal series of small black marks; the cilia are ochreous. The head and thorax are pale reddish-brown, and the abdomen is ochreous.

This species varies slightly in the depth of its colouring.

The perfect insect is met with from January till March. On the Mount Arthur Tableland it occurred very commonly at about 3,800 feet above the sea-level. In this locality it was freely attracted by light, and large numbers of specimens were captured by the aid of a single candle, exhibited at the tent door during mild evenings.

LEUCANIA ACONTISTIS, Meyr.

(Leucania acontistis, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 9.)

(Plate [IV]., fig. 14.)

A single specimen of this species was captured at Castle Hill by Mr. J. D. Enys, and is now in Mr. Fereday's collection.

The expansion of the wings is 1⅜ inches. The fore-wings are dull ochreous; the veins are slightly darker; there is a fine, black, doubly-curved, longitudinal streak from the base to about one-third. The hind-wings are pale yellowish-grey. The cilia of all the wings are dull ochreous.

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

LEUCANIA PHAULA, Meyr.

(Leucania phaula, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 10.)

(Plate [IV]., fig. 15.)

Two specimens of this insect, "bred from tussock grass," were found at Christchurch.[^[11]]

The expansion of the wings is 1½ inches. The fore-wings are dull ochreous, with the veins obscurely indicated by black and white dots; there is a curved series of minute black dots near the termen. The hind-wings are pale ochreous, clouded with grey towards the termen. The cilia of all the wings are dull ochreous. This insect may be distinguished from Leucania unica by its larger size, duller coloration, less oblique termen of fore-wings, and simple antennæ in the male.

The perfect insect appears in November.

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

LEUCANIA ALOPA, Meyr.

(Leucania alopa, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 10.)

(Plate [IV]., fig. 16.)

This species has occurred at Lake Coleridge and at Lake Guyon.

The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. The fore-wings are dull orange-brown; there are three obscure black dots at about one-third; the reniform is represented by a rather conspicuous cloudy spot; there is a curved series of black dots near the termen. The hind-wings are grey, paler towards the base. The cilia of all the wings are dull orange-brown.

The moth appears in March.

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

LEUCANIA MICRASTRA, Meyr.

(Leucania micrastra, Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1897, 383.)

(Plate [IV]., fig. 10.)

Three specimens of this insect have occurred in my garden at Karori.

The expansion of the wings is 1⅝ inches. The fore-wings are bright orange-brown; there are several white scales near the base, two black-edged white dots at about one-third, a small black spot with a shining white dot on each side of it at the origin of veins 3 and 4, and a series of black and white dots on all the veins near the termen; the cilia are orange-brown tipped with white. The hind-wings are pale ochreous-brown. The cilia are ochreous broadly tipped with white.

This species somewhat resembles Leucania alopa in general appearance, but the wings are narrower and the colour of the fore-wings is considerably brighter.

The moth appears in December.

LEUCANIA UNICA, Walk.

(Leucania unica, Walk., Noct. 112; Butl., Voy. Ereb., pl. ix. 9. Nonagria juncicolor, Gn., Ent. Mo. Mag. v. 2. Leucania unica, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 10.)

(Plate [IV]., fig. 17.)

This insect has been taken at Blenheim and at Rakaia.

The expansion of the wings is 1⅜ inches. The fore-wings are dull ochreous with the veins darker; there are one or two obscure blackish dots at about one-third from the base, and several faint dots near the termen. Hind-wings paler with very pale cilia; the antennæ in the male are moderately bipectinated.

The moth appears in November.

Described and figured from Mr. Fereday's specimens.

LEUCANIA AROTIS, Meyr.

(Leucania arotis, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 11. Leucania aulacias,[^[12]] Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 11.)

(Plate [IV]., fig. 18.)

This species has occurred at Wellington in the North Island. In the South Island it has been found at Blenheim, Christchurch, and Rakaia.

The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. The fore-wings are cream-colour with the veins finely marked in grey; there is a series of streaks of darker cream-colour between the veins, and a row of minute black dots near the termen; the cilia are cream-colour. The hind-wings are dark grey with the cilia white.

The perfect insect appears in November and December. It is rather a scarce species.

LEUCANIA SULCANA, Fereday.

(Leucania sulcana, Frdy., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xii. 267, pl. ix.; Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 11.)

(Plate [IV]., fig. 19 ♂, 20 ♀.)

This species has occurred at Akaroa and at Dunedin.

The expansion of the wings is from 1½ to 1¾ inches. The fore-wings are light ochreous with the veins white; there is a shaded, brownish, longitudinal streak near the apex, another from the end of the cell to the termen, a stronger streak from the base of the wing to near the tornus, and another along the dorsum; there is a minute black dot near the base above the middle, a slightly larger dot at about one-third, a conspicuous dot between the origins of veins 3 and 4, and a very minute dot on vein 6. Hind-wings dark blackish-grey, cilia paler.

The perfect insect appears in February, and has been taken at sugar.

Described and figured from specimens in Mr. Fereday's collection.

LEUCANIA SEMIVITTATA, Walk.

(Leucania semivittata, Walk., Suppl. 628; Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 12.)

(Plate [IV]., fig. 21 ♂, 22 ♀.)

This species has occurred commonly at Christchurch, Mount Torlesse, and Dunedin.

The expansion of the wings is from 1⅛ to 1⅜ inches. The fore-wings are pale ochreous; there is a very obscure, shaded, brownish, longitudinal streak below the middle, a conspicuous black dot at the base, a second at about one-sixth, a third at one-third, a fourth between the origins of veins 3 and 4, a curved series of minute terminal dots. Hind-wings much paler with a darker blotch near the middle. In the female the wings are browner with the dots much smaller or absent.

The moth appears in April and May, being found at night on the blossoms of the scabious.

Described and figured from specimens in Mr. Fereday's collection.

LEUCANIA BLENHEIMENSIS, Frdy.

(Leucania blenheimensis, Frdy., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xv. 196; Meyr., ib. xix. 12.)

(Plate [IV]., fig. 23 ♀.)

This rather striking insect has occurred at Napier and at Blenheim.

The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. The fore-wings are cream-coloured with the veins darker; there are three faint black dots at about one-third, a curved series of black dots near the termen, the termen itself being strongly shaded with dark greyish-brown; the cilia are dark greyish-brown. The hind-wings are grey, paler towards the base; the cilia are also grey.

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

LEUCANIA UNIPUNCTA, Haw.

(Leucania unipuncta, Haw., Lepidoptera Britannica, p. 174, No. 37. Leucania extranea, Gn., Noct. v. 77; Butl., Voy. Ereb., pl. ix. 2; Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 12.)

(Plate [IV]., fig. 24.)

This species has occurred at Napier and at Wellington in the North Island. In the South Island it has been found at Nelson and at Christchurch.

The expansion of the wings is 1¾ inches. The fore-wings vary from dull ochreous to bright reddish-ochreous; there are numerous indistinct blackish dots; the orbicular and reniform are almost round and slightly paler than the rest of the wing; there is a minute white dot immediately below the reniform and an obscure, oblique blackish line from the apex of the wing ending in a series of minute black dots; the termen is not indented. The hind-wings are grey, darker near the termen; the cilia are white.

Varies considerably in the ground colour and in the extent of the black speckling.

"The larva is extremely variable. Its usual colour is pale brown with a white dorsal line and several dark lines on each side.

"Young larvæ closely resemble their food-plant in colour, and occasionally this is persistent throughout life; in fact the larva is very variable. Feeds on various grasses."[^[13]]

The perfect insect first appears about January, and continues in increasing numbers until the middle or end of April. It is often met with at sugar.

This species is of almost universal distribution, having occurred in Australia, Java, India, Europe, and North and South America. In England it is regarded as a great rarity.

Genus 6.—ICHNEUTICA, Meyr.

"Antennæ in male strongly bipectinated throughout. Thorax and abdomen smooth."—(Meyrick.)

This genus is very closely allied to Leucania. It appears to be exclusively limited to New Zealand, where it is represented by two conspicuous species. Probably when the extensive mountainous regions of the country have been more fully explored by entomologists other species will be discovered.

ICHNEUTICA DIONE, n. sp.

(Plate [IV]., fig. 27 ♂.)

A single specimen of this interesting species was captured by Mr. C. W. Palmer, on Mount Arthur at an elevation of about 4,400 feet.

The expansion of the wings is 1½ inches. The fore-wings are dull blackish-brown, darker near the middle; there is a rather oblique, white, longitudinal stripe below the middle from about one-eighth to one-third; above this there is a very conspicuous, large, elongate white mark; this mark has a semicircular indentation above, probably representing the orbicular; another indentation towards the termen, probably representing the reniform, and below this it emits two short teeth-like projections; beyond these markings the ground colour becomes paler, and is traversed by an obscure, jagged, transverse line; the cilia are grey. The hind-wings are pale grey; the cilia are also grey. The body is dark brownish-black. The pectinations of the antennæ of this insect are slightly shorter than those in Ichneutica ceraunias.

The type specimen is slightly damaged; but the species is so evidently distinct that I feel no hesitation in describing it.

ICHNEUTICA CERAUNIAS, Meyr.

(Ichneutica ceraunias, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 13.)

(Plate [IV]., fig. 25 ♂, 26 ♀).

This handsome species has hitherto only occurred on the Tableland of Mount Arthur, where, however, it seems to be common.

The expansion of the wings of the male is 1¾ inches, of the female 2 inches. The fore-wings of the male are rich orange-brown, paler towards the base. There are two very broad, longitudinal, yellowish stripes, one on the costa and the other on the dorsum. The costal stripe divides into two branches before its termination, one of which is produced downwards; there is also a conspicuous white mark a little beyond the middle of the wing emitting two tooth-like projections towards the termen, and two narrow, dark brown streaks near the base of the wing. The hind-wings are dark brownish-grey. The head, thorax, and abdomen are yellowish-brown, and the antennæ are very strongly bipectinated. The female is much narrower in the wings, the ground colouring is dull brown, and the markings are all dull yellow.

This species varies slightly in the intensity of the markings.

The moth appears early in January. It is much attracted by light. In 1891 I took over twenty specimens by means of a single candle exhibited, during three evenings, at the door of my tent. Prior to this date only one specimen had been taken by Mr. Meyrick during January, 1886. All these moths were met with over 3,500 feet above the sea-level, so that the insect is evidently confined to mountain regions.

Genus 7.—MELANCHRA, Hb.

"Head rough-scaled; eyes hairy. Antennæ in ♂ ciliated, or sometimes bipectinated with apex simple. Thorax with more or less developed anterior and posterior crests. Abdomen more or less crested, in ♀ obtuse. Anterior tibiæ rarely with apical hook."

"A large genus of very general distribution, but much commoner in temperate regions of both hemispheres. Relatively much more numerous in New Zealand than elsewhere."—(Meyrick.)

This genus includes no less than thirty-four species. Some of these are extremely difficult to distinguish owing to the obscurity of their markings, which offer unusual obstacles to clear description and delineation. I have, however, endeavoured to point out what, in my opinion, constitute the most reliable distinctions; but I fear that amongst those species, where only one or two specimens are known, cases of real difficulty will arise. Future investigation will no doubt result in a remodelling of some of the more obscure species in this genus.

It may be well to point out that the genus Melanchra was formerly known by the name of Mamestra.

MELANCHRA DISJUNGENS, Walk.

(Heliophobus disjungens, Walk., Noct. 1681; Butl., Voy. Ereb., pl. ix. 1. Hadena nervata, Gn., Ent. Mo. Mag. v. 40. Mamestra disjungens, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 15.)

(Plate [V]., fig. 43.)

This species has occurred in the South Island at Ashburton and at Rakaia.

The expansion of the wings is about 1⅜ inches. The fore-wings are brownish-grey; the veins are very conspicuously marked in white, the orbicular and reniform are large, white, each with a dusky centre; there is a conspicuous, white, transverse line near the termen, emitting two white, tooth-like projections on veins 3 and 4, and connected with a longitudinal line running to the base of the wing. The hind-wings are grey with the cilia white.

The perfect insect appears from November till January. It was formerly a common species near Rakaia, but is now much scarcer.

MELANCHRA PARACAUSTA, Meyr.

(Mamestra paracausta, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 15.)

(Plate [IV]., fig. 28 ♂, 28A ♀.)

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

The expansion of the wings is about 1⅜ inches. The fore-wings are dull white with an irregular, central, longitudinal, blackish-brown streak becoming very broad towards the termen; there is an oval reddish-brown blotch near the base, but no distinct transverse lines; two conspicuous elliptic, white marks are situated on the termen near the tornus. The hind-wings are pale grey, with an obscure central shade and a series of brownish dots along the termen.

The species appears somewhat variable. In some male specimens the white colouring is largely replaced by pale yellowish-brown. Described and figured from specimens in the collections of Messrs. Fereday, Hawthorne, and Philpott[^[14]].

MELANCHRA INSIGNIS, Walk.

(Euplexia insignis, Walk., Suppl. 724. Xylina turbida, ib. 754. Mamestra polychroa, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 16. Mamestra insignis, Meyr., ib. xx. 45.)

(Plate [IV]., fig. 29 ♂, 30 ♀.)

This pretty species has occurred at Palmerston and Wellington in the North Island, and at Blenheim, Christchurch, and West Plains near Invercargill in the South Island. It is probably common and generally distributed.

The expansion of the wings is about 1⅜ inches. The fore-wings are pinkish-brown; there is a short black streak near the centre of the wing at the base, and an irregular, extensive black marking along the dorsum; the orbicular, reniform, and claviform spots are large, margined first with green and then with black; a fine white line is situated parallel with the termen, edged with green, and emitting two sharp tooth-like markings; beyond this line the ground colour of the wing is dark-brownish-black. The hind-wings are dull brown, darker towards termen; the cilia are white with a brown line. The antennæ of the male are slightly bipectinated. In the female the ground colour is considerably paler, the black markings much darker, and more suffused, and the posterior half of the reniform is usually creamy-white.

Some specimens have the green and black markings slightly more pronounced, but otherwise there are no important variations.

The eggs are deposited in October and November. When first laid they are pale greenish-white, but become dark brown in the centre as the enclosed embryo develops. The young larvæ emerge in about a fortnight. At this time the two anterior pairs of prolegs are very short, causing the caterpillar to loop up its back when walking. In colour the young larva is pale brown, with numerous black warts emitting several long, stiff bristles. It is very active, and busily devours the soft green portions of the dock leaves, leaving the harder membrane untouched. Twelve days later the larva becomes pale green in colour, and moults for the first time, after which traces of subdorsal and lateral lines present themselves. Growth then proceeds with great rapidity, and in another eleven days the larva again sheds its skin. The last moult occurs a fortnight later.

At this time the larva is pale greenish-brown, inclining to yellow on the ventral surface. The lateral lines consist of a series of black markings near the posterior margin of each segment; the subdorsal lines are represented by four oblique black marks on each side of the four posterior segments of the larva. The region between these lines is much clouded with yellowish-green or pink, the larvæ having a tendency to diverge into pink and green varieties. The anal segment is dull yellow. The head is brown, with two black stripes and several black dots.

Whilst rearing these larvæ I noticed that during the daytime they invariably hid themselves under the blotting paper at the bottom of the breeding cage. No doubt, under natural conditions, they retreat beneath the ground, only coming abroad at night to feed. This habit would account for the difficulty experienced in finding larvæ of this genus in a state of nature.

The pupa state is spent in the earth, and occupies about a month.

The moth appears towards the end of January. It evidently hibernates through the winter, as it is often seen very late in the autumn, and is always one of the first moths to come to sugar in the early spring. It is frequently observed at rest on fences and trees in the daytime.

MELANCHRA MAYA, n. sp.

(Plate [IV]., fig. 31.)

A single specimen of this species was taken on the Tableland of Mount Arthur, at an altitude of about 3,500 feet.

The expansion of the wings is 1⅝ inches. The fore-wings are bright yellowish-brown, paler towards the apex; there are two broad, shaded, black stripes at the base, one near the middle edged with yellow above, and one below the middle edged with yellow beneath; the orbicular is oval, oblique, edged with black except towards the costa; the claviform is rather irregular, dark purplish-brown; the reniform is very large, dark purplish-brown edged with black; there is a large elongate patch of very dark brown at the tornus, partly edged first with yellow and then with black; another smaller patch is situated on the termen near the middle, bisected by a fine yellow line. The hind-wings are grey; the cilia of all the wings are yellowish-brown. The head and thorax are purplish-brown, the abdomen dull brownish-grey.

MELANCHRA PLENA, Walk.

(Erana plena, Walk., Suppl. 744. Mamestra sphagnea, Feld., Reis. Nov., pl. cix. 17. Dianthœcia viridis, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 547. Mamestra plena, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 17.)

(Plate [IV]., fig. 32.)

Apparently common in the Canterbury district, where it has been taken at Christchurch and Mount Hutt. In the North Island it has occurred in the neighbourhood of Wellington.

It resembles Melanchra insignis in every respect except that the head, thorax, and fore-wings are entirely suffused with green; there is no central black streak at the base, and the orbicular, reniform, and claviform spots are smaller.

It varies a little in the intensity of the green colouring.

The eggs are deposited early in November. At first they are white in colour, but soon become dull brown, with two concentric circular markings. The young larva closely resembles that of the Melanchra insignis, but is much more sluggish. It feeds on grasses and other low plants.

In about six weeks' time it is full grown, when it still resembles the caterpillar of Melanchra insignis, except that its colouring is considerably darker, and a number of rust-red spots are situated on the subdorsal line. This larva also appears to spend the daytime underground, only coming abroad in the evening to feed. The pupa is concealed in the earth.

The perfect insect may be occasionally found at rest on tree-trunks in the forest, where it is very hard to discover, as it almost exactly resembles a little patch of moss or lichen. Specimens are sometimes noticed in the middle of winter, so there is little doubt that this species hibernates. It occurs in spring as late as November, and as the pupæ emerge during the latter end of January the insect is about for most of the year.

MELANCHRA LITHIAS, Meyr.

(Mamestra lithias, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 17.)

(Plate [IV]., fig. 33.)

Two specimens of this species were taken at Castle Hill by Mr. J. D. Enys, and are now in Mr. Fereday's collection.

The expansion of the wings is 1¼ inches. The fore-wings are slaty-brown; there is a broken, black-edged, white, transverse line near the base, and another at about one-third; the orbicular is indicated by a conspicuous black-edged white crescent, the reniform is large, oblong, white, margined with black, and crossed by two grey lines; there is an interrupted white terminal transverse line and a series of black dots on the termen. The hind-wings are grey, paler towards the base; the cilia of all the wings are slaty-brown.

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

MELANCHRA MUTANS, Walk.

(Hadena mutans, Walk., Noct. 602. H. lignifusca, ib. 603. Mamestra angusta, Feld., Reis. Nov., pl. cix. 18. M. acceptrix, ib., pl. cix. 19. Hadena debilis, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1877, 385, pl. xlii. 6. Mamestra mutans, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 17.)

(Plate [IV]., fig. 34 ♂, 35 ♀, 36 ♂, variety; Plate [III]., fig. 15, larva.)

This is a very abundant species throughout the country.

The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. The fore-wings are pale reddish-brown in the male, grey in the female; the markings are black and somewhat indistinct; the orbicular spot is nearly round, the claviform semicircular, the reniform large and not margined with black towards the termen; a line runs parallel with the termen, and emits on its outer side a tooth-like mark; inside this line the ground colouring of the wing is usually lighter. The hind-wings are grey, darker in the male; the cilia are white with a cloudy line. The head, thorax, and abdomen are brown in the male, grey in the female. The antennæ are slightly bipectinate in the male.

This species varies much in the ground colouring of the fore-wings, especially in the male, where it ranges from pale pinkish-brown to dark brown. The wings of the female are frequently much clouded with dark grey.

The larva is rather stout, with the anterior segments wrinkled. It varies much in colour; the dorsal surface is usually reddish-brown; the lateral line is broad and black; a series of subdorsal stripes are also black; the ventral surface is green. Sometimes these markings are hardly visible, and the larva is entirely green, whilst occasionally the brown colouring predominates.

It is a sluggish caterpillar, and feeds on low plants (Plantago, &c.) during the whole of the spring and summer. It often frequents the luxuriant growth surrounding logs and stones which have long been left undisturbed.

The pupa state is spent in the earth or amongst moss on fallen trees. When this stage occurs in the summer it is of short duration, but in the case of larvæ becoming full grown in the autumn, the regular emergence does not take place until the following spring.

The moth may be observed on mild evenings nearly all the year round, but is commoner during the summer. It is an extremely abundant species, and is very often seen resting on tree trunks during the daytime, in which position the colouring of both sexes will be seen to be very protective.

MELANCHRA AGORASTIS, Meyr.

(Mamestra agorastis, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 18.)

(Plate [V]., fig. 30 ♀.)

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

The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. The fore-wings are rich reddish-brown, with dull yellowish-white markings; the claviform is small, grey, margined with dark reddish-brown; the orbicular is also rather small, grey, margined with dull white; the reniform is rather large, oblong, dark grey, margined rather broadly with yellowish-white. The hind-wings are dark brown. The antennæ of the male are shortly pectinated.

This species very closely resembles a dark specimen of Melanchra pelistis so far as the female is concerned, which is the only sex I have had an opportunity of examining.

The perfect insect appears in February and March. It is a scarce species.

MELANCHRA PICTULA, White.

(Dianthoecia pictula, White, Tayl. New Zeal., pl. i. 3. Meterana pictula, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1877, 386, pl. xlii. 1. Mamestra pictula, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 18.)

(Plate [IV]., fig. 37 ♂.)

Three specimens of this handsome species have occurred at Lake Coleridge in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings is 1⅝ inches. The fore-wings are grey, very faintly tinged with pink, the markings are yellowish-green margined with black, the reniform is large, oval, clear white, with a minute white dot above and below it, there is a series of conspicuous black-edged yellow spots near the termen; the cilia are grey with a series of minute black and white dots at their base. The hind-wings are pale crimson shaded with dark grey near the termen, there is an obscure grey spot near the middle; the cilia are grey. The sides of the abdomen are bright crimson.

The moth appears in March.

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

MELANCHRA RHODOPLEURA, Meyr.

(Mamestra rhodopleura, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 19.)

(Plate [IV]., fig. 38.)

This species has been taken in the North Island at Napier and Wellington.

The expansion of the wings is 1½ inches. The fore-wings are greenish-grey, with the markings yellow margined with black; the hind-wings are dark grey with a terminal series of small yellow spots. The sides of the abdomen are bright crimson.

This insect is very closely allied to Melanchra pictula, but the absence of the white reniform spot and the grey hind-wings, will at once distinguish it from that species.

The perfect insect appears in May and June. It is decidedly rare.

MELANCHRA MEROPE, n. sp.

(Plate [V]., fig. 2.)

A single specimen of this handsome insect was taken in the Wellington Botanical Gardens in October, 1887.

The expansion of the wings is nearly two inches. The fore-wings are rich chocolate-brown, with yellow markings outlined in very deep brown; there is a rather broad broken transverse line near the base; a yellow blotch containing a slender curved brown line, on the dorsum at about one-fourth, forming the end of another extremely broken transverse line; the reniform is large, finely outlined with brown towards the base of the wing and half filled in with yellow towards the termen; between the reniform and the dorsum there is a jagged yellow transverse line; there is a terminal series of dark brown streaks and yellow spots, and the termen itself is scalloped; the cilia are dark brown. The hind-wings are pale brown, pinkish tinged; there is an obscure terminal line; the cilia are brownish-pink. The head and thorax are dark brown, the abdomen pale brown, with the crests darker.

MELANCHRA PELISTIS, Meyr.

(Mamestra pelistis, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 20.)

(Plate [V]., fig. 3 ♂, 4 ♀.)

This species has occurred at Wellington and at Paikakariki, in the North Island. In the South Island it has been found at Akaroa and Lake Coleridge.

The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. The fore-wings are dull ochreous more or less shaded with dark reddish-brown, especially in the vicinity of the transverse lines; there are several obscure pale marks near the base; the orbicular is grey, margined towards the dorsum with a conspicuous white or dull yellow crescentic line; the claviform is small, round, dull grey, edged with darker; the reniform is large, darker grey, paler towards the costa, margined with white or dull yellow towards the base of the wing and termen; there are two obscure transverse lines, the outer one often being slightly toothed towards the termen; sometimes there is a terminal series of minute black marks; the cilia are brown. The hind-wings are dark grey, with the cilia white.

This species varies considerably in the ground colouring of the fore-wings. In some specimens the wing is almost entirely rich reddish-brown, whilst in others this colouring is confined to the vicinity of the stigmata and transverse lines. Numerous intermediate varieties exist which seem to connect these two forms.

The perfect insect appears in January, February, and March. It is very common in the Wellington Botanical Gardens on the white rata blossoms.

MELANCHRA PROTEASTIS, Meyr.

(Mamestra vitiosa, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 20 (nec Butl.). Mamestra proteastis, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 45.)

(Plate [IV]., fig. 40 ♂.)

This insect is very common in the neighbourhood of Christchurch.

The expansion of the wings is 1¼ inches. The fore-wings are dark chocolate-brown; there are several very obscure marks near the base, the orbicular and claviform spots are almost invisible, the reniform is pale brown with a minute dot above and below it towards the termen, followed by a pale, darker-margined, transverse line. The hind-wings are dull brownish-grey, with the cilia paler. The female is rather darker in colour than the male.

This is a very obscurely marked insect, closely allied to the next species, from which it can only be distinguished with difficulty. Its somewhat smaller size and the two minute white dots on the reniform stigma appear to be the most definite characteristics.

The perfect insect appears in May and June.

Described and figured from specimens in Mr. Fereday's collection.

MELANCHRA VITIOSA, Butl.

(Apamea vitiosa, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1877, 384, pl. xlii. 3. Mamestra ochthistis, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 20. Mamestra vitiosa, Meyr. Trans. N. Z. Inst., xx. 45.)

(Plate [IV]., fig. 42; Plate [III]., fig. 16, larva.)

This is a scarce species in the neighbourhood of Wellington. In Christchurch it is very common.

The expansion of the wings is 1⅜ inches. In general colouration it closely resembles the preceding insect, but is considerably paler, with the markings much more distinct. There are no clear white dots above or below the reniform stigma, the orbicular is obliquely oval and rather conspicuous, and the claviform is strongly margined with black.

The larva is rather robust, very pale green above with numerous white lines and dots; dark green beneath with yellow dots. In the light part there is a triangle of black spots on each segment. The young larva has a strong pink lateral line, but in mature specimens this line is confined to the anterior and posterior segments only. Length when full grown about 1¼ inches.

This caterpillar feeds on Melicope simplex, and when amongst the foliage of its food-plant it is extremely hard to detect, owing to its protective colouring and sluggish habits. The larva is full grown about October.

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

The perfect insect appears from November till April.

MELANCHRA DIATMETA, Meyr.[^[15]]

(Plate [V]., fig. 5.)

This species has occurred at Wellington.

The expansion of the wings is 1⅜ inches. The fore-wings are reddish-brown; there is a short longitudinal black streak near the base, an obscure yellow transverse line at about one-fourth, and several short oblique brown or yellow marks on the costa; the orbicular is oval oblique outlined very distinctly in yellow; the reniform is white, margined with yellow towards the base of the wing; there is a black longitudinal streak at the base on the dorsum, which bends upwards at about one-fourth, and runs in a somewhat curved direction to a little above the tornus. The veins are faintly marked in black, and there are several large yellow dots between the veins near the termen; the termen itself is slightly indented, the cilia are reddish-brown. The hind-wings are greyish-brown with the cilia reddish. There are two very conspicuous curved yellowish stripes on each side of the thorax.

The perfect insect appears in September and October. It is a rare species.

MELANCHRA TARTAREA, Butl.

(Graphiphora tartarea, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1877, 384, pl. xlii. 2. Mamestra tartarea, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 21.)

(Plate [V]., fig. 6.)

This species has occurred on the Murimutu Plains in the North Island. In the South Island it is a common species in the neighbourhood of Christchurch.

The expansion of the wings is 1½ inches. The fore-wings are dark chocolate-brown; there is a short, dark-margined, pale transverse line near the base, and another at about one-third, the claviform spot is small, oval, dark brown, margined with black, the orbicular and reniform are very large, pale brown and very conspicuous; there is a broad pale brown terminal band, and a narrow shading of pale brown along the dorsum. The hind-wings are dark grey and the cilia dull white.

This species can easily be recognised by the pale terminal band of the fore-wings.

The perfect insect appears in March and April.

MELANCHRA HOMOSCIA, Meyr.

(Mamestra homoscia, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 21.)

(Plate [V]., fig. 7; Plate [III]., fig. 10, larva.)|.

This dull-looking species has hitherto only occurred in the Wellington district, where it seems to be fairly common.

The expansion of the wings is about 1⅜ inches. The fore-wings are uniform dark grey; the veins are marked with a series of white dots, preceded and followed by black marks; the orbicular, reniform, and claviform spots are scarcely visible; an indistinct wavy line runs parallel with the termen. The hind-wings are grey; the cilia are white with a cloudy line. The head, thorax, and abdomen are grey.

Sometimes the grey colouring is very much darker, and a faint wavy line is present between the orbicular spot and the base of the wing. In other respects the species does not vary.

The larva is rather attenuated and black in colour; the dorsal line is narrow and bright yellow; the subdorsal is broader and white; and the lateral line is pale brown. The head, legs, prolegs, and under surface are pale brown, speckled with black; the spiracles are pink; a conspicuous white spot is situated above the spiracles.

This caterpillar feeds on the Tauhinu (Pomaderris ericifolia) in December and January. It is very active in its habits, and immediately drops to the ground when disturbed. It is much infested by a dipterous parasite. The pupa state is spent in the earth and lasts about six weeks.

The moth appears in February, March, and April. It is attracted by light, and in consequence often enters houses.

MELANCHRA OMICRON, n. sp.

(Plate [V]., fig. 42.)

This species was discovered at Wellington by Mr. A. Norris.

The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. The fore-wings are pale olive-green, mottled and striped with dull grey; there is a double transverse line near the base, another at about one-fourth, and another at about one-half, passing between the orbicular and the reniform; beyond this there are two indistinct shaded lines, and a terminal series of black marks; the orbicular is large, almost circular, and sharply outlined in black; the claviform is small and indistinct, and the reniform ill-defined, obscurely outlined in black towards the base. The hind-wings are brownish-grey, darker towards the termen.

The perfect insect appears in November.

MELANCHRA COMPOSITA, Gn.

(Cloantha composita, Gn., Noct. vi. 114. Auchmis composita, Walk., Noct. 616; Butl., Voy. Ereb., pl. ix. 12. Mamestra maori, Feld., Reis. Nov., pl. cix. 24. Leucania dentigera, Butl. Mamestra composita, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 22.)

(Plate [V]., fig. 8 ♂, 9 ♀; Plate [III]., fig. 7, larva.)

One of the most abundant of our night-flying moths, occurring in great profusion throughout the country.

The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. The fore-wings are pale reddish-brown, darker towards the middle. There are two elongate, pointed, white markings touching the termen below the middle, and a central white streak, interrupted in the middle, by a small semicircular white mark, which represents the lower portion of the reniform spot; the orbicular and claviform spots are obsolete. The hind-wings are dark grey. The head and thorax are reddish-brown, and the abdomen is dark grey. The antennæ are serrate in the male but simple in the female. In some specimens the white markings are more extensive than usual, but otherwise there are no important variations.

The larva is bright reddish-brown; the dorsal stripe is broad and black; the subdorsal narrower, edged with white; the lateral lines are dull red, white, and black; the ventral surface, head, legs, and prolegs are greenish-grey with black markings; the spiracles are black.

This caterpillar varies considerably in the intensity of the light and dark markings. It feeds on grasses in January and September, and is very active. It often occurs in prodigious numbers, and at such times may frequently be seen travelling at a great rate over bare ground in search of food. Amongst the grass it is hard to detect, as the striped colouring is very protective in that situation.

The pupa state is spent in the earth, or under moss on fallen trees.

The moth appears from September till April. It is double-brooded. A few of the second brood emerge in the autumn and hibernate as moths, but the majority pass the winter in the pupa state. Hence we sometimes meet with specimens on mild evenings in the middle of winter.

This insect is much attracted by light, and occasionally assembles in vast numbers round a brilliant lamp. I have had as many as one hundred specimens in my verandah at Karori, attracted during two or three hours. It is by far the commonest insect at the collectors' sugar, the numerous visitors of this species eagerly jostling each other in their haste to obtain a share of the sweets. M. composita is likewise observed in the utmost profusion on attractive flowers of all kinds, crowding out the rarer and more aristocratic species. Mr. Hanify has drawn my attention to the remarkable habit this insect has of suddenly stopping during its flight, and thus eluding pursuit. It also takes wing with unusual rapidity. Specimens of this moth may constantly be observed at rest in various situations during the daytime, when the protective character of the colouring will be at once apparent, especially when the insect is partially concealed amongst grass. Mr. Meyrick informs us that this species is common in Tasmania and South-Eastern Australia.

MELANCHRA STEROPASTIS, Meyr.

(Mamestra steropastis, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 22.)

(Plate [V]., fig. 10 ♂, 11 ♀.)

This insect has occurred in the North Island at Napier. In the South Island it has been taken at Blenheim and Christchurch, but does not seem to be a common species anywhere.

The expansion of the wings is from 1¼ to 1½ inches. In general appearance it somewhat resembles the preceding species, from which it may chiefly be distinguished by the absence of the sharp white central line and conspicuous tooth-like markings near the termen. There is also a minute white dot situated at the junction of veins 3 and 4 of the fore-wings. The hind-wings are dark grey.

The perfect insect appears from November till February.

Described and figured from Mr. Fereday's specimens.

MELANCHRA INFENSA, Walk.

(Orthosia infensa, Walk. 748. Mamestra arachnias, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 23. Mamestra infensa, Meyr., ib. xx. 45.)

(Plate [V]., fig. 12.)

This species has occurred in the North Island at Napier, and in the South Island at Blenheim.

The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. The fore-wings are reddish-brown, slightly speckled with dull white except on a suffused central streak from the base to about two-thirds; an obscure, moderately broad white costal streak extends from the base to two-thirds, sharply defined near the base only, and containing several very oblique ill-defined blackish marks; the orbicular is narrow oval, longitudinal, very finely margined with white and then with black; the claviform is obsolete; the reniform is only indicated by two white dots, representing its lower angles; the transverse lines are very acutely dentate but hardly traceable; the subterminal line is indicated only by three very acute slender whitish-ochreous dentations—one below apex, two touching the termen below the middle; the cilia are reddish-brown mixed with dull white. The hind-wings are dark grey; the cilia are dull white, with a faint grey line and tips white. The head, palpi, and thorax are reddish-brown speckled with white; the forehead with two black transverse lines; and the collar with a slender white line; thorax with strong anterior double tuft. Abdomen light reddish-grey.

Description compiled from that of Mr. Meyrick. Figured by Mr. W. B. Hudson from a specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection.

MELANCHRA OMOPLACA, Meyr.

(Mamestra omoplaca, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 24.)

(Plate [V]., fig. 13.)

This species has occurred in the South Island at Lake Coleridge and Rakaia.

The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. The fore-wings are dark reddish-brown, there is a short black median streak from the base, margined above with ochreous-white; the space between this and the costa is marked with suffused ochreous-whitish lines; in one specimen a blackish suffusion extending from base of the dorsum obliquely to orbicular and reniform, the space between this and the subterminal line is suffused with pale whitish-ochreous; the orbicular and reniform are blackish-fuscous, black-margined, and connected by a blackish-fuscous spot; the orbicular is large, roundish; the reniform with its outer edge white; the claviform is small, suboval, blackish-fuscous; the transverse lines are indistinct; the subterminal is obscurely paler or hardly traceable, with two somewhat acute dentations below the middle; the terminal space is mixed with blackish-fuscous; the cilia are reddish-fuscous mixed with blackish. The hind-wings are fuscous-grey; the cilia grey-whitish, with a grey line.

The perfect insect appears in December, February, and March.

Description compiled from that of Mr. Meyrick. Figured by Mr. W. B. Hudson from a specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection.

MELANCHRA ALCYONE, n. sp.

(Plate [V]., fig. 14 ♂.)

During the autumn of 1894 several specimens of this interesting species were captured in the Wellington Botanical Gardens by Mr. A. Norris.

The expansion of the wings of the ♂ is 1⅝ inches, of the ♀ 1½ inches. The fore-wings of the male are warm brown, darker towards the base; there is a wavy, white-edged, black, transverse line at about one-fifth, followed by a round black spot; the costa is yellowish, with four pairs of short oblique black marks; the orbicular is large, oval, oblique, pale yellowish-brown slightly darker in the middle; the claviform is small, obscure, and brownish-black; the reniform is black, outlined with dull white; there is a series of very acute, dull white, tooth-like terminal markings, and the termen itself is slightly scalloped; the cilia are dark brown. The hind-wings are grey with a series of small dark marks on the termen; the cilia are reddish-ochreous. The head and anterior portion of the thorax are reddish-ochreous; the rest of the thorax is rich brown, and there is a conspicuous black transverse line between the pale and dark colouring; the abdomen is reddish-ochreous with the crests reddish-brown. The female is much darker and duller than the male, the markings are much less distinct, there are several additional jagged transverse lines, and the white markings of the male are indistinctly indicated in drab.

The perfect insect appears in March.

MELANCHRA DOTATA, Walk.

(Dasypolia dotata, Walk., Noct. 522. Mamestra dotata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 24.)

(Plate [V]., fig. 16.)

This species has occurred at Nelson.

The expansion of the wings is 1½ inches. The fore-wings are very dark brownish-black; there are several obscure black marks near the base; the orbicular is large, oblong, finely margined with black, the claviform is triangular, also finely margined with black, both orbicular and claviform are surrounded by a conspicuous black shading; the reniform is large ear-shaped, white towards the termen and dark brown towards the base of the wing, the white portion is traversed by a curved brownish line; there is a curved transverse line near the termen, the space immediately inside this line being paler than the rest of the wing; there is a terminal series of obscure pale dots. The hind-wings are dark brown, paler towards the base; the cilia are also brown.

A single specimen of this insect was reared from a pupa found at Wakapuaka, near Nelson. Mr. Fereday also has a specimen, but without note of locality.

MELANCHRA ASTEROPE, n. sp.

(Plate [V]., fig. 15.)

A single specimen of this insect was taken at light on the Tableland of Mount Arthur, in January 1891, at about 3,600 feet above the sea-level.

The expansion of the wings is 1⅜ inches. The fore-wings are dull brown with a pale area on the dorsum near the base, and a very broad pale band just before the termen; there is a broken black-edged transverse line near the base, and a fainter transverse line at about one-third; the orbicular is oblong, the claviform crescentic, and the reniform oblong, white, and very conspicuous, all are strongly outlined in black; there is a shaded transverse line on each side of the broad pale terminal band; the termen is dark brown; the cilia are brown, and the veins are marked in black. The hind-wings are pale grey; there is a rather conspicuous dark crescent in the middle, and two shaded transverse lines; the cilia are grey.

This species is evidently allied to Melanchra dotata.

MELANCHRA STIPATA, Walk.

(Xylina stipata, Walk., Suppl. 753. Mamestra stipata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 25.)

(Plate [V]., fig. 17 ♀.)

This fine species has occurred at Wellington in the North Island, and in the South Island at Christchurch, and West Plains, near Invercargill.

The expansion of the wings is 1¾ inches. The fore-wings are brown; there is a shaded, pale yellowish-brown, longitudinal line on the costa, and an extensive irregular patch of the same colour from about two-thirds to within a short distance of the termen; the orbicular is large, oval, oblique, pale yellowish-brown; the claviform is semicircular, broadly margined with black; the reniform is dull grey, with one large and one small white mark towards the termen; the termen is broadly shaded with dark blackish-brown, except near the apex of the wing and a little below the middle. The hind-wings are dark brownish-grey, with the cilia reddish-brown. The female is rather paler with a slightly olive tinge. Both sexes vary a little in the depth of their colouring.

The perfect insect appears from October till May. It is common at Christchurch, but rather scarce in Wellington.

MELANCHRA OCTANS, n. sp.

(Plate [V]., fig. 1.)

This distinctly marked little species was discovered by Mr. Philpott, at Mount Linton, near Invercargill.

The expansion of the wings is 1¾ inches. The fore-wings are pale ochreous-brown; there are several wavy brown transverse lines near the base, two lines at about one-third, then a large V-shaped white mark extending almost from the costa and touching the dorsum; the orbicular and reniform spots are situated in the middle of this mark, the orbicular is very finely outlined in brown, and contains a black dot towards the base of the wing; the reniform is large, dark brown, surrounded by a large triangular dark brown shading; there is an obscure subterminal line; the termen is slightly indented. The hind-wings are dark brown, paler towards the termen.

This species may be immediately recognised by the large, white, V-shaped markings on the fore-wings.

The perfect insect appears in March.

MELANCHRA RUBESCENS, Butl.

(Xylophasia rubescens, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 489. Mamestra rubescens, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 25.)

(Plate [V]., fig. 18 ♂.)

This insect is apparently a mountain species. It has been taken at Mount Arthur, Castle Hill, and Lake Wakatipu.

The expansion of the wings is about 1⅝ inches. The fore-wings are pale orange-brown, the orbicular and claviform spots are faintly margined with reddish-brown; the reniform is dark brown and very conspicuous; there are two large reddish-brown markings on the termen. The hind-wings are dark grey tinged with red. The cilia of all the wings are reddish-brown.

This species varies slightly in the shape and extent of the markings on the termen of the fore-wings, which occasionally cause the pale ground colour to form tooth-like projections. It also varies a little in the intensity of the other markings, and in the depth of the ground colour.

The moth appears in January and February, and is attracted by light. I have taken it in some abundance on the Tableland of Mount Arthur, at an altitude of 3,500 feet above the sea-level.

MELANCHRA LIGNANA, Walk.

(Hadena lignana, Walk., Noct. 758. ? Xylophasia morosa, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 543. Mamestra lignana, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 26.)

(Plate [V]., fig. 19 ♂.)

This pretty species is very common at Wellington in the North Island. In the South Island it has occurred at Mount Hutt.

The expansion of the wings is 1½ inches. The fore-wings are greyish-cream-colour, slightly paler on the costa. There are two very distinct blackish transverse marks on the costa near the base, and two others at about one-third; the stigmata are all sharply and finely outlined in black; the orbicular is oval, the claviform triangular, the reniform large and oblong, containing a smaller black-edged mark in its centre, and a blackish blotch towards its lower margin; beyond the reniform there is a faint jagged transverse line; there are two dark patches on the termen, the pale ground colour forming two sharp tooth-like markings slightly below the middle; the termen itself is slightly indented, and the cilia are dark brown. The hind-wings are dark grey with the cilia white.

Some specimens of this insect are slightly darker than others, but in other respects there are no important variations.

The perfect insect appears from October till April. It comes freely to sugar and to light, and is often taken at rest on trees and fences in the daytime.

MELANCHRA CŒLENO, n. sp.

(Plate [IV]., fig. 39.)

This interesting species has been taken at Wellington by Messrs. Hawthorne and Norris.

The expansion of the wings is 1⅜ inches. The fore-wings are very pale brownish-cream-colour; there is a large irregular dark brown patch on the dorsum from about one-eighth to about two-thirds, another smaller patch at the tornus, and another still smaller on the termen a little above the middle; there are two very obscure transverse lines; the orbicular is finely outlined in brown; the reniform contains two very dark brown dots, and is rather strongly outlined in brown towards the base. The hind-wings are dark grey. The cilia of all the wings are grey with a paler line.

The perfect insect appears in November.

MELANCHRA USTISTRIGA, Walk.

(Xylina ustistriga, Walk., Noct. 630. X. lignisecta, ib., 631. Mamestra ustistriga, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 26.)

(Plate [V]., fig. 20 ♂, 20A ♀.)

This beautiful insect has occurred commonly at Wellington in the North Island, and in the South Island, at Blenheim, Christchurch, and Lake Coleridge.

The expansion of the wings is about 1¾ inches. The fore-wings, head, and thorax are pinkish-grey in the male, pale grey in female; the orbicular spot is rather large, nearly round, finely outlined in black; the reniform is very large, margined with black towards the base of the wing, and usually touching the orbicular spot or connected with it by a short black line; the claviform is triangular, also black margined; there is a cloudy oblique line below the reniform, and an irregular line between the reniform and the termen. The hind-wings and abdomen are pale pinkish-grey in male, dull grey in female; the cilia are white with a cloudy line.

This insect varies slightly in size, especially in the female. The larva is dull greyish-brown, with the subdorsal and lateral lines darker. It feeds on honeysuckle during the summer months.

The pupa state is spent in the earth.

The moth is very irregular in its appearance. I have captured specimens in January, February, March, April, July and September. It appears to pass the winter in both the pupa and imago states. It is very partial to light, and in consequence often enters houses.

MELANCHRA PRIONISTIS, Meyr.

(Mamestra prionistis, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 27.)

(Plate [V]., fig. 21 ♂.)

This species is common at Wellington in the North Island. In the South Island it has been taken at Rakaia.

The expansion of the wings of the male is 1⅝ inches, of the female 1¾ inches. The fore-wings are rather pale yellowish-brown, with numerous irregular longitudinal grey streaks; there are several very obscure jagged transverse lines, and the stigmata are almost invisible; a very broad blackish longitudinal band is situated on the dorsum. The hind-wings are brownish-grey; the cilia are grey tipped with white. The head and thorax are grey tinged with yellowish-brown; there is a conspicuous blackish streak on each side of the thorax.

In this species the dorsal band is often considerably paler, but otherwise there is no variation.

The perfect insect appears from November till April. It comes freely to sugar, and occasionally to light. It is also sometimes met with at rest on trees in the daytime, where its colouring is protective. I have noticed that this moth is much commoner in some years than in others.

MELANCHRA PHRICIAS, Meyr.

(Mamestra temperata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 27 (nee Walk.). Mamestra phricias, Meyr., ib., xx. 46.)

(Plate [V]., fig. 22.)

This species has occurred in the Manawatu district in the North Island. In the South Island it has been found at Christchurch and Lake Coleridge.

The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. The fore-wings are pale silvery-grey; there are several obscure blackish marks near the base, two dark, shaded, transverse bands, one just before the orbicular, and one between the orbicular and the reniform; the orbicular is round, nearly white, with a faint greyish ring in the middle; the reniform is large, oblong, margined first with white and then with black; there is a series of black crescentic marks near the termen, and another smaller series on the termen; the cilia are dark grey. The hind-wings are dull brownish-grey, the cilia are grey tipped with white. The terminal joint of the palpi is elongated.

The perfect insect has been taken in December, February, March and June, and is attracted by light. It is rather a rare species.

MELANCHRA CUCULLINA, Gn.

(Xylocampa cucullina, Gn., Ent. Mo. Mag. v. 40. Agrotis mitis, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1877, 383, pl. xlii. 5. Mamestra cucullina, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 28.)

(Plate [V]., fig. 23 ♂.)

This species has occurred at Mount Arthur, and at Rakaia.

The expansion of the wings is 1⅜ inches. The fore-wings are bluish-grey, speckled and dappled with blackish-brown; there is a pale transverse line near the base, partially edged with black; the orbicular is round, containing a blackish dot in the middle; the reniform is elongate-oval, including a dark spot in its lower portion; the space surrounding the stigmata is clouded with dark blackish-brown; there is a terminal series of small blackish crescentic marks, and the cilia are dark grey. The hind-wings are brownish-grey; the cilia are also grey tipped with white.

This species is evidently closely allied to M. phricias, but may at present be distinguished by its darker and more bluish colouring.

The perfect insect appears in January and March. I have taken it at light on the Tableland of Mount Arthur, at 3,600 feet above the sea-level.

Genus 8.—ERANA, Walk.

"Eyes hairy. Antennæ in male filiform, simple, with scattered single cilia. Thorax with anterior and posterior crests. Abdomen with strong dorsal crests towards base. Fore-wings in male beneath with a very long dense tuft of scent-giving hairs from base; transverse vein absent, 7 and 8 out of 9, 10 free. Hind-wings with transverse vein absent, costa in male broadly dilated."—(Meyrick.) (Plate [II]., fig. 9 fore-wing, 10 hind-wing.)[^[16]]

We have one species representing this interesting genus.

ERANA GRAMINOSA, Walk.

(Erana graminosa, Walk., Noct. 605. E. vigens, ib., Suppl. 743. Erana graminosa, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 28.)

(Plate [V]., fig. 24 ♂, 25 ♀; Plate [III]., fig. 8, larva.)

This beautiful species appears to be fairly common in many forests in the North Island. It has occurred at Wanganui, Masterton, Palmerston, and Wellington. In the South Island it has been taken by Mr. Philpott, at West Plains, near Invercargill.

The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. The fore-wings are bright green; there are three paler green transverse lines, edged with black; one near the base of the wing, one just beyond the reniform spot, and one close to the termen; this last is inwardly much clouded with dark olive-green; the reniform spot is pale green edged with black. The hind-wings are very broad, pinkish-brown, tinged with green on the termen. In the female the hind-wings are considerably narrower, and are not so strongly tinged with green as in the male.

Some specimens appear to be rather darker than others, but beyond this I have not detected any variation.

The eggs are rather large, globular, flattened above and beneath, and pale green in colour.

The larva feeds on the mahoe (Melicytus ramiflorus).

When first excluded from the egg it is about ⅛ inch long, and of a very pale green colour. After the first moult the caterpillar is bright green, darker towards the head, with white dorsal, subdorsal, and lateral lines; there are eight rows of shining black spots, each spot emitting a number of stout black bristles; the head is yellowish-brown with a few black dots. After the last moult the larva has a totally different appearance. It is pale green marbled with darker green; there is often a whitish lateral line, and an obscure series of diagonal green stripes on the sides of each segment. Sometimes the whole larva has a pinkish-brown tinge, and there are often two or three rows of pale spots. In fact the full-grown caterpillar is very variable in its colouring.

These larvæ hibernate during the winter months, often secreting themselves in the burrows which have been made in the stems of the mahoe by various species of wood-boring insects. They come abroad about the end of August, and are full grown early in October. The pupa state is spent in the earth.

The moth appears in December, January, February, March and April. It is often found at rest on tree-trunks in the daytime, where its beautiful green colouring causes it to resemble, in the closest possible manner, a patch of moss. Mr. Hawthorne tells me that he has frequently found dead specimens in this situation.

This insect is, I think, commoner at slight elevations above the sea-level, forest ranges of from 500 to 1,000 feet in height being apparently the most favourable localities for the species. The appearance of the moth over so long a period would seem to indicate that there are two generations in a year, but I have never found full-grown larvæ in the middle of summer. There is, however, no doubt that the insect passes the winter in the larval condition. This species is often met with very late in the season, frequenting the few remaining blossoms of the white rata until the first or second week in April. Mr. Meyrick thus alludes to the scented tuft of hairs in the male insect: "The large tuft of the fore-wings is the source of a very strong vanilla-like perfume, which scents the box in which the specimens are contained for more than a week after their death; the scent is excited more strongly, even in the dead specimen, by stirring the tuft with a pin."[^[17]]

I can fully testify to the accuracy of this interesting observation.

Sub-family 3.—CARADRINIDES.

"Eyes naked, not ciliated."

Genus 9.—BITYLA, Walk.

"Antennæ in male filiform, shortly ciliated. Thorax not crested, collar sub-erect. Abdomen not crested."—(Meyrick).

Of this genus we have two species in New Zealand.

BITYLA DEFIGURATA, Walk.

(Xylina defigurata, Walk., Suppl. 756. Bityla thoracica, ib. 869. Bityla defigurata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 31.)

(Plate [V]., fig. 33.)

This species has been taken at Palmerston in the North Island, and at Blenheim, Christchurch, Lake Coleridge, Dunedin, and West Plains near Invercargill, in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings is 1½ inches. The fore-wings are uniform dull bronzy-brown and very glossy; there are one or two faint indications of transverse lines. The hind-wings are dark grey, also glossy.

The perfect insect appears in January, February, and March, and is attracted by light. The single specimen I possess in my collection was taken in July, evidently hibernating. It is a rare species.

BITYLA SERICEA, Butl.

(Bityla sericea, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 387, pl. xlii. 12; Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 31.)

(Plate [V]., fig. 34.)

This rather striking insect has occurred at Wellington in the North Island, and at Christchurch and Lake Guyon in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings is about 1¾ inches. The fore-wings are very dark greyish-black, darker near the termen, and very glossy; there are several isolated white scales towards the base of the wing, and a very obscure transverse line at about three-fourths; the cilia are cream colour and very conspicuous. The hind-wings are dark grey and glossy; the cilia are pale grey, very broadly tipped with cream colour.

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

Genus 10.—AGROTIS, Ochs.

Head rough-scaled; eyes naked. Antennæ in ♂ ciliated, often acutely bidentate or bipectinated, with apex simple. Thorax usually with more or less developed anterior and posterior crests. Abdomen not crested. Tibiæ all spinose.

"A very large genus occurring all over the world but much more plentifully in the northern hemisphere. The larvæ are very indiscriminate in their tastes, often feeding on almost any low plant; they are frequently subterranean in habit, but usually emerge by night to feed."—(Meyrick.)

This genus is represented in New Zealand by five species, one of which is an insect of almost world-wide distribution.

AGROTIS YPSILON, Rott.

(Noctua ypsilon, Rott. Agrotis suffusa, Hb. Agrotis ypsilon, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 32.)

(Plate [V]., fig. 35 ♂, 36 ♀.)

This handsome insect is probably very common throughout the country. It has occurred abundantly at Napier, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, Ashburton and Invercargill.

The expansion of the wings is 2 inches. The fore-wings are pale brown, shaded with rich brown on the costa and termen; the reniform is large and black, with a conspicuous longitudinal streak pointing towards the termen; the orbicular is round, centred with black; the claviform is elongate; there is a dark shaded line below the reniform, followed by a double wavy transverse black line. The hind-wings are grey with pinkish reflections; they are shaded with darker grey towards the termen; the cilia are white, the head and thorax are dark brown, the abdomen grey. In the female the brown costal shading extends across the central portions of the fore-wings to the dorsum, and the general colouring is also darker.

There are no noteworthy variations in either sex. The larva feeds on the roots of grasses. Its head is pale brown mottled with darker brown, and its body is lead-colour with darker dorsal and lateral lines. It remains underground during the daytime, coming abroad at night to feed.

The pupa is red-brown with a very sharp, spine-like extremity. It is concealed in the earth.[^[18]]

The perfect insect appears in January, February and March. It is often very abundant at various blossoms in the evening, and comes readily to sugar. It is an insect of almost universal distribution, occurring in Australia, China, India, Africa, Europe, and North and South America.[^[19]]

AGROTIS ADMIRATIONIS, Gn.

(Agrotis admirationis, Gn. (nec Meyrick), Ent. Mo. Mag. v. 38.)

(Plate [V]., fig. 37.)

This species has been taken at Christchurch.

The expansion of the wings is 1⅜ inches. The fore-wings are dull grey; there are two minute black marks on the costa near the base, a slender interrupted transverse line at about one-third, the orbicular, reniform, and claviform spots are very large and conspicuous, surrounded by a dark grey shading; there is a series of black dots on the termen. The hind-wings are pale grey. The cilia of all the wings are also pale grey.

Described and figured from a specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection. I am assured by Mr. Fereday that the above-described insect is the true Agrotis admirationis of Guenée, described from an identical specimen which he forwarded to Guenée. The following species, which is regarded by Mr. Meyrick as Agrotis admirationis, Gn. (see Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 33), is therefore renamed as below.

AGROTIS INNOMINATA, n. sp.

(Agrotis admirationis, Meyr. (nec Guenée), Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 33.)

(Plate [V]., fig. 39 ♂.)

Two specimens of this species have been taken at Wellington.

The expansion of the wings is 1⅜ inches. The fore-wings are pale pinkish-yellow; there is a slender black longitudinal streak on the costa at the base, a broad black longitudinal streak at the base near the middle, and another a little beyond the base above the middle, containing the orbicular and reniform stigmata, these are sharply outlined in pinkish-yellow; there are several rather indistinct black streaks between the veins, and a series of terminal black dots; the cilia are dull pinkish-yellow. The hind-wings are dull white; there is a series of brownish terminal dots, and the veins are marked in brown; the cilia are shining white. The head and thorax are pinkish-brown; the latter has two transverse black lines near the head, and two longitudinal black streaks on each side. The abdomen is dull white tipped with pale brown.

One specimen of this insect is considerably tinged with very pale olive-green instead of pink, but it is otherwise identical. As the available material is so extremely limited, I am unable to say which is the typical form.

The perfect insect appears in December. I am indebted to Messrs. J. H. Lewis and W. R. Morris for my specimens.

AGROTIS SERICEA, Butl.

(Chersotis sericea, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 490. C. inconspicua, ib. 545. Agrotis sericea, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 33. A. inconspicua, ib. 34. Agrotis sericea, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 46.)

(Plate [V]., fig. 38 ♀.)

This species has occurred in the South Island at Christchurch, Rakaia, and Ashburton.

The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. The fore-wings vary from very pale grey to dark blackish-grey; there is an obscure transverse line near the base, and another at about one-fourth; the orbicular is oval and dark centred, the claviform is elongate, often very obscure, the reniform is broad dark centred, usually joined to the orbicular by a dark patch; all the stigmata are outlined in black; beyond the reniform there is a rather jagged transverse line, and several faint wedge-shaped markings; there is a series of minute elongate black marks on the termen; the cilia are grey with three dark lines. The hind-wings are grey with several fine black marks on the termen; the cilia are white.

This species seems to be rather variable both in ground colour and in markings.

The perfect insect appears in October, November, December and January. It is not a common species.

AGROTIS CEROPACHOIDES, Gn.

(Agrotis ceropachoides, Gn., Ent. Mo. Mag. v. 39; Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 34.)

(Plate [VI]., fig. 1.)

This species has occurred at Rakaia.

The expansion of the wings is 1½ inches. The fore-wings are bluish-grey, dotted and streaked with darker grey; there are no distinct markings, except an obscure transverse shading near the termen, and a series of dull terminal spots; the costa is slightly concave. The hind-wings are grey, paler towards the base, with a dark line on the termen; the cilia of all the wings are grey.

The perfect insect appears in July, August and September.

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

Genus 11.—HELIOTHIS, Ochs.

"Head rough-scaled; eyes naked. Antennæ in ♂ ciliated. Thorax without crest. Abdomen not crested. Tibiæ spinose, anterior tibiæ with horny apical hook.

"A rather small genus, but very generally distributed, though commoner in subtropical regions; it is a development of Caradrina; some of the species have a very wide natural range. The larvæ feed especially on the blossoms of their food-plants."—(Meyrick.)

This genus is represented in New Zealand by the world-wide Heliothis armigera.

HELIOTHIS ARMIGERA, Hb.

(Heliothis armigera, Hb. H. conferta, Walk., Noct. 690. H. armigera, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 34.)

(Plate [V]., fig. 40 ♂, 41 ♀.)

This species has occurred plentifully at Waimarama (Hawkes Bay) and Wellington, in the North Island; and at Nelson, Blenheim, Christchurch, Rakaia, and Ashburton in the South Island. In Wellington it is certainly not so common as formerly, and Mr. Meyrick observes that its abundance is declining in some other localities also.

The expansion of the wings is from 1½ to 1¾ inches. The fore-wings are pale yellowish-brown, sometimes tinged with red. There is an irregular band of dull grey or brown near the termen; the reniform is small and black; the orbicular minute, also black; the claviform is obsolete; there are several very indistinct traces of transverse lines towards the base of the wing. The hind-wings are dull yellow, with a very broad, blackish, terminal band. The head and thorax are yellowish-brown, and the abdomen is dull yellow.

This insect varies a good deal in the ground colouring of the fore-wings, which ranges from dull yellow to brick-red, or even to dark yellowish-brown. The hind-wings are also much darker in some specimens than in others.

The larva feeds on the seeds and flowers of various plants. It is extremely variable in its colouring.

Some specimens are dull green, with a few obscure red spots on the sides of the anterior segments. Others are brownish-black, with many fine yellow stripes and dots, and the red spots confined to the three anterior segments. Others, again, have numerous olive-green, white, and pale green lines, with a reddish blotch on the side of nearly every segment.

This caterpillar is often rather destructive in gardens. Amongst other things, it devours tomatoes and peas, the flowers and young fruit of pumpkins and vegetable marrows, the flowers and leaves of geraniums, veronicas, &c. It is full grown in the autumn.

The pupa is concealed in the earth, the insect remaining in this condition until the following summer.

The moth appears in January and February. It often flies by day, and may then be seen disporting itself amongst the flowers of the Scotch thistle. Its larva may also be found feeding on these flowers.

This insect is practically cosmopolitan; it has occurred in the following countries: Australia, Samoa, India, Ceylon, Madagascar, Africa, Europe, North and South America.[^[20]]

Genus 12.—COSMODES, Gn.

"Eyes naked. Antennæ in male filiform, shortly ciliated. Thorax with strong transverse anterior and posterior crests. Abdomen strongly crested towards base. Hind-wings with veins 6 and 7 short-stalked."—(Meyrick.)

We have only one species in New Zealand.

COSMODES ELEGANS, Don.

(Phalæna elegans, Don. Ins. N. H. Cosmodes elegans, Gn., Noct. vi. 290; Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 35.)

(Plate [VI]., fig. 2.)

This beautiful species has occurred at Napier and Ohau in the North Island. In the South Island it has been taken at Christchurch and Governor's Bay.

The expansion of the wings is 1⅛ inches. The fore-wings are rich orange-brown, with four large green spots margined with silver; there is a curved silvery mark near the apex. The hind-wings are pale yellow, shaded with orange-brown towards the termen; the cilia are pale orange-brown mixed with white.

The perfect insect appears in March and April.

Mr. Meyrick states that it occurs commonly in Eastern Australia.[^[21]]

Family 3.—PLUSIADÆ.

The Plusiadæ are characterized as follows:—

"Ocelli usually distinct. Tongue well developed. Posterior tibiæ with all spurs present. Fore-wings with veins 7 and 8 usually out of 9, 10 usually connected with 9. Hind-wings with veins 3 and 4 connate or short-stalked, 5 well developed, 6 and 7 connate or short-stalked or seldom closely approximated only, 8 shortly anastomosing with cell near base, thence evenly diverging." (See Plate [II]., figs. 14 to 18.)

"This family is by no means very prominent in temperate regions, but within the tropics it assumes immense proportions, and is there, probably, the most abundant family of the Lepidoptera. There is much greater diversity of size, colour, and form than in the Caradrinidæ, and also more variation in structure, though this remains more uniform than usual. Imago with fore-wings usually relatively broader and less elongate than in the Caradrinidæ, body often more slender.

"Ovum spherical, more or less reticulated, often also ribbed. Larva with few hairs, sometimes with prolegs on segments 7 and 8 absent or rudimentary. Pupa usually in a cocoon above the ground."—(Meyrick.)

The family is represented in New Zealand by the following four genera:—

Sub-family 1.—[Hypenides]		1. [Hypenodes].
Sub-family 2.—[Plusiades]		2. [Plusia]. 3. [Dasypodia]. 4. [Rhapsa].

Sub-family 1.—HYPENIDES.

Vein 5 of hind-wings parallel to 4.

Genus 1.—HYPENODES, Gn.

Head loosely scaled, with small frontal tuft. Antennæ in ♂ ciliated. Palpi very long, porrected, second joint thickened with rough projecting scales, terminal rather short, cylindrical. Thorax with appressed scales. Abdomen with small crest near base. Tibiæ smooth-scaled. Fore-wings with vein 7 separate, 9 and 10 out of 8. Hind-wings with vein 5 parallel to 4.

"Although consisting of very few species, this genus is almost universally distributed. Imago with fore-wings unusually elongate. Larva without prolegs on segments 7 and 8."—(Meyrick.)

We have one species in New Zealand.

HYPENODES EXSULARIS, Meyr.

(Hypenodes exsularis, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 46.)

"Male.—16 mm. (about ¾ inch). Head, antennæ, thorax, and abdomen whitish-ochreous, brownish-tinged; abdominal crest black. Palpi dark fuscous. Legs dark fuscous, posterior pair whitish-ochreous. Fore-wings elongate, posteriorly gradually dilated, costa slightly arched, termen obliquely rounded; ochreous-brown, closely irrorated with rather dark fuscous; a black mark beneath costa at base; a cloudy blackish longitudinal mark in disc beyond middle; second line obscurely indicated, paler, anteriorly partly blackish-edged, from posterior extremity of discal mark to dorsum beyond middle; an oblique wedge-shaped white spot from apex, touching second line; a sub-terminal series of white dots; a terminal row of black dots; cilia fuscous, with a basal series of whitish-ochreous dots. Hind-wings pale whitish-grey; a grey transverse discal spot; a dark grey interrupted terminal line; cilia grey-whitish.

"Taranaki, in March; one specimen.

"In the British Museum is an unnamed specimen from China, which appears to be certainly the same species; it, therefore, probably ranges through many of the South Pacific islands. From its small size and inconspicuous appearance it is doubtless often overlooked."—(Meyrick.)

Sub-family 2.—PLUSIADES.

Vein 5 of hind-wings more or less approximated to 4.

Genus 2.—PLUSIA, Ochs.

"Head rough-scaled. Antennæ in ♂ very shortly ciliated. Palpi rather long, curved, ascending, second joint rough-scaled, terminal moderately long or short, more or less rough-scaled in front, somewhat pointed. Thorax with large central or posterior crest. Abdomen with one or more crests. Tibiæ rough-scaled. Hind-wings with vein 5 more or less approximated to 4." (Plate [II]., figs. 14 and 15.)

"A considerable genus, occurring throughout the world. Most of the imagos are handsome insects, often with metallic markings; some of them fly actively in bright sunshine. Larva usually without prolegs on segments 7 and 8, segment 12 more or less prominent above. Pupa in a rather open cocoon."—(Meyrick.)

This genus is represented in New Zealand by a single and very widely distributed species.

PLUSIA CHALCITES, Esp.

(Plusia criosoma, Dbld., Dieff. N. Z. 285; Butl., Voy. Ereb., pl. x. 1, 2. P. argentifera, Gn., Noct. vi. 352. P. eriosoma, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 36.)

(Plate [VI]., fig. 3 ♂.)

This insect is probably generally distributed in the North Island, and in the northern portions of the South Island. It has occurred very commonly at Taranaki, Napier, and Nelson, but in Wellington it is rather a scarce species.

The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. The fore-wings are dark grey with bronzy reflections; there is a pale band on the termen, and several of the transverse lines are indicated by paler colouring, the two basal ones being often silvery; the orbicular is partly outlined with golden-white, and the claviform is wholly filled in with the same colour. The hind-wings are yellowish-grey, darker towards the termen.

Mr. Meyrick mentions a variety in which the characteristic golden-white discal spots on the fore-wings are absent. I have not yet had the good fortune to see this form, and think it must be a rare one.

The larva has twelve legs; it is much attenuated towards the head; its colour is pale green, darker on the back; there is a number of wavy white lines and dots on the larva, as well as a few isolated black dots and hairs. It feeds on geraniums, mint, bean, Scotch thistle, and many other garden plants and weeds. Its original food appears to have been the "potato plant" (Solarium aviculare); but now it only occurs on this shrub in uncultivated localities, where there is no European vegetation.

The pupa is enclosed in a cocoon of white silk, generally situated between two dead leaves on or near the ground.

The moth first appears about September, and continues abundant until the end of summer. In Nelson I have seen it in great profusion, hovering over various flowers in the evening, at which time it also occasionally endeavours to gain access to beehives. In the same locality I have met with the young larvæ in the middle of winter, so that there is probably a continuous succession of broods all the year through in favourable situations.

This insect is found in Australia, Pacific Islands, Africa, South Asia, South Europe, and occasionally in the South of England.[^[22]]

Genus 3.—DASYPODIA, Gn.

"Eyes naked. Palpi with terminal joint very slender. Antennæ in male filiform, hardly pubescent. Thorax and abdomen not crested. Tarsi in male very much thickened, with dense scales (teste Guenée)."—(Meyrick.)

We have one species.

DASYPODIA SELENOPHORA, Gn.

(Dasypodia selenophora, Gn., Noct. vii. 175; Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 38.)

(Plate [VI]., fig. 4.)

This large and very handsome insect has occurred at Auckland, Napier, and Wellington in the North Island, and at Nelson, Richmond, and Christchurch, in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings is about 3 inches. The fore-wings are very rich deep brown; there are two faint jagged transverse lines near the base, a straight shaded line at about one-third; the reniform is very large, crescentic, steely blue, finely margined first with black, then with orange, and then again with black; the centre of the crescent is filled in with black; beyond this spot there are three fine black wavy transverse lines emitting three very sharp teeth between the reniform and the dorsum; there is a faint shaded line near the termen. The hind-wings are rich brown, slightly paler than the fore-wings; there are three shaded, wavy, transverse lines. The termen of both wings is slightly scalloped with a minute bluish-white dot at each indentation; the cilia are dark brown.

The life-history is thus described by Mr. Colenso:—

The larva when full grown is about 3¾ inches in length, elongate, slightly thicker in the middle, and with the skin smooth. It is ash-colour, speckled with minute points of black and red; two minute carmine spots are situated close together on its back; and, when in motion, two large triangular black splashes are also visible. The under side of the larva is dull white, with several dull olive spots corresponding to its ventral prolegs. Its head is small, and pale Indian yellow in colour; its anal and ventral prolegs are large; on being touched the caterpillar coils itself up very rapidly and closely.

The specimen from which Mr. Colenso's description was taken, was found at rest on the trunk of a large acacia-tree, which is probably the food-plant of the larva.

The pupa is enclosed in a cocoon formed of leaves fastened together with silk. The insect appears to remain in this condition for about two months.

The pupa-case (after emergence) is nearly cylindrical, very obtuse at the head, and tapering regularly downwards from the end of the wing-cases, with the tail conical; the abdominal segments are very strongly marked. Its colour is dark red, with a bluish or violet bloom, but smooth and shining on its prominent parts.[^[23]]

The perfect insect appears in January, February, and March, but it is rather a scarce species. It is attracted by light, and thus occasionally enters houses, where specimens are generally captured. Mr. Meyrick states that this insect occurs commonly in Eastern Australia.[^[24]]

Genus 4.—RHAPSA.

"Eyes naked. Palpi very long, obliquely ascending, loosely rough-scaled throughout, second joint with dense long projecting tuft above towards apex, terminal joint moderate, Antennæ in male moderately bipectinated, apex simple. Thorax and abdomen not crested. Fore-wings in male beneath with large broad costal fold on anterior half."—(Meyrick.) (Plate [II]., figs. 16 and 17 neuration of ♂ Rhapsa scotosialis; fig. 18 head of ditto.)

We have two species.

RHAPSA SCOTOSIALIS, Walk.

(Rhapsa scotosialis, Walk., Suppl. 1150. Herminia lilacina, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, pl. xlii. 11. Rhapsa scotosialis, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 38.)

(Plate [VI]., fig. 5 ♂, 6 ♀.)

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

The expansion of the wings is 1⅜ inches. The fore-wings have the costa considerably arched towards the apex, and the termen is bowed outwards in the middle; the colour is pale brown in the male and dark brown in the female; there are several obscure black marks near the base; the orbicular is very small, orange or pale grey outlined in black, the claviform is absent, the reniform is conspicuous, the outer edge is much indented, the inner edge is outlined with dull orange-red, there is a black blotch between the orbicular and the reniform; beyond the reniform there is a curved transverse line enveloping a series of minute black dots, then a very conspicuous wavy transverse line shaded towards the base of the wing; there is a pale triangular area at the apex, and a series of small crescentic dark brown markings on the termen; the cilia are dark brown. The hind-wings are greyish-ochreous; there is a rather faint line across the middle, followed by a broad shade; a series of small crescentic marks is situated on the termen; the cilia are dark greyish-ochreous. The antennæ of the male are strongly bipectinated. The female is considerably darker, the markings are less distinct and numerous, and there is no black blotch between the orbicular and the reniform.

Some male specimens are much paler in colour than others, but with this exception there does not appear to be any important variation.

The eggs are round, flattened above, bright green, becoming dull purplish about two days after being laid.

The young larva when first emerged is about ⅛ inch in length; the head is brown; the body dull white, with a series of black tubercles round each segment, each tubercle emitting a tuft of bristles. The larva has sixteen legs, but the two anterior pairs of ventral claspers are not employed in walking, the caterpillar's mode of progression, consequently, resembling that of a larva with twelve legs only. The food-plant is Piper excelsum.

The perfect insect appears from September till April, and is very common amongst undergrowth in the forest. It is seldom found in the daytime, but at night it is extremely abundant in densely wooded situations. It flies in a very stealthy manner, and may soon be recognised on the wing by this feature alone. When disturbed it always secretes itself amongst dead fern fronds or other vegetable refuse, where its sombre colour effectually conceals it.

The costal fold on the under side of the fore-wing of the male contains a very large tuft of extremely long hairs. It probably emits a scent agreeable to the female.

RHAPSA OCTIAS. Meyr.

(Hyperaucha octias, Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1897, 383.)

(Plate [VI]., fig. 7.)

This interesting little species has recently occurred in some numbers in the neighbourhood of Wellington. I have no record at present of its capture in any other New Zealand locality.

The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. The fore-wings have the costa straight, and the termen with a large projection slightly above the middle; the colour is pale brown; there is a broad dark brown patch on the costa at the base, a jagged transverse line at about one-fourth, a very broad, oblique, blackish-brown, oblong patch on the costa at about one-third; beyond this patch is situated the reniform which is very large, indented towards the termen where it is outlined in dark brown; there is a very fine jagged transverse line from beneath the reniform to the dorsum; a large irregular patch of dark brownish-black just before the apex, and an obscure transverse line; there is a series of minute, dark brown, crescentic marks on the termen. The hind-wings are dull whitish-grey; there is a faint blackish dot in the middle, a wavy line a little below the middle, and a terminal series of small dark marks. The antennæ are filiform in both sexes.

The perfect insect appears in October, November and December. It frequents dense forest ravines, and is generally disturbed from amongst dead leaves or old fern fronds. It is usually a very scarce species, but appears to be much commoner in some years than in others. According to Mr. Meyrick, it is also found in Australia.

This species is placed by Mr. Meyrick in the genus Rhapsa. The simple antennæ and absence of the broad costal fold in the males would appear, however, to remove it from that genus, as restricted by him in the 'Transactions' of the New Zealand Institute, xix. 38. In all other respects it appears to conform to the genus.[^[25]]

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:—

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:—

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[^[26]]) 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[^[27]]) 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.[^[28]] (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.