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diff --git a/44551-0.txt b/44551-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9e2c1c4 --- /dev/null +++ b/44551-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,12419 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44551 *** + +Transcriber's note: Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). + Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). A carat + character is used to denote superscription: a single character + following the carat is superscripted (example: 27^9). The + conventional male and female symbols are indicated by [M] and [F]. + +Images of the original pages are available through Internet Archive. See + https://archive.org/details/newzealandmothsb00huds + + * * * * * + +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." + + + + + "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." + + + + + "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." + + + + + + +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. + +[Illustration] + + + + +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. + + + PAGE + + INTRODUCTION ix + + THE CARADRININA 1 + + THE NOTODONTINA 38 + + THE PAPILIONINA 101 + + THE PSYCHINA 122 + + THE MICROPTERYGINA (PART ONLY) 127 + + APPENDIX (DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF PLANTS) 137 + + GENERAL INDEX 141 + + SPECIAL INDEX 142 + + PLATES AND EXPLANATIONS 145 + + + + +{ix}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, [Greek: lepis], a scale, and +[Greek: pteron], 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 {x}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 oesophagus; 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. + +{xi}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 {xii}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 1_a_, +1_b_, and 1_c_; 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. 8^9 and 27^9). 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 [F] 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 1_b_ in both wings is often +furcate at the base. + +{xiii}"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 _oesophagus_, 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:-- + +{xiv}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 {xv}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_. + +{xvi}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.) + +{xvii}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. + +{xviii}"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:-- + +[Illustration] + +"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.) + + Notodontina Papilionina + | | + Caradrinina Lasiocampina Pyralidina + | | | + +--------------------+---------------------+ + | + Psychina Tortricina + | | + +-------+------+ + | + Tineina + | + Micropterygina + + +{xix}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. + + + + +{1}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 +{2}"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 [M] 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 [M], 2 [F]; 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 {3}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 [M] 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 {4}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 [M] 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 2/3, 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 1/3. Wings in [F] 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." + +{5}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 1-1/8 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:-- + + { 1. MISELIA. + Sub-family 1.--POLIADES { 2. ORTHOSIA. + { 3. XANTHIA. + + { 4. PHYSETICA. + { 5. LEUCANIA. + Sub-family 2.--MELANCHRIDES { 6. ICHNEUTICA. + { 7. MELANCHRA. + { 8. ERANA. + + { 9. BITYLA. {6} + Sub-family 3.--CARADRINIDES { 10. AGROTIS. + { 11. HELIOTHIS. + { 12. COSMODES. + + +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 1-1/3 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. + + +{7}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 [M], 28 [F]; 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 1-3/8 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. + + +{8}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 1-5/8 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. + + +{9}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_. + +{10}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. + + {11}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 1-3/8 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. + + +{12}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 1-5/8 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 1-3/8 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. + + +{13}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 [M], 20 [F].) + +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 [M], 22 [F].) + +This species has occurred commonly at Christchurch, Mount Torlesse, and +Dunedin. + + The expansion of the wings is from 1-1/8 to 1-3/8 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 [F].) + +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. + +{14}"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 [M].) + +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 [M], 26 [F]). + +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, {15}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 [M] ciliated, or sometimes + bipectinated with apex simple. Thorax with more or less developed + anterior and posterior crests. Abdomen more or less crested, in [F] + 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 1-3/8 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 [M], 28A [F].) + +This species has occurred in the South Island at Mount Arthur, Castle Hill, +and Invercargill. + + The expansion of the wings is about 1-3/8 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]. + + +{16}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 [M], 30 [F].) + +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 1-3/8 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. + + +{17}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 1-5/8 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. _Dianthoecia 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 {18}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 [M], 35 [F], 36 [M], 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 [F].) + +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. + + +{19}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 [M].) + +Three specimens of this handsome species have occurred at Lake Coleridge in +the South Island. + + The expansion of the wings is 1-5/8 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 [M], 4 [F].) + +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 {20}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 [M].) + +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 1-3/8 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. + + +{21}MELANCHRA DIATMETA, Meyr.[15] + +(Plate V., fig. 5.) + +This species has occurred at Wellington. + + The expansion of the wings is 1-3/8 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 1-3/8 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. + + +{22}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 [M], 9 [F]; 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 {23}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 [M], 11 [F].) + +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 {24}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 [M].) + +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 [M] is 1-5/8 inches, of the [F] 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 1-3/8 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 {25}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 [F].) + +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 [M].) + +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 1-5/8 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 {26}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 [M].) + +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 COELENO, 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 1-3/8 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 [M], 20A [F].) + +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. + +{27}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 [M].) + +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 1-5/8 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 [M].) + +This species has occurred at Mount Arthur, and at Rakaia. + + The expansion of the wings is 1-3/8 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 {28}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 [M], 25 [F]; 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 1/8 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 {29}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. + + {30}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 [M] 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 [M], 36 [F].) + +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] + + +{31}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 1-3/8 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 [M].) + +Two specimens of this species have been taken at Wellington. + + The expansion of the wings is 1-3/8 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 [F].) + +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. + + +{32}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 [M] 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 [M], 41 [F].) + +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. + +{33}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 1-1/8 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. + + {2. PLUSIA. + Sub-family 2.--PLUSIADES {3. DASYPODIA. + {4. RHAPSA. + + +{34}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 [M] 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 [M] 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. + + +{35}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 [M].) + +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 {36}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 [M] _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 [M], 6 [F].) + +This remarkable species is extremely abundant and generally distributed +throughout the country. + + The expansion of the wings is 1-3/8 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 + {37}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 1/8 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] + + + + +{38}II.--THE NOTODONTINA. + + +The _Notodontina_ are characterized as follows:-- + + "The maxillary palpi are obsolete. Fore-wings with vein 1b usually + furcate, but with lower fork often weak or tending to be obsolete, 5 + rising not nearer to 4 than to 6, parallel, 7 and 8 out of 9. Hind-wings + almost always with frenulum, 1c absent. (Plate II., figs. 19 to 64, and + Plate I., figs. 12 and 13.) + + "Imago with fore-wings more or less broad-triangular; hind-wings + broad-ovate."--(Meyrick.) + + Larva (in New Zealand) generally with 10 or 12 legs only (Plate III., + figs. 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 24), rarely with 16 (_Sphinx_, Pl. + III., figs. 13 and 14). + + "Pupa with segments 9 to 11 free; not protruded from cocoon in + emergence."--(Meyrick.) + +This is a very extensive group of the Lepidoptera, and so far as it is +represented in New Zealand is equivalent to that group formerly known as +the _Geometrina_, with the addition of the family _Sphingidæ_. The insects +here included comprise many of our most interesting, abundant, and +beautiful species. Some of them are so extremely variable that it is often +a matter of considerable difficulty to determine the most convenient points +on which to base the specific distinctions; although fortunately great +advances have been made in this direction of late years owing to the +increase in the number of workers, and the consequent accumulation of +available material. In connection with this portion of the subject, special +mention should be made of Mr. Meyrick's paper on the group, which appeared +in the 'Transactions' of the New Zealand Institute for 1883. This essay has +been of the greatest value in dispelling the doubts which formerly existed +respecting the limits of many of the most variable species. + +The _Notodontina_ are represented in New Zealand by the six following +families:-- + + 1. HYDRIOMENIDÆ. 4. ORTHOSTIXIDÆ. + 2. STERRHIDÆ. 5. SELIDOSEMIDÆ. + 3. MONOCTENIADÆ. 6. SPHINGIDÆ. + + +Family 1.--HYDRIOMENIDÆ. + +The _Hydriomenidae_ are thus characterized:-- + + "Tongue well developed. Fore-wings with vein 10 rising separate; + anastomosing with 11 and 9 (forming double areole), or rising out of 11 + and anastomosing with 9 (forming simple areole). Hind-wings with vein 5 + fully developed, parallel to 4, 6, and 7 almost always stalked or + connate, 8 anastomosing with upper margin of cell from near base to + beyond middle, or sometimes approximated only and connected by a bar or + shortly anastomosing beyond middle." (Plate II., figs. 19 to 43.) + +"A very large family distributed in equal plenty throughout all temperate +regions, but becoming scarcer within the tropics. The structure is very +uniform throughout, and the generic distinctions slight. Imago with body +slender, fore-wings usually broad. + +"Ovum broad, oval, rather flattened with usually oval reticulations. Larva +elongate, slender, with few hairs, without prolegs on segments 7 to 9; +often imitating live or dead twigs and shoots. Pupa usually +subterranean."--(Meyrick.) + +{39}This family is very extensively represented in New Zealand by the +following fifteen genera:-- + + 1. TATOSOMA. 5. ELVIA. 9. VENUSIA. 13. DASYURIS. + + 2. PARADETIS. 6. HYDRIOMENA. 10. ASAPHODES. 14. NOTOREAS. + + 3. CHLOROCLYSTIS. 7. EUCHOECA. 11. XANTHORHOE. 15. SAMANA. + + 4. PHRIXOGONUS. 8. ASTHENA. 12. LYTHRIA. + + + +Genus 1.--TATOSOMA, Butl. + + "Face smooth. Palpi long, straight, porrected, shortly rough-scaled, + terminal joint short. Antennæ in male simple, stout, gradually dilated + from base to near apex, apex attenuated. Abdomen in male very excessively + elongate. Hind-wings in male deeply excised near dorsum, dorsal lobe + folded into a long pocket, fringed with hairs. Fore-wings with vein 6 + rising out of 9, 7 from or above angle of areole, 10 anastomosing + moderately with 9, 11 anastomosing moderately with 10, 12 free. + Hind-wings with veins 6 and 7 separate, 8 free, united with 7 before + transverse vein by an oblique bar. + +"This singular genus is a remnant of a widely diffused, but now fragmentary +group, to which belong also _Lobophora_ (Europe), _Rhopalodes_ (South +America), _Sauris_ (Ceylon), and _Remodes_ (Borneo.) In all, the hind-wings +of the male are peculiarly modified, usually much diminished in size, and +with the dorsum formed into a distinct lobe, the object of which is +unknown. A similar structure is found only in one or two genera of +_Tortricina_. _Rhopalodes_ is the nearest genus to this, but vein 5 is said +to be obsolete, and the lobe does not form a pocket; in _Sauris_ the areole +is simple, and the antennæ thickly scaled; in _Remodes_ the areole is also +simple, the antennæ flattened and scaled, and the dorsum is furnished with +three superposed lobular folds, so that it represents the extreme of +development in this direction."--(Meyrick.) + +It will be seen on reference to Plate II., figs. 22 and 23, which represent +the structure of the hind-wings of the male and female of _Tatosoma +agrionata_ respectively, that in the male veins 1 and 2 are absent, having +no doubt become absorbed during the formation of the characteristic sexual +lobe; vein 8 is connected with the margin of the cell by an oblique bar, +this being probably due to an extension of the wing in the costal region, +compensating for the loss in the dorsal region due to the above-mentioned +lobe. In the hind-wings of the female the normal neuration of the family is +almost preserved, the only peculiar feature consisting in the origin of +veins 6 and 7 from a point on the margin of the cell. + +Of this remarkable genus we have three species, and I think it quite +possible that others may reward the industry of future collectors. + + +TATOSOMA LESTEVATA, Walk. + +(_Cidaria lestevata_, Walk. 1416. _Sauris ranata_, Feld. cxxxi. 11., +_Tatosoma lestevata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 67.) + +(Plate VI., fig. 25 [M].) + +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 1-3/8 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. + + +{40}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 [M], 27 [F].) + +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 [M], 29 [F].) + +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 1-3/8 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. + + +{41}PARADETIS PORPHYRIAS, Meyr. + +(_Parysatis porphyrias_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 58. _Paradetis +porphyrias_, Meyr., ib. xviii. 184.) + +(Plate VI., fig. 36 [M].) + +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. + + {42}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 7/8 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 [M], 22 [F].) + +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 1-1/8 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. + +{43}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 [M].) + +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 [M].) + +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 [M], 14 [F].) + +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 5/8 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. + + +{44}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 [M], 17A [F].) + +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 7/8 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 7/8 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 {45}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 [M].) + +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. + + +{46}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. + + +{47}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 [M], 44 [F].) + +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 1-1/8 to 1-3/8 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. + +{48}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 1-3/8 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 {49}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 {50}preceding species, and is not confined to forest streams. It +is common in certain localities, but is not nearly so generally distributed +as _Hydriomena rixata_. + + +HYDRIOMENA SIMILATA, Walk. + +(_Cidaria similata_, Walk. 1413. _Cidaria timarata_, Feld. cxxxii. 19. +_Cidaria similata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 76.) + +(Plate VII., fig. 14.) + +This beautiful species has occurred at Napier and Wellington in the North +Island, and at Christchurch, Dunedin, Lake Wakatipu, and Invercargill in +the South Island. + + The expansion of the wings is 1¼ inches. _The fore-wings are dark brown, + with the veins and margins broadly shaded with bright green; there are + numerous irregular wavy blackish streaks forming three ill-defined darker + transverse bands_; the first at the base; the second from one-fourth to + about two-thirds, partially divided into two from the costa downwards; + and the third near the termen outwardly edged with white. The termen + itself is bordered first with green, and then with a series of fine black + marks; the cilia are dark brown. The hind-wings are very pale + reddish-brown, darker towards the dorsum, with numerous pale brown wavy + transverse lines. There is a series of black crescentic marks on the + termen, and the cilia are pale reddish-brown. + + This species is rather variable. The spaces between the darker bands on + the fore-wings are usually green, but in some specimens this is partially + or wholly replaced by pale yellowish-brown. The dark bands also vary + considerably in width and distinctness, and in many specimens the central + band is entirely divided by a conspicuous pale brown or green transverse + space. + + The larva, according to Mr. Purdie, is about 1 inch long, cylindrical. + Back a dull deep green; lateral stripe reddish-white, edged below with a + darker colour; ventral side lighter green, with four parallel white or + yellow lines close together, extending from the forelegs to the prolegs. + Outer side of prolegs white. There are traces of a median dorsal stripe + of brownish-red on the anal segments. Beaten from _Coprosma_. Found in + January. Mr. Purdie states that he is not quite certain as to the + identification of the species, as the median belt of the fore-wings is + much more distinctly defined, and the colour is a duller green than is + usual in _H. similata_. + +The perfect insect appears from November till March. It is generally found +resting on moss-covered tree-trunks, where its colouring affords it a most +efficient protection from enemies. + + +HYDRIOMENA CALLICHLORA, Butl. + +(_Cidaria callichlora_, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 509; Meyr., Trans. N. Z. +Inst. xvi. 76.) + +(Plate VII., fig. 13.) + +This beautiful insect has occurred at Wellington in the North Island, and +at Christchurch and Invercargill in the South Island. + + The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. _The fore-wings are bright + green, with three very distinct wavy black transverse lines_; the first + near the base, the second a little before the middle, and the third + considerably beyond the middle; between these there is a number of + fainter fine wavy lines. The hind-wings are whitish with several very + faint wavy transverse lines; the cilia of all the wings are dull + yellowish-brown. + +The perfect insect appears in January, February, and March. Described and +figured from a specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection. + + +HYDRIOMENA ARIDA, Butl. + +(_Melanthia arida_, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 505. _Cidaria chaotica_, Meyr., +Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 76. _Cidaria arida_, Meyr., ib. xvii. 64.) + +(Plate VII., fig. 15.) + +This species has occurred in the South Island at Akaroa, Mount Hutt, +Arthur's Pass, and Dunedin. + + The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. The fore-wings are dull grey; there + is a fine yellowish {51}transverse line near the base, _and a very broad + central band with a prominent projection somewhat below the middle, + almost touching the termen_; there is a brown dot above the middle of the + wing and numerous fine brown wavy lines in the central band; the veins + are marked in white near the termen. The hind-wings are pale ochreous, + with a few very faint transverse marks near the dorsum. The termen of the + fore-wings is slightly bowed in the middle. + +The perfect insect appears in January and February, and frequents forest, +sometimes being found as high as 2,600 feet above the sea-level. Described +and figured from a specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection. + + +HYDRIOMENA SIRIA, Meyr. + +(_Cephalissa siria_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 93.) + +(Plate VI., fig. 48.) + +This odd little species was discovered by Professor Hutton at Dunedin. + + The expansion of the wings is 5/8 inch. _The fore-wings are rich brown + with two transverse bands of darker brown_; the first near the base, + rather narrow; the second near the middle, considerably broader, + especially on the costa. _The hind-wings are bright orange._ The termen + of the fore-wings is slightly excavated below the apex, and considerably + bowed a little below the middle. + +Described and figured from a specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection. + + +Genus 7.--EUCHOECA, Hb. + + "Face smooth, flat. Antennæ in [M] shortly ciliated. Palpi short, + slender, loosely scaled. Fore-wings with areole simple. Hind-wings with + vein 8 anastomosing with cell to beyond middle. + +"A small genus containing a few species distributed throughout the northern +hemisphere and one Australian."--(Meyrick.) + +We have one species. + + +EUCHOECA RUBROPUNCTARIA, Dbld. + + (_Ptychopoda rubropunctaria_, Dbld., Dieff. N. Z. li. 287. _Asthena + visata_, Gn. ix. 438. _Asthena_, Gn., E. M. M. v. 42. _Asthena + pulchraria_, Butl., Cat. pl. iii. 18. _Hippolyte rubropunctaria_, Meyr., + Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 60. _Epicyme rubropunctaria_, Meyr., ib. xviii. + 184.) + +(Plate VI., fig. 35.) + +This little species is common and generally distributed throughout both the +North and South Islands, and has also occurred at Stewart Island. + + The expansion of the wings is about 7/8 inch. _All the wings are pale + ochreous, with numerous obscure reddish transverse lines._ On the + fore-wings there are four transverse series of black dots; the first near + the base, the second a little before the middle, the third a little + beyond the middle, and the fourth on the termen; between the second and + third series of dots there is very frequently _an elongate blackish + patch, especially towards the dorsum_. The hind-wings have three series + of black dots; the first near the base, the second near the middle, and + the third on the termen. The termen of both fore- and hind-wings slightly + projects near the middle. + +This species varies considerably in the extent of the blackish marking near +the middle of the fore-wings, as well as in the colour and intensity of the +reddish transverse lines. + + The larva is thus described by Mr. Fereday:[29] "The caterpillar has ten + legs, is cylindrical, rather stout, with the segmental divisions incised; + its colour is pale dull green, sometimes suffused with pink, brown, + purple, or dark green; the dorsal line is purplish-brown, suffused, the + central line whitish; the spiracular line is whitish, broadly margined + with purplish-brown; the segmental divisions are pale yellowish-brown." + +The food is _Haloragis alata_, a common herbaceous plant growing in swampy +situations. The pupa is enclosed in a slight earth-covered cocoon. + +{52}The perfect insect appears from September till March, and is sometimes +common. It is generally found in wooded districts, but prefers rather open +situations in the vicinity of streams, where its food-plant may often be +seen. According to Mr. Meyrick,[30] this insect is common in New South +Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania, and the Australian and New Zealand specimens +are similar in appearance. + + +Genus 8.--ASTHENA. + + "Face smooth, flat. Antennæ in [M] shortly ciliated. Palpi short, + slender, loosely scaled. Fore-wings with areole double. Hind-wings with + vein 8 anastomosing with cell to beyond middle. + +(Plate II., figs. 30 and 31.) + +"A genus of a few widely scattered species most numerous in the Australian +Region."--(Meyrick.) + +We have two species. + + +ASTHENA PULCHRARIA, Dbld. + + (_Acidalia pulchraria_, Dbld., Dieff. N. Z. ii. 286. _Chlorochroma + plurilineata_, Walk. 563, 676. _Asthena ondinata_, Gn. ix. 438, pl. xix. + 4; Butl., Cat. pl. iii. 20. _Cidaria ondinata_, Feld. cxxviii. 17. + _Asthena pulchraria_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 69.) + +(Plate VI., fig. 37 [M], 38 [F].) + +This beautiful little insect has occurred at many localities throughout +both the North and South Islands. It is probably a common species in most +wooded districts. + + The expansion of the wings is almost an inch. _All the wings are very + pale greenish-white with numerous faint green, wavy, transverse lines._ + The fore-wings have a more or less distinct brown band on the costal + edge, and a conspicuous greenish central dot. The hind-wings often have a + slight projection on the termen near the middle. + +The perfect insect appears from October till May, and frequents dense +forest undergrowth. It is chiefly attached to the Kawakawa (_Piper +excelsum_), and may often be found resting with outspread wings on the +under-surfaces of the leaves of this plant, where it is very inconspicuous. +There are probably two or more broods during the summer. + +On the 11th of May, 1892, I observed large numbers of this species flying +over the Manuka bushes in the Wellington Botanical Gardens in brilliant +moonlight. The night was very cold, but notwithstanding this the moths were +most numerous and active. The appearance of this insect under such unusual +conditions may have been quite accidental, as I have never seen a +recurrence; but one is often somewhat unobservant in the winter, hence the +record of this observation may be of use in directing the attention of +others to the subject. + +According to Mr. Meyrick this species is also found in Tasmania, and +South-east Australia. + + +ASTHENA SCHISTARIA, Walk. + + (_Acidalia schistaria_, Walk. 782. _Asthena subpurpureata_, Walk. 1588. + _Acidalia tuhuata_, Feld. cxxviii. 5. _Asthena schistaria_, Meyr., Trans. + N. Z. Inst. xvi. 69.) + +(Plate VI., figs. 39, 40 [M], 41, 42 [F] varieties.) + +This pretty species is common, and generally distributed throughout the +country. + + The expansion of the wings is nearly an inch. _All the wings vary from + very pale brown to rather dull purplish-brown; there are numerous jagged, + darker, transverse lines forming several more or less distinct bands._ + The first of these bands extends from the base to about one-eighth; the + second, composed of only two or three lines, is situated at about + one-third; the third extends from {53}three-fourths to about + five-eighths; there are in addition, numerous very fine, wavy lines near + the termen. The spaces between these bands are paler, and in some + specimens the bands are very conspicuous, whilst in others they are + hardly perceptible. One specimen in my collection (Plate VI., fig. 39) + has a very broad chocolate-brown band across the middle of both pairs of + wings, the remaining portions being unusually pale in colour. There is + always a dark brown dot in the centre of each wing, and a series of very + fine dots on the termen. + + The larva, which feeds on Manuka (_Leptospermum_), is very ornamental. + Its general colour is light green, with black dorsal and lateral stripes, + and a series of diagonal markings bordered with crimson; the legs and + prolegs are also crimson, and the segments are divided by brilliant + yellow rings, a white line extending down each side of the larva. + +This caterpillar is difficult to find, as it remains closely concealed +amongst the dense Manuka foliage, from which it can be dislodged only by +vigorous and continued beating. The larvæ allow themselves to fall a short +distance, hanging suspended by a silken thread, which they rapidly ascend +when the danger is past. + +The pupa is enclosed in a slight cocoon about one inch below the surface of +the earth. + +The perfect insect appears from October till April. It is very common in +most situations where its food-plant is found and, owing to its pale +colour, is readily seen when flying in the evening twilight. Specimens may +also be taken in the daytime resting with outspread wings on the trunks of +trees and on fences, where they are much more easily detected than many +other species. + +Mr. Meyrick thinks that this insect will also be found in Australia. + + +Genus 9.--VENUSIA, Curt. + + "Face smooth. Antennæ in [M] bi-pectinated, apex simple. Palpi loosely + scaled. Fore-wings with areole simple. Hind-wings with vein 8 + anastomosing with cell to beyond middle."--(Meyrick.) (Plate II., fig. + 13, head of _V. verriculata_; figs. 25 and 26, neuration of _V. + undosata_.) + +We have three species represented in New Zealand. + + +VENUSIA VERRICULATA, Feld. + +(_Cidaria verriculata_, Feld. cxxxi. 20. _Panopæa verriculata_, Meyr., +Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 62. _Pancyma verriculata_, ib. xviii. 184.) + +(Plate VI., fig. 30 [M], 31 [F].) + +This remarkable species has occurred at Wellington in the North Island, and +in the South Island at Christchurch, Ashburton, Dunedin and West Plains. + + The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. _All the wings are pale + yellowish-brown, with many straight oblique parallel dull brown lines; on + the fore-wings there are three lines broader and more isolated than the + rest, running from the apex to the dorsum_; on the hind-wings the lines + near the middle are rather thicker than the others, and have a broad + space on each side of them; _all the lines are clearly marked on the + abdomen, so that each line appears to be continuous from one side of the + moth to the other_. + +The perfect insect appears from October till May, and frequents the Cabbage +Tree Palm (_Cordyline_), on which its larva probably feeds. According to +Mr. Fereday the moth always rests on the dead leaves of the plant, keeping +its wings in such a position that the lines are continuous with the +parallel veins of the dead leaf, which they precisely resemble in +appearance. We have, I think, in this species a most instructive instance +of special adaptation to surrounding conditions; and the action of natural +selection, in preserving favourable variations of colour and habit, appears +to be here unmistakably indicated. Had our investigations been confined to +the examination of cabinet specimens only, we might {54}have long remained +in the dark as to the explanation of such an unusual type of wing-marking. + + +VENUSIA XANTHASPIS, Meyr. + +(_Hermione xanthaspis_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 61. _Aulopola +xanthaspis_, Meyr., ib. xviii. 184.) + +(Plate VI., fig. 32 [M].) + +This handsome insect has occurred in the South Island at Mount Arthur and +at Lake Guyon. + + The expansion of the wings is a little over 1 inch. _The fore-wings are + bright yellow; there is a broad pale reddish-brown band on the costa; a + conspicuous oval dark brown spot above the middle_, often touching the + costal band; a double series of minute brown dots near the termen. The + hind-wings are pale yellow, with a double series of minute brown dots + parallel to the termen. + +The perfect insect appears in January, February, and March. It is +apparently a rare species. Mr. Fereday has six specimens taken at Lake +Guyon, and I have two specimens captured on the Tableland of Mount Arthur, +at an elevation of about 3,500 feet. These comprise, I believe, all the +specimens at present taken. + + +VENUSIA UNDOSATA, Feld. + +(_Cidaria undosata_, Feld. cxxviii. 2. _Epiphryne undosata_, Meyr., Trans. +N. Z. Inst. xvi. 60.) + +(Plate VI., fig. 33 [M], 34 [F].) + +This neatly marked little insect has occurred at Napier and Palmerston in +the North Island; and at Nelson, Mount Hutt, Christchurch, Dunedin, and +Lake Wakatipu in the South Island. + + The expansion of the wings is hardly an inch. _All the wings are pale + yellow with a variable number of fine jagged reddish-brown transverse + lines, which are usually most distinct towards the termen._ The + fore-wings have a broad band of reddish-brown along the costal edge; a + blackish dot above the middle just touching the costal band, and a small + brown mark near the apex. The hind-wings have a minute black dot a little + above the middle. + +This species is rather variable: in some specimens the transverse lines are +much broader, forming bands of reddish-brown; in others the whole of the +wings are dull reddish-brown, except a small yellow area near the base; +whilst others are _entirely dull greyish-brown with the transverse lines +very faint_, intermediate varieties between all these forms also occurring. + +The larva, according to Mr. Purdie,[31] is about ½ inch long, feeding on +the Ribbonwood (_Plagianthus betulinus_). The ground colour is green, with +the dorsal and lateral stripes white. The dorsal stripe is interlined with +short black dashes, and there is a dark blotch about the ninth segment. The +dorsal and lateral stripes may be margined with purplish-red. The under +side is green. The larvæ were found in April. + +The perfect insect appears from November till February, and frequents +forest. According to my experience it is rather a local species, although +plentiful where found. Mr. Meyrick states that it is "very common in bush, +from August to February, and in May."[32] + + +Genus 10.--ASAPHODES, Meyr. + + "Face with a tuft or hardly projecting scales. Palpi moderate, porrected, + rough-scaled. Antennæ in male bi-pectinated, apex simple. Thorax glabrous + beneath. Posterior tibiæ with all spurs present. Fore-wings with areole + simple. Hind-wings with vein 8 anastomosing with cell from near base to + beyond middle."--(Meyrick.) (See Plate II., figs. 35 and 36, neuration of + _Asaphodes megaspilata_.) + +We have five species of this genus in New Zealand. + + +{55}ASAPHODES ABROGATA, Walk. + + (_Aspilates abrogata_, Walk. 1075. _Fidonia (?) servularia_, Gn., E. M. + M. v. 43. _Thyone abrogata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 61. + _Asaphodes abrogata_, Meyr., ib. xviii. 184.) + +(Plate VII., fig. 21 [M].) + +This species has occurred at Murimutu in the North Island; and in the South +Island at Kekerangu, Christchurch, Castle Hill, Dunedin, and Invercargill. + + The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. _All the wings are ochreous with + pale brown markings._ The fore-wings have a conspicuous dot in the + middle, _a wavy transverse line a little beyond the middle, another line + just before the termen, and a brown shading on the termen broader near + the apex of the wing_. The hind-wings have a brown central dot and two + transverse lines. The cilia of all the wings are brownish. + +This species varies considerably in the distinctness of the brown markings, +and there is occasionally a transverse line near the base of the +fore-wings. + +The perfect insect appears in February and March, and frequents open +country, often at elevations of from 2,000 to 4,000 feet above the +sea-level. It is, I think, rather a local species, though abundant where +found. I met with it in considerable numbers on the chalk range near +Kekerangu in the Marlborough Province. + + +ASAPHODES SIRIS, Hawth. + +(_Asaphodes siris_, Hawth., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxix. 283.) + +(Plate VII., fig. 16.) + +This interesting little species was discovered near Wellington by Mr. +Hawthorne. + + The expansion of the wings is about 7/8 inch. The fore-wings are dull + ochreous; there is a small curved brown patch near the base; then a pale + band, followed by a very broad brown central band, paler in the middle; + there is a very sharp projection on the outer edge of the central band, a + conspicuous black dot in the centre of the wing, and a series of minute + black dots on the termen. The hind-wings are pale ochreous, with a faint + central transverse line. + +The perfect insect appears in March. + +Described and figured from the type specimen in Mr. Hawthorne's collection. + + +ASAPHODES MEGASPILATA, Walk. + + (_Larentia megaspilata_, Walk. 1198. _Cidaria assata_, Feld. cxxxi. 4. + _Cidaria nehata_, Feld. cxxxi. 6. _Harpalyce megaspilata_, Meyr., Trans. + N. Z. Inst. xvi. 63. _Probolæa megaspilata_, Meyr., ib. xviii. 184.) + +(Plate VII., figs. 17, 18, and 19 [M]; figs. 19A and 20 [F], varieties.) + +This species is very common, and generally distributed throughout the +country. + + The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. The fore-wings are dull + ochreous; there is a series of fine brown and reddish wavy transverse + lines near the base, forming a rather broad basal band; then a pale + central area containing a blackish dot above the middle; next, a very + distinct band made up of several fine wavy grey lines, with a rounded + projection near the middle; this is followed by numerous pale brown + curved marks forming more or less broken transverse lines; _there is + always an oblique slaty patch below the apex_, and a series of minute + dots on the termen. The hind-wings are ochreous brown, slightly darker + towards the base, with numerous indistinct wavy brown lines. _The apex of + the fore-wing is very pointed and slightly hooked downwards; the termen + is bowed near the middle._ The female is much duller and more uniform in + colour than the male, and the antennæ are simple. + +This species is very variable. Some male specimens have several more or +less distinct white markings on the middle of the fore-wings; the +transverse bands also differ considerably in both size and intensity. The +females are not so variable; but in some specimens the bands on the +fore-wings are almost absent, whilst others have the fore-wings rich brown, +with a very conspicuous dark central band. + + {56}The eggs when first deposited are pale yellow. They turn dark + reddish-brown for some days before the young larva emerges. + + The young larva is rather stout, dark brownish-black with numerous fine + parallel ochreous lines; the whole body is covered with rather long + bristles. + +The perfect insect appears from October till April, and frequents forest, +where it is generally very abundant. It is a difficult insect to identify +on the wing, and in consequence is often captured under a misapprehension. + +This species probably hibernates in the imago state during the winter +months, as we may often observe specimens abroad on mild evenings, at that +season. + + +ASAPHODES PARORA, Meyr. + + (_Harpalyce humeraria_, Meyr. (nec Walk.), Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 64. + _Harpalyce parora_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvii. 63. _Probolæa + parora_, ib. xviii. 184.) + + "_Male, female._--29-34 mm. (about 1¼ inches). Fore-wings moderate, apex + acute, termen excavated on upper half, acutely projecting in middle; + varying from light grey to light reddish-fuscous; about eighteen + irregular dentate darker striæ, sometimes partially obsolete; first + three, seventh and eighth, and eleventh to thirteenth usually more + distinct and blackish; seventh and eighth closely approximated, forming a + small blackish or reddish spot on dorsum, sometimes partially suffused + with blackish; eleventh to thirteenth closely approximated, widely remote + from eighth, parallel to termen; a blackish discal dot; sometimes a broad + purplish-grey median band; sixteenth sometimes spotted with blackish + towards costa; a terminal row of blackish dots. Hind-wings moderate, + upper angle broadly projecting, termen shortly projecting in middle; + varying from whitish-grey to very pale reddish-fuscous, faintly striated + with darker. + +"Very variable in colour, but always distinguishable by the peculiar form +of wing. + +"Wellington, Christchurch, Mount Hutt; common amongst bush, in January, +February, April, and May; probably generally distributed; twenty +specimens."--(Meyrick.) + +I am unacquainted with this insect, but it would appear to closely resemble +_A. megaspilata_. + + +ASAPHODES RUFESCENS, Butl. + + (_Larentia(?) rufescens_, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 502. _Eurydice cymosema_, + Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 63. _Eurydice rufescens_, ib. xvii. 63. + _Homodotis rufescens_, ib. xviii. 184.) + + "_Male, female._--25-29 mm. (about 1¼ inches). Fore-wings moderate, + termen rather strongly sinuate; brown-whitish, sometimes more or less + suffused with brown; numerous fine dark fuscous sinuate subdentate lines; + three before middle and four beyond middle more blackish, generally + partially suffused with brown, leaving a clear median space on costal + half, in which is a transverse blackish discal dot; termen suffusedly + greyish; a suffused oblique dark fuscous sub-apical streak. Hind-wings + moderate, termen irregularly crenulate, somewhat projecting in middle; + grey whitish; several subdentate grey lines, only distinct towards + dorsum; a dark grey discal dot. + +"Variable only in the degree of the brownish suffusion; in the markings of +the fore-wings it agrees almost exactly with some forms of _A. +megaspilata_, but, apart from structure, may be always known by the whitish +hind-wings and rather larger size. + +"Dunedin; ten specimens sent to Mr. Fereday by Capt. Hutton."--(Meyrick.) + +I have only seen one specimen of this insect, in Mr. Fereday's collection, +and it appeared to me to be identical with the somewhat variable female of +_A. megaspilata_. + + +Genus 11.--XANTHORHOE, Hb. + + "Face with somewhat projecting scales or conical tuft. Antennæ in male + bi-pectinated, apex usually simple. Palpi rough-scaled. Fore-wings with + areole double. Hind-wings with vein 8 anastomosing with cell to beyond + middle."--(Meyrick.) (See Plate II., figs. 37 and 38.) + +{57}This interesting genus is relatively far more numerous in New Zealand +than elsewhere, its place in other regions being largely taken by +_Hydriomena_. We have no less than thirty-one known species, and many +others will no doubt be ultimately discovered, especially in the +mountainous districts of the west coast of the South Island. + + +XANTHORHOE LIMONODES, Meyr. + +(_Epyaxa limonodes_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 54.) + +(Plate VII., fig. 46 [M].) + +This species has occurred at Wellington and at Cape Terawhiti in the North +Island. + + The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. _The fore-wings of the male + are dull olive-green with numerous, rather obscure, wavy brownish + transverse lines; these lines are all more distinct near the costa; there + are two transverse rows of white dots near the base, a very broken line + of white dots at about three-fourths, one of the dots forming a + crescentic mark above the middle_; beyond this line the colour is often + paler, especially towards the apex, but inside this line there is often a + considerably darker patch; there is a very distinct blackish patch just + below the apex. The apex of the wing slightly projects, and the termen is + arched. The hind-wings are very pale greenish-ochreous; there is an + obscure dusky transverse line in the middle. _The female has the + fore-wings much browner; there are several additional rows of white dots + and two conspicuous white spots above the middle._ + +The species is rather variable. In many specimens the dorsal half of the +fore-wing is much paler than the costal half. + +The perfect insect appears from November till March, and frequents dense +forest. It is not a common species. + + +XANTHORHOE SUBDUCTATA, Walk. + +(_Larentia subductata_, Walk. 1198. _Epyaxa subductata_, Meyr., Trans. N. +Z. Inst. xx. 55.) + +This species has occurred at Auckland. + + "The expansion of the wings of the female is 26 mm. (about 1 inch). Head, + palpi, and thorax pale greyish-ochreous, somewhat mixed with + yellow-greenish, and densely irrorated with fuscous. Antennæ + whitish-ochreous annulated with fuscous. Abdomen grey-whitish, densely + irrorated with fuscous. Legs dark fuscous, apex of joints + ochreous-whitish, middle and posterior pair irrorated with grey-whitish. + Fore-wings with costa gently arched, termen waved, slightly rounded, + oblique; pale greyish-ochreous, mixed with yellow-greenish, and thinly + sprinkled with fuscous, tending to form faint waved lines; three light + fuscous fasciæ, each marked with three dark fuscous lines; first near + base, outer edge sharply angulated above middle; second from two-fifths + of costa to before middle of dorsum, slightly curved; third from + two-thirds of costa to two-thirds of dorsum, outer edge somewhat + prominent in middle, rather sinuate above it; a crescentic black + obscurely whitish-margined discal spot; a short oblique cloudy fuscous + streak from apex; cilia light fuscous, somewhat sprinkled with whitish. + Hind-wings light grey; a grey discal dot before middle; a median band of + three darker lines, outer rather prominent in middle; faint indications + of other darker lines, most distinct posteriorly; cilia grey-whitish, + with two cloudy grey lines."--(Meyrick.) + +The perfect insect appears in December. + + +XANTHORHOE ROSEARIA, Dbld. + + (_Cidaria rosearia_, Dbld., Dieff. N. Z. ii. 285, Butl., Cat. pl. iii. + 13. _Coremia ardularia_, Gn., E. M. M. v. 63. _Coremia inamænaria_, Gn., + E. M. M. v. 63. _Epyaxa rosearia_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 71.) + +(Plate VII., fig. 22 [M], 23 [F].) + +This species has occurred at Wellington in the North Island; and in the +South Island at Akaroa, Christchurch, and Dunedin. + + {58}The expansion of the wings is about 1-3/8 inches. The fore-wings of + the male vary _from pale pinkish-grey to pale greenish-grey_; there is an + obscure darker basal area, a rather broad central band, _formed of + numerous shaded, wavy, dark grey lines, which are generally absent + towards the middle of the band_; there is a black dot above the middle; + the termen is shaded with dark grey, and there is an oblique pale mark + near the apex. The hind-wings are grey with a few very faint wavy lines. + The cilia of all the wings are pinkish-grey. _The female is dull + yellowish-grey, with the markings very indistinct._ + +Both sexes vary slightly in the ground colour, and in the intensity of the +markings. Mr. Purdie has pointed out that the species is very liable to +fade, and hence it appears to vary more than is actually the case.[33] + + The eggs are oval, pale yellow, changing first to orange, and then to + dull grey before hatching. The young larva, when first emerged, is pale + greyish-brown and very slender. Later on the caterpillar becomes dull + olive-green speckled with black; there are two paler stripes just below + the middle of the back, then a fine black line, followed by a very fine + white one, then a broad pink stripe on the side; below this is a broad + black line followed by a white line and two fine black ones. The larva is + moderately stout, and the two prolegs are very close together. + + The larva, when full-grown, measures about ¾ inch in length. The general + colour is dull reddish-brown, often greenish-tinged. The back and sides + are marked with numerous slightly waved fine black lines; there is a + double series of black dots down the back, a broad black lateral line, + followed by a fine white line. The under side of the larva is + pinkish-brown; the head greenish-brown speckled with black. The + caterpillar is obscurely marked, and very variable. It is often clouded + with greenish colouring. + +The food-plant is watercress. + +The pupa, which is enclosed in a slight cocoon constructed of earth and +silk, is found on the surface of the ground. + +The perfect insect is most abundant in December, and is attracted by light. +It seems to be about during the entire year, as Mr. Meyrick states that he +has taken numerous specimens from May till September, and hence concludes +that it is essentially a winter species.[34] I can to some extent confirm +this observation, as I have also found the insect during the winter, +although not commonly. It is probable that there are several broods in the +course of a year, and that the species hibernates as an imago. + +Regarding the synonymy of this species Mr. Meyrick remarks that "_C. +ardularia_, Gn., is the male and _C. inamænaria_, Gn., the female of this +species. _C. subidaria_, Gn., quoted by Butler as a synonym, is an +Australian species, and not identical."[35] + + +XANTHORHOE OROPHYLA, Meyr. + +(_Epyaxa orophyla_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 71.) + +(Plate VII., fig. 24 [M], 25 [F].) + +This fine species has occurred in the South Island at Nelson, Castle +Hill, Mount Hutt, Dunedin and Lake Wakatipu. + + The expansion of the wings of the male is 1¼ inches, of the female 1-3/8 + inches. _The fore-wings of the male are pale brownish-grey_; there is an + obscure bent blackish line near the base, _a moderately broad central + band bounded by two very distinct shaded blackish lines, the basal one of + which is not curved_; the termen is shaded with darker grey, and there is + an oblique pale mark near the apex. The hind-wings are pale grey tinged + with ochreous. + + The female is slightly darker than the male; and there are numerous wavy + pale and dark grey lines filling up the entire wing on each side of the + central band. + +The perfect insect appears in December, January, and February. It frequents +open country on the mountain sides, at elevations of from 2,500 to 4,000 +feet. + +{59}I observed it in great abundance on the Humboldt Range at the head of +Lake Wakatipu, where it frequented the damp rocky precipices which were +fringed with a luxuriant growth of Alpine plants. At Castle Hill it +occurred much less commonly, so that it would appear to be most plentiful +in the extreme south of New Zealand. The colouring is protective when the +insect is resting on rock surfaces. + + +XANTHORHOE SEMIFISSATA, Walk. + + (_Coremia semifissata_, Walk. 1320. _Coremia ypsilonaria_, Gn., E. M. M. + v. 64. _Cidaria delicatulata_, Gn., E. M. M. v. 94. _Epyaxa semifissata_, + Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 72.) + +(Plate VII., fig. 26 [M], 27 [F].) + +This extremely pretty insect is very common, and generally distributed +throughout the country. + + The expansion of the wings is about an inch. The fore-wings of the male + are _pale pink_; there are several wavy brown lines near the base, _a + very distinct brown central band, narrowest near the middle, but much + broader on the costa than on the dorsum_; the centre of this band is + paler towards the costa; the termen is shaded with brown, except near the + apex of the wing; _the veins are dotted in black. The hind-wings are + bright ochreous with numerous wavy darker lines._ The female is darker in + colour than the male, the central band is broader; _there are numerous + brown and pink wavy lines on each side of the central band, and the + principal veins are marked in pale ochreous_. The grey transverse lines + on the hind-wings are much more distinct in the female than in the male. + +The perfect insect appears from September till April, and is very common in +rather open forest districts, usually frequenting undergrowth on the edges +of the denser forest. It is often one of the earliest of the _Notodontina_ +to appear in spring, and its advent is then especially welcome to the +collector after the long inaction of winter. It is evidently closely allied +to _X. orophyla_, which appears to be the southern and Alpine +representative of this interesting insect. _Coremia ypsilonaria_, Gn., is +the male, and _Cidaria delicatulata_, Gn., is the female of this species. + + +XANTHORHOE LOPHOGRAMMA, Meyr. + +(_Xanthorhoe lophogramma_, Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1897, 386.) + +(Plate VII., fig. 47 [M], 48 [F].) + +This species was discovered at Castle Hill in January, 1893. + + The expansion of the wings is about 1-1/8 inches. The insect differs from + _X. semifissata_ in the following respects: In the male the general + colour is slightly duller, _the outer edge of the central band on the + fore-wings is more indented, and the veins are not dotted in black_. In + the female the markings on the fore-wings are less distinct, the veins + are not marked in pale ochreous, the outer edge of the central band is + more deeply indented, and there is a darker shading near the termen than + in _X. semifissata_. _The hind-wings of both sexes are dark ochreous, + without any transverse markings._ + + +XANTHORHOE CHLAMYDOTA, Meyr. + +(_Epyaxa chlamydota_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 72.) + +(Plate VII., fig. 28.) + +This very handsome species has occurred at Wellington in the North Island, +and at Christchurch and Akaroa in the South Island. + + The expansion of the wings is 1¼ inches. The fore-wings are pale + ochreous, _with two broad, dark, purplish-brown bands. The first, which + is at the base, is slightly paler near the body, and strongly curved + outwards towards the termen_; it is followed by several very fine pale + brown transverse lines. _The second band is very broad, and is situated + near the middle of the wing; its inner edge is curved inwards, and its + outer edge has two rounded projections, one very large about the middle, + and {60}another much smaller near the dorsum_; the middle portion of this + central band is considerably paler than the edges; _the two projections + of the central band are bordered with bright red_. The upper part of the + termen is ochreous, with several faint brown marks; the lower part is + dull grey. The hind-wings are dark ochreous, with a few obscure + purplish-grey markings; the termen of the hind-wing projects slightly + near the middle, and is rather jagged. + +The species varies a little in the depth of its colouring, but the markings +appear to be constant. The perfect insect appears from November till April. +It chiefly frequents forest, but is not a common species. At present, more +specimens have been found in the Wellington Botanical Gardens than +elsewhere. + + +XANTHORHOE STINARIA, Gn. + +(_Camptogramma stinaria_, Gn., E. M. M. v. 92. _Larentia stinaria_, Meyr., +Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 78.) + +(Plate VII., fig. 29 [M].) + +This species has occurred in the South Island at Christchurch, Dunedin, and +at the foot of Mount Hutt. + + The expansion of the wings is barely 1 inch. _All the wings are deep + ochreous; the fore-wings have an oblique white line running from the + dorsum near the base, towards the middle of the wing; this line is edged + with blackish-brown towards the dorsum; there is a very conspicuous white + transverse line at about three-fourths shaded with brown towards the + body_; the apex of the fore-wing slightly projects. The hind-wings have + no markings. + +The perfect insect appears in December and January. It seems to be fairly +common, frequenting _Carex subdola_.[36] + +Described and figured from a specimen kindly given to me by Mr. Fereday. + + +XANTHORHOE MNESICHOLA. + +(_Larentia mnesichola_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 56.) + +(Plate VII., fig. 39 [M].) + +This dull little species has occurred in the South Island on Mount Arthur, +at elevations of from 4,000 to 4,800 feet. + + The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. _The fore-wings are pale + brownish-ochreous, and rather glossy; there is a series of minute black + dots at the base, a second series at about one-third, then a cloudy + curved band, slightly darker than the rest of the wing, followed by a + third series of minute black dots; a fourth series is situated slightly + before the termen._ The hind-wings are very pale brownish-ochreous. + +The perfect insect appears in January. Mr. Meyrick states that it is rather +common. + + +XANTHORHOE PRÆFECTATA, Walk. + + (_Acidalia præfectata_, Walk. 781. _Acidalia subtentaria_, Walk. 1610. + _Acidalia absconditaria_, Walk. 1611; Butl., Cat. pl. iii. 21. _Larentia + præfectata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 78.) + +(Plate VII., fig. 30.) + +This interesting species has occurred in the South Island at the Dun +Mountain, Mount Arthur, Christchurch, and Dunedin. + + The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. _All the wings are pure + white_; the fore-wings have a minute grey dot above the middle, _a series + of extremely minute dots a little before the termen, and several rows of + very faint grey marks close to the termen_. The hind-wings have a row of + very obscure dots across the middle, and several rows of very faint grey + marks close to the termen. The face and collar are brown, and there is + sometimes an extremely faint brown tinge on the costal edge of the + fore-wings. The body is pure white. + +The perfect insect appears in November, December, January, and February. I +do not think it is a very common species, and at present I have only +observed it on the Dun {61}Mountain near Nelson, at an elevation of about +2,700 feet above the sea-level. Here I took several specimens on the +flowers of an Alpine veronica in the dusk of evening, and saw several +others, which I was unable to capture. Mr. Meyrick has taken it on Mount +Arthur at an elevation of 4,500 feet, and Mr. Fereday states that it +frequents swampy places near Christchurch. + + +XANTHORHOE NEPHELIAS, Meyr. + +(_Larentia nephelias_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 78.) + +This species was discovered by Mr. Meyrick in the South Island at Arthur's +Pass, West Coast Road, and he has since taken it on Mount Arthur. + + "_Male, female_.--The expansion of the wings is 32-34 mm. (about 1¼ + inches). Fore-wings moderate, in female narrower and more elongate, + termen rounded; pale whitish-grey, slightly ochreous-tinged; an + indistinct suffusion of dark fuscous scales before middle; a small dark + fuscous discal dot; a rather irregular cloudy dark fuscous line beyond + middle, sinuate beneath costa, shortly angulated in middle; a very faint + stria beyond this; a terminal band composed of two rows of cloudy + partially confluent dark fuscous spots, separating on costa; cilia pale + whitish-grey. Hind-wings moderate, in female narrower, termen rounded; + ground colour as in fore-wings, with a few grey scales posteriorly. + +"A remarkable-looking species. + +"I took two fine specimens above Arthur's Pass (4,600 feet), in +January."--(Meyrick). + +I am unacquainted with this species. It is evidently very conspicuous and +distinct. + + +XANTHORHOE CATAPHRACTA, Meyr. + +(_Larentia cataphracta_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 79.) + +(Plate VII., fig. 33 [M], 34 [F].) + +This large and conspicuous species has occurred in the South Island at +Mount Arthur, Arthur's Pass, Lake Guyon, and Lake Wakatipu. + + The expansion of the wings of the male is 1-5/8 inches, of the female 1½ + inches. _The fore-wings are dull yellowish-brown, with numerous slightly + waved oblique black and white transverse bands; one very broad white band + is situated near the middle, and another at about three-fourths; there is + a broad longitudinal reddish-brown line on the costal edge, in which the + transverse lines almost disappear_; there is also a pale, somewhat + triangular, area at the apex. The hind-wings are very pale + greyish-ochreous. The cilia of all the wings are very pale ochreous. The + female is duller and paler than the male. + +The perfect insect appears from December till March, and frequents grassy +slopes on the mountain sides, at elevations of from 3,000 to 4,000 feet. I +observed this insect in great abundance on the Humboldt Range at the head +of Lake Wakatipu, but have not found it at any of the other Alpine +localities I have visited, so I imagine that it is a rather local species. + + +XANTHORHOE CLARATA, Walk. + + (_Larentia clarata_, Walk. 1197; Butl., Cat. pl. iii. 14. _Cideria + pyramaria_, Gn., E. M. M. v. 93. _Larentia clarata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. + Inst. xvi. 79.) + +(Plate VII., fig. 31 [M], 32 [F].) + +This conspicuous species has occurred in the South Island at Lake Rotoiti, +Mount Arthur, Castle Hill, Mount Hutt, Dunedin, and Lake Wakatipu. + + The expansion of the wings of the male is 1½ inches, of the female 1-3/8 + inches. + + The species differs from the preceding in the following respects: The + ground colour of the fore-wings is brighter, the markings are less + oblique and much more jagged; the large white central band is often + broken up into several distinct oval patches; the costal edge is very + slightly shaded with {62}brown, _and the transverse lines do not + disappear before reaching the costa_. The hind-wings are bright ochreous. + _The cilia of all the wings are white, strongly barred with + yellowish-brown_. + +There is slight variation in the details of the markings, but the species +can always be immediately recognised. + +The perfect insect appears in December, January, and February. It frequents +open grassy places at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 4,500 feet, and is +often extremely abundant in these situations. + + +XANTHORHOE COSMODORA, Meyr. + +(_Larentia cosmodora_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 57.) + +This species was discovered by Mr. Meyrick in the South Island on Mount +Arthur, at an elevation of 4,500 feet. + + _Female_.--27 mm. (slightly over 1 inch). Head, palpi, antennæ, thorax, + abdomen, and legs whitish-ochreous, slightly brownish-tinged; abdomen + with a double dorsal series of dark fuscous dots. Fore-wings with costa + hardly perceptibly arched, termen slightly rounded, oblique; + whitish-ochreous, slightly yellowish-tinged; a curved irregular black + line rather near base, followed by a white line; median band rather + darker, tinged with yellowish-fuscous towards edges, margined with + dentate black lines and outside these with white, anterior from one-third + of costa to two-fifths of dorsum, rather curved, posterior from + two-thirds of costa to three-fourths of dorsum, somewhat prominent + beneath costa, and with a more distinct double prominence in middle; two + white dentate-edged spots within median band, first beneath costa, + containing small black discal dot, second on dorsum; a waved white + subterminal line; a fine dark fuscous terminal line interrupted into + numerous dots; cilia whitish-ochreous, with dark fuscous bars hardly + reaching base. Hind-wings whitish-ochreous, with faint darker + greyish-tinged lines; a median band of four more distinct cloudy grey + lines, first three straight, fourth well marked, rather dark fuscous, + waved, somewhat prominent in middle, beneath confluent with third; a + faint white subterminal line; cilia pale whitish-ochreous, with a faint + greyish line tending to form spots. + +"Appears in January; one specimen. It is conceivable that this may be the +other sex of the following species, but they are very dissimilar, and I do +not at present think it probable."--(Meyrick.) + + +XANTHORHOE BRYOPIS, Meyr. + +(_Larentia bryopis_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 57.) + +Discovered by Mr. Meyrick in the South Island on Mount Arthur, 4,500 feet +above the sea-level. + + "_Male_.--29-32 mm. (about 1¼ inches). Head, palpi, thorax, abdomen, and + legs pale greyish-ochreous, slightly greenish-tinged, irrorated with + blackish. Antennæ whitish, annulated with black. Fore-wings with costa + gently arched, termen somewhat rounded, rather oblique; pale + greyish-ochreous, tinged with olive-greenish, irrorated with + blackish-grey, tending to form waved transverse lines on basal area; + median band margined with dentate black lines and outside them with + white; anterior from one-third of costa to one-third of dorsum, curved, + posterior from beyond two-thirds of costa to three-fourths of dorsum, + somewhat indented above middle, with a moderate double prominence in + middle; three blackish-grey subdentate lines within median band, first + near and parallel to anterior edge, other two near and parallel to + posterior edge, first and second tending to be confluent below middle, + space between these more or less suffused with white, enclosing a small + black discal spot; an obscure dentate whitish subterminal line, + anteriorly margined with dark fuscous, preceded and followed by waved + fuscous lines; a terminal series of pairs of dark fuscous dots; cilia + ochreish-grey, whitish, barred with fuscous, and with a fuscous basal + line. Hind-wings ochreous-grey, with waved darker grey transverse lines, + except towards base; a dark grey discal dot before middle; posterior edge + of median band formed as in fore-wings, followed by an obscure whitish + line and somewhat paler band; terminal dots and cilia as in fore-wings, + but more obscure. + +"Appears in January; not uncommon. Nearest allied to _X. +beata_."--(Meyrick.) + + +{63}XANTHORHOE BEATA, Butl. + +(_Cidaria beata_, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1877, 397, pl. xliii. 6. +_Larentia beata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 79.) + +(Plate VII., fig. 35 [M], 36 [F].) + +This very beautiful species has occurred at Wellington in the North Island, +is common and generally distributed throughout the South Island, and has +also been found at Stewart Island. + + The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. _The fore-wings are bright + green; there is a darker area at the base edged with a jagged white line; + then a paler band followed by a very broad darker green central band + edged with very jagged white lines, and containing several white patches + in the middle, one of which is situated close to the costa and encloses a + black dot; beyond this central band there is a paler area, then an + interrupted darker green band edged with white towards the termen_. There + is an oblique pale mark from the apex of the wing. The hind-wings are + very pale ochreous, sometimes slightly tinged with green; there are + several obscure rows of dusky spots. + + The white markings included in the central band are rather variable. + + The egg is smooth, oval, and pale green in colour. + + The young larva is orange-brown, becoming greenish-brown soon after + emergence. The full-grown larva is dark brown above and pale brown + beneath, the two colours being sharply separated on the sides by a broken + white line. A series of V-shaped markings is situated on the back, each + mark enclosing a paler area. Several fine black wavy lines traverse the + darker portions of the larva, and a dark mark, edged with black beneath, + is situated on each segment just above the ventral surface. + +The food-plant is watercress. + +The pupa is enclosed in a frail cocoon on the surface of the ground. + +The perfect insect appears from October till March, and frequents forest. +It is often dislodged from dense undergrowth during the daytime, and may be +found in the evening on the blossoms of the white rata. It is very much +commoner in some years than in others; but occasionally several seasons +will pass without our noticing a single specimen of this attractive insect. +The colouring is extremely protective when the moth is resting on +moss-covered tree trunks. + + +XANTHORHOE ADONIS, n. sp. + +(Plate VII., fig. 49 [M].) + +This extremely beautiful insect has occurred in the South Island at Castle +Hill, and at Lake Wakatipu. + + The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. _The fore-wings are vivid green_; + there is a broad, wavy, black transverse line near the base; a somewhat + broken line at about one-third, much broader on the costa and edged with + white towards the base; _a very conspicuous broad black line at + two-thirds, shaded towards the base, and sharply edged with white towards + the termen_; between this line and the termen there are several black + marks, forming another extremely broken transverse line. _The hind-wings + are pale orange-brown, with a faint grey central band_. + +The perfect insect appears in January. It frequents forests at elevations +of from 1,000 to 2,000 feet above the sea-level, but it is not common. + +Mr. Meyrick regards this insect as identical with _Xanthorhoe beata_. + + +XANTHORHOE CHLORIAS, Meyr. + +(_Larentia chlorias_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 80.) + +This species was discovered in the South Island at Castle Hill, by Mr. +Meyrick. + + "The expansion of the wings of the male is 30 mm. (about 1¼ inches). + Fore-wings moderate, termen hardly rounded; bright yellow; base of costa + dark fuscous-purple; a curved row of three very small dark purple-fuscous + spots about one-fourth, and another of four spots before middle, costal + spots larger; a {64}triangular purple blotch on costa before apex, + reaching half across wing, anteriorly margined by a strongly sinuate + bluish-black streak; a row of three dark purple-fuscous dots from apex of + this to dorsum, and a subterminal row of six similar dots; cilia yellow. + Hind-wings moderate, termen rounded; rather paler than fore-wings, with + two curved posterior rows of cloudy purple-fuscous dots. + +"A very beautiful and conspicuous species. + +"I took one fine specimen in a wooded gully near Castle Hill, at 3,100 +feet, in January."--(Meyrick.) + + +XANTHORHOE ÆGROTA, Butl. + +(_Selidosema ægrota_, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 499. _Larentia ægrota_, Meyr., +Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 80.) + +(Plate VII., fig. 37 [M].) + +This rather inconspicuous species has occurred at Palmerston and Kaitoke in +the North Island; and at Christchurch, Dunedin, and Lake Wakatipu in the +South Island. It has also been taken at Stewart Island. + + The expansion of the wings is about 1-1/8 inches. _The fore-wings are + dull ochreous-brown; there are several indistinct wavy blackish lines + near the base, a black dot above the middle, then three or four more + lines, followed by a cloudy shading on the termen._ The hind-wings are + pale ochreous-brown. _The cilia of all the wings are dull ochreous-brown + barred with black._ + +The perfect insect appears from November till March and is sometimes very +common. It usually frequents rather open situations in the neighbourhood of +forest, and I have often observed it amongst the bushes of "Wild Irishman" +(_Discaria toumatou._) It is extremely abundant on the banks of the River +Dart, at the head of Lake Wakatipu. + + +XANTHORHOE LUCIDATA, Walk. + + (_Larentia lucidata_, Walk. 1200. _Coremia plurimata_, ib. 1321. _Panagra + venipunctata_, ib. 1666. _Larentia psamathodes_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. + Inst. xvi. 81. _Larentia lucidata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvii. 64.) + +(Plate VII., fig. 38 [M].) + +This rather dull-coloured species has occurred at Napier, Palmerston, and +Wellington in the North Island, and at Dunedin in the South Island. + + The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. _The fore-wings are dull + yellowish-brown; there are numerous fine, almost straight blackish lines + parallel to the termen, forming four more or less distinct transverse + bands_; the first at the base rather broad, the second a little before + the middle, the third beyond the middle, and the fourth just before the + termen; there is a black dot a little above the middle of the wing, and + the veins are marked with white dots between the transverse bands. The + hind-wings are pale brownish-ochreous; there are numerous, rather faint, + wavy, blackish, transverse lines, which are much more distinct near the + dorsum. There is a series of distinct black dots on the termen of both + fore- and hind-wings. + +The perfect insect appears during the winter months from March till August. +It is rather a scarce species, but on mild evenings it is sometimes taken +at light. + + +XANTHORHOE HELIAS, Meyr. + +(_Larentia helias_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 81.) + +(Plate VII., fig. 40.) + +Two specimens of this species have been taken at Dunedin in the South +Island. + + The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. All the wings are pale ochreous; + the fore-wings have a slender brown transverse line at the base, then a + large loop-like marking from the costa, almost meeting a smaller, + similarly looped marking from the dorsum; next a broad irregular dark + brown band a little beyond the middle, considerably indented towards the + termen; this is followed by a rather narrow pale band, and then by a + narrow brown band, also indented towards the termen; there is a small + oblique brown mark below the apex, and a terminal series of black dots. + The hind-wings have several faint dusky transverse lines near the base, a + row of small spots near the {65}termen, and a terminal series of minute + black dots. The cilia of all the wings are reddish-ochreous. + +The perfect insect appears in January. + +Described and figured from a specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection. + + +XANTHORHOE PRASINIAS, Meyr. + +(_Larentia prasinias_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 81.) + +(Plate VII., fig. 41.) + +This bright-looking species has occurred in the South Island at Mount +Arthur, Castle Hill, and Invercargill. + + The expansion of the wings is 1-3/8 inches. _The fore-wings are bright + orange-yellow; there is a small brown area near the base, with the outer + edge indented; then a pale band followed by a very broad brown central + band, composed of wavy transverse lines, with irregular yellow spaces + between them_, the largest of these spaces containing a small black dot; + the outer edge of the central band is very wavy, and has several rather + prominent projections near the middle; beyond this are several rather + faint brownish lines; the cilia are yellow, barred with dark brown. The + hind-wings are pale ochreous, shaded with grey near the base, and with + yellow near the termen; the cilia are yellow, barred with brown. + +The perfect insect appears in January, and frequents forest. It is found at +elevations of from 2,000 to 3,000 feet, but is not by any means a common +species. + + +XANTHORHOE CHIONOGRAMMA, Meyr. + +(_Larentia chionogramma_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 82.) + +(Plate VII., fig. 42 [M], 43 [F].) + +This rather dull-looking species has occurred in the South Island at Mount +Arthur and Mount Hutt. + + The expansion of the wings is about 1-1/8 inches. _The fore-wings are + rather dark greyish-brown; there are numerous indistinct wavy paler and + darker transverse lines near the base; a rather broad transverse brown + band towards the middle, shaded towards the base, and edged with an + interrupted jagged white line towards the termen_; beyond this there are + several broken darker and paler lines. The hind-wings are very pale + greyish-ochreous, clouded with grey near the base, and with several rows + of small cloudy grey spots near the termen. The female is paler than the + male and the markings are less distinct. + +The perfect insect appears in December and January, and frequents wooded +valleys on the lower slopes of the mountains, at elevations of from 2,000 +to 3,000 feet. + + +XANTHORHOE CAMELIAS, Meyr. + +(_Larentia camelias_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 58.) + +This species was discovered by Mr. Meyrick in the North Island at +Whangarei. + + "The expansion of the wings of the male is 23 mm. (rather less than 1 + inch). Head, antennæ, and thorax whitish-ochreous, greyish-tinged, with a + few dark fuscous scales. Palpi fuscous. Abdomen whitish-ochreous, with a + double dorsal series of dark fuscous dots. Legs whitish-ochreous, + irrorated with purple-reddish and dark fuscous. Fore-wings with costa + rather sinuate in middle, on anterior half gently, on posterior half very + strongly arched, termen moderately sinuate below apex, bowed in middle; + light greyish-ochreous, with numerous cloudy, waved, brown-grey + transverse lines, somewhat bent near costa; a black discal dot; margin of + basal patch and anterior edge of median band indicated by series of very + minute white dots, preceded and followed by black points; posterior edge + of median band marked by a darker line, followed by a fine white line + reduced on lower half to a series of points, subterminal line represented + by four cloudy blackish dots on upper half and another above tornus; + cilia greyish-ochreous (imperfect). Hind-wings fuscous-whitish; a median + band of four cloudy greyish lines, bent near costa; a cloudy grey spot + above tornus; cilia fuscous-whitish (imperfect.) + +"Appears in December. Immediately recognisable by the peculiar form of +forewings."--(Meyrick.) + + +{66}XANTHORHOE FALCATA, Butl. + +(_Larentia falcata_, Butl., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 58.) + +A single specimen of this species is in the British Museum collection of +New Zealand Lepidoptera. Of this specimen Mr. Meyrick remarks as follows:-- + +"This appears to be a good species allied to _X. camelias_, but with the +costa of fore-wings less arched posteriorly, and posterior edge of median +band practically straight, not bent near costa; also much darker in general +colouring. I have not yet seen any specimen except the original type." + + +XANTHORHOE OBARATA, Feld. + +(_Cidaria obarata_, Feld. cxxxii. 33. _Larentia obarata_, Meyr., Trans. N. +Z. Inst. xvi. 82.) + +(Plate VII., fig. 45.) + +This little species has occurred at Wellington in the North Island, and at +Christchurch and Mount Hutt in the South Island. + + The expansion of the wings is barely 1 inch. _The fore-wings are pale + greyish-ochreous; there is an interrupted reddish-brown transverse band + near the base; two faint, interrupted, shaded blackish lines, one at + about one-third and the other at about two-thirds, enclosing between them + a large central area, which contains a very distinct black dot above the + middle, and several irregular shaded black marks; beyond this there is a + wavy reddish-brown band; the apex of the wing is somewhat projecting, and + the termen is considerably bowed._ The hind-wings are pale grey, with a + paler central band, and numerous faint, wavy, darker grey lines. _The + cilia of all the icings are white, banded with dark grey._ + +The perfect insect appears from November till January. Mr. Fereday states +that it is a plain-frequenting species, especially attached to gorse +hedges.[37] + +Described and figured from a specimen kindly given to me by Mr. Fereday. + + +XANTHORHOE CHORICA, Meyr. + +(_Larentia chorica_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 58.) + +(Plate VII., fig. 44.) + +A single specimen of this beautiful insect was taken at Akaroa by Mr. +Fereday. + + The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. All the wings are pale ochreous. + The fore-wings have a short transverse black mark from the costa near the + base; a fine wavy white transverse line, followed by a wavy black band; + _the middle of the wing is white, marbled with very pale blue; beyond + this there is a broad black band wavy towards the termen, with a very + prominent rounded projection near the middle_; there are two + reddish-brown marks on the costa before the apex, a blackish patch on the + termen below the apex, and a row of terminal black dots; the apex is + slightly projecting, and the termen is strongly arched. The hind-wings + have several fine blackish transverse lines near the base; a broad shaded + band in the middle, and a terminal series of black dots. + +The perfect insect appears in January. + +Described and figured from the specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection. + + +XANTHORHOE SUBOBSCURATA, Walk. + +(_Scotosia subobscurata_, Walk. 1358. _Larentia petropola_, Meyr., Trans. +N. Z. Inst. xvi. 82.) + +This species has occurred in the South Island at the Otira Gorge. + + "The expansion of the wings is 39 mm. (1½ inches). Fore-wings moderate, + termen rounded dark grey, densely irrorated with bluish-whitish; costa + broadly suffused with ochreous-whitish anteriorly; a very obscure curved + ochreous-whitish line towards base, anteriorly dark-margined; two obscure + curved subdentate adjacent whitish lines about one-third, followed by a + dark line; a blackish {67}discal dot; a very irregular dentate curved + dark grey line beyond middle, followed by two adjacent whitish lines; a + sharply dentate obscure whitish subterminal line, anteriorly + dark-margined. Hind-wings moderate, termen rounded; markings as in + fore-wings, but more obscure, paler and more suffused towards base. + +"A fine species, with a peculiar bluish tinge. + +"I took two specimens at rest on rock-faces in the Otira Gorge, at 1,800 +feet, in January, and saw others."--(Meyrick.) + + +XANTHORHOE CINEREARIA, Dbld. + + (_Cidaria (?) cinerearia_, Dbld., Dieff. N. Z. ii. 286. _Larentia (?) + invexata_, Walk. 1199; Butl., Cat., pl. iii. 11. _Larentia semisignata_, + Walk. 1200. _Larentia inoperata_, Walk. 1201. _Larentia diffusaria_, + Walk. 1201. _Larentia punctilineata_, Walk. 1202; Butl., Cat., pl. iii. + 12. _Cidaria dissociata_, Walk. 1734. _Cidaria semilisata_, Walk. 1735. + _Larentia corcularia_, Gn., E. M. M. v. 61. _Larentia infantaria_, Gn., + E. M. M. v. 62. _Helastia eupitheciaria_, Gn., E. M. M. v. 95. ? _Cidaria + sphæriata_, Feld. cxxxi. 14. _Larentia cinerearia_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. + Inst. xvi. 83.) + +(Plate VIII., figs. 2 and 2A, varieties.) + +This species is extremely abundant, and generally distributed throughout +the country. + + The expansion of the wings is from 5/8 inch to 1 inch. _The fore-wings + vary from pale to dark grey; there are generally four more or less + distinct blackish marks on the costa, forming the beginning of transverse + bands_; the rest of the wing is marbled with dark-grey or black, the + disposition of the markings varying exceedingly in different specimens. + The hind-wings are pale grey, with a black dot above the middle. + +The variation existing in this species is very great, and is thus described +by Mr. Meyrick:[38] "Three main forms occur: one large, greyer, and more +uniform; a second of middle size whiter and generally strongly marked +sometimes bluish-tinged, only found in the hills; and a third small greyish +but ochreous-tinged, strongly marked; these are connected by scarcer +intermediate forms, and are, I believe, due to the direct effect of food +and situation. + +"The larva feeds on lichens." + +The perfect insect appears from October till March, and frequents a great +variety of situations. The colouring of the fore-wings is beautifully +adapted for protection on lichen-covered banks, rocks, or fences, where +specimens may often be found resting with closed wings during the daytime. +This species flies rather freely at evening dusk, and may then be taken +plentifully at sugar, blossoms or light. It is, however, a difficult matter +to procure specimens in really good condition for the cabinet, as the +insect is so extremely restless when confined in a box that if it is not +killed at once, it will speedily injure itself during its struggles to +escape. This moth is found at elevations ranging from the sea-level to +3,500 feet. + + +XANTHORHOE ANTHRACIAS, Meyr. + +(_Larentia anthracias_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 84.) + +This species has occurred in the South Island at Mount Hutt and Lake +Wakatipu. + + "The expansion of the wings of the male is from 24-25 mm. (about 1 inch). + Fore-wings moderate, termen sinuate; dark fuscous, faintly striated, more + or less sprinkled with whitish; a curved blackish line near base, + posteriorly obscurely whitish-margined; a curved, obscure whitish fascia + at one-third, blackish margined and bisected by a blackish line; a + well-defined black discal dot; a white fascia, partially mixed with + fuscous, beyond middle, anteriorly strongly blackish-margined, + posteriorly more obscurely, and bisected by a blackish line, somewhat + irregular, moderately angulated in middle; {68}an obscure dentate + yellowish or whitish subterminal line; an interrupted black terminal + line. Hind-wings moderate, termen rounded; dark fuscous; two nearly + straight lines before middle, faintly darker; a faint paler or sometimes + whitish sinuate fascia beyond middle, margined and bisected with darker. + +"Varies slightly in distinctness of pale markings. + +"Mount Hutt and Lake Wakatipu (5,400 feet), on the open mountain sides, in +December and January; twelve specimens."--(Meyrick.) + + +XANTHORHOE BULBULATA, Gn. + +(_Cidaria bulbulata_, Gn., E. M. M. v. 94. _Larentia bulbulata_, Meyr., +Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 84.) + +(Plate VIII., fig. 1.) + +This species has occurred in the South Island at Kekerangu, Christchurch, +Castle Hill, and Dunedin. + + The expansion of the wings is barely 1 inch. _The fore-wings are very + pale brownish-ochreous; there is a brown area near the base; a moderately + broad brown central band with a distinct projection near the middle; the + termen is broadly shaded with brown, with a wavy paler line in the middle + of the shading_; there are often several oval paler marks in the middle + of the central band, and pale brown spots and lines between the darker + brown markings. _The hind-wings are bright orange, with the cilia pale + brown._ + +The perfect insect appears from September till March, and frequents open, +grassy places, from the sea-level to elevations of from 2,000 to 3,000 +feet. + + +Genus 12.--LYTHRIA, Hb. + + "Face rough-haired or loosely scaled, antennæ in male bi-pectinated, apex + sometimes simple. Palpi with long rough hairs. Thorax roughly hairy + beneath. Fore-wings with areole simple. Hind-wings with vein 8 + anastomosing with cell to beyond middle."--(Meyrick.) (Plate II., figs. + 39 and 40, neuration of _L. chrysopeda_.) + +We have two interesting little species in New Zealand. The genus also +occurs in Europe, and probably elsewhere. + + +LYTHRIA CHRYSOPEDA, Meyr. + +(_Arcteuthes chrysopeda_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 48.) + +(Plate VIII., fig. 33 [M], 34 [F].) + +This bright-looking little species has been taken in the South Island at +Mount Arthur. + + The expansion of the wings is about ¾ inch. _The fore-wings are very + dark, glossy brown; there is a pale yellowish transverse line near the + base, a broader, rather wavy orange-yellow line a little before the + middle, another still broader at about two-thirds, and an indistinct fine + line near the termen. The hind-wings are rich orange-brown, with three + broad, wavy, dark brown transverse bands; the termen is narrowly margined + with dark orange-brown._ The female is generally rather paler than the + male, very faintly marked specimens occasionally occurring. + +The perfect insect appears in January and February. It frequents the +tussock openings in the forest on the Tableland of Mount Arthur, at +elevations of from 3,000 to 4,000 feet. In these situations it appears to +be fairly abundant, flying actively in the hottest sunshine. + + +LYTHRIA EUCLIDIATA, Gn. + + (_Coremia euclidiata_, Gn. x. 420. _Coremia glyphicata_, ib. 420. + _Fidonia catapyrrha_, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 392, pl. xliii. + 2. _Stratonice catapyrrha_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 64. + _Stratonice euclidiata_, ib. xvii. 63. _Arctesthes euclidiata_, ib. + xviii. 184. _Arcteuthes euclidiata_, ib. xx. 47.) + +(Plate VIII., fig. 35 [M].) + +This pretty little species has occurred in the South Island at Lake Rotoiti +near Nelson, Lake Guyon, Otira Gorge, Dunedin, and Mount Linton near +Invercargill. + + {69}The expansion of the wings is ¾ inch. The fore-wings are dark + greyish-brown speckled with black and white; there is a curved black + transverse line near the base, followed by a white line, then two black + lines close together followed by another white line, then a broad black + line followed by a pale central band containing a well-marked central + dot, beyond this there are two angulated black lines, and a very + conspicuous white line; there is a broad black shading on the termen, + traversed by a rather obscure fine white line. The hind-wings are rather + narrow, yellowish-orange speckled with black near the base, there is a + strongly angulated black line near the middle, and an obscure blackish + band near the termen. _On the under side the fore-wings are yellow, with + two black transverse bands from the costa near the termen and a red mark + near the apex; the hind-wings are streaked with white and yellow, and + broadly bordered with red on the costa and termen; there are two very + broad black transverse bands._ The female is paler than the male, with + the dark markings rather narrower. + +The perfect insect appears in February and March, and frequents open, sunny +places, at elevations of from 1,000 to 2,000 feet above the sea-level. + + +Genus 13.--DASYURIS, Gn. + + "Face rough-haired or with projecting scales. Palpi moderate, porrected, + with long dense rough hairs. Antennæ in male shortly ciliated. Thorax and + coxæ densely hairy beneath. Posterior tibiæ with all spurs present. + Fore-wings with areole double. Hind-wings with vein 8 anastomosing with + cell from near base to beyond middle."--(Meyrick.) (Plate II., fig. 42, + neuration of fore-wing. Hind-wing as in _Xanthorhoe_.) + +Of this genus we have four species in New Zealand. + + +DASYURIS ENYSII, Butl. + + (_Fidonia enysii_, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 391, pl. xlii. 9. + _Statira homomorpha_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 91. _Statira + enysii_, ib. xvii. 65. _Stathmonyma enysii_, ib. xviii. 184.) + +(Plate VIII., fig. 28.) + +This species has occurred in the South Island on the Dun Mountain near +Nelson, and at Mount Hutt. + + The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. The fore-wings are + greyish-brown, with numerous wavy blackish transverse lines; there is + usually a wavy yellowish transverse stripe near the base, and another + broader and more conspicuous stripe near the termen; the termen itself is + broadly shaded with dark brown. The hind-wings are orange-yellow; there + is a small dusky brown area near the base, then a faint straight + transverse line, followed by a slightly waved conspicuous dark brown + line; there is a very wavy broad dark brown line near the termen, and the + termen itself is narrowly edged with dark brown. + +The perfect insect appears in January and February, and frequents stony +situations on the mountains, at elevations of from 2,500 to 4,000 feet. I +have taken numerous specimens on the "Mineral Belt," Dun Mountain, but have +not yet met with it elsewhere. This insect is probably often mistaken +during flight for _Notoreas brephos_, from which it may easily be +distinguished by its _larger size, paler colouring, and simple antennæ of +the male_. + + +DASYURIS ANCEPS, Butl. + + (_Fidonia anceps_, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 392, pl. xliii. 3. + _Statira anceps_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 91. _Stathmonyma + anceps_, ib. xviii. 184.) + +(Plate VIII., fig. 29.) + +This species has been taken in the South Island at Mount Arthur, Castle +Hill, and Arthur's Pass. + + The expansion of the wings is about 1-1/8 inches. _The fore-wings are + bluish-grey; there are four wavy dark grey transverse lines_, the three + lines nearest the base are double, and the line nearest the termen is + shaded towards the base. _The hind-wings are pale yellow_; there is a + small dusky area near the base, then a slightly curved grey line, + followed by two curved dark grey lines {70}close together; there is a + series of irregular blotches near the termen, and the termen itself is + broadly edged with black near the apex of the wing, and narrowly near the + tornus. The cilia of all the wings are bluish-grey, barred with dusky + black. + +The perfect insect appears in January and February, and frequents bare +rocky situations on the mountains, at elevations of from 4,000 to 5,000 +feet. On one occasion I met with this species very plentifully, though in +poor condition, on Mount Peel, near Mount Arthur; but subsequent visits +have led me to think that, as a rule, it is rather a scarce species. The +bluish-grey colouring of the fore-wings affords this moth a most efficient +protection from enemies, whilst resting on the rocky ground which it always +frequents. + +Apart from special characters, the fainter colouring of this insect will at +once distinguish it from any of the numerous allied species. + + +DASYURIS PARTHENIATA, Gn. + +(_Dasyuris partheniata_, Gn., E. M. M. v. 93; Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. +xvi. 92.) + +(Plate VIII., fig. 30 [M], 31 [F].) + +This bright-looking species has occurred at Wellington in the North Island, +and at Mount Arthur and Mount Hutt in the South Island. + + The expansion of the wings is about 1-1/8 inches. _The fore-wings are + bright orange-yellow; the base is speckled with black and dull green + scales; there is a rather indistinct band at about one-third; a broad + wavy dark brown band a little beyond the middle, with a projection + towards the termen, followed by a clear space and another broad irregular + dark transverse band_; the termen is broadly bordered with dark brown, + which is often almost continuous with the last-named transverse band. + _The hind-wings are bright orange; there is a large speckled area near + the base edged with a curved black line, followed by a clear space, and + an interrupted dark brown transverse line considerably beyond the + middle_; the termen is rather narrowly edged with a dark brown line, wavy + towards the base of the wing. The cilia of all the wings are yellow + barred with black. + + The species varies considerably in the extent of the dark markings, + especially on the fore-wings. + + The egg is oval and white, without sculpture. + + The young larva, which is very attenuated, has sixteen legs. Its colour + is pale yellowish-brown above, and dull ochreous beneath. The food-plant + is unknown. + +The perfect insect appears from October till March, and frequents open, +grassy situations. At Wellington, during October and November, it is common +on the cliffs close to the shores of Cook's Strait, flying very rapidly on +hot, sunny days, which renders its capture very difficult in such steep +situations. Mr. Fereday's specimens were obtained amongst the tussock grass +at the foot of Mount Hutt. The insect was also found plentifully on the +slopes of Mount Arthur, at an elevation of about 4,500 feet above the +sea-level, and also on the Tararua Range in the North Island. + + +DASYURIS HECTORI, Butl. + + (_Euclidia hectori_, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 387, pl. xlii. + 4. _Statira hectori_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 91. _Stathmonyma + hectori_, ib. xviii. 184.) + +(Plate VIII., fig. 32.) + +This very striking species has occurred in the South Island at Mount +Arthur, Mount Hutt, and Ben Lomond, Lake Wakatipu. + + The expansion of the wings is 1½ inches. _All the wings are dark + greyish-black, speckled with bluish-grey scales._ The fore-wings have + five rather indistinct wavy darker transverse lines, and a very broad + darker shading near the termen; there is a fine white mark near the apex, + continued as an indistinct wavy line towards the tornus. The hind-wings + have three or four {71}indistinct darker transverse lines, and a very + broad terminal shading; there are two, more or less distinct, fine, wavy, + white lines, the first a little below the middle, and the second near the + termen; the cilia are dark grey barred with pale grey. _On the under side + all the wings are dark blackish-grey, traversed by six broad, wavy + whitish lines._ + +The perfect insect appears in December, January and February, and frequents +rocky crags on mountains, at elevations of from 4,700 to 5,700 feet above +the sea-level. It delights to rest on blackened rocks in the hottest +sunshine, but dashes away with the greatest rapidity on the approach of the +collector, so that it is generally rather difficult to capture. + + +Genus 14.--NOTOREAS, Meyr. + + "Face roughly haired. Palpi moderate, second joint with long or very long + spreading hairs beneath, terminal joint moderate or rather long, often + concealed. Antennæ in male bi-pectinated. Thorax beneath more or less + strongly clothed with long hairs. Fore-wings with vein 6 rising out of 9, + 7 almost from angle of areole, 10 anastomosing moderately with 9, 11 + anastomosing moderately or very shortly with 10, 12 free. Hind-wings + normal."--(Meyrick.) (See Plate II., fig. 43, fore-wing of _Notoreas + brephos_.) + +This interesting genus, of which we have no less than fifteen species, +comprises a number of gaily coloured little insects, chiefly inhabiting +mountain regions. All the species are day-fliers, and most of them only +appear during the hottest sunshine. Mr. Meyrick regards the genus +_Notoreas_ as most closely approaching to the ancestor of the family +_Hydriomenidæ_. + + +NOTOREAS INSIGNIS, Butl. + + (_Aspilates insignis_, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 393, pl. + xliii. 1. _Pasithea insignis_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 85. + _Notoreas insignis_, ib. xviii. 184.) + +(Plate VIII., fig. 3 [M].) + +This very striking species has been taken in the South Island at Castle +Hill. + + The expansion of the wings of the male is 1¼ inches, of the female 1 + inch. _The fore-wings of the male are dull yellowish-brown; in the middle + of the wing there is an almost straight long white streak from the base + to about three-fourths; there is another straight white streak parallel + to the termen and almost touching the apex. The hind-wings are bright + ochreous speckled with brown near the base._ The female has the wings + rather narrower than the male, and the ground colour is paler. + +The perfect insect appears in January. Mr. Fereday's specimens, which +formed the basis for the above figure and description, were captured on a +bare mountain side at an elevation of about 4,000 feet. Mr. Hawthorne has +directed my attention to the remarkable similarity existing between the +markings on the fore-wings of this species and those on _Xanthorhoe +stinaria_. + + +NOTOREAS ORPHNÆA, Meyr. + +(_Pasithea orphnæa_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 85. _Notoreas orphnæa_, +ib. xviii. 184.) + +This species was discovered by Mr. Meyrick in the South Island at Lake +Wakatipu. + + The expansion of the wings of the female is from 28 to 30 mm. (about 1¼ + inches). "Fore-wings moderate, termen rounded; dark fuscous, mixed with + yellowish and whitish, which tend to form alternate fasciæ; a discal dot + and numerous curved irregularly dentate blackish lines, varying in + strength and intensity; cilia barred with blackish and whitish. + Hind-wings moderate, termen rounded; dark fuscous; a blackish discal dot; + a cloudy whitish irroration forming a double curved fascia beyond middle, + and a dentate subterminal line; cilia as in fore-wings. + +"Imitative in colour of the dark lichen-grown rocks. + +{72}"I took three specimens almost on the summit of Ben Lomond, Lake +Wakatipu, at 5,600 feet, in January."--(Meyrick.) + + +NOTOREAS ISOLEUCA, Meyr. + +(_Notoreas isoleuca_, Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1897, 386.) + +(Plate VIII., fig. 27.) + +This little species has been taken in the South Island on the Craigieburn +Range, near Castle Hill. + + The expansion of the wings is about ¾ inch. _All the wings are very dark + blackish-brown; the fore-wings have five slender wavy white transverse + lines. The hind-wings have three white transverse lines_, the first near + the base, the second near the middle, and the third, which is very + slender and considerably broken, near the termen. _The cilia of all the + wings are white, barred with blackish-brown._ + +The perfect insect was captured in January, amongst a varied growth of +stunted Alpine vegetation, at an elevation of about 5,600 feet. + + +NOTOREAS MECHANITIS, Meyr. + +(_Pasithea mechanitis_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 86. _Notoreas +mechanitis_, ib. xviii. 184.) + +(Plate VIII., figs. 9, 10, 11, varieties.) + +This insect has occurred in the South Island at Mount Arthur, Arthur's Pass +and Mount Hutt. + + The expansion of the wings is about 7/8 inch. _All the wings are dark + brownish-black. The fore-wings have an almost straight transverse yellow + or white stripe near the base, edged with black towards the body; a + rather wavy stripe at about one-third, edged with black towards the + termen; then several irregular yellowish or white spots or marks, + followed by a very distinct white stripe, somewhat projecting towards the + termen near the middle; there is a broken fine yellow line near the + termen._ The hind-wings have a shaded white or yellow transverse line + near the base, another near the middle, a third, considerably finer and + often broken, near the termen. The cilia of all the wings are white + shaded with grey near the base, _but with no distinct bars_. + +The perfect insect appears from January till March, and flies with great +activity in the hottest sunshine. It frequents grassy mountain sides at +elevations ranging from 3,000 to 4,500 feet above the sea-level, and in +these situations it is often very abundant. + + +NOTOREAS PARADELPHA, Meyr. + +(_Pasithea paradelpha_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 86. _Notoreas +paradelpha_, ib. xviii. 184.) + +(Plate VIII., figs. 12, 13, 14, varieties.) + +In the South Island this insect has occurred on Mount Arthur, and on Ben +Lomond, Lake Wakatipu, at elevations of from 3,600 to 5,000 feet. + + The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. The species is said to be + distinguished from the preceding "by the barred cilia, the absence of any + clear yellow colouring, the less prominent angulation of the post-median + line and the more elongate wings."[39] (Meyrick.) + +The perfect insect appears in December, January and February. In habits it +exactly resembles _Notoreas mechanitis_. + + +NOTOREAS PERORNATA, Walk. + +(_Fidonia perornata_, Walk. 1672. _Pasithea perornata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. +Inst. xvi. 87. _Notoreas perornata_, ib. xviii. 184.) + +(Plate VIII., figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, varieties.) + +This very pretty insect has occurred at Palmerston and Wellington in the +North Island, and at Kekerangu, Mount Arthur, Lake Coleridge, Mount Hutt +and Lake Wakatipu, in the South Island. + + {73}The expansion of the wings is about ¾ inch. _The fore-wings are dark + brownish-black, with five transverse white or orange-yellow lines, which + vary considerably both in width and colour in different specimens_; the + two basal lines are almost straight, the rest are wavy, the last but one + has, near the middle, a strong projection towards the termen. _The + hind-wings are bright orange, with three or four more or less broken + black transverse lines._ The termen is narrowly bordered with black; the + cilia of all the wings are white, more or less distinctly barred with + blackish-brown. + +The perfect insect appears in February, March and April, flying very +actively in the hot afternoon sunshine. It is extremely abundant on the +coast hills in the neighbourhood of Wellington. It also occurs commonly at +Kekerangu, and is occasionally found on mountains as high as from 3,000 to +4,000 feet above the sea-level. I have observed that all the Wellington +specimens have the transverse lines on the fore-wings narrow and mostly +white; those from Mount Arthur broad and white, those from Kekerangu and +Lake Wakatipu broad and orange-yellow. The last-named forms approximate +most closely to some of the very yellow varieties of _Notoreas +paradelpha_.[40] + + +NOTOREAS STRATEGICA, Meyr. + +(_Pasithea strategica_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 87. _Notoreas +strategica_, ib. xviii. 184.) + +(Plate VIII., fig. 15.) + +A single specimen of this conspicuous species was taken in the South Island +at Lake Guyon, by Mr. W. T. L. Travers. + + The expansion of the wings is 1-3/8 inches. _The fore-wings are dull + yellowish-brown, becoming blackish-brown near the base; there are two + broad white transverse lines near the base, the outermost slightly + curved, then a dull orange shading, followed by a very broad, outwardly + bent, white transverse band, edged with black towards the base_; between + this band and the termen there is a fine wavy white transverse line. _The + hind-wings are dull yellowish-brown near the base, becoming blackish + towards the termen; there is a small cream-coloured area near the base, + then two rather broad, slightly irregular, cream-coloured bands, and a + rather fine wavy white line near the termen._ The cilia of all the wings + are white, barred with blackish-brown. + +The perfect insect appears in January. + +Described and figured from the type specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection. + + +NOTOREAS CALLICRENA, Meyr. + +(_Pasithea callicrena_ Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 87. _Notoreas +callicrena_, ib. xviii. 184.) + +(Plate VIII., fig. 16.) + +A single specimen of this very handsome species was captured by Mr. Fereday +in the South Island, high on the mountains at the head of Lake Wakatipu. + + The expansion of the wings is 1-3/8 inches. _The fore-wings are deep + orange-brown, shaded with black near the base and in the vicinity of the + three cream-coloured transverse bands; the first of these bands is + situated near the base, the second at about one-third, and the third, + which is rather wavy, at about two-thirds_; there is a fine wavy white + line close to the termen. _The hind-wings are dark grey, with two broad + cream-coloured bands, the first near the base and the second near the + middle_; there is a slender wavy line near the termen. The cilia of all + the wings are cream-coloured, barred with brownish-black. + +The perfect insect appears in January, and evidently frequents high +mountains. + +Described and figured from the type-specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection. + + +{74}NOTOREAS NIPHOCRENA, Meyr. + +(_Pasithea niphocrena_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 88. _Notoreas +niphocrena_, ib. xviii. 184.) + +This species was discovered by Mr. Meyrick in the South Island, at Arthur's +Pass, West Coast Road. + + "The expansion of the wings of the female is from 24 to 25 mm. (1 inch). + Fore-wings moderate, termen rounded; rather dark fuscous, mixed and + obscurely striated with orange; a curved white subdentate line before + one-fourth, anteriorly blackish-margined; a similar white line beyond + one-fourth, posteriorly blackish-margined; space between these sometimes + suffused with orange; a slender irregularly dentate white fascia beyond + middle, rather strongly angulated in middle, anteriorly + blackish-margined, posteriorly closely followed by a dentate orange line; + a dentate orange line near termen, dilated on costa. Hind-wings moderate, + termen rounded; orange, lighter anteriorly; basal half dark fuscous mixed + with orange, its outer edge irregularly curved; a dentate subterminal + fascia and narrow terminal fascia dark fuscous, sometimes obscure. + +"Possibly when the male is known this may prove to be a _Dasyuris_. + +"I took two specimens on the mountain-side above Arthur's Pass at 4,500 +feet, in January."--(Meyrick.) + + +NOTOREAS SIMPLEX, n. sp. + +(Plate VIII., fig. 26.) + +A single specimen of this species was captured on Mount Arthur in the South +Island. + + The expansion of the wings is about 1-1/8 inches. _The fore-wings are + bright ochreous; there are four broad black transverse bands near the + base, edged with white, and separated from one another by yellow spaces + of almost equal width_; the outermost of these bands is situated a little + more than half-way between the base and termen; the last two lines become + obsolete before they reach the costa; there are no other markings, except + a black shading on the termen near the tornus, which is traversed by an + obscure jagged paler line; the cilia are white barred with black. The + hind-wings are bright orange-yellow, without markings; the cilia are + ochreous. + +The perfect insect appears in January. + +The type-specimen was taken on the mountain-side, at an elevation of about +4,000 feet. + + +NOTOREAS FEROX, Butl. + + (_Fidonia ferox_, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 392, pl. xlii. 8. + _Pasithea ferox_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 88. _Notoreas ferox_, + ib. xviii. 184.) + +(Plate VIII., fig. 17.) + +Two specimens of this species were captured by Mr. J. D. Enys, at Castle +Hill in the South Island. + + The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. The fore-wings are dull + brown, with numerous fine, wavy, dusky lines and a faint dot above the + middle. The hind-wings are orange-yellow, dotted with black near the + base; _there is a rather broad_ STRAIGHT _transverse black band near the + middle, followed by a much finer wavy line; there are three fine, wavy + lines parallel with the termen, and the termen itself is finely bordered + with black._ + +Described and figured from a specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection. + + +NOTOREAS ZOPYRA, Meyr. + +(_Pasithea zopyra_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 89. _Notoreas zopyra_, +ib. xviii. 184.) + +(Plate VIII., figs. 18 and 19, varieties.) + +This bright-looking little species has occurred at Mount Arthur and at +Mount Hutt, in the South Island. + + The expansion of the wings is about ¾ inch. The fore-wings are _dark + bluish-grey_, with numerous slender, wavy, blackish transverse lines, and + a distinct blackish dot above the middle. The hind-wings are _bright + orange_, speckled with grey near the base and dorsum; there are from two + to four very fine, wavy, broken, blackish, transverse lines, and the + termen is narrowly bordered with black. + +{75}The perfect insect appears in January, frequenting shingle flats on the +mountain sides, at about 4,000 feet above the sea-level. It flies rapidly +in the hottest sunshine, and, when it alights on the stones, is extremely +difficult to find. The brilliant hind-wings, which are very conspicuous +when the moth is flying, quite disqualify the eye from detecting the +extremely obscure object, which the insect instantly becomes when resting +with its fore-wings alone exposed. This method of increasing the value of +protective tints by means of bright colours temporarily displayed was very +clearly described, I believe for the first time, by Lord Walsingham in his +address to the Fellows of the Entomological Society of London, in January, +1891. It is certainly well exemplified by this and several other species of +the genus _Notoreas_, and it will be at once noticed by the collector, how +extremely difficult it is to follow these active little moths, as they fly +with short and rapid flight over the grey rocks and stones, with which +their fore-wings so completely harmonize; the momentary glimpse obtained of +the brilliant hind-wings so completely deceives the eye, that there is much +more difficulty in marking the spot where the insect alights, than would +have been the case if the brilliant colour had never been displayed. + + +NOTOREAS VULCANICA, Meyr. + +(_Pasithea vulcanica_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 89. _Notoreas +vulcanica_, ib. xviii. 184.) + +(Plate VIII., fig. 24.) + +This species has been taken in the North Island at Makotuku, and the Kaweka +Range, in the Hawkes Bay District. + + The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. The fore-wings are _very dark + blackish-grey_; there is a rather narrow black transverse line near the + base, another at about one-third; then a small black dot, followed by a + wavy, rather broad, black band, and two cloudy wavy black transverse + lines near the termen. The hind-wings are _very dark orange; there is a + large black basal patch, then a broad black band joining the basal patch + near the dorsum; beyond this is a fine black line, then another broad + black line followed by a very fine wavy line of the orange ground colour; + the termen is very broadly margined with black_. + +The perfect insect appears from January to March. Mr. Meyrick states that +he found it resting on the roads near Makotuku. + +Described and figured from a specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection. + + +NOTOREAS BREPHOS, Walk. + + (_Fidonia brephosata_, Walk. 1037; Butl., Cat. pl. iii. 14. _Larentia + catocalaria_, Gn., E. M. M. v. 62. _Fidonia brephos_, Feld. cxxix. 5. + _Pasithea brephos_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 89. _Notoreas + brephos_, ib. xviii. 184.) + +(Plate VIII., figs. 20, 21, 22, and 23, varieties.) + +This very pretty species is common, and generally distributed throughout +the country. + + The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. The fore-wings are dark grey; + there is a wavy black line near the base, two similar lines enclosing a + very broad central area, with a black dot a little above the middle; + beyond this there is a more or less distinct wavy band of pale grey or + brown; there are several obscure wavy blackish lines near the termen. The + hind-wings are bright orange, dotted with grey near the base and dorsum, + with from two to four more or less distinct wavy black transverse lines, + generally rather narrow; the termen is moderately broadly bordered with + black. + +This insect is extremely variable, and, so far as I can judge from an +extensive series, several of the varieties appear to indicate that both +_Notoreas zopyra_ and _N. vulcanica_ may ultimately have to be ranked as +varieties of _N. brephos_, but the evidence on this point is not yet +conclusive enough to render such a course at present desirable. + +{76}The perfect insect appears from December to March. It is very active, +and is extremely fond of settling on roads or bare ground in the hot +sunshine, instantly darting away on the approach of an enemy. It is also +common on the mountains, and is often found at elevations of from 3,000 to +4,000 feet above the sea-level. + + +NOTOREAS OMICHLIAS, Meyr. + +(_Pasithea omichlias_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 90. _Notoreas +omichlias_, ib. xviii. 184.) + +(Plate VIII., fig. 25.) + +Two specimens of this dull-looking little species were captured at Castle +Hill, by Mr. J. D. Enys. + + The expansion of the wings is 7/8 inch. _All the wings are dark grey_; + the fore-wings have several obscure blackish marks near the base, _a dull + black spot on the costa at about one-third with a yellowish centre; + beyond this there are four similar spots forming a transverse band_, and + several more or less conspicuous wavy blackish lines near the termen. The + hind-wings have several obscure wavy blackish transverse lines near the + base and dorsum; the cilia are pale grey, obscurely barred with darker + grey. + +The perfect insect was taken "high up" on the mountains, probably at an +elevation of about 5,000 feet. + +This species is probably often overlooked through being mistaken for +_Xanthorhoe cinerearia_. + + +Genus 15.--SAMANA, Walk. + + "Face loosely haired. Palpi long, straight, porrected, attenuated. + Antennæ in male dentate, ciliated (1). Fore-wings with vein 6 rising + below 9, 7 from below angle of areole, 10 anastomosing strongly with 9, + 11 anastomosing strongly with 10, 12 free. Hind-wings + normal."--(Meyrick.) + +Of this genus we have two species in New Zealand. + + +SAMANA FALCATELLA, Walk. + +(_Samana falcatella_, Walk. xxvii. 197. _Panagra falcatella_, Meyr., Trans. +N. Z. Inst. xvi. 93. _Samana falcatella_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvii. +65.) + +(Plate VIII., fig. 36.) + +This unusual-looking species has occurred in the South Island, at Nelson +and at Dunedin. + + The expansion of the wings is 1¼ inches. The fore-wings are very pale + ochreous, speckled with grey; _there is a very fine longitudinal black + streak from a little beyond the base to considerably before the middle, + slightly clouded above; an elongate dot above the middle; a very oblique + slightly curved black streak from near the apex to the middle of the + dorsum, edged with white towards the base, and clouded with brown towards + the termen_; the apex of the wing is very acute. The hind-wings are + white, with a black dot above the middle. + +The perfect insect appears in February. It is apparently a rare species. + + +SAMANA ACUTATA, Butl. + +(_Samana acutata_, Butl., P. Z. S. L. 1877, 401; Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. +xvii. 67.) + +The type-specimen of this species exists in the collection of the British +Museum. According to Mr. Meyrick, who made a cursory examination of it, the +species differs from _S. falcatella_ in the following respects:-- + + The first dark line runs from the dorsum near the base to below the costa + before the middle; the lower extremity of the second line is connected + with the tornus by an oblique streak. + + +{77}Family 2.--STERRHIDÆ. + + "Face smooth. Tongue developed. Palpi shortly rough-scaled. Fore-wings + with vein 10 rising out of 9, 11 anastomosing or connected with 9. + Hind-wings with vein 5 fully developed, rising from middle of transverse + vein, parallel to 4, 8 very shortly anastomosing with upper margin of + cell near base, thence rapidly diverging."--(Meyrick.) (See Plate II., + figs. 49 and 50.) + +Although less numerous than the preceding, the family is pretty evenly +distributed throughout the world, but poorly represented in New Zealand. We +have only one genus, viz., LEPTOMERIS. + + +Genus 1.--LEPTOMERIS, Hb. + + "Antennæ in male ciliated with fascicles. Posterior tibia in male dilated + without spurs, in female with all spurs present. Hind-wings with veins 6 + and 7 sometimes stalked (variable in the same species)."--(Meyrick.) (See + Plate II., figs. 49 and 50.) + +We have one species, which also occurs in Australia. + + +LEPTOMERIS RUBRARIA, Dbld. + + (_Ptychopoda_ (?) _rubraria_, Dbld., Dieff. N. Z. ii. 286; Walk. 781. + _Fidonia_ (?) _acidaliaria_, Walk. 1037. _Acidalia figlinaria_, Gn. ix. + 454, pl. xii. 8. _Acidalia rubraria_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 57.) + +(Plate VIII., fig. 37 [M], 38 [F].) + +This pretty little insect is very common, and generally distributed +throughout the country. + + The expansion of the wings is about 7/8 inch. _The fore-wings are + reddish-ochreous with three dull brown wavy transverse lines_, the first + rather narrow at about one-fourth, the second slightly broader at about + one-half, the third much broader, and sometimes partially divided near + the costa; there is a black central dot, a series of rather large dull + brown spots near the termen, and a chain of minute black dots on the + termen. _The hind-wings are pinkish-ochreous; there is a dull brown wavy + transverse band near the base, then two close together a little beyond + one-half, a shading on the termen, and a very distinct series of minute + black terminal dots._ The cilia of all the wings are dull brown, mixed + with reddish-ochreous. + +There is often considerable variation in the intensity of the colouring of +this insect, some specimens being much darker than others, but the markings +are very constant, and the species is thus always easily recognizable. + +The eggs are yellowish-white, and very large for the size of the moth. + +The young larva is brownish-purple with a dull white line on each side. The +food-plant is unknown. + +The perfect insect appears in January, February and March. In the late +summer and autumn it frequents dried-up, weedy pastures, where it is often +extremely abundant. Straggling specimens, which have probably hibernated +during the winter, may also be taken in the early spring. + +Mr. Meyrick states that this species occurs very commonly in New South +Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania, and that there is no difference between +Australian and New Zealand specimens.[41] + + +Family 3.--MONOCTENIADÆ. + + "Hind-wings with vein 5 fully developed, parallel to 4, rising from about + or below middle of transverse vein, 8 free or anastomosing shortly near + base or seldom from near base to beyond {78}middle (then without areole + of fore-wings), approximated to upper margin of cell to middle or + beyond." (See Plate II., figs. 44 and 45.) + + "Ovum subcylindrical, smooth. Larva more or less elongate, usually with + few hairs, prolegs on segments 7, 8, and sometimes 9 rudimentary or + absent. Pupa subterranean or in bark."--(Meyrick.) + +According to Mr. Meyrick this is to be regarded as a decaying family. In +Australia it is still prominent, being represented there by nearly 100 +known species. + +We have two genera represented in this country-- + +1. DICHROMODES. 2. THEOXENA. + + +Genus 1.--DICHROMODES, Gn. + + "Face smooth. Palpi long, straight, porrected, roughly scaled above and + beneath. Antennæ in male pectinated on inner side only. Fore-wings with + vein 6 from a point with 9, 7 from angle of areole, 10 anastomosing + moderately with 9, 11 separate, approximated to 10 in middle, 12 free. + Hind-wings with veins 6 and 7 separate, 8 free, closely approximated to 7 + from base to near transverse vein."--(Meyrick.) (See Plate II., figs. 44 + and 45, neuration of _D. petrina_.) + +There are three species belonging to this genus known in New Zealand. + + +DICHROMODES NIGRA, Butl. + +(_Cacopsodos niger_, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc., Lond. 1877, 395, pl. xliii. +4. _Dichromodes nigra_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 60.) + +(Plate VIII., fig. 40.) + +This little insect has been taken at Nelson. + + The expansion of the wings is 7/8 inch. _All the wings are dull black. + The fore-wings have a darker central area, bordered by two jagged pale + grey transverse lines_, the first at about one-third and the second at + about two-thirds; there is also a faint line near the termen. The + hind-wings have a very obscure dark central line. + +The perfect insect appears in February. It occurs quite commonly on the +track to the Dun Mountain, near Nelson, frequenting openings in the birch +forest, where it may be captured at rest on bare ground in the hot +sunshine, at elevations of from 1,500 to 2,000 feet. + + +DICHROMODES GYPSOTIS, Meyr. + +(_Cacopsodos niger_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 94 (nec Butl.). +_Dichromodes gypsotis_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 60.) + +This insect was discovered by Mr. Meyrick at Lake Wakatipu in the South +Island. + + The expansion of the wings of the female is 13 mm. (½ inch). "Fore-wings + rather narrow, costa sinuate, termen sinuate; white, slightly mixed with + grey; dorsum narrowly grey; a slender black fascia almost at base; a + slender black fascia at one-third, dentate inwards above middle, dilated + on costa; a slender black fascia beyond middle, sharply angulated in + middle, dilated on costa, connected below middle with preceding fascia by + a suffused bar; close beyond this a rather broad parallel grey fascia; an + indistinct grey subterminal line. Hind-wings moderate; termen rounded + dark grey."--(Meyrick.) + +Taken in December, at an elevation of about 1,500 feet above the sea-level. + + +DICHROMODES PETRINA, Meyr. + +(_Dichromodes petrina_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxiv. 216.) + +(Plate VIII., fig. 39.) + +This dull-looking little insect has occurred at Paikakariki and Wellington +in the North Island, and at Kekerangu in the South Island. + + The expansion of the wings is ¾ inch. _The fore-wings are dull + greenish-grey; there is a {79}black, wavy, somewhat broken transverse + line at about one-third, and another at about two-thirds, enclosing a + slightly darker central band, with a black dot above middle_; there is + also a darker shading on the termen, and an obscure wavy paler line. _The + hind-wings are grey_, with an obscure wavy central line. + +The perfect insect appears in January, February and March. It frequents +dry, open, sunny situations, generally alighting on paths or roads. It is +also attracted by light. + + +Genus 2.--THEOXENA, Meyr. + + "Palpi moderate, triangularly scaled, porrected. Antennæ in male + bi-ciliated with long tufts of cilia (5). Fore-wings with vein 6 from + below 9, 7 from angle of areole, 10 out of 9 above 7, 11 anastomosing + shortly with 9, 12 free, closely approximated to 11 on areole. Hind-wings + with veins 6 and 7 from a point or short-stalked, 8 free, closely + approximated to 7 from base to near transverse vein."--(Meyrick.) + +We have one species. + + +THEOXENA SCISSARIA, Gn. + +(_Panagra scissaria_, Gn., E. M. M. v. 43. _Theoxena scissaria_, Meyr., +Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 56.) + +(Plate VIII., fig. 41.) + +This delicate-looking species has occurred at Christchurch. + + The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. _All the wings are white. The + fore-wings have a longitudinal, slightly curved black line, extending + from a little beyond the base, almost as far as the termen below the + apex_; above this line there is a black dot at about one-third; the apex + of the fore-wing is slightly hooked, and there is a row of minute black + dots on the termen of both fore- and hind-wings. + +The perfect insect appears in January. According to Mr. Fereday it +frequents the plains near Christchurch, and towards the foot of Mount Hutt. + +Described and figured from a specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection. + + +Family 4.--ORTHOSTIXIDÆ. + + "Hind-wings with vein 5 fully developed, rising from about middle of + transverse vein, 8 connected with upper margin of cell by an oblique bar + towards base."--(Meyrick.) (See Plate II., figs. 46 and 47.) + +This small family is represented in New Zealand by a single genus only. The +peculiar oblique bar connecting vein 8 with the cell towards base, combined +with the development of vein 5, distinguish it from all other families. If +there is any chance of confusion with those forms of _Hydriomenidæ_ in +which vein 8 is also connected by a bar (though in them the bar is placed +beyond and not before the middle of cell), the absence of the +characteristic areole of the _Hydriomenidæ_ will be a further test. + + +Genus 1.--EPIRRANTHIS, Hb. + + "Face with appressed scales. Tongue developed. Palpi very short or + moderate, porrected or subascending, rough-scaled. Antennæ in male evenly + ciliated. Thorax rather hairy beneath. Femora glabrous; posterior tibiæ + with all spurs present. Fore-wings with vein 10 anastomosing with 9, 11 + anastomosing with 12 and 10 before 9. Hind-wings with 6 and 7 + separate."--(Meyrick.) (Plate II., figs. 46 and 47, neuration of + _Epirranthis alectoraria_; fig. 48, head of ditto.) + +Represented in New Zealand by two species. + + +{80}EPIRRANTHIS ALECTORARIA, Walk. + + (_Lyrcea alectoraria_, Walk. 259; Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 95. + _Aspilates_ (?) _primata_, Walk. 1076; Butl., Cat. pl. iii. 4. _Endropia + mixtaria_, Walk. 1506; Butl., Cat. pl. iii. 5. _Amilapis_ (?) + _acroiaria_, Feld. cxxiii. 6. _Lyrcea varians_, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. + 496. _Ploseria alectoraria_, Hdsn., Manual N. Z. Ent. 86.) + +(Plate VIII., figs. 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, and 47, varieties; Plate III., fig. +24, larva.) + +This species has occurred in tolerable abundance at many localities in both +the North and the South Islands. It is probably generally distributed +throughout the country. + + The expansion of the wings is from 1 inch to 1½ inches. The wings range + in colour from pale yellow to dark orange-brown, dark reddish-brown, or + even dull brown, with innumerable intermediate tints. There is often a + central transverse line reaching from the costa of the fore-wing to the + dorsum of the hind-wing. Many of the varieties are speckled with darker + colour; others have irregular yellow patches, generally situated on the + fore-wings just below the apex and on the dorsum near the base; there are + often two white dots near the apex of the fore-wings. + +Most of the varieties closely resemble the varied hues of fading leaves. In +many of the forms greyish speckled marks occur on various parts of the +wings, no doubt imitating the irregular patches of mould which are often +present on dead leaves. One very well-marked variety is bright yellow, with +the costa rosy and two large white-centred rosy spots arranged transversely +on each wing. (See Plate VIII., fig. 47.) All the specimens of this insect +are so extremely variable that it is almost impossible to adequately +describe the species. The apex of the fore-wing is always very acute; the +termen is bowed just below the apex, and is furnished with slight +indentations of variable depth. The termen of the hind-wing is also +furnished with variable indentations. + + The egg is oval and much flattened above. When first laid it is pale + green in colour, but becomes dull olive-green as the embryo develops. + + The young larva is _very pale green_, with the head brownish-yellow. At + this early stage its colouring already completely harmonises with that of + the under side of the leaves of its food-plants, _Pittosporum + eugenioides_ and _P. tenuifolium_. + + The full-grown larva is very robust, and about 1 inch in length. Its + colour is pale green, with numerous yellow dots and a series of diagonal + yellow stripes on each segment; there is, in addition, a series of broad + crimson blotches on the back and a small crimson flap projecting from the + end of the terminal segment; the prolegs and spiracles are also crimson. + +The remarkable shape and colouring of this caterpillar, in conjunction with +the peculiar attitude assumed when at rest, affords it complete protection, +causing it to resemble, in the closest possible manner, one of the buds of +its food-plant. These larvæ grow very slowly, and probably occupy three or +four months in attaining their full size. They are very sluggish in their +habits. The pupa is greenish-brown in colour. It is enclosed in a cocoon, +constructed of two or three leaves of the food-plant, fastened together +with silk. The insect remains in this condition for three weeks or a month. +The moth first appears about the end of October, and is met with until the +middle of March. It frequents forest, where it is occasionally dislodged +from amongst the undergrowth. It is also found in the evening on the +flowers of the white rata. It is, however, rather uncertain in its +appearance, being much commoner in some years than in others. + + +EPIRRANTHIS HEMIPTERARIA, Gn. + + (_Hemerophila hemipteraria_, Gn. ix. 220, pl. vi. 2. _Xyridacina + hemipteraria_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 60. _Ploseria hemipteraria_, + Hdsn., Manual N. Z. Ent. 85.) + +(Plate VIII., fig. 48 [M], 49 [F]; Plate III., fig. 19, larva.) + +This remarkable-looking species has occurred in the North Island, at +Auckland and Wellington. At present it has not been observed in the South +Island. + + {81}The expansion of the wings is from 1-3/8 to 1-5/8 inches. All the + wings are pale ochreous-brown, with a variable number of minute black + dots; there are four or five oblique, wavy brown transverse lines on both + fore- and hind-wings, the central and terminal lines being often slightly + darker than the others; there is always a black dot in the middle of the + fore-wing, and a shaded spot near the termen below the apex. The apex of + _the hind-wing is very pointed and projects downwards; the almost + straight termen has a series of prominent projections_. + +This species varies much in the intensity of the markings, and in the +number of the black dots on both the fore- and hind-wings. The peculiar +outline of its hind-wings, however, distinguishes it from any other species +with which I am acquainted. + +The larva feeds on veronicas in September and October. + + Its length when full grown is about 1 inch. Some larvæ are green, with a + broad bluish dorsal line, and two fine yellow lateral lines. Others are + brown, with a dull yellow dorsal line. + +During the daytime these caterpillars firmly clasp the stem of their +food-plant with their prolegs, and hold the rest of their body rigidly out +from the branch. In this position they are very inconspicuous, and may +readily be mistaken for young leaves or twigs. At night they become much +more active, and may then be seen walking about and feeding. + +The pupa is rather robust, with a sharp spine at its extremity. Its colour +is pale olive-brown, with the wing-cases and sides of the abdomen pinkish. +It is not enclosed in any cocoon, but is merely concealed amongst the dead +leaves and rubbish around the stem of the veronica. The insect remains in +this state for less than a month, so that the protection of a cocoon would +appear to be unnecessary. + +The moth appears in December and January. It usually frequents gardens and +other cultivated places, probably on account of the number of veronicas +that are often growing in such situations. It is also attracted by blossoms +and by light, but is not a common species. The colouring and wing-outline +of this moth cause it to very closely resemble a dead leaf, especially when +resting amongst foliage or on the ground. This insect may be occasionally +noticed abroad on mild evenings in the middle of winter; the females +probably hibernate and deposit their eggs early in the spring. + + +Family 5.--SELIDOSEMIDÆ. + + "Hind-wings with vein 5 imperfect (not tubular) or obsolete, 6 and 7 + usually separate, 8 usually obsoletely connected with upper margin of + cell near base, approximated to near middle." (See Plate II., figs. 51 to + 64.) + +"A very large family, equally common throughout all regions. It varies +considerably in superficial appearance, and is also remarkable for the +variability of structure of veins 10 and 11 of the fore-wings in many (not +all) species. Imago with body slender to rather stout; fore-wings broad to +rather elongate, triangular; posterior tibiæ of male often enlarged and +enclosing an expansible tuft of hairs. The structure termed the fovea is a +circular impression on the lower surface of the fore-wings above the dorsum +near the base, usually placed about the origin of the basal fork of 1_b_; +it is generally confined to the male, and is often sub-hyaline, sometimes +surmounted by a small thickened gland; it may possibly be a scent-producing +organ. It is strictly confined to that branch of which _Selidosema_ is the +type, but is not invariably present there. + + "Ovum subcylindrical or elongate-ovate, more or less reticulated, + sometimes ribbed. Larva elongate, more or less slender, with few hairs, + without developed prolegs on segments 7, 8, and usually 9; often + remarkably like a twig of its food-plant. Pupa subterranean, or in a + slight cocoon above ground."--(Meyrick.) + +{82}Of this extensive family we have nine genera represented in New +Zealand: + + 1. SELIDOSEMA. + 2. HYBERNIA. + 3. CHALASTRA. + 4. SESTRA. + 5. GONOPHYLLA. + 6. DREPANODES. + 7. AZELINA. + 8. IPANA. + 9. DECLANA. + +Genus 1.--SELIDOSEMA, Hb. + + "Face with appressed or shortly projecting scales. Tongue developed. + Antennæ in male bipectinated, towards apex simple. Palpi rough-scaled. + Thorax sometimes crested posteriorly, hairy beneath. Femora nearly + glabrous; posterior tibiæ in male dilated. Fore-wings in male with fovea; + vein 10 sometimes connected with 9, 11 sometimes out of 10 near base + only, or if separate, sometimes anastomosing with 12."--(Meyrick.) (Plate + II., figs. 59 and 60, neuration of _Selidosema dejectaria_.) + +This genus is universally distributed and of considerable extent. We have +nine species in New Zealand. + + +SELIDOSEMA FENERATA, Feld. + +(_Rhyparia fenerata_, Feld. cxxxi. 7. _Zylobara fenerata_, Butl., Cist. +Ent. ii. 498. Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 97.) + +(Plate VIII., fig. 50 [M], 51 [F].) + +This species is common, and generally distributed throughout the country. + + The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. The fore-wings of the male + are _very pale_ ochreous-brown; there is a double jagged transverse line + near the base, a single jagged line a little before the middle, and a + double one a little beyond the middle; an almost continuous jagged line + near the termen. The hind-wings are very pale ochreous, almost white; + _their outline is peculiar; the dorsum is very short, the termen very + long, first oblique and then rounded with a small projection midway + between the apex and the tornus_. The female has the fore-wings pale + grey, and the hind-wings dull white; the markings resemble those of the + male, but the outline of the hind-wing is of the usual form. + +This insect varies slightly in the depth of its colouring. It may be +distinguished from the allied species by the peculiar outline of the +hind-wings in the male, and by the pale grey colouring of the female. + +The perfect insect appears from October till March and is very common. It +has a great liking for the faded fronds of tree-ferns, from which specimens +may often be dislodged. Both sexes are very abundant at various blossoms +during the evening, and are also attracted by light. The female is +sometimes observed in the winter months, and probably hibernates. + + +SELIDOSEMA RUDIATA, Walk. + +(_Cidaria rudiata_, Walk. 1420. _Boarmia astrapia_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. +Inst. xxii. 218. _Boarmia rudiata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxiii. 101.) + +(Plate IX., fig. 1 [M], 2 [F].) + +This species is fairly common in the neighbourhood of Wellington, and has +occurred at Dunedin, and at Stewart Island. It is probably generally +distributed throughout the country. + + The expansion of the wings of the male is 1½ inches, of the female 1-5/8 + inches. The fore-wings are _very pale ochreous-brown_; there are two + interrupted jagged transverse lines near the base; a single very + indistinct line in the middle; a double, nearly continuous jagged + transverse line beyond the middle; a double jagged line near the termen + completely interrupted in the middle; there is generally a dark patch on + the termen just below the apex of the wing. The hind-wings are very pale + ochreous. There is a series of black dots on the termen of both + fore-wings and hind-wings, and the termen of the hind-wing is slightly + indented. + +This species varies a good deal in size; the specimens from Stewart Island +are {83}considerably larger and have more distinct markings, than those +found in the vicinity of Wellington. + +The larva is cylindrical, of even thickness throughout, and almost uniform +dull greyish-brown in colour, occasionally with a series of small oblong +black marks on segments 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. It feeds on the young leaves and +buds of the ake ake (_Olearia traversii_). It is extremely difficult to +find as it almost exactly resembles a twig of its food-plant. It is full +grown about April. + +The pupa is concealed in the earth. + +The perfect insect appears from October till March. It seems to prefer +cultivated districts, and is generally observed at rest on garden fences or +tree-trunks. It also frequents flowers in the evening. + + +SELIDOSEMA SUAVIS, Butl. + + (_Pseudocoremia suavis_, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 497. _Pachycnemia + usitata_, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 501. _Pseudocoremia lupinata_, Meyr., + Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 98. _Boarmia suavis_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. + xxiii. 101.) + +(Plate IX., fig. 3 [M], 4 [F].) + +This species is very common and generally distributed throughout the +country, and has occurred as far south as Stewart Island. + + The expansion of the wings is 1¼ inches. The fore-wings of the male are + _dull yellowish-brown, speckled with black_; there are two curved + transverse lines near the base; a very obscure line near the middle, + darker on the costa; two doubly curved lines beyond the middle, slightly + darker on the dorsum; and two very faint jagged lines near the termen. + The hind-wings are pale ochreous, tinged with brown near the termen. The + female has narrower wings, shorter body, and is usually duller in colour + than the male. + +This insect is rather variable, some specimens of both sexes being much +darker than others; but all the forms may usually be recognised by their +dull speckled colouring and absence of conspicuous markings. + +The larva feeds on the white rata (_M. scandens_) and the tawa +(_Beilschmiedia tawa_). + + Its length when full grown is about 1-1/8 inches. The upper surface is + dark reddish-brown with numerous blackish stripes and white markings, + which give it a very variegated appearance; the under side is pale green; + there are two small tubercles on the back of the eighth segment. + +The pupa is concealed amongst refuse on the ground, the larva constructing +no cocoon before changing. + +The perfect insect appears from October till April, and may often be +observed on mild days in the middle of winter. It is common in forest +districts, where it is usually seen resting on the tree-trunks, in which +situation its colouring must afford it efficient protection from many +enemies. + + +SELIDOSEMA HUMILLIMA, n. sp. + +(Plate IX., fig. 5.) + +This inconspicuous-looking insect has occurred at Wellington. + + The expansion of the wings of the male is about 1-1/8 inches. _The + fore-wings are dull yellowish-brown; there are three short oblique dark + brown stripes on the costa, inclined very much towards the termen_; the + first of these stripes is distinctly double, and the second and third + partially so; there is an indistinct brown mark just below the apex, + several slender faint streaks on the veins near the middle of the wing, + and a very distinct brown shading on the dorsum. The hind-wings are very + pale ochreous. + +This species may be readily distinguished from the other species of the +genus by its small size and by the obliquity of the costal stripes. In _S. +humillima_ the costal markings slope very rapidly from the base towards the +termen; in the {84}other allied species these markings are but slightly +inclined, and in some cases slope in the reverse direction. + +The perfect insect appears from December till March. It frequents the +immediate neighbourhood of Wellington, but is not a common species. At +present I am only acquainted with the male insect. + + +SELIDOSEMA PRODUCTATA, Walk. + + (_Larentia productata_, Walk. 1197 (?). _Selidosema pungata_, Feld. + cxxxi. 23. _Selidosema_ (?) _fragosata_, Feld. cxxxi. 29. _Zylobara + productata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 98.) + +(Plate IX., figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 [M] varieties, 11, 12, 13, and 14 [F] +ditto; Plate III., fig. 22, larva.) + +This species is very common, and generally distributed throughout both the +North and South Islands. It has also occurred at Stewart Island. + +The expansion of the wings of the male is 1-3/8 inches, of the female 1-1/8 +inches. + + The fore-wings vary from pale yellowish-brown to rich chocolate-brown; + there are two curved transverse lines near the base, generally enclosing + a paler stripe between them; next a broad dark central area; then a wavy + paler transverse line, usually followed by a very much paler irregular + band, generally formed by two partially disconnected patches, one on the + costa and one on the dorsum; there is a jagged, whitish, transverse line + near the termen, _always broken in the middle_, and often shaded with + black towards the base of the wing. The hind-wings are ochreous, speckled + with brown towards the dorsum; there is usually a brown central dot. + +This is an extremely variable insect. In some specimens there are very +extensive white patches on the wings, whilst in others the colouring is +almost uniform rich brown, and the characteristic markings can only be +detected with difficulty. It may, however, be distinguished from the allied +species by the _interrupted pale jagged transverse line near the termen and +by the absence of greenish colouring_. + + The eggs are oval with the surface honeycombed; they are pale green in + colour. + + The young larva, when first hatched, is much attenuated, light + reddish-brown with a broad pale lateral stripe, and a few bristles. The + full-grown larva measures about 1½ inches in length; it is rather slender + and has a large hump on the sixth segment. Its colour is dark + reddish-brown, mottled and striped with dull white and greenish. + +It feeds on the white rata (_Metrosideros scandens_). During the day it +firmly grasps a stem of its food-plant with its prolegs, holding the rest +of its body out from the branch in a perfectly straight and rigid position. +When in this attitude it so exactly resembles a twig, that, even in the +case of captive specimens, it is often a matter of the greatest difficulty +to find a caterpillar amongst the branches. Several times I have even +caught hold of a larva, thinking it to be a twig, so perfect is the +resemblance. At night these larvæ become much more active, and by the aid +of a lantern they may then be seen busily walking about and feeding. + +The pupa is enclosed in a slight cocoon about two inches below the surface +of the earth. The larvæ of the autumnal brood remain in this condition +during the winter, but in the case of the spring and summer broods the pupa +state only occupies a few weeks. + +The moth appears from November till May. It is very common in forest +regions, and may be observed resting on the trunks of the trees, its pale +yellow hind-wings being completely concealed by the mottled brown +fore-wings. In this position the insect is almost invisible, and the +protection afforded by its colouring is at once apparent. In the autumn +evenings it is often very abundant at the blossoms of the white rata. + + +{85}SELIDOSEMA ARISTARCHA, Meyr. + +(_Selidosema aristarcha_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxiv. 216.) + +(Plate IX., fig. 17 [M], 18 [F]; Plate III., fig. 17, larva.) + +Of this fine species only about a dozen specimens have hitherto been +captured, all of which have occurred in the immediate vicinity of +Wellington. It is consequently at present a rarity, but future collectors +will probably find the insect in many other parts of the country. + + The expansion of the wings varies from 1¼ to 1½ inches. The fore-wings + are light ochreous-brown; there is a small white-edged brown spot near + the base; two oblique curved brown transverse lines enclosing between + them a white space towards the dorsum; a short stripe on the costa, near + the middle, edged with white towards the base of the wing; a doubly + curved transverse line beyond the middle, finely edged with white towards + the base of the wing; there is also a short white-edged brown stripe + extending from the apex of the wing to the last-named transverse line, + the two lines enclosing between them a small pale triangular area; there + are five short longitudinal brown lines running from the termen to the + outermost of the transverse lines, two of them being tipped with white + towards the base of the wing. The hind-wings are dull ochreous-brown, + with two very faint brown transverse lines towards the dorsum, and + several whitish spots and one brown spot near the tornus. The female is a + little darker in colour than the male. + +This insect varies slightly in size. + +The larva feeds on _Cyathea dealbata_ (tree-fern) in September. Its colour +is dull reddish-brown with an irregular brownish-black blotch on the side +of each segment, and a dark brown dorsal line. It is very sluggish in its +habits. + +The pupa is concealed amongst moss, &c., on the surface of the ground, the +insect remaining in this state for about six weeks. + +The moth appears from September till March, and frequents dense forests. It +has been dislodged from its food-plant in the daytime, and has also been +taken on the flowers of the white rata in the evening. + + +SELIDOSEMA MELINATA, Feld. + + (_Numeria melinata_, Feld. cxxix. 9. _Pseudocoremia indistincta_, Butl., + Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 394, pl. xliii. 8. _Pseudocoremia melinata_, + Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 99.) + +(Plate IX., fig. 15 [M], 16 [F].) + +This species is very common, and generally distributed throughout the +country. + + The expansion of the wings of the male is 1¼ inches, of the female 1½ + inches. The fore-wings are _dull greenish-grey_, with black markings; + there is a transverse line near the base; another near the middle, + followed by two broken irregular lines, then a broader, paler area + sometimes white, followed by a series of jagged pale markings shaded with + black. The hind-wings are ochreous mottled with pale brown near the + dorsum; there is a series of black dots on the termen of both fore- and + hind-wings. + +This species is extremely variable, but may always be recognised by its +greenish tinge, and the absence of indentations on the termen of both fore- +and hind-wings. + +The larva, according to Mr. Purdie, is about ¾ inch long; dull green with +darker longitudinal striations. It may be beaten from New Zealand broom +(_Carmichælia_) in February. There must be some other commoner food-plant, +as the moth is found in many localities where the New Zealand broom does +not occur. + +The perfect insect appears from November till March, and is generally very +abundant in all wooded districts. It is also common in birch forests on the +mountain sides, where it may be taken at altitudes of from 3,000 to 4,000 +feet above the sea-level. {86}In the lowlands I have observed as many as +half a dozen specimens on a single tree-trunk. Whilst resting in this +situation they are very inconspicuous, the colouring of the fore-wings +harmonizing perfectly with the insect's surroundings, and the pale-coloured +hind-wings being then entirely concealed by the upper pair. In connection +with this fact it is very interesting to notice that in all those cases +where the hind-wings are exposed to view during repose, they are +protectively coloured in a similar manner to the fore-wings. It will be +observed that the two following species of _Selidosema_ exhibit protective +colouring on both pairs of wings, these being invariably exposed when the +insects are at rest. + + +SELIDOSEMA DEJECTARIA. + + (_Boarmia dejectaria_, Walk. 394. _Boarmia attracta_, Walk. 394. _Boarmia + exprompta_, Walk. 395. _Tephrosia patularia_, Walk. 422; Butl., Cat., pl. + iii. 8. _Tephrosia scriptaria_, Walk. 422. _Scotosia erebinata_, Walk. + 1358. _Scotosia stigmaticata_, Walk. 1359. _Scotosia lignosata_, Walk. + 1361. _Gnophos pannularia_, Gn., E. M. M. v. 42. _Scotopteryx maoriata_, + Feld. cxxvi. 4. _Hemerophila_ (?) _sulpitiata_, Feld. cxxvi. 7. + _Hemerophila caprimulgata_, Feld. cxxvi. 12. _Boarmia dejectaria_, Meyr., + Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 100.) + +(Plate IX., figs. 19, 20, 21 and 22 [M] varieties, 23 and 24 [F] ditto; +Plate III., fig. 12, larva.) + +This large insect is very common, and generally distributed throughout the +country. + + The expansion of the wings is from 1½ to 2 inches. The fore-wings vary + from pale ochreous to very dark rich brown; there is an oblique + transverse line near the base, often enclosing a darker basal area; a + small dark brown spot in the middle of the wing surrounded by a ring; a + very oblique, wavy, transverse line beyond the middle, often double + towards the dorsum, and several irregular markings on the termen; there + is often a white spot on the middle of the termen, and a pale blotch on + the apex of the wing. The hind-wings resemble the fore-wings in colour; + there are two obscure transverse lines near the base; generally forming a + dark basal area; a wavy line near the middle, and a strongly shaded line + near the termen. The termen of both the wings is indented, the depth of + the indentations varying greatly in different specimens. + +This insect is very variable, but its large size and _oblique transverse +lines_ suffice to distinguish it from any of the other allied species. + +The larva feeds on a great variety of plants, mahoe (_Melicytus +ramiflorus_), white rata (_Metrosideros scandens_), _Solanum aviculare_, +fuchsia (_Fuchsia excorticata_), and _Pennantia corymbosa_ being amongst +the number. The caterpillar may often be recognised by a large hump, which +is situated on each side of the third segment. Its colouring appears to be +so entirely influenced by its surroundings that a description is +impossible. For instance, larvæ taken from the pale green foliage of the +mahoe resemble in colour the twigs of that plant; others captured feeding +on the white rata are dark reddish-brown, those from _Solanum aviculare_ +are purplish slate-colour, whilst those from the fuchsia are pale +olive-green tinged with brown, like the sprouting twigs. + +The pupa is enclosed in a slight cocoon situated about two inches below the +surface of the ground. Those larvæ which become full grown in the autumn +remain as pupæ during the winter, but the summer broods only remain in the +pupa state a few weeks. + +The perfect insect appears from November till March. It has a great +partiality for resting with outspread wings on the walls of sheds and +outhouses, where it is frequently noticed by the most casual observer. It +is very common in most situations, and may be taken in large numbers at +sugar, light, or blossoms, during the whole of the summer. Its extreme +abundance and great variability, in both the larval and imago states, would +render it a good subject for a series of experiments, resembling those +conducted by Messrs. Poulton and Merrifield on several allied European +species. + + +{87}SELIDOSEMA PANAGRATA, Walk. + + (_Scotosia panagrata_, Walk. 1360. _Angerona menanaria_, Walk. 1500. + _Epirrhanthis_ (?) _antipodaria_, Feld. cxxvi. 3. _Hyperythra desiccata_, + Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 495. _Hyperythra arenacea_, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. + 495. _Barsine panagrata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 100.) + +(Plate IX., figs. 25, 26, 27, and 28 [M] varieties, 29 and 30 [F] ditto.) + +This species is very common, and generally distributed throughout the +country. It has occurred as far south as Stewart Island. + + The expansion of the wings is from 1½ to 1¾ inches. The fore-wings of the + male vary from pale yellowish-white to rich brown or dark brownish-black; + there is a jagged transverse line near the base; a large black or white + spot in the middle of the wing; a doubly curved transverse line beyond + the middle, then a very jagged transverse line, followed by several paler + markings, and an obscure line parallel with the termen. The hind-wings + are paler in colour; there is a slightly curved transverse line near the + base; a jagged line near the middle, and a very faint line beyond the + middle. The termen of both fore- and hind-wings is slightly indented. The + female varies from pale ochreous to dark slate-colour; the markings + resemble those of the male, but the termen of the wings is more indented. + +This species is so extremely variable that a more detailed description +would be useless; its numerous forms may, however, be at once recognised by +the _unbroken jagged transverse lines of both fore- and hind-wings_. + +The larva is quite as variable as the perfect insect. When very young it is +bright green, with a conspicuous white dorsal line; as age advances the +caterpillar becomes dark olive-brown, sometimes striped with paler brown or +green, whilst many specimens retain the green colouring throughout the +whole of their lives. The favourite food-plant is the kawa-kawa (_Piper +excelsum_), which the larvæ voraciously devour, thus causing the riddled +appearance which the leaves of that plant almost invariably present. These +larvæ often select a forked twig to rest in, where they lie curled round, +with the head and tail close together. Other food-plants are _Aristotelia +racemosa_ and _Myrtus bullata_. Those caterpillars found on the latter +plant are strongly tinged with pink, and are consequently very +inconspicuous amongst the young shoots, where they generally feed. The +burrows of the larvæ of _Hepialus virescens_ are frequently utilised by the +caterpillars, which feed on the _Aristotelia_, as convenient retreats +during the winter. When full-grown these caterpillars descend to the ground +and construct loose cocoons of silk and earth on the under sides of fallen +leaves. The moth usually emerges in about a month's time, but the autumnal +larvæ either hibernate or remain in the pupa state throughout the winter. + +The perfect insect appears from October till April. It frequents forest and +is extremely common. It also occurs in great abundance on the white rata +blossoms in the autumn, and specimens may be occasionally seen even in the +depth of winter. + + +Genus 2.--HYBERNIA, Latr. + + "Face with appressed scales or short rough scales. Tongue developed or + weak. Antennæ in male bi-pectinated, pectinations sometimes short and + terminating in fascicles of cilia, apex simple. Palpi shortly + rough-scaled. Thorax with small triangular anterior crest, hairy beneath. + Femora glabrous; posterior tibiæ in male not dilated. Fore-wings in male + without fovea; vein 10 sometimes out of 9, sometimes anastomosing or + connected with 9, 11 sometimes out of 10, usually anastomosing with or + running into 12, rarely absent. Female semiapterous or + apterous."--(Meyrick.) + +We have one species. + + +{88}HYBERNIA INDOCILIS, Walk. + +(_Zermizinga indocilisaria_, Walk. 1530. _Hybernia boreophilaria_, Gn., E. +M. M. v. 61. _Hybernia indocilis_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 97.) + +(Plate IX., fig. 31 [M], 32 [F].) + +This species has occurred plentifully in the neighbourhood of Christchurch. + + The expansion of the wings of the male is 1¼ inches, of the female ½ + inch. _All the wings are pale grey, speckled with darker grey. The + fore-wings have four obscure wavy transverse lines_; the first near the + base, the second and third near the middle, rather close together, and + the fourth near the termen, much interrupted; there is a series of black + dots on the termen. The hind-wings have two very faint transverse lines, + and a series of black terminal dots; the termen of the hind-wings is + slightly scalloped. The cilia of all the wings are grey. _The female has + the wings extremely small and quite useless for flight_; in colour and + markings they resemble those of the male, except that the transverse + lines are black and sharply defined. + +The perfect insect appears from July to January. Mr. R. W. Fereday states +that the male is found plentifully at rest on the bare ground, amongst +_Leptospermum_, and the female on the stems. + +Described and figured from specimens kindly given to me by Mr. Fereday. + + +Genus 3.--CHALASTRA, Walk. + + "Face with a slight cone of scales. Palpi rather long, porrected, roughly + scaled. Antennæ in male bi-pectinated. Fore-wings with vein 6 from below + 9, 7 from below angle of areole, 10 very shortly touching 9, 11 free, 12 + very shortly touching 11. Hind-wings normal."--(Meyrick.) (Plate II., + figs. 51 and 52.) + +This genus is represented by one species only. + +I have made a very careful examination of several denuded specimens of +_Chalastra pelurgata_, and I find that in the fore-wings veins 9, 10, and +11 rise almost from a point. Vein 10 afterwards approaches closely to 9, +but does not actually touch it, and consequently does not form a true +areole. Vein 12 also appears to me to be free. + + +CHALASTRA PELURGATA, Walk. + +(_Chalastra pelurgata_, Walk. 1430. _Itama cinerascens_, Feld. cxxxi. 1. +_Stratocleis streptophora_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 106.) + +(Plate IX., figs. 33 and 34 [M] varieties, 35 and 36 [F] ditto; Plate III., +fig. 21, larva.) + +This species is very abundant in the neighbourhood of Wellington. It has +also occurred at Palmerston North, and is probably common throughout the +whole of the North Island. In the South Island it has been taken in the +Otira Gorge, and at Dunedin, Otara and Invercargill. + + The expansion of the wings is about 1-3/8 inches. _The fore-wings of the + male vary from pale orange-brown to dull yellowish-brown_; there is a + doubly curved dark brown transverse line near the base; _a broad straight + line a little before the middle; a very strongly curved line a little + beyond the middle, and a less strongly curved line near the termen, often + composed of a series of triangular white dots edged with dark brown_; all + these lines are much stronger on the costa, and are sometimes almost + obliterated elsewhere. The hind-wings are pale yellow, with several + brown-edged white spots at the tornus, and an indistinct line parallel to + the termen. The apex of the fore-wing is considerably produced, and there + is a large rounded projection on the termen. The hind-wings have several + small projections on the termen. In the female the fore-wings are pale + yellow or orange, the transverse lines and white spots are usually more + conspicuous, and the projections on the termen of the fore- and + hind-wings larger. + +This is a very variable insect, especially in the male, some specimens of +which sex are very much clouded and dappled with dark brown both on the +fore- and hind-wings. {89}Many of these darker forms might readily be taken +for distinct species, when compared with the pale orange-brown variety, but +a good series of specimens presents numerous intermediate forms which +completely connect these extreme varieties. The females also vary, but are +never as dark as the males. + +The larva feeds on _Todea hymenophylloides_, a fern which grows in shady +places in the depths of the forest. The length of the caterpillar when full +grown is about 1¼ inches. It is very variable; some specimens are dull +brown, with a row of green or pale brown lunate spots down each side, and a +dark brown line down the back. Others are bright green, with a diagonal +reddish-brown stripe on the side of each segment; the segmental divisions +are reddish-brown, intersected by numerous very minute whitish lines. + +The pupa is enclosed in a loose cocoon on the surface of the ground. + +The perfect insect appears from November till March, and is very common in +forest regions. It may often be dislodged from the dead fronds surrounding +the stems of tree-ferns, and is also met with in great abundance towards +the end of summer on the blossoms of the white rata. + + +Genus 4.--SESTRA, Walk. + + "Face smooth. Palpi short, rough-haired beneath, porrected. Antennæ in + male stout, serrate, shortly ciliated. Fore-wings with vein 6 from below + 9, 7 from below angle of areole, 10 rising out of 9 above origin, + anastomosing again shortly with 9, 11 anastomosing shortly with 10, 12 + anastomosing shortly with 11. Hind-wings normal."--(Meyrick.) (Plate II., + fig. 53, neuration of fore-wing of _Sestra humeraria_.) + +We have two species in New Zealand. + +It will be seen that my figure of the neuration of _Sestra humeraria_ does +not precisely agree with Mr. Meyrick's description. The differences in the +results arrived at are probably due to the variability in structure of +veins 10, 11 (and 12), mentioned when dealing with the characters of the +entire family. Similar slight discrepancies also occur in connection with +the three following genera. + + +SESTRA HUMERARIA, Walk. + + (_Macaria humeraria_, Walk. 940. _Lozogramma obtusaria_, ib. 985. + _Cidaria obtruncata_, ib. 1421. _Sestra fusiplagiata_, ib. 1751. + _Amastris encausta_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 105. _Sestra + humeraria_, ib. xviii. 184.) + +(Plate X., figs. 1 and 2 varieties; Plate III., fig. 20, larva.) + +This species is very common, and generally distributed throughout both the +North and the South Islands; it also occurs plentifully at Stewart Island. + + The expansion of the wings is 1-3/8 inches. _The fore-wings are pale + plum-colour_; there is an indistinct, curved, brownish transverse line + near the base; _a straight dark brown line across the middle, and a + curved series of blackish dots beyond the middle_; the apex is pointed, + and the termen has a strong projection a little above the middle. The + hind-wings are ochreous, with a series of minute brownish dots across the + middle. + +This is a variable species. The fore-wings are often much clouded with rich +brown, and in some specimens scarcely a trace of the original purplish +colour remains; the central straight transverse line is often absent, and +the other lines are frequently very indistinct, except on the costa; the +dots on the hind-wings are also often absent, and occasionally specimens +are met with in which all the wings are almost white. + + The larva is rather elongate, dull yellowish-brown or greenish-brown; + there is a very broad dark brown dorsal line, and several wavy lateral + lines; the prolegs are black, the spiracles are also black; there is a + slight hump on the posterior edge of each of the last six segments, the + hump on the penultimate segment being considerably larger than the + others. The length of the caterpillar when full grown is about 1 inch. + +{90}It feeds on _Pteris incisa_, a beautiful pale green fern, attaining a +height of four feet or more, and growing in open situations in the forest. +This fern is especially abundant on old decaying logs situated amongst +light brushwood. When disturbed these larvæ immediately drop to the ground +and coil themselves up. In this situation they are very inconspicuous, as +their colouring so closely resembles that of the faded fronds or stems of +the fern. + +The pupa is buried in the earth about two inches below the surface, the +insect remaining in this state during the winter months. + +The moth first appears about September, and continues in great abundance +until the end of March or beginning of April. It frequents forest, and is +noticed most commonly in the neighbourhood of its food-plant. There are +probably several broods in the course of a year. + + +SESTRA FLEXATA, Walk. + +(_Cidaria flexata_, Walk. 1421.) + +(Plate IX., fig. 37.) + +This species has occasionally occurred in the neighbourhood of Wellington. +I have no records of its capture elsewhere, but expect it will be found to +be generally distributed. + + The expansion of the wings is about 1¼ inches. _The fore-wings are bright + orange-red_; there is a very faint transverse line near the base, darker + on the costa; a dark red oblong mark on the costa near the middle; and a + faint transverse line beyond the middle, also darker on the costa. The + hind-wings are bright ochreous-yellow, with the cilia orange. + +This insect varies considerably in the intensity of its colouring. It has +long been considered as merely a variety of _Sestra humeraria_, but as I +have not observed any intermediate forms, although the two insects +frequently occur together, I think it may be regarded for the present as a +distinct species. + +The perfect insect appears from October till December, and is found in the +same localities as _S. humeraria_. + + +Genus 5.--GONOPHYLLA, Meyr. + + "Face shortly rough-haired. Palpi moderate, arched, ascending, shortly + rough-scaled, terminal joint short. Antennæ in male rather stout, + pubescent. Coxæ and femora densely rough-haired beneath. Fore-wings with + vein 6 from below 9, 7 from below angle of areole, 10 shortly touching 9, + 11 separate, 12 free. Hind-wings normal."--(Meyrick.) (Plate II., figs. + 63 and 64, neuration of _Gonophylla nelsonaria_.) + +Of this genus we have but one species. + + +GONOPHYLLA NELSONARIA, Feld. + + (_Gonodontis_ (?) _nelsonaria_, Feld. cxxiii. 3. _Gonodontis felix_, + Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 389, pl. xlii. 10. _Phyllodoce + nelsonaria_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 104. _Gonophylla nelsonaria_, + ib. xviii. 184.) + +(Plate X., figs. 3 and 4 [M] varieties, 5 and 6 [F] ditto.) + +This handsome insect is common in the neighbourhood of Wellington. It has +also occurred at Nelson and Dunedin, and is possibly generally distributed +throughout the country. + + The expansion of the wings is 1½ inches. The fore-wings of the male are + _rich reddish-brown, mottled with darker_; there are several small white + marks on the costa; a black dot in the middle of the wing, and _an almost + straight white transverse line beyond the middle_; outside this line the + wing is speckled with greyish-white. The hind-wings are pale + pinkish-brown; there is a black dot in the middle, and a curved blackish + transverse line a little beyond the middle, being a continuation of the + transverse line of the fore-wing; beyond this line, and on the dorsum, + there are generally several small blackish markings. The female has the + fore-wings {91}orange-red, speckled with darker; there is a doubly curved + transverse line near the base, and an almost straight transverse line + near the termen, both dark red; beyond the outer transverse line the wing + is shaded with dark brown. The hind-wings are pale reddish-orange, with a + curved blackish transverse line. In both sexes the apex of the fore-wing + is projecting, and there is a strong angular projection on the termen a + little before the middle; the termen of the hind-wing has several small + projections. + +The variation of this insect is considerable, especially in the male. The +ground colour of the fore-wings often inclines to dull brown, or even dull +yellowish-brown; the light and dark mottling, and the greyish markings near +the termen are sometimes hardly visible; there is often a yellowish blotch +opposite the large angle in the termen of the fore-wing. The hind-wings +also are very variable in their colouring. All these varieties exist in the +female in a less pronounced degree. + +The perfect insect appears during the first week in February, and is +generally over by the middle or end of March. The males are first noticed, +the females not appearing until about a fortnight later. I have never taken +this insect in the daytime, and in fact have never seen it except on the +blossoms of the white rata, where, on fine evenings, it is often very +abundant. As yet, however, Wellington is the only locality where I have met +with it. + + +Genus 6.--DREPANODES, Gn. + + "Face with cone of scales. Palpi moderate, triangularly scaled, + porrected. Antennæ in male moderate, simple. Fore-wings with vein 6 from + below 9, 7 from below angle of areole, 10 very shortly touching 9, 11 + rising out of 10 before angle of areole, 12 free. Hind-wings normal. + (Plate II., figs. 61 and 62 neuration of _Drepanodes muriferata_.) + +A characteristic South American genus. The single New Zealand species is +very similar to some South American forms."--(Meyrick.) + + +DREPANODES MURIFERATA, Walk. + + (_Gargaphia muriferata_, Walk. 1635. _Panagra ephyraria_, Walk. 1761. ? + _Zanclognatha_ (?) _cookaria_, Feld. cxxiii. 26. _Zanclognatha_ (?) + _haastiaria_, Feld. cxxiii. 32. _Drepanodes muriferata_, Meyr., Trans. N. + Z. Inst. xvi. 107.) + +(Plate X., figs. 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 [M] varieties, 12 [F].) + +This species is very abundant in the neighbourhood of Wellington. It has +also been taken at Taranaki, Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill and +Stewart Island, and is probably common and generally distributed throughout +the country. + + The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. All the wings of the male + are yellowish-brown; there is a faint transverse line near the base, and + a conspicuous darker transverse line running from a little before the + apex of the fore-wing to the middle of the dorsum of the hind-wing; there + is also a dark spot in the centre of the fore-wing, often containing two + white dots. In the female, all the wings are slate-coloured; the + transverse lines are very faintly indicated, and the central dot of the + fore-wing is reddish-brown. The apex of the fore-wing in each sex is + conspicuously hooked, and the termen is bowed and sometimes has a very + slight angle in the middle. + +Both sexes of this insect are very variable. In the male, the ground colour +ranges from dingy-brown to bright orange-brown; the transverse lines differ +much in intensity, and in some specimens the central area of the wings +enclosed by them is much darker than either the basal or the marginal +portions; occasionally there is a series of black markings between the +outer transverse line and the termen of the fore-wings, whilst the +transverse line itself is frequently edged with a band of paler +{92}colouring. The female also varies in the ground colour and in the +intensity of the transverse lines, which are sometimes marked by a few +black dots. + +The larva, according to Mr. Purdie, is light grey, cylindrical, about 5/8 +inch in length. It may be beaten in February from an undergrowth of +_Carpodetus_ and _Aristotelia_. + +The perfect insect appears from November till March. It frequents dense +forest and is often very abundant. The colouring of the upper and under +surfaces of its wings, and the shape of the wings are both very protective, +giving the moth an exact resemblance to a dead leaf. When disturbed, the +insect adds to this deception by keeping its wings quite motionless and +rigidly extended, and allowing itself to fall through the air like a leaf. +The resemblance in this case to the inanimate object is very perfect, and +has no doubt enabled the moth to escape from many enemies. It is, in fact, +an extremely interesting example of the simultaneous development of +structure and instinct in a useful direction, through the agency of natural +selection. + +This species is much attracted both by light and by blossoms. + + +Genus 7.--AZELINA, Gn. + + "Face with some projecting hairs. Palpi rather long, obliquely ascending, + roughly scaled, attenuated. Antennæ in male thick, simple. Fore-wings + with vein 6 from below 9, 7 from below angle of areole, 10 very shortly + touching 9, 11 separate, 12 free. Hind-wings normal. + + A genus of some extent, specially characteristic of South America. Guenée + made a separate genus (_Polygonia_) of the New Zealand species, but + without any point of distinction."--(Meyrick.) (Plate II., figs. 54 and + 55, neuration of _Azelina gallaria_.) + +We have three species in New Zealand.[42] + + +AZELINA GALLARIA, Walk. + + (_Selenia gallaria_, Walk. 185, Butl., Cat., pl. iii. 6, 7. _Euchlaena_ + (?) _palthidata_, Feld. cxxxii. 21, 22. _Stratocleis gallaria_, Meyr., + Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 105; _Azelina gallaria_, xx. 62.) + +(Plate X., figs. 13 to 20 [M] varieties, 21 to 23 [F] ditto.) + +This species is very common in the neighbourhood of Wellington. It has also +occurred at Palmerston North, Makotuku, Christchurch, Dunedin and Stewart +Island. + + The expansion of the wings is 1¼ inches. The fore-wings of the male vary + from pale yellowish-brown to bright orange-brown, or reddish-brown; there + is a wavy transverse line near the base, often obsolete except on the + costa; another wavy transverse line beyond the middle, also frequently + obsolete except on the costa; _followed by a very conspicuous straight + line, often double, running obliquely from a little before the apex to + the dorsum_; outside this line, near the tornus, there are, in most + specimens, two black spots or one large rust-red spot; the termen has two + projections near the apex, inside which there is usually a darker blotch. + The hind-wings are as variable in colour as the fore-wings; there is one + wavy line near the base, _followed by an almost straight line_, which is + a continuation of the straight line of the fore-wing; beyond this line + the ground colour is generally much darker; the termen itself has no + projections. The female has broader wings and a shorter body than the + male; the ground colour and markings are similar to those of the male, + but are usually more sombre, and the termen of both fore- and hind-wings + is furnished with a number of prominent projections. The under side of + the wings in both sexes is beautifully marbled with yellow and + reddish-brown, and several of the markings of the upper surface are + faintly indicated. + +This species, as will be seen from the foregoing, is so extremely variable +that a more detailed description would be useless, especially as the +straight, oblique, transverse lines of both fore- and hind-wings will at +once distinguish it from the two other members of the genus. + +{93}The perfect insect appears from November till March. It frequents dense +forest, and is most abundant at the flowers of the white rata in the +evening. Earlier in the year, before the rata blooms, it may sometimes be +taken at sugar. + + +AZELINA OPHIOPA, Meyr. + +(_Gonophylla ophiopa_, Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1897, 387.) + +(Plate X., fig. 26 [M], 27 [M] variety, 28 [F].) + +This species has occurred occasionally in the neighbourhood of Wellington, +but has not yet been recorded from any other locality. + + The expansion of the wings is 1½ inches. The fore-wings of the male are + pale orange-brown; there is a doubly toothed shaded transverse line near + the base, the teeth being marked with two black spots; _a conspicuous + wavy transverse line runs from the apex to the dorsum_, and is also + marked with several black dots; the space between the two transverse + lines is paler than the rest of the wing; there is a row of small black + dots on the termen, and the termen itself has two small projections. The + hind-wings are yellowish at the base, becoming orange beyond the middle; + there is a faint brownish transverse line near the base, and a + conspicuous wavy transverse line at the middle, marked by a series of + black dots; this central transverse line divides the yellowish ground + colour of the basal area, from the orange ground colour of the rest of + the wing. The female is larger and duller than the male; the fore-wings + are yellowish drab, with the outer transverse line dull red; there is a + series of minute black dots on the termen; the hind-wings are dull + yellow, with a wavy central transverse line. + +The only variety of this species which has come under my observation is a +male. In this specimen all the wings are pale yellowish-brown, with very +broad black transverse lines. (See Plate X., fig. 27.) + +This insect is evidently closely allied to _Azelina fortinata_. It may, +however, be distinguished from that species by the smaller projections on +the termen of the fore- and hind-wings, and the dotted transverse lines of +the male. + +The perfect insect appears from January till April. It is met with much +later in the season than either of the two other species of _Azelina_. It +frequents forest, and may be found on the blossoms of the white rata, but +is, I think, the rarest of the genus. + + +AZELINA FORTINATA, Gn. + +(_Polygonia fortinata_, Gn., E. M. M. v. 41. _Caustoloma_ (?) _ziczac_, +Feld. cxxxii. 4. _Azelina fortinata_, Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 106.) + +(Plate X., fig. 24 [M], 25 [F].) + +This beautiful insect occurs occasionally in forests in both the North and +the South Islands. It has been taken at Wellington, Nelson, Castle Hill, +Akaroa, Mount Hutt, West Plains and Otara. + + The expansion of the wings is 1¼ inches. The fore-wings of the male are + pale orange-brown, with _a doubly toothed black transverse line near the + base, and a less acutely toothed line beyond the middle_; between these + there is a black mark on the costa; the termen has two large projections, + and several smaller ones; between the outer transverse line and the + termen there are several small black markings. The hind-wings are + yellowish, clouded with orange-brown towards the termen, which also has + several projections; there is a faint blackish line near the base, and a + much stronger black line near the middle, starting from the dorsum and + reaching about half-way across the wing. The female has the fore-wings + dark brown, with the central area between the two transverse lines paler; + the hind-wings are also considerably darker than those in the male. + +This species varies a little in the depth of the ground colour, but not +otherwise. + +The perfect insect appears in December, January and February. It frequents +dense forest, and is generally disturbed from amongst ferns and +undergrowth. + + +{94}Genus 8.--IPANA, Walk. + + "Face roughly haired. Antennæ in male simple, shortly ciliated. Palpi as + in _Declana_. Thorax densely hairy above and beneath, with slight median + crest. Abdomen in male elongate. Femora densely hairy; posterior tibiæ in + male short and much swollen, furnished on inner side with very large + dense tuft of hairs. Fore-wings in male without fovea; veins 10 and 11 + separate."--(Meyrick). + +We have one species in New Zealand. + + +IPANA LEPTOMERA, Walk. + +(_Ipana leptomera_, Walk., Noct. 1662.) + +(Plate X., figs. 29, 31, and 31A [M] varieties, 30 [F].) + +This species is common in the neighbourhood of Wellington, and I expect +generally distributed throughout New Zealand; but as there appears to have +been some confusion in Mr. Meyrick's papers between it and the female of +_Declana junctilinea_, I am unable to assign the localities there mentioned +to either of the species. + + The expansion of the wings of the male is 1½ inches, of the female 1-3/8 + inches. The fore-wings of the male are uniform pale brownish-ochreous, + generally with two transverse series of minute darker brown dots parallel + to the termen, and two or three similar dots near the middle of the wing. + There is a series of very small parallel brown lines on the costa. The + hind-wings are greyish-brown with two very deep indentations in the + termen. The female has the fore-wings pale grey, and the hind-wings + darker grey; the markings and outline resemble the male. + +In a few male specimens I have observed four large black spots on the +fore-wings, two near the base, and two near the termen. All these spots are +sometimes joined together by a very broad black band, which extends along +the whole of the central portion of the fore-wings. I have also a male +specimen in which the fore-wings are entirely marbled with dark grey. In +the female two or three moderately large spots are occasionally present on +the fore-wings, near the termen. All these varieties appear to be much +scarcer than the typical form. + +The larva, which feeds on manuka (_Leptospermum_), has ten legs. It is +rather slender, dark brown, mottled with grey and dull red. There are two +large tubercles on the sides of the seventh and eighth segments. It is a +sluggish caterpillar and is generally seen in a motionless condition, +clasping the stem of its food-plant with its prolegs, and holding the rest +of its body in a perfectly rigid position like a small branch. The pupa is +enclosed in a cocoon of silk and refuse on the surface of the ground. + +The perfect insect appears in January, February and March. It is a +forest-dwelling species, and may often be captured in some numbers, at +dusk, on the flowers of the white rata (_M. scandens_). It is very sluggish +and nearly always drops to the ground when disturbed and feigns death. + + +Genus 9.--DECLANA, Walk. + + "Face roughly haired. Antennæ in male bi-pectinated to apex or simple. + Palpi with second joint ascending, rough-haired, terminal joint rather + long, slender, clavate, porrected. Thorax densely hairy above and + beneath, with more or less developed median crest. Femora densely hairy. + Fore-wings in male without fovea; vein 6 sometimes out of 9, 10 sometimes + out of 9, connected or anastomosing with 9, 11 sometimes out of 10, + sometimes connected or anastomosing with 10."--(Meyrick.) (Plate II., + figs. 56 and 57, neuration of _Declana floccosa_, 58 head of ditto.) + +We have seven species. + + +{95}DECLANA ATRONIVEA, Walk. + + (_Detunda atronivea_, Walk., Suppl. ii. 619. _Chlenias_ (?) _manxifera_, + Fereday, Trans. N. Z. Inst. xii. (1879), 268, pl. ix. 1. _Detunda + atronivea_, Meyr., ib. xvi. 101.) + +(Plate X., fig. 33 [M], 34 [F]; Plate III., fig. 18, larva.) + +This very handsome and conspicuous insect appears to be restricted to the +North Island, where it is rather rare. It has occurred at Wellington, +Otaki, and Napier. + + The expansion of the wings of the male is 1-5/8 inches, of the female + nearly 2 inches. The fore-wings are _brilliant shining white, with + numerous black markings_; these consist chiefly of three irregular + branching transverse bands, and a series of wedge-shaped spots on the + termen; the larger markings are brownish in the centre. The hind-wings + are dark grey, becoming almost black on the termen, with a fine wavy + transverse black line. + +This species varies considerably in the size and shape of the black +markings on the fore-wings, which are often slightly different on the +opposite sides, in the same specimen. + +The eggs of this moth are oval in shape, slightly roughened on the surface +and light blue in colour. They are deposited towards the end of October. +The young larva escapes by gnawing a hole out of the side. + + When first hatched it is dull brownish-black, with creamy-white lateral + lines and prolegs; the head is reddish. It feeds on _Panax arborea_. + After the first moult the lateral lines become much wider, especially + towards the head. After the second moult the two dorsal tubercles are + fully developed, the thoracic segments much swollen and flattened above, + the latter bearing traces of the black markings of the full-grown larva. + After the third moult the larva becomes a dark brownish colour inclining + to chocolate on the dorsal surface. The characteristic markings on the + penultimate and anal segments of the adult larva now appear, and the + dorsal tubercles are yellowish in colour; the extra prolegs are very + small, and are visible as wart-like appendages on the lower surface of + the tenth segment. + + The full-grown caterpillar is a remarkable-looking animal. The head is + very small; the first three segments of the body are enormously swollen + and flattened above, the flattened portions being white, with several + small black ring-shaped markings; there is a pair of large yellowish + tubercles on the dorsal surface of the seventh segment, and two smaller + ones on the tenth and eleventh segments; the larva is much stouter + towards the posterior extremity, especially behind the ninth segment; the + penultimate segment is furnished with a large creamy-white ridge, + starting on the back and proceeding downwards and forwards; the extra + pair of prolegs is small and only occasionally used in walking. The + general colour of the larva is brownish- or blackish-green; the tenth and + eleventh segments are generally darker, and there are many fine parallel + lines of darker colouring on the central portions of the larva; the whole + insect is also speckled with black; the spiracles are red. The larva + varies a good deal in colour, but its peculiar structure will at once + distinguish it from any other. + +These larvæ often coil themselves up when at rest, clinging firmly with +their large prolegs to their food-plant. Whilst thus engaged they have a +very remarkable appearance. I have not yet ascertained the precise object +of the peculiar shape and coloration of this caterpillar. It appears to +resemble very closely a lichen-covered twig, but I suspect in this case +there is something more special aimed at. + +In connection with this subject, it is noteworthy that the flattened +extremities of the elytra of the beetle, _Ectopsis ferrugalis_, closely +resemble in both shape and colour the remarkable anterior segments of the +larva of _D. atronivea_. As both insects feed on the same plant, and thus +exist under very similar conditions, it is highly probable that the +peculiarities have been independently acquired in each species for similar +purposes. + +The pupa is enclosed in a light cocoon amongst dead leaves, &c, on the +surface of the ground. + +{96}The perfect insect appears in February and March, and may sometimes be +taken at blossoms in the evening. It is also attracted by light, and has +been found occasionally, in the daytime, resting on tree-trunks. It +hibernates during the winter, coming abroad again the following spring to +lay its eggs. I have observed that a good many pupæ from the autumnal brood +do not emerge until September or October, so that the insect evidently +spends the winter both as a pupa and as an imago. + + +DECLANA EGREGIA, Feld. + +(_Chlenias egregia_, Feld. cxxxi. 24; Fereday, Trans. N. Z. Inst. xii. 268, +pl. ix. 2. _Detunda egregia_, Meyr., ib. xvi. 101.) + +(Plate X., fig. 35.) + +This very handsome insect has occurred in the South Island at Nelson, +Christchurch, Akaroa and the Otira Gorge. + + The expansion of the wings is about 1¾ inches. _The fore-wings are + creamy-white; there is a small dark brown mark at the base, a broad + transverse wavy brown band before the middle, a very large four-cornered + irregular brown mark beyond the middle, one of its corners touching the + apex and the other the tornus_; the termen is shaded with pale grey, and + there is a series of faint brown marks on the costa and dorsum. The + hind-wings are dull white, darker towards the termen; there are two very + faint transverse lines. + +The perfect insect appears from November till February. It is a very rare +species. + +Described and figured from a specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection. + + +DECLANA FLOCCOSA, Walk. + + (_Declana floccosa_, Walk. xv. 1649. _Argua scabra_, Walk, xxviii. 448. + _Declana feredayi_, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 398, pl. xliii. + 5. _Declana nigrosparsa_, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 500. _Declana floccosa_, + Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 102.) + +(Plate X., figs. 39 to 43 [M] varieties, 44 to 47 [F] ditto.) + +This species has occurred very commonly at Wellington, Christchurch and +Dunedin. It is probably generally distributed throughout the country. + + The expansion of the wings is about 1-3/8 inches. The fore-wings are pale + greyish-white with numerous small brownish-black streaks, exhibiting a + slight concentration near the apex. The hind-wings are dull white, + clouded with greyish towards the termen. + + This insect is so extremely variable that I have given descriptions of a + few of the principal varieties below; all these forms may, however, be + connected by specimens exhibiting every intermediate gradation both in + colour and in markings. + + 1. Fore-wings with several large brown spots near the middle. + + 2. Fore-wings covered with numerous black spots (formerly known as + _Declana nigrosparsa_) (fig. 47). + + 3. Fore-wings with two more or less conspicuous curved black or brown + lines from costa to dorsum (figs. 41, 42, and 44). + + 4. Fore-wings with these transverse lines joined by two others running + parallel to dorsum and costa. + + 5. Fore-wings with transverse lines and black spots (fig. 43). + + 6. Fore-wings diffused with dark greyish-black, except two broad bands + of the original light colour extending from costa to dorsum; hind-wings + darker than usual (fig. 45). + + 7. Fore-wings with a dark brown central band; hind-wings clouded with + dark brown towards termen, with a faint curved transverse line near the + middle (figs. 39 and 40). + + All these varieties occasionally have tufts of orange-yellow scales on + both the wings and on the body, and they also vary in other minor + particulars (fig. 46). + + The egg of this insect when first laid is oval in shape and light green + in colour, becoming bronzy a few days before the emergence of the larva. + The young larva is very attenuated, with only ten legs. {97}Its colour is + pale yellow striped with brownish-pink near the segmental divisions. It + is very active, and does not devour the egg-shell after emergence. + + The full-grown larva has the body much flattened underneath. In colour it + is pale brownish-pink, with numerous irregular darker markings, which in + some specimens almost form two broad subdorsal lines. The under surface + of the larva is pale green. There is a series of fleshy filaments of a + pinkish-brown colour along each side of the insect, and an extra pair of + prolegs on the ninth segment. + +This caterpillar is, however, very variable, its colouring appearing to +depend largely on its surroundings. The favourite food-plants are +_Leptospermum ericoides_ and _Aristotelia racemosa_. The larvæ found on the +former plant are usually pale yellowish-brown, whilst those from the latter +are much darker brown, often mottled with grey like the stems of the +_Aristotelia_. A specimen I once found on a mountain beech (_Fagus +cliffortioides_), the gnarled stem and branches of which were covered with +grey lichens and mosses, was mottled with the most beautiful shades of +greenish-grey. These larval varieties are very interesting, and in order to +test the direct influence of food on the colouring of the larvæ, I once +divided a batch of eggs deposited by a single female into two equal parts, +and fed one half on _Aristotelia_, and the other half on _Leptospermum_. +The differences in colouring between the two lots of larvæ thus treated +were, however, of the most trivial description. This somewhat surprised me +at first, as I had previously observed quite distinct varieties on each +plant, when found in a state of nature. Hence I am now disposed to think +that these differences have been brought about gradually, by natural +selection acting on larvæ feeding on the same plant for a large number of +generations. By this means a sufficient amount of variation might be +accumulated, to cause the closest possible approximation in colouring to +the stems of the several food-plants. It is also noteworthy that many of +these food-plants grow in widely dissimilar localities, so that the free +inter-breeding of insects dependent on them would not be likely to occur, +and thus the peculiarities of colouring adapted to the stems of each +food-plant would not be disturbed by the effects of inter-breeding. + +In connection with the foregoing experiment it is also interesting to +observe, that the specimens fed on _Aristotelia_ matured much more rapidly +than those on _Leptospermum_; the former plant evidently being the more +nourishing food for the larvæ. Also that out of the batch fed on +_Aristotelia_ 28 became moths, of which 12 were males and 16 females; +whilst out of those fed on _Leptospermum_ only 24 became moths, of which 15 +were males and 9 females. In all other respects, excepting food-plant, the +two lots of larvæ were subjected to identical treatment. + +During the day this larva rests quietly attached to the stem of its +food-plant, where it is very difficult to detect, as the filaments so +closely embrace the twig or tree-trunk that the whole insect exactly +resembles a swelling in the stem. + +The pupa of _D. floccosa_ is enclosed in a loose cocoon on the surface of +the ground. + +The perfect insect appears about September, and continues in more or less +abundance until the end of April. There are most likely several broods in a +season, and, as we frequently meet with specimens of the moth on mild days +in the middle of winter, it probably also hibernates. + +This insect is usually observed at rest on fences and tree-trunks, where +its grey mottled colouring causes it to closely resemble a patch of lichen. + + +{98}DECLANA JUNCTILINEA, Feld. + +(Plate X., fig. 37 [M], 38 [F].) + +This species has occurred occasionally in the Wellington Botanical Gardens. +It is no doubt found elsewhere, but I cannot give any other localities with +certainty. + + The expansion of the wings of the male is 1¼ inches, of the female 1-3/8 + inches. The fore-wings of the male are pale yellowish-brown, with two + indistinct, irregular, transverse darker lines near the base, a + conspicuous curved line a little beyond the middle, followed by a + blackish patch; _there is a series of very fine parallel oblique brown + stripes on the costa_, and several series of curved, blackish marks near + the termen, and on the central portions of the wing. The fore-wings of + the female are much greyer, with a conspicuous, irregular, white streak + from the apex towards the dorsum, the central portions of the wing are + white, and, with the exception of the fine, oblique costal stripes, the + other markings of the male are usually absent. The hind-wings of both + sexes are dull ochreous. The strongly pectinated antennæ of the male, and + the oblique costal markings of both sexes, will at once distinguish this + species from any of the varieties of _Declana floccosa_. + +This moth varies in the intensity of the markings, which in some specimens +are very indistinct. + +The perfect insect appears from November till March. It is generally +captured on blossoms in the evening. + + +DECLANA HERMIONE, n. sp. + +(Plate X., fig. 36.) + +A single specimen of this very handsome insect was captured at Khandallah +near Wellington. + + The expansion of the wings is 1¼ inches. _The fore-wings are bright + purplish-brown, clouded with silvery-white towards the middle and on the + termen_; there is a very fine oblique chocolate-brown mark at the base, a + broad broken transverse band at about one-eighth; a fine curved + transverse line at about three-fourths, shaded towards the termen; there + are four wavy brown marks on the termen inclining obliquely upwards + towards the costa; the termen itself is narrowly edged with + chocolate-brown. The cilia are silvery mixed with brown; the termen is + very strongly bowed. The hind-wings are grey, shaded with purplish-grey + towards the termen; the cilia are grey. + +The type specimen was captured at sugar in November. + + +DECLANA GRISEATA, n. sp. + +(Plate X., fig. 32 [F].) + +This species has occurred at Wellington in the North Island, and at Lake +Wakatipu in the South Island. + + The expansion of the wings of the male is 1-1/8 inches, of the female + 1-3/8 inches. _The fore-wings are dull slaty-grey, with a slightly paler + central band_; there is a fine oblique wavy transverse line at about + one-fourth, another at about one-half, and indications of a third at + about three-fourths; _numerous minute black streaks are thickly scattered + over the wing, especially near the base and the termen_; the outline of + the termen is very slightly scalloped. The hind-wings are pale grey, + darker near the termen. The body is very dark slaty-grey. _The antennæ of + the male are not bi-pectinated._ + +The perfect insect appears in January, and is attracted by light. It is a +scarce species. + + +DECLANA NIVEATA, Butl. + +(_Declana niveata_, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 500. _Atossa niveata_, Meyr., +Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 104.) + +This species has occurred at Dunedin, in the South Island. + + "The expansion of the wings of the male is 30 mm. (about 1¼ inches). + Fore-wings elongate-triangular, costa somewhat sinuate, termen rounded, + dentate; dull white, faintly irrorated with grey; costa marked with short + indistinct dark grey direct strigulæ; an irregular line towards base, and + another twice angulated about two-thirds, obscurely indicated by dark + grey scales; some scattered {99}dark grey strigulæ before termen. + Hind-wings moderate, termen crenate, angularly projecting in middle; + wholly white. + +"I took one fine specimen at rest on a tree-trunk near Dunedin, in +February."--(Meyrick.) + + +Family 6.--SPHINGIDÆ. + + "Head with dense appressed hairs. Ocelli absent. Eyes glabrous. Antennæ + thickened towards middle or posteriorly, in male ciliated with partial + whorls. Labial palpi moderate, ascending, with dense projecting scales. + Thorax densely hairy beneath. Femora densely hairy. Fore-wings with vein + 1_b_ furcate, 6 out of 8, 9 absent (rarely present in exceptional + individuals). Hind-wings with veins 3 and 4 approximated at base, 5 from + middle of transverse vein, parallel to 4, 6 and 7 connate or stalked, 8 + connected by oblique bar with margin of cell before middle, more or less + approximated to 7 near beyond cell." (Plate I., figs. 12 and 13, + neuration of _Deilephila_ [after Meyrick].) + +"This family is generally distributed, but is most plentiful in the +tropics. The imagos are usually large insects, with stout, heavy bodies, +elongate-triangular fore-wings with very oblique termen, and relatively +small hind-wings; the wing muscles are very strong, and the flight +exceptionally powerful. Ovum spheroidal, smooth. Larva stout, usually with +an oblique, projecting anal horn, anterior segments sometimes retractile or +raised in repose. Pupa subterranean."--(Meyrick.) + +Only one genus is represented in New Zealand, viz., _Sphinx_. + + +Genus 1.--SPHINX. + + "Tongue strongly developed. Antennæ less than one-half, gradually + thickened to apex, then pointed, apex slender, hooked. Thorax with low + double posterior tuft. Abdomen smooth, broad, conical, pointed. Tibiæ + with appressed scales. + +"A moderately large genus, ranging over the whole world, but principally +characteristic of America. Imago flying at dusk, feeding on the +wing."--(Meyrick.) + +This genus is represented in New Zealand by one almost cosmopolitan +species. + + +SPHINX CONVOLVULI, L. + +(_Protoparce distans_, Butl. _Sphinx convolvuli_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. +xxii. 213.) + +(Plate XIII., fig. 1.; Plate III., figs. 13 and 14 varieties of larvæ.) + +This handsome insect often occurs in the northern portions of the North +Island, but becomes very rare southward of Napier and New Plymouth. In the +South Island it has been taken at Nelson, and recently a very mutilated +specimen of what appears to be this species has been found by Mr. Philpott, +near West Plains, Invercargill. With these exceptions I have not heard of +its appearance in any other localities in the South Island. + + The expansion of the wings is about 3½ inches. The fore-wings are + greyish-brown with several irregular, darker markings near the base; and + a broad, dark, central band; beyond the central band there is a very + irregular, pale grey, toothed line. The hind-wings are yellowish-grey, + with four transverse, darker stripes, the outermost one strongly toothed. + The head and thorax are dark grey, paler on the back, with two + conspicuous tufts of pale grey hair on the shoulders. _The abdomen is + grey, striped on the sides with rose-colour and black._ + +The larva feeds on _Convolvulus_. Like many of the caterpillars of the +_Sphingidæ_, there are two very distinct varieties: one is bright green, +with white spiracles, and a series of diagonal yellow lines above them; the +other is dull yellowish-brown, with broad blackish-brown dorsal and ventral +lines, and a series of triangular blackish spots above the spiracles, which +in this variety are jet-black. In both these forms of {100}larvæ the anal +horn is dark red tipped with black, and the skin is covered with numerous +fine wrinkles. The length of the caterpillar when full grown is 3½ inches. + +About the middle or end of February these larvæ generally bury themselves +in the ground, where they are transformed into pupæ. They remain in that +condition until the following summer. + +The pupa is about 2 inches in length and is of a dark mahogany-brown +colour. It is furnished with a large curved process, projecting from the +lower side of the head, and containing the enormous proboscis of the future +moth. + +The perfect insect appears in November and December. It flies with +incredible velocity at evening dusk, and is often observed hovering over +flowers, and whilst poised in the air above them, extracts the honey with +its long proboscis. Mr. A. P. Buller has very kindly furnished me with the +following interesting notes on the habits of this species, as observed by +him in the Auckland district:-- + +"During the summer of 1879 I came across _S. convolvuli_ in great numbers, +near Ohinemutu, in the Hot Lake district, frequenting at dusk a tall, +delicately perfumed meadow flower (_Oenothera biennis_, commonly called the +evening primrose). They were to be seen on the wing soon after sundown, and +on warm, still evenings literally swarmed. It was an extremely pretty sight +to watch their rapid movements as they darted from flower to flower, never +alighting, and keeping up a constant vibration of their wings as they +probed the yellow blossoms. They appeared to be extremely local, for I only +met with them on a few of the grassy slopes round the shores of Lake +Rotorua. I visited the same locality two years later, at the same season, +and only occasionally saw one, although the evening primrose was in full +bloom at the time. In 1882 I captured several at flowers of the +trumpet-tree (_Brugmansia_) in a garden near Auckland. The same summer I +found large numbers of the larvæ at Waiwera (near Auckland), on a species +of convolvulus growing in profusion on the sandhills in the vicinity. +Although the larvæ were so abundant I never came across the perfect insect. +I obtained some twenty or thirty of the pupæ, but unfortunately was never +successful in hatching out the imago. As far as my knowledge goes, this +beautiful moth is confined to the Auckland and Waikato districts, although +I have heard of a single specimen being taken in Hawkes Bay." + +I am also much indebted to Mr. Buller for the loan of a very perfect +specimen of this moth, expressly lent to me for figuring and describing in +the present work. + +Mr. Meyrick informs us that this insect occurs throughout Europe, Asia, +Africa, Australia and the islands of the South Pacific, wherever a suitable +situation is found, and has been met with far out at sea.[43] In America it +is represented by a form which seems to be regarded as specifically +distinct, but which he thinks is probably identical. If this be the case +the insect is practically cosmopolitan. + + + + +{101}III.--THE LASIOCAMPINA. + +Not represented in New Zealand. + + + + +IV.--THE PAPILIONINA. + +The _Papilionina_ are distinguished by the following characters:-- + + "Head rough-haired. Ocelli absent. Tongue developed. Antennæ slender, + dilated apically, forming a gradual or abrupt club. Labial palpi + moderately long, more or less rough-haired, terminal joint rather + pointed. Maxillary palpi obsolete. Thorax more or less hairy. Fore-wings + with 1_b_ simple, 1_c_ absent, 5 usually from or above middle of + transverse vein. Hind-wings without frenulum, 1_c_ absent, 3 and 4 + usually connate, 8 rising out of cell near base, rapidly + diverging."--(Meyrick.) (See Plate I., figs. 7, 8, 15, 16, 25, 26, 27.) + +This is one of the most interesting groups of the Lepidoptera. The insects +comprised in it are popularly known as butterflies, and from their bright +colouring and conspicuous appearance are always favourites with beginners. +The _Papilionina_ attain great development in the tropics, especially in +South America, where, it is said, a single valley sometimes contains as +many species as the whole of Europe. In New Zealand there are only fifteen +species of butterflies, the group being extremely poorly represented both +here and in the South Pacific Islands. + +Formerly the _Papilionina_ was known as the _Rhopalocera_, and was regarded +as constituting a division of equivalent value to the remainder of the +Lepidoptera, which was termed the _Heterocera_. For some time past +entomologists have, however, practically abandoned this classification of +the order, the _Heterocera_, or moths, being clearly composed of several +groups each of equivalent value to the _Rhopalocera_, or butterflies. Mr. +Meyrick states in his 'Handbook of British Lepidoptera' that the +_Papilionina_ "stands rather conspicuously isolated at the present day, but +there is little doubt that its origin must be traced to the _Thyrididæ_, a +family of the _Pyralidina_." + +In this group the wings are generally held erect in repose, the under +surface of the hind-wings and the apical portion of the under surface of +the fore-wings being nearly always protectively coloured, these being +portions of the wings exposed to view when the insect is at rest. There is +an unusual amount of ornamental colouring on the upper surface. The flight +is invariably diurnal. The larva has ten prolegs. + +The three following families of _Papilionina_ are represented in New +Zealand:-- + +1. NYMPHALIDÆ. 2. SATYRIDÆ. 3. LYCÆNIDÆ. + + +{102}Family 1.--NYMPHALIDÆ. + + "Anterior legs in both sexes much reduced, useless for walking; posterior + tibiæ without middle spurs. Fore-wings with veins 8 and 9 out of 7. + Hind-wings with præcostal spur." (Plate I., figs. 7 and 8.) + +"An extremely large family, mainly tropical. The species are of large or +moderate size, usually dark-coloured, with light or bright bands or rows of +spots. + +"Ovum cylindrical or sub-conical, ribbed and often reticulated. Larva with +pairs of tentacles or more usually series of bristly spines. Pupa exposed, +suspended by the tail, often angular or with metallic spots."--(Meyrick.) +(See Plate III., figs. 1, 2, and 3 larvæ, 27, 31 and 32 pupæ.) + +We have three genera represented in New Zealand:-- + +1. ANOSIA. 2. VANESSA. 3. JUNONIA. + + +Genus 1.--ANOSIA. + + "Eyes glabrous. Club of antennæ elongate, gradual. Fore-wings with vein + 10 separate. Hind-wings with transverse vein present." (Plate I., figs. 7 + and 8, neuration of _A. erippus_.) + +"A genus of moderate extent, generally distributed within the tropics, with +two or three species ranging beyond them. Imago with termen of fore-wings +sub-concave. Larva with pairs of long tentacles. Both larva and imago are +protected by a strong nauseous scent, or taste, and are uneatable to +birds."--(Meyrick.) + +We have two species in New Zealand. + + +ANOSIA ERIPPUS, Cr. + + (_Papilio archippus_, Fabricius, Spec. Ins., p. 55, n. 243 (1781). + _Danais archippus_, Butler, Butterflies of N. Z., Trans. N. Z. Inst. x. + 265. _Anosia plexippus_, L.) + +(Plate XI., fig. 1, fig. 2 under side; Plate III., fig. 3 larva, fig. 27 +pupa.) + +This handsome insect has occurred from time to time at various localities +in both the North and the South Islands, but does not appear to be +generally common. Particulars of the early captures of this butterfly are +thus given by Mr. Enys[44]: "First recorded as a New Zealand insect by Mr. +Fereday, in a paper read before the Canterbury Institute, January 2, 1874, +and printed in vol. vi. of 'Transactions.' Mr. Fereday received the +butterfly from F. H. Meinertzhagen, of Hawkes Bay. Dr. Hector also obtained +it in Westland. It has also been caught near Auckland. In vol. xi. of +'Transactions' Mr. F. W. Sturm records that he first saw this insect, or a +closely allied one, at the Reinga, up the Wairoa River, Hawkes Bay, +December, 1840, or January, 1841. In 1848 he captured a number at the +Waiau, a tributary to that river. Again in 1861 he captured three on the +Rangitikei River near Mr. Birch's run. He also records other captures." +From these records it will be seen that the insect was observed as early as +1840, and it thus seems scarcely probable that it was accidentally +introduced by man, as Mr. Butler appears to suppose.[45] Recently _A. +erippus_ has occurred many times in the neighbourhood of Cook's Straits. In +1879 several specimens were bred from larvæ found by Mr. C. W. Lee near +Wangaehu. In 1881 I captured two specimens near Nelson and saw three +others. In 1890 two specimens were taken by Mr. R. I. Kingsley, and in +January of the following year I captured two more, all near Nelson. During +the autumn of 1892 {103}one specimen was taken near Otaki by Mr. +Rutherfurd, and several others were seen. The same year a specimen was also +taken by Sir James Hector at Petone. In 1896, I understand from Mr. +Kingsley, several specimens were again seen in the Nelson district. + + The expansion of the wings is from 3¾ to 4¼ inches. Above, all the wings + are rich orange-brown bordered with black, the veins are also black. + There are two rows of small white spots round the margins of all the + wings, and several orange-brown spots near the apex of the fore-wings. + Beneath, the markings are similar, except that the white spots are + larger, and the hind-wings are very pale yellowish-brown. The male has a + black chitinous spot on vein 2 of the hind-wings which is wanting in the + female; the wing-veins in the male are also slightly narrower. + +The larva of this insect feeds on most of the different kinds of milkweed +(_Asclepias_), and also upon dogbane (_Apocynum_). A single caterpillar, +fully grown, which was found in a building in the centre of the town of +Wellington, formed the subject from which the figures of the metamorphosis +of this insect were taken, but this specimen did not afford sufficient +material for an exhaustive investigation of the life-history. The following +account, taken from Professor Riley's 'Third Annual Report of the Noxious, +Beneficial, and other Insects of the State of Missouri,' is therefore +inserted:-- + + "The egg is invariably deposited on the under side of a leaf, and is + conical and delicately reticulate with longitudinal ribs, and fine + transverse striæ. It is yellowish when first deposited, but becomes grey + as the embryo within develops. + + "In about five days after laying the egg hatches, and the young larva as + soon as hatched usually turns round and devours its egg-shell--a custom + very prevalent with young caterpillars. At this stage it differs + considerably from the mature larva; it is perfectly cylindrical, about + 0·12 inch long, and of much the same thickness throughout. The head is + jet black and polished; the colour of the body is pale greenish-white, + with the anterior and posterior horns showing as mere black conical + joints, and with two transverse-oval black warts, nearer together, on the + first joint. It is covered with minute black bristles, arising from still + more minute warts. + + "When the young larva is three or four days old a dusky band appears + across the middle of each joint, and by the fifth or sixth day it spins a + carpet of silk upon the leaf, and prepares for its first moult. After the + first moult the anterior horns are as long as the thoracic legs, the + posterior ones being somewhat shorter; the characteristic black stripes + show quite distinctly, but the white and yellow stripes more faintly. + After this it undergoes but slight change in appearance, except that the + colours become brighter, and that at each successive moult the horns + become relatively longer. There are but three moults, and the intervals + between them are short, as the larvæ frequently acquire their full growth + within three weeks from hatching. + +"As soon as the larva is full grown it spins a little tuft of silk to the +under side of whatever object it may be resting upon, and after entangling +the hooks of its hind legs in the silk it lets go the hold of its other +legs and hangs down, with the head and anterior joints of the body curved. +In this position it hangs for about twenty-four hours, during which the +fluids of the body naturally gravitate towards the upturned joints, until +the latter become so swollen that at last, by a little effort on the part +of the larva, the skin bursts along the back behind the head. Through the +rent thus made the anterior portion of the pupa is protruded, and by +constant stretching and contracting the larval skin is slipped and crowded +backwards until there is but a small shrivelled mass gathered around the +tail. Now comes the critical period--the culminating point. + +"The soft and supple chrysalis, yet showing the elongate larval form with +distinct traces of its prolegs, hangs heavily from the shrunken skin. From +this skin {104}it is to be extricated and firmly attached to the silk +outside. It has neither legs nor arms, and we should suppose that it would +inevitably fall while endeavouring to accomplish this object. But the task +is performed with the utmost surety, though appearing so perilous to us. +The supple and contractile joints of the abdomen are made to subserve the +purpose of legs, and by suddenly grasping the shrunken larval skin between +the folds of two of these joints as with a pair of pincers, the chrysalis +disengages the tip of its body and hangs for a moment suspended. Then with +a few earnest, vigorous, jerking movements it succeeds in sticking the +horny point of its tail into the silk, and firmly fastening it by means of +a rasp of minute claws with which that point is furnished. Sometimes severe +effort is needed before the point is properly fastened, and the chrysalis +frequently has to climb by stretching the two joints above those by which +it is suspended, and clinging hold of the shrivelled skin further up. The +moment the point is fastened the chrysalis commences, by a series of +violent jerkings and whirlings, to dislodge the larval skin, after which it +rests from its efforts and gradually contracts and hardens. The really +active work lasts but a few minutes, and the insect rarely fails to go +through with it successfully. The chrysalis is a beautiful object, and as +it hangs pendant from some old fence-board or from the under side of an +_Asclepias_ leaf, it reminds one of some large eardrop; but, though the +jeweller could successfully imitate the form, he might well despair of ever +producing the clear pale-green and the ivory-black and golden marks which +so characterize it. + +"The chrysalis state lasts but a short time, as is the case with all those +which are known to suspend themselves nakedly by the tail. At the end of +about the tenth day the dark colours of the future butterflies begin to +show through the delicate and transparent skin, and suddenly this skin +bursts open near the head, and the newborn butterfly gradually extricates +itself, and stretching forth its legs and clambering on to some surrounding +object, allows its moist, thickened, and contracted wings to hang +listlessly from the body." + +The perfect insect appears in March and April, hibernated specimens being +met with in the spring. It is a most striking species on the wing, and one +which, when once seen, is not likely to be forgotten. + + +ANOSIA BOLINA, L. + + (_Diadema nerina_, Butler, Butterflies of N. Z., p. 13. Female.--_Papilio + nerina_, Fabr., Syst. Ent., p. 509, n. 277 (1775); Donovan, Ins. of New + Holland, pl. 27, fig. 1 (1805). _Papilio iphigenia_, Pap. Exot., 1, pl. + lxvii., figs. D, E, (1775). Var. _Papilio proserpina_, Cramer, Pap. + Exot., 3, pl. ccxviii., figs. C, D, (1782). Male ? _Papilio auge_, + Cramer, Pap. Exot., 2, pl. cxc., figs. A, B (1779).) + +(Plate XII., fig. 7 [M], 8 [F], 9 under side.) + +This fine species appears to be rare in New Zealand, but I think it has now +occurred often enough to entitle it to a place amongst our native +butterflies. The following is a list of the captures so far as I am able to +ascertain them:-- + +From Mr. Eny's 'Catalogue of New Zealand Butterflies'[46] the first +specimen taken appears to have been a male, which was captured by Dr. +Sinclair, of Auckland, and sent to the British Museum before the year 1855. +The Rev. Richard Taylor also caught one male specimen in his garden at +Wanganui, and saw another, the only {105}two he observed in thirty-four +years. Dr. Baker saw one in his garden at Christchurch on lilac flowers, +also a male. Mr. R. W. Fereday[47] records the capture of the first female +specimen by a son of Mr. Thomas Tanner, near Napier, in January, 1876. On +the 18th of March, 1885, Mr. R. I. Kingsley[48] took a fine female specimen +in Nelson, and on the 25th of March, 1886, I saw another female specimen in +the same locality; I also understand that quite a number of specimens of +both sexes have been recently captured in the neighbourhood of +Auckland.[49] + +From the foregoing records, I think that there are very good reasons for +regarding this as an indigenous species, as it is very improbable that such +a large number of specimens would have been accidentally introduced to the +various localities at so many different times. + + The expansion of the wings of the male is 3½ inches, of the female 4 + inches. On the upper side all the wings of the male are rich + brownish-black, with a large white blotch in the middle of each, + surrounded by a patch of brilliant flashing blue; there is also a small + white spot near the apex of the fore-wings and a series of white + crescent-shaped markings on the termen of all the wings. The fore-wings + of the female are brownish-black, with a patch of deep orange-brown near + the tornus; there is a series of four very large oval white spots on the + costa, beyond the middle, a smaller white spot near the apex, and three + rows of small white marks parallel to the termen; the hind-wings are + brownish-black, with a broad white band across the middle, several small + white spots, and a double series of white markings parallel to the + termen; all the wings of the female have brilliant bluish reflections + near the white spots. On the under side the wings of both sexes are rich + brown with white markings, and a double series of white crescents on the + termen. + +The female appears to be very variable in almost every respect. + +The perfect insect appears in January, February and March. From its large +size and brilliant colouring it is easily recognised. Although rare in New +Zealand, it is very common in Australia. It also occurs in Java, New Guinea +and the Loyalty Islands. A smaller representative is found in Samoa +(_Anosia otaheitæ_, Feld.), which is probably only a variety of this +species. + +The figures and descriptions of this insect are taken from Australian +specimens, which were kindly forwarded to me by the late Mr. Olliff. + + +Genus 2.--VANESSA. + + Eyes hairy. Club of antennæ abrupt. Fore-wings with vein 10 separate. + Hind-wings with transverse vein present. + +"A moderate genus, principally characteristic of the Northern Hemisphere. +Larva with six or seven rows of bristly spines. Pupa with angular +prominences, often with golden metallic spots."--Meyrick. + +Of this very beautiful and interesting genus we have three species in New +Zealand. + + +VANESSA GONERILLA, Fabr. + + (_Papilio gonerilla_, Fabricius, Syst. Ent. p. 498, n. 237 (1775); + Donovan, Ins. New Holland, pl. 25, fig. 2 (1805). _Vanessa gonerilla_, + White in Taylor's New Zealand, pl. 2, fig. 1 (1855).) + +(Plate XII., fig. 5, 6 under side; Plate III., figs. 1 and 2 larvæ, 31 and +32 pupæ.) + +This handsome insect is the most familiar of New Zealand butterflies. It is +very common and generally distributed throughout the country. + + {106}The expansion of the wings varies from 2-3/8 to 2¾ inches. Above, + all the wings are black, becoming bronzy towards the body. _The + fore-wings have a band of dark red nearly across the middle, and a series + of three small blue spots, and three larger white spots near the apex. + The hind-wings have a broad dark red band near the termen, containing two + pairs of black spots with blue centres._ On the under side the fore-wings + are dark brown, with a broad patch of red in the middle, and a very + conspicuous eye-like mark on the costa, consisting of a black central + spot surrounded by a blue ring, and encircled by a yellow crescent + towards the termen. The hind-wings are brownish-grey, with many darker + and paler markings; the four spots on the upper surface are faintly + indicated on the under side by blackish rings and central dots; the + colouring of the under side varies a good deal. It is considerably darker + and duller in some specimens than in others. + + The egg, which is deposited on a nettle-leaf, is barrel-shaped, + ornamented with a series of longitudinal ribs meeting in a central spot + on the top. It is pale green, with the ribs white. The young larva, when + first hatched, is dusky-yellow, with the spines black. In about a week it + moults for the first time, and is then of an almost uniform brown, with + the lateral lines faintly indicated. Ten days later it again sheds its + skin, after which time the white lateral markings are considerably + stronger. The full-grown larva varies from black to reddish-brown, with + interrupted pale lateral and dorsal lines. On the third and fourth + segments there are four spines, on the fifth to eleventh seven spines; + the twelfth segment has six spines, and the thirteenth two spines. There + are numerous white dots all over the larva. The spines vary from pale + green to black. The caterpillar is considerably attenuated at each end, + the central portions being somewhat swollen. Length about 1½ inches. + +This caterpillar constructs for itself a small tent by fastening together +several of the leaves of its food-plant. In this dwelling it can feed, +safely concealed from all enemies. There are two kinds of nettles +constituting the food of this insect--one a small plant, which generally +grows in little patches amongst ferns in the forest (_Urtica incisa_), the +other a large shrub or tree often found in rather open situations near +rivers (_Urtica ferox_). The shrub is easily recognised by the formidable +array of long, white spines which project from the midrib of each leaf. The +larvæ of _V. gonerilla_ are much more easily collected on the tree nettle +than on the dwarf species; their leafy tents being easily detected by an +examination of the foliage. When once discovered the larvæ are best +obtained by cutting off, with a pair of strong scissors, the leaves which +form their habitations. Like most larvæ of the genus _Vanessa_, these +caterpillars are extremely voracious and soon eat themselves out of house +and home. Those feeding on the tree nettle have an unlimited supply of +leaves available both for food and shelter, but in the case of larvæ, which +are dependent on the dwarf nettle for their supplies, no doubt individuals +must occasionally die of starvation, as we sometimes observe large patches +of the _Urtica incisa_ completely destroyed by the larvæ of this butterfly. +In some seasons these larvæ may be found as early as the middle of +September, and continue abundant until the middle or end of January. + +When full grown, this caterpillar suspends itself by the tail to a little +patch of silk, which it has spun on the under side of a leaf, having also +drawn two or three other leaves around it in the same way as the feeding +larva. In this situation it hangs, with the head and three anterior +segments slightly curved upwards, for nearly twenty-four hours before the +transformation to the pupa state occurs. I have often watched these larvæ +changing, and as their manoeuvres during the process exactly resemble those +of _Anosia erippus_ a special description is unnecessary. The actual +transformation may be easily observed in this species, as the larvæ are +common and {107}can be obtained in large numbers. It is well worth +watching, and if a good many specimens are kept at once, some of them are +sure to change at a convenient time for observation. The pupa varies from +pale yellowish-brown to dark purplish-brown, darker on the wing-cases and +ventral surface. The spines on the back are golden. The whole insect is +also speckled with brown or black dots. The pupa varies considerably in +size as well as in colour. In this insect the pupa state is of very short +duration, usually only lasting about a fortnight. I am informed by Mr. +Helms that the pupa of _Vanessa gonerilla_ is often destroyed by the common +hemipteron, _Cermatulus nasalis_, which penetrates its shell by means of +its long rostrum, and speedily consumes the liquid internal portions. + +The perfect insect usually emerges early in the morning. It dries its wings +for a few hours whilst resting on the old nettle-leaves which formed its +home when a larva. The increasing warmth of the sunshine soon hardens the +wings sufficiently to allow the new-born butterfly to fly away. + +This insect is very common in most situations from January till April. It +lives through the winter, appearing again on fine days towards the end of +August. During the spring and early summer these hibernated individuals +occur in great profusion, a few specimens always remaining until the +earliest of the new ones have emerged; so that about December we may +occasionally observe both hibernated and recent specimens together. + +In the autumn these butterflies may be seen feeding on the flowers of the +scabious and the white rata, thus preparing for their long winter sleep. In +the spring, however, the insect is most abundant in the vicinity of the +nettle-plants, where the females are busily engaged depositing their eggs. + +I have noticed that this insect possesses the power of emitting a distinct +grating or hissing noise, evidently closely resembling the sound, which has +been observed to be emitted by several European species of the genus.[50] +This sound is only made when a specimen is roused from a semi-torpid +condition; and it is thought that it may be useful to the insect for the +purpose of intimidating intruders during its period of hibernation. + +This butterfly is a rapid flier and may often be seen pursuing a straight +course high above the tree-tops, apparently migrating in search of fresh +breeding-grounds. It appears to have a singular liking for hill-tops, and a +specimen which has selected one of these places will keep on returning to +the same spot, after being repeatedly frightened away. In such situations, +if the weather be calm and sunny, we may frequently see two specimens +engaged in aerial battle. They fly upwards, and coursing round each other +with great velocity, almost disappear in the clear blue sky. A few seconds +later the two insects, gently fanning their wings in the warm sunshine, are +again seen in their respective places. + + +VANESSA ITEA, Fabr. + + (_Papilio itea_, Fabr., Syst. Ent., p. 498, n. 238 (1775); Donovan Ins. + New Holland, pl. 26, fig. 1 (1805). _Vanessa itea_, Godart, Enc. Meth. + ix. p. 321, n. 57 (1819); White in Taylor's New Zealand, pl. 2, figs. 2, + 2 (1855). _Bassaris itea_, Hubner, Samml. Esot. Schmett. (1816-24). + _Pyrameis itea_, Doubleday, Gen. Diurn. Lepid., p. 202 (1849).) + +(Plate XII., fig. 3, fig. 4 under side.) + +This beautiful butterfly is, I believe, fairly abundant in the northern +portions of the North Island, but becomes scarcer southwards of Napier and +New Plymouth. In the {108}South Island I believe I once saw a specimen at +Nelson, but beyond that I can find no record of its occurrence there. + + The expansion of the wings is about 2 inches. The fore-wings are black, + becoming reddish-brown speckled with gold towards the base; _there is a + very broad yellow band nearly across the middle, and one yellow and two + white spots near the apex_. The hind-wings are rich reddish-brown, + broadly bordered with black, especially towards the costa; there are four + small black spots with blue centres near the termen, and a blue stripe + bordered with black at the tornus. The under surface closely resembles + that of _Vanessa gonerilla_, except that the red patch on the fore-wings + is replaced by pale yellow, and the markings on the hind-wings are more + sharply defined. + +The perfect insect appears from January till April, hibernated specimens +occurring in the spring. It is very fond of selecting a perch on the top of +a hill, and often engages in violent encounters with _Vanessa gonerilla_. +During the contest both insects course round each other with great +rapidity, and generally ascend to a considerable elevation. They almost +invariably return to their former resting-places. This is a fortunate habit +for the collector, as it frequently enables him to ultimately capture a +specimen, which he has almost touched with the net on several previous +occasions. I have noticed this propensity to return to a favourite perch in +the European species of the genus _Vanessa_, so that it is most likely a +congenital habit, probably of great antiquity. + +This insect has a fine appearance when flying; the large yellow spots on +the forewings are then very conspicuous, and ensure its immediate and +certain recognition. + + +VANESSA CARDUI, L. + + (_Vanessa cardui_, L. _Cynthia kershawii_, McCoy, Ann. and Mag. Nat. + Hist. iv., vol. i. p. 76 (1868). _Pyrameis cardui_, var. _P. kershawii_, + Butler, Erebus and Terror Lep., p. 29 (1874).) + +(Plate XII., fig. 1, 2 under side.) + +This elegant butterfly occurs throughout both islands, but is very +irregular in its appearance. In some years it is quite abundant, whilst in +others scarcely a specimen will be seen. During the summer of 1889-1890 it +was extremely plentiful in the Wellington district, being at that time much +commoner than _Vanessa gonerilla_, but its appearance in such large numbers +as this was, I think, very exceptional. + + The expansion of the wings varies from 2 to 2¼ inches. _Above, all the + wings are orange-red, spotted and mottled with black._ The fore-wings are + bronzy towards the base; _in the black apex there are five white spots_. + Near the termen of the hind-wings three of the black spots have blue + centres. On the under side of the fore-wings the markings are very + similar to those on the upper side, except that there are several + additional white blotches, and the orange-red ground colour has a rosy + blush towards the base. The hind-wings are very beautifully mottled with + an elaborate series of pale brown, purplish-grey, yellowish-brown, and + white markings; three of the large spots near the termen have pale blue + centres. + +I have not yet met with the larva of this insect, neither can I find any +record of its having been observed in New Zealand. The following +description by Mr. Stainton is taken from a European specimen:[51] "The +spiny larva is brown with two dorsal and two lateral yellow lines; on the +third, fourth, and twelfth segments there are four spines; on the fifth to +eleventh segments seven spines, and on the thirteenth two spines; it feeds +solitarily in rolled thistle-leaves." + +The perfect insect appears in January, February, March and April, +hibernated specimens occurring from August until December. It is a much +more wary butterfly than either _Vanessa gonerilla_ or _V. itea_, and can +seldom be captured after it has once been {109}disturbed, although it will +often return to the same spot several times in succession. In fact, owing +to its extreme timidity, its capture is generally attended with some +difficulty. + +This insect is found almost throughout the entire world. In specimens from +the Northern Hemisphere the black spots on the hind-wings have no blue +centres, and the butterflies are a little larger than those found in the +Southern Hemisphere, otherwise the two insects are exactly alike. The +southern form has been called _V. kershawii_ by several writers, but the +differences do not appear to me to be sufficiently important to merit a +distinct specific name, especially as both forms occur together in South +Africa. + +This insect has frequently been observed at various places on the European +Continent migrating in vast swarms; and it seems probable that its strong +migratory instinct may have led to its enormously wide range at the present +time. + + +Genus 3.--JUNONIA. + + "Eyes glabrous. Club of antennæ abrupt. Fore-wings, with vein 10 + separate. Hind-wings with transverse vein, absent between veins 4 and 5." + (Meyrick.) + +We have one species in New Zealand. + + +JUNONIA VELLEDA. + +(Plate XI., fig. 16, fig. 17 under side.) + +This butterfly was very common in the neighbourhood of Wellington during +the summer of 1886-87. To the best of my knowledge the insect had not +previously been observed in New Zealand, but I understand from Mr. R. +Holloway that he has since met with it on the sea-coast near New Plymouth, +in 1893, and at Motueka in 1898. + + The expansion of the wings is nearly 2 inches. On the upper side all the + wings are dull blackish-brown, with greenish or bronzy reflections. The + fore-wings have two broad orange-brown stripes on the costa, and _a very + large patch of the same colour along the termen, containing a large black + spot with a bluish-white centre_; there are three irregular whitish marks + near the apex of the wing, and a minute blue-centred ocellus. The + hind-wings have _two very large orange-brown spots almost touching each + other near the termen; each of these contains a large blue-centred + ocellus in the middle_; there are also two terminal rows of brown + crescent-shaped markings. Underneath, the markings of the fore-wings + resemble those of the upper side, but they are very much paler, and the + ground colour is light brown. The hind-wings are pale brown, with a wavy + black line across the middle, followed by a brown shading towards the + termen; there are also four small round black spots and a series of + irregular black dots near the termen. + +The perfect insect occurred very plentifully in December, January and +February, and was fond of settling on barren, stony places in the hot +sunshine. It was very timid and difficult to catch, darting off with great +rapidity when approached. During the season I managed to secure about nine +specimens, some of them in very good condition. I am unable to explain the +sudden appearance of this butterfly in New Zealand during the +above-mentioned year. The large numbers, which were observed over extended +areas, almost seem to forbid its accidental importation from Australia, +whilst the distance of New Zealand from that continent would render +immigration a most unlikely circumstance. On the other hand, if the insect +is a regular inhabitant of this country, it is strange that it had never +before been observed. When on the wing, its superficial resemblance to +_Vanessa cardui_ may have led to its having been overlooked, and hence it +is very desirable that entomologists should use every effort to detect it +in the future. + +According to Mr. Olliff, this butterfly has a very wide geographical range, +being {110}found in Java, Sumatra, Tasmania and all parts of the Australian +Continent. About the year 1830 it was described by Stephens, in his +'British Entomology,' under the name of _Cynthia hampstediensis_, on +account of its having been taken at Hampstead, the well-known suburb of +London. Subsequently it transpired that the specimen in question was no +doubt of foreign origin, its "appearance" having been due to a practical +joke perpetrated on the British Lepidopterists of the day. + + +Family 2.--SATYRIDÆ. + + "Characters of _Nymphalidæ_, but fore-wings with vein 12 greatly dilated + towards base." (Plate I., figs. 25, 26, and 27, neuration of _Erebia + pluto_.) + +"A large group of very general distribution. The species are usually of +moderate size, generally dark coloured with light bands or spots, and with +several round, black, white-centred spots on lower surface. Some of them +are more fond of shady places than is customary in this group. + +"Ovum spherical-ovate, surface reticulated and often ribbed. Larva more or +less tapering towards extremities, with short hairs; segment 13 ending in +two points; feeding on grass. Pupa suspended by the tail or unattached, +sometimes subterranean."--(Meyrick.) (See Plate III., figs. 4 and 5 larvæ, +28 and 29 pupæ.) + +Of this family we have three genera represented in New Zealand:-- + +1. ARGYROPHENGA. 2. DODONIDIA. 3. EREBIA. + + +Genus 1.--ARGYROPHENGA. + + Eyes glabrous. Club of antennæ somewhat abrupt. Fore-wings with lower + margin of cell greatly dilated towards base; veins 8, 9, 10, and 11 out + of 7; vein 12 greatly dilated towards base. + +Of this genus there is one species in New Zealand. + + +ARGYROPHENGA ANTIPODUM, Doubleday. + + (_Argyrophenga antipodum_, Doubleday, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. xvi. p. + 307 (1845); Gen. Diurn. Lepid. pl. 63, fig. 6 (1851); Butler, Erebus and + Terror Lep., pl. 8, figs. 4, 7 (1874).) + +(Plate XI., fig. 4 [M], 5 [F], 3 variety, 6 under side of [M], 7 under side +of variety; Plate III., fig. 4 larva, fig. 29 pupa.) + +This species occurs commonly on the tussock lands from Christchurch to +Invercargill. In the provinces of Nelson and Marlborough it is, I believe, +confined to situations having elevations of from 2,000 to 4,000 feet above +the sea-level. It has never been captured in the North Island. + + The expansion of the wings varies from 1-3/8 to 1¾ inches. _Above, all + the wings are dull brownish-black, paler near the body; the outer portion + of each is covered with a large patch of bright orange-brown (northern + form), or fawn colour (southern form); on the fore-wings this patch + contains a large oval black spot, with two white dots in the middle; on + the hind-wings there are two, three, or four black spots, with one white + dot in the centre of each_; beneath, the markings on the fore-wings + resemble those of the upper surface, except that there are often several + short silvery stripes near the apex; the hind-wings are dull yellow, with + silver streaks between the veins, and one broader streak in the centre of + the wing. The female is much paler than the male, with the borders of the + wings whitish. + +This insect is extremely variable. The colouring appears to be much +influenced by local conditions. On the Dun Mountain, Nelson district, at an +elevation of about 2,700 feet, a very small light form occurs in which the +sexes are almost exactly alike. There are only two perfect spots on the +upper surface of the hind-wings; the other spot is {111}rudimentary, and +has no white central dot. On the under side there are no silver stripes +near the apex of the fore-wings, and only five or six silver stripes on the +marginal portions of the hind-wings (see Plate XI., figs. 3 and 7). At +Kekerangu, on the "Chalk Range," at an elevation of from 3,000 to 4,000 +feet, a similar but slightly larger form occurs. On the Tableland of Mount +Arthur, Nelson district, 3,600 to 4,600 feet above the sea-level, the +females are paler than in either of the preceding forms, and the males +darker, so that the sexes are well marked; but there are no silvery stripes +on the under side of the apex of the fore-wings, and usually only five +stripes on the marginal portions of the hind-wings. Finally, in the +Canterbury, Otago and Southland butterflies (southern form), we have the +large, very dark reddish-brown coloured male insect with large ocelli, and +the extremely pale yellow female with small ocelli, the two sexes here +exhibiting the greatest differentiation. On the under side, the male has +several small silver stripes near the apex of the fore-wings, and seven +stripes on the marginal portions of the hind-wings. (See Plate XI., figs. +4, 5, and 6.) In elevated situations in Canterbury, however, I have taken a +somewhat similar variety to that found on the Mount Arthur Tableland. I +have also taken similar forms on Mount Robert near Lake Rotoiti, Nelson +district, these having, in addition, numerous white hairs on the wings near +the body. + +Besides these extreme variations, which appear to be largely dependent on +local conditions, great variability exists with respect to the number and +size of the ocelli or white-centred spots. In some specimens there are no +ocelli on the hind-wings; in others, two, three, or four very minute ones, +whilst others have all four very large. Occasionally specimens have a +minute ocellus below the large one on the fore-wings. Were it not for the +intermediate varieties, there would probably be little hesitation in +separating the extreme forms of this insect into several distinct species; +but as they are connected by a host of intermediate forms, it is quite +impossible even to divide them into varieties. + +In a paper communicated to the 'Entomologist' in February, 1889,[52] by Mr. +W. W. Smith, the author makes some interesting remarks on the variation of +this butterfly, as observed by him in Canterbury and Otago. After pointing +out the great diversity exhibited by different specimens in the depth of +colouring, and in the number and size of the ocelli, he states that in his +opinion the greatest variation occurs during the summers that succeed wet +winters. In the year 1888 I had the opportunity of inspecting a most +interesting series of this insect, presented by Mr. Smith to the Wellington +Museum. They embraced specimens of very varied colouring, and included, +amongst other remarkable forms, a male, which was entirely destitute of all +ocelli, both on the fore- and on the hind-wings. Amongst these specimens, +however, I did not see any resembling those I have described from Nelson +and Marlborough. This collection has, I regret to say, since been disposed +of by the Museum authorities, and cannot therefore be utilised by New +Zealand students. + +The larva of this insect feeds on the tussock grass (_Poa australis_). Its +length, when full grown, is about 1 inch. The top of the head is furnished +with a very large process, which projects forwards. The body is much +attenuated towards the tail, which is bifid. The general colour is dull +green, with a crimson line on each side and numerous alternate lines of +yellow and white. The legs and prolegs are very small. There are four +wrinkles on the posterior edges of each segment. + +{112}When feeding, this caterpillar rests on a blade of the tussock, where +it is very inconspicuous. It appears to prefer the dead or drier portions +of the grass, and feeds and grows very slowly. It is strictly diurnal in +its habits, relapsing into a death-like repose at night. + +The pupa is suspended by the tail to an upright blade of the tussock. In +the specimen I reared, I was fortunate enough to witness the actual +transformation, and during the process, observed it seizing hold of the +larval skin with its posterior segments, its manoeuvres whilst thus engaged +exactly resembling those of the pupa of _Anosia erippus_, described above +by Professor Riley. + +The length of the pupa is about ½ inch. Its colour is bright green, with a +reddish line along the edge of each wing-case, and several white lines on +the sides and back. + +The perfect insect appears from December till the end of March. It is +usually very abundant where found, the males being more numerous than the +females in the proportion of about five to one. It flies amongst the +tussock grass in a weak and aimless manner. When rapidly pursued it has a +habit of plunging into a tussock and closing its wings, where it remains +quite invisible until the danger is past. + +The silver stripes on the under side of the hind-wings are very protective +to the insect when at rest on its food-plant, the striped coloration of the +larva and pupa no doubt serving similar protective purposes. + + +Genus 2.--DODONIDIA, Butl. + + Characters as in _Argyrophenga_, except that vein 11 of the fore-wings + rises from upper margin of cell, shortly before transverse vein. + +We have one species in New Zealand. + + +DODONIDIA HELMSI, Fereday. + +(_Dodonidia helmsi_, Fereday, Trans. N. Z. Inst. xv. 193.) + +(Plate XI., fig. 14, fig. 15 under side; Plate III., fig. 5 larva, fig. 28 +pupa.) + +A single specimen of this interesting butterfly was discovered by Mr. R. +Helms, in 1881, on the Paparoa Range, near Greymouth, at an elevation of +about 1,500 feet above the sea-level. Until within the last three years +only three other specimens had been captured, viz., one near Wainui-o-mata, +in Mr. A. P. Buller's collection; one on the Dun Mountain, Nelson, at an +elevation of about 2,500 feet, which is in my collection; and one on the +Tableland of Mount Arthur, at about 3,300 feet, which was kindly given to +me by Mr. C. W. Palmer. In the summer of 1894-95 several specimens were +captured by Mr. P. Marshall near Wanganui,[53] and during the same season +Messrs. Smithers and Hawthorne discovered the insect in considerable +abundance at a locality near Silverstream, in the Wellington district. +During the two following summers additional specimens were obtained near +Silverstream, and I was fortunate enough to discover there a number of +specimens of the larva, which furnished the material for the illustration +and description of the preparatory stages of the insect given in this work. + + The expansion of the wings is about 2 inches. _On the upper side all the + wings are dark brown. The fore-wings have two broad bands of + yellowish-orange, the outer one containing a {113}small patch of dark + brown near the costa, which touches a white-centred black ocellus. The + hind-wings have one large patch of yellowish-orange containing two + ocelli; a large ocellus, surrounded by a broad ring of reddish-orange, is + situated on the tornus_; the tornus is produced into two very broad but + short tails, which are bordered with white cilia. On the under side the + fore-wings are light ochreous-yellow; there is a shaded brown patch at + the base; the termen is broadly bordered with brown, the border + containing a silver streak; two broad brown patches are situated on the + costa, the outer one terminated by a small ocellus, and enclosing a + silvery patch near the apex of the wing. _The hind-wings are silvery, + narrowly bordered with deep reddish-brown, with five deep reddish-brown + stripes running from the costa towards the tornus_; the fourth stripe + from the base of the wing contains three ocelli surrounded by yellow + rings; a conspicuous ocellus is situated at the tornus, surrounded by a + broad orange-red ring. + +This insect appears to vary a little in the extent of the yellowish-orange +colouring of the upper side. It also varies in size, specimens from the +North Island being slightly larger than those from the South Island. + +The larva feeds on a species of sedge (_Galinia setifolia_), which always +grows abundantly in the birch forests, where the butterflies are found. +When full grown the length of this caterpillar is about 1¼ inches. Its body +is much attenuated at each end and rather stout in the middle; the head and +tail are bifid; there are numerous straight, shallow, transverse wrinkles +on each segment, especially towards the head. The colour is green, with a +number of fine, paler and darker green, dorsal and lateral lines; the head +and thirteenth segment are yellowish. The legs are very minute, and the +prolegs of moderate size. It is extremely susceptible to the attacks of a +Dipterous parasite. In fact, out of thirty larvæ kept by Mr. Hawthorne and +myself, no less than 75 per cent. were thus destroyed. This larva feeds on +the leaves of the sedge, eating out long notches parallel to the veins of +the leaf. These notches are the best guides to follow in searching for the +larva, as the colouring of the caterpillar renders its discovery amongst +the food-plant extremely difficult. The larvæ should be looked for during +the end of December or the beginning of January. + +The pupa is rather stout, light green, with the edge of the wing-case and +the prominences formed by the back and palpi, edged with crimson and white. +It is suspended by the tail to any firm object in the neighbourhood of the +sedge. + +The perfect insect appears in February. It frequents sunny glades in the +birch forest, usually at considerable elevations above the sea-level. Mr. +Helms informs me that he has seen specimens near Greymouth in October, and +hence concludes that there are two broods in the year. The butterfly is +very difficult to capture, as it has a most provoking habit of resting on +the foliage of the birch-trees, just out of the collector's reach. I am +unable to explain the object of the remarkable colouring of the under side +of this insect, but it is probably protective, although in what way has yet +to be discovered. + + +Genus 3.--EREBIA, Dalm. + + "Eyes glabrous. Club of antennæ abrupt." (Plate I., figs. 25, 26, and 27 + neuration of _Erebia pluto_.) + +"An extensive and essentially Alpine genus inhabiting the mountains of +Europe, Asia, North America, and South Africa. Pupa unattached amongst stem +bases of grass."--(Meyrick.) + +We have two species in New Zealand. + + +{114}EREBIA PLUTO, Fereday. + + (_Erebia pluto_, Fereday. _Erebia merula_, Hewitson, Ent. Mo. Mag. xii. + 10 (1874). _Oreina othello_, Fereday, Trans. N. Z. Inst. viii. 302, 304, + pl. ix. (1876). _Percnodaimon pluto_, Butl., Ent. Mo. Mag. xii. 153 + (1876); Catalogue of N. Z. Butterflies, 10.) + +(Plate XI., fig. 8 [M], 9 [F], 10 under side.) + +This fine butterfly has occurred plentifully on many mountain-tops in the +South Island, from Nelson to Lake Wakatipu. It has never been observed in +the North Island. + + The expansion of the wings of the male is 1¾ inches, of the female 2 + inches. _On the upper side all the wings are a very rich bronzy-black. + The fore-wings have a paler patch near the apex, containing two small, + and three large black ocelli with white centres_; these ocelli are + usually joined together. On the under side all the wings are considerably + paler and greyer. The hind-wings have a series of pale spots near the + termen, and a paler shade across the middle. + +The insect varies chiefly in the number of ocelli. On the upper side of the +fore-wings there are sometimes only four, the minute ocellus on the costa +being absent, whilst occasionally a small extra ocellus appears below the +normal series. On the under side this last-mentioned ocellus is very +frequently, but not invariably, present. In some female specimens an +extremely minute ocellus may be detected on the upper surface of the +hind-wings near the termen. On the under side of the hind-wings in both +sexes the series of pale terminal spots are often absent, and the general +depth of the colouring varies considerably. + +Mr. Fereday has described and figured a very interesting variation +occurring in the structure of the costal veins of this species,[54] vein 11 +of the fore-wings sometimes running into 12 (see Plate I., fig. 26), and +sometimes being entirely absent (fig. 25). After reading Mr. Fereday's +article I examined the specimens in my own collection, and found that all +those taken on Mount Arthur and on Mount Peel, in the Nelson district, had +veins 11 and 12 joined, whilst the two specimens I took on Mount Enys, +Castle Hill, West Coast Road, had vein 11 absent. As, however, Mr. Fereday +has specimens exhibiting both forms of neuration, from Castle Hill and from +Mount Hutt, I do not think it likely that the peculiarity is confined to +butterflies from any particular locality. Like Mr. Fereday, I have observed +that the specimens having veins 11 and 12 joined, are smaller than those +having vein 11 absent. + +The perfect insect appears in January, February and March. It frequents +shingle slopes on mountains, at elevations ranging from 4,000 to 6,000 feet +above the sea-level. Sometimes the butterflies occur in considerable +numbers, flying in a lazy, aimless manner in the scorching sunshine, but +instantly retreating into crevices between the stones when the sun is +obscured. I have observed that this species is most abundant in the +neighbourhood of the carpet grass, on which I fully anticipate its larva +feeds. It seldom, however, settles on this grass, preferring to alight on +the shingle, which, owing to the rarefied air existing at such high +elevations, soon becomes intensely heated by the sun's rays. + +When disturbed this insect flies with considerable rapidity and thus often +eludes the net, so that the capture of a good series of specimens on a +rugged mountain-top is usually very exciting, if not actually dangerous +work. As with many other {115}insects, mountain ranges are more prolific in +this butterfly than isolated peaks. Mount Peel, situated to the west of +Mount Arthur, is the best locality I know of for this and many other Alpine +species. Its gentle slopes enable the collector to work with perfect ease +and safety, whilst the patches of rich soil occurring nearly to the top of +the mountain support an unusually varied Alpine flora of great interest. + + +EREBIA BUTLERI, Fereday. + +(_Erebiola butleri_, Fereday, Trans. N. Z. Inst. xii. 264; Catalogue of N. +Z. Butterflies, 19.) + +(Plate XI., fig. 11 [M], 12 [F], 13 under side.) + +This interesting butterfly was described from three dilapidated specimens +captured by Mr. J. D. Enys at Whitcombe's Pass, Canterbury, on March 8, +1879, at about 4,000 feet above the sea-level. From that time I believe no +other specimens had been found until January, 1894, when I took quite a +large number on the Humboldt Range, at the head of Lake Wakatipu, at +elevations ranging from 4,000 to 5,000 feet above the sea-level. + + The expansion of the wings of the male is 1-5/8 inches, of the female 1½ + inches. _On the upper side all the wings of the male are smoky-brown; the + fore-wings have a large black ocellus near the apex, enclosing two white + dots, followed by a smaller ocellus towards the dorsum; the hind-wings + have three black spots near the termen, sometimes enclosing white dots._ + Occasionally these ocelli are surrounded by a patch of deep + reddish-brown. The female is much paler, with large patches of + yellowish-brown surrounding the ocelli. On the under side the fore-wings + of the male are smoky-brown, with an irregular blotch of reddish-brown + near the apex, surrounding a small white-centred black ocellus. _The + hind-wings are dark reddish-brown, with several conspicuous black-edged + silvery markings, and four yellowish-red spots near the termen._ The + under side of the female is very much paler. + +This butterfly varies considerably on the upper side in the number and size +of the ocelli, and in the extent of the reddish-brown markings which +surround them; on the under side the silvery spots on the hind-wings are +also variable. + +The perfect insect has been taken in January and March. It evidently +frequents mountains in the South Island, at elevations of about 4,000 feet, +but does not appear to be generally distributed in such localities. It +seldom settles on the shingle, mostly resting on the snow grass, on which +its larva probably feeds. It is a smaller insect than _E. pluto_, and flies +much more feebly. These characteristics will at once enable the collector +to distinguish it from _E. pluto_ when on the wing. + +Immediately a cloud obscures the sun these butterflies retreat into the +tufts of the snow grass, remaining closely hidden there until the sun +shines out again. This circumstance makes the capture of the insect, even +in a favourable locality, a matter of considerable uncertainty, as bright +sunshine is more often the exception than the rule on the summits of high +mountains. + + +Family 3.--LYCÆNIDÆ. + + "Anterior legs developed, but tarsi of [M] more or less abbreviated, or + with one or both claws absent; posterior tibiæ without middle spurs. + Fore-wings with vein 7 absent, 8 and 9 stalked or coincident. Hind-wings + without præcostal spur." (Plate I., figs. 15, 16, neuration of + _Chrysophanus salustius_.) + +"The family is large and very generally distributed. The species are of +moderate size or more often rather small, usually blue, dark brown, or +coppery-orange in colouring, often with series of small black pale-ringed +spots on lower surface. + +{116}"Ovum flattened--spherical or subcylindrical, reticulated and +sometimes ribbed, seldom smooth. Larva stout, with few hairs. Pupa attached +by tail and a central belt of silk, or sometimes unattached or +subterranean."--(Meyrick.) + +We have two genera represented in New Zealand, viz.:-- + +1. CHRYSOPHANUS. 2. LYCÆNA. + + +Genus 1.--CHRYSOPHANUS, Hb. + + "Eyes glabrous. Club of antennæ elongate. Fore-wings with vein 6 + separate, 8 and 9 stalked." (Plate I., figs. 15 and 16 neuration of _C. + salustius_). + +"An extensive and nearly cosmopolitan genus. Larva short, stout, attenuated +at extremities, with short hairs. Pupa attached by the tail and central +belt of silk, or sometimes unattached on the ground."--(Meyrick.) + +There are three New Zealand species. + + +CHRYSOPHANUS SALUSTIUS, Fabr. + + (_Chrysophanus salustius_, Fabr., Butler, Butterflies of N. Z., Trans. N. + Z. Inst. x. 263. _Chrysophanus rauparaha_, Fereday, Trans. N. Z. Inst. + ix. 460. _Chrysophanus maui_, ib. x. 252.) + +(Plate XII., fig. 18 [M], 19 [F], 20 and 21 under side; Plate XIII., figs. +2, 3, 4, and 5 varieties.) + +This pretty little butterfly appears to be very common in most parts of New +Zealand. I have records of its occurrence in abundance at various +localities, from Napier southwards to Invercargill. + + The expansion of the wings varies from 1 to 1½ inches. _On the upper side + all the wings are brilliant shining copper, with black markings._ + Fore-wings with three spots near the middle, then a row of black spots, + often forming a band nearly parallel with the termen, another row on the + termen, generally touching the narrow black border of the wing. + Hind-wings resembling fore-wings, except that there is only one elongate + spot in the centre, and the terminal series of spots is nearly always + separated from the black border. In the female the black spots are united + and form bands, those on the termen often having violet or blue centres. + The veins in both sexes are indicated by black lines, which are often + double in the male, when the vein itself is coppery. On the under side + the fore-wings are orange-brown, bordered with yellow; the spots resemble + those of the upper side, except that the terminal series are generally + faint or obsolete towards the costa. The hind-wings vary from light + yellow to dull brown; the spots are dull greyish, the posterior series + often having white centres. + +From the foregoing it may be seen that the variation in this insect is +considerable. After a careful examination of a large number of specimens +taken at various localities in both North and South Islands, I am, however, +unable to find characters of sufficient constancy to entitle any of the +forms to specific rank. The most striking of these varieties appears to be +that described by Mr. Bates as _Chrysophanus feredayi_.[55] (See Plate +XIII., fig. 2, upper side; Plate XII., fig. 21, under side.) On the upper +surface it has the central series of spots almost forming a band in the +male, and the coppery ground colour is paler than in the typical form. On +the under side the borders of the fore-wings, and the whole of the +hind-wings are dull brown. This form closely resembles _C. rauparaha_, +Fereday.[56] _C. maui_, Fereday, is evidently that variety of the male +having the veins bordered with two fine black lines. Mr. Fereday states +that he has never been able to find the female of his _C. maui_. This is +readily accounted for by the fact, that the female of _C. maui_ is nothing +more than the female of _C. salustius_. + +Recently two very remarkable aberrations of _C. salustius_ have come under +my {117}notice; one captured by Mr. Hawthorne at Karori, in which the +hind-wings are almost entirely suffused with blackish-brown, excepting a +small patch of copper colour near the centre, and two patches on the +termen. Another specimen, taken by Mr. Grapes near Paraparaumu, has the +fore-wings also suffused with blackish-brown, except near the middle, where +there are five coppery patches between the veins. On the under side there +are six large oblong spots near the termen of the fore-wings, and a series +of dusky oblong spots on the hind-wings. (See Plate XIII., fig. 3, fig. 4 +under side.) Plate XIII., fig. 5, represents another variety discovered by +Mr. Grapes on the coast near Paikakariki, in the Wellington district. It is +remarkable for the bright blue terminal spots which are present in both +sexes. + +The eggs of _C. salustius_, when first deposited, are pale green with +yellow reticulations, the whole egg having a honeycombed appearance when +magnified. They become uniform pale yellow before hatching. The young larva +is shaped somewhat like a wood-louse. The head is quite hidden by the three +anterior segments, which are much larger than the rest. After the first +moult the larva becomes bright green, with a crimson line down the back; +the head is then larger, and the three anterior segments considerably +reduced. Unfortunately the life-history could not be investigated beyond +this point, as the larvæ all died. The time of year when this occurred was +late autumn, and it therefore seems probable that the larvæ hibernate and +undergo their transformation early the following spring. + +The perfect insect first appears in November and continues abundant until +the middle or end of February. Specimens of what I believe to be a second +brood may be taken in March and April if the weather be fine, but in stormy +seasons these are frequently not observed. I have also noticed that the +autumnal specimens are usually smaller and paler in colour than those +captured in the spring. + +This butterfly frequents open situations, and in fine, sunny weather it is +often very common. + + +CHRYSOPHANUS ENYSII, Butl. + +(_Chrysophanus enysii_, Butler, Ent. Mo. Mag. xiii. 153 (1876).) + +(Plate XII., fig. 22 [M], 23 [F], 24 under side.) + +This species is tolerably common in the Wellington district, and I expect +it will be found to occur in most localities in the North Island. I have +also taken the insect at Nelson, but have not heard of its capture +elsewhere in the South Island. + + The expansion of the wings varies from 1 to 1¼ inches. On the upper + surface both sexes resemble some of the females of _Chrysophanus + salustius_, except that the dark markings are very much broader, and the + coppery colour is paler and less lustrous. On the under side the + fore-wings are pale yellowish-brown, bordered with darker brown, with + three black spots near the middle, and a chain of black spots beyond the + middle. _The hind-wings are yellow, with a very large irregular patch of + purplish brown extending over the costal and terminal portions._ + +This insect varies chiefly in the extent of the dark markings on the upper +side, which sometimes very much encroach on the golden ground colour. The +spaces between veins 2, 3, and 4, near their origin are sometimes yellow +and sometimes black, but, as every intermediate form exists, cannot be +distinguished as species. Mr. Fereday regards the form with the black +spaces as _C. feredayi_, Bates. As previously stated, however, I am +inclined to think that _C. feredayi_, Bates, is the same form as _C. +rauparaha_, Fereday. + +{118}This butterfly is essentially a forest-loving species, and may +sometimes be taken quite plentifully in sunny openings on fine days, during +December and January. It is not nearly so common as _C. salustius_, and I +do not think that there is more than a single brood in a season. + + +CHRYSOPHANUS BOLDENARUM, White. + + (_Lycæna boldenarum_, White, Proc. Ent. Soc., Ser. 3, 1, p. 26 (1862). + _Chrysophanus boldenarum_, Butl., Zool. Erebus and Terror, Ins. Lep., p. + 29, n. 8, pl. 8, figs. 8, 9 (1874).) + +(Plate XII., figs. 13, 14, [M] varieties, 15 under side of [M], 16 [F], 17 +under side of [F].) + +This brilliant little butterfly is very common in most localities in the +South Island. In the North Island it has occurred at Lakes Wairarapa and +Taupo. + + The expansion of the wings is 7/8 inch. On the upper side the male has + all the wings brown, _tinged with the most brilliant glistening purple_. + The fore-wings have two or three black spots near the middle, a curved + series beyond the middle, and on the termen. The hind-wings have two + black spots near the middle, a series beyond the middle, and a terminal + series, generally with blue centres. All the wings are narrowly bordered + with black. The female is pale yellowish-brown, the spots resemble those + of the male, except that all the marginal series have bright purple or + blue centres. On the under side the fore-wings of both sexes are pale + yellow, bordered with slaty-blue: the spots are the same as on the upper + side. The hind-wings are brownish-grey in male, slaty-grey in female, + with the basal portion darker, and the spots of the upper side always + indicated. + +This insect is extremely variable, but I do not think it likely that any of +the numerous forms will prove sufficiently constant to be regarded as +distinct species. The male varies in the size and number of the black +spots, many of which are often absent; in the extent of the purple sheen +which is sometimes absent from the hind-wings, sometimes partially absent +from the fore-wings, and sometimes extends over the whole of both pairs of +wings; also in the colour of such sheen, which often inclines towards blue. +Some specimens are much paler than others, and so far as my experience +goes, these are chiefly found at considerable elevations; in such +specimens, the ground colouring inclines towards yellow or orange, and the +purple sheen is very brilliant, and extends over the whole of the wings. +The female of this form is proportionately paler. Other specimens have the +hind-wings almost black with no purple sheen, whilst in others the purple +sheen remains. Another form has the usual markings, but the hind-wings are +deep orange-brown, without purple sheen, which is also absent from the +outer portions of the fore-wings. One female in my collection is dull +brown, with yellow markings between the two rows of black spots. The under +side is still more variable. One very striking form has only the basal +portions of the fore-wings yellow, the rest of the ground colour is pale +bluish-grey, and the spots black. On the hind-wings there are a number of +black spots near the base; then an irregular band of black, and then a +double row of marginal spots. An almost unlimited number of varieties +appears to connect this form with one, in which all the markings on the +hind-wings are nearly obsolete. The specimens of this insect taken in each +district appear to exhibit differences from those taken elsewhere, but +specimens also differ from the same district, so that at present we are +unable to detect any well-marked local variation, or topomorphism, as it +has been termed. It is consequently highly desirable that collectors should +endeavour to obtain specimens from as many localities as possible, so that +the nature of the variation of this butterfly may be better understood. + +Mr. Fereday states[57] that after carefully examining a patch of _Donatia +{119}novæzealandiæ_, a plant he had noticed much frequented by this +butterfly, he succeeded in finding a larva which there could be little +doubt would have given rise to this insect, had it lived. The following is +taken from his description: The caterpillar is shaped like a wood-louse, +hairy, and pale green. There is a series of conical purplish spots down the +back, edged first with white, and then with dull red. On the sides there is +a series of pale pinkish oblique stripes, blended with dull red towards the +spiracles. + +The perfect insect is very common in dry, stony places, generally near +river-beds, during January, February and March. It flies only a short +distance when disturbed, but is very quick on the wing, and hence difficult +to catch until one becomes accustomed to it. In some places these little +butterflies are so abundant that they take wing like a swarm of blow-flies. +They seldom open their wings whilst at rest, so that when perched on the +ground they are very inconspicuous. + + +Genus 2.--LYCÆNA, F. + + "Eyes hairy. Club of antennæ elongate. Fore-wings with vein 6 separate, 8 + and 9 stalked. + +"A large genus of nearly universal distribution. Imago usually with a horny +apical hook on anterior tibiæ. Larva short, stout, attenuated at +extremities, with short hairs. Pupa attached by tail and often a central +belt of silk, or unattached or subterranean."--(Meyrick.) + +Represented in New Zealand by two species. + + +LYCÆNA PHOEBE, Murray. + +(_Lycæna phoebe_, Murray, Ent. Mo. Mag., 1873, 107.) + +(Plate XII., fig. 10, 11 under side.) + +This little butterfly is extremely abundant in the neighbourhood of Nelson. +I have also taken it in plenty in several localities in the Wellington +district, and suspect it is common throughout the North Island. In other +parts of the South Island its place appears to be taken by _L. oxleyi_. + + The expansion of the wings of the male is 1 inch, of the female 7/8 inch. + On the upper side all the wings are pale blue, broadly bordered with dull + brown. The cilia are white, faintly barred with brownish. _On the under + side all the wings, are pale slaty-grey._ There is a faint blackish spot, + edged with white, near the middle of the fore-wings, and two rows of + similar spots near the termen. The hind-wings have several very faint + white-edged spots near the base, a row near the middle, and another row + almost entirely white near the termen. + +The perfect insect frequents waste grounds and sandhills, generally beside +roads and river-beds, and when found is usually very common. It is on the +wing from the beginning of October until the end of March. + + +LYCÆNA OXLEYI, Feld. + +(_Lycæna oxleyi_, Felder, Reise de Novara Lep. ii., 280, pl. 35, fig. 6, +1865.) + +(Plate XII., fig. 12 under side.) + +According to Mr. Enys[58] this butterfly is common in both islands. I have +taken specimens in the Canterbury and Nelson districts. + + On the upper side this species can only be distinguished from the + preceding by its somewhat brighter colour, and by the cilia which are + more sharply barred with brown. _On the under side the whole of the + fore-wings, and the central portions of the hind-wings between the outer + and inner series of spots, are much darker and browner than in L. + phoebe_; the spots themselves are also considerably darker, and the + central series of the hind-wings is almost black. A careful examination, + however, shows that the markings are practically identical in both + species, although of different degrees of {120}intensity. In view of the + great variability, which many species of this genus are known to exhibit + in other countries, I am inclined to think that this butterfly's claim to + specific distinction is a very slender one. + +The perfect insect may be taken in similar situations to _Lycæna phoebe_. + + +REPUTED NEW ZEALAND BUTTERFLIES. + +The following species are recorded by various observers as having occurred +in New Zealand. In nearly every case they are only represented by single +specimens. They cannot, in my opinion, be regarded as properly belonging to +the fauna:-- + + +1. HAMADRYAS ZOILUS,[59] Fabr. + + The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. On the upper side all the wings are + black, becoming brown towards the base; the fore-wings have three dull + white spots near the apex; the hind-wings have the whole of the central + portions white. + +Stated by Dieffenbach to occur in New Zealand, probably in error, as it has +not since been observed. An Australian species. Mr. W. W. Smith, however, +informs me, that his eldest son recently saw near Ashburton a specimen of +what he believed to be this butterfly; but as he was unable to capture it +he cannot speak with any degree of certainty. + + +2. EUPLOÆ ---- sp? + + The expansion of the wings is 2¾ inches. On the upper side all the wings + are dull, brownish-black, with a series of large white terminal spots. + +Two or three specimens of this insect are stated by Mr. T. W. Kirk to have +been taken near Flat Point on the east coast of the North Island, but no +further details are forthcoming. The late Mr. Olliff, to whom I forwarded a +sketch of the insect, informed me that it was not represented in the Sydney +collections of Australian and South Sea Island butterflies, but he thought +it might be a Malayan species of _Euploæ_. + + +3. VANESSA ATALANTA,[60] L. + + The expansion of the wings is from 2½ to 2¾ inches. "The fore-wings are + black, with a broad deep red central band, and with one large and five + small white spots near the apex. The hind-wings are black, with a broad + deep red band at the termen, in which are four black spots; at the tornus + is a large blue-and-black spot."[61] + +Mr. T. W. Kirk states[62] that he captured a specimen of this familiar +English butterfly in the Wellington Botanical Gardens, in the summer of +1881. On a subsequent occasion he saw several others. No specimens have +since been detected. + + +4. VANESSA URTICÆ, L. + + The expansion of the wings is from 2 to 2¼ inches. "The fore-wings are + reddish-orange with three large black spots on the costa (the third + followed by a white spot), two smaller black spots near the centre, and + one large one on the dorsum; a dark border, containing cresentic blue + spots, runs along the termen. The hind-wings are black at the base, then + reddish-orange, with a blue-spotted dark border along the termen."[63] + +Mr. Kirk states[64] that he also obtained specimens of this very common +English butterfly during the same season and in the same locality as +_Vanessa atalanta_. None have been seen by other observers. + + +{121}5. CATOPSILIA CATILLA,[65] Cramer. + + The expansion of the wings is nearly 3 inches. On the upper side all the + wings of the male are pale sulphur-yellow, with a minute brown mark at + the apex. The female is paler, with a brown spot in the centre of the + fore-wings, and a chain of brown spots on the termen towards the apex. + +A single male specimen of this butterfly was captured in the grounds of St. +John's College, Auckland, and is now in the Auckland Museum. The species is +very common in Australia, and as this is the only specimen observed it was +no doubt accidentally introduced from that country on board a steamer. + + + + +{122}V.--THE PYRALIDINA. + + +Not dealt with in this volume. + + + + +VI.--THE PSYCHINA. + + +The _Psychina_ are distinguished by the following characters:-- + + "Eyes glabrous. Maxillary palpi rudimentary or obsolete (yet sometimes + well marked in pupa). Posterior tibiæ, with spurs very short, middle + spurs often absent. Fore-wings with vein 1_b_ furcate, 1_c_ usually + developed, 5 more or less approximated to 4. Hind-wings with frenulum, + retinaculum often very broad, 1_c_ present, 8 connected or anastomosing + with cell." (See Plate I., figs. 30, 31 neuration of _Oeceticus + omnivorus_.) + +"This ancient group, which furnishes the origin of the five preceding, is +not now very prominent, though much more numerous in warm regions. + +"Imago with fore-wings more or less elongate-triangular, hind-wings ovate, +often rather small. + +"Larva with 10 prolegs, usually with few hairs. + +"Pupa with segments 8-11 free, usually 7 also (except in _Psychidæ_), in +male 12 also; protruded from cocoon in emergence."--(Meyrick.) + +The _Psychina_ and _Micropterygina_ are included amongst the _Micros_ by +most modern authors. I have, however, described and figured certain +conspicuous and interesting species belonging to both these groups. The +insects in question have, until so very recently, been regarded as +_Macros_, that I think it would be a mistake to omit them in the present +volume. There can, however, be no question that the modern view is the +correct one, and that notwithstanding the large size of some of the +species, they are really closely allied to those _Micro-Lepidoptera_, with +which they are now associated. + +Of the _Psychina_ we have one family represented in New Zealand--the +_Psychidæ_. + + +Family 1.--PSYCHIDÆ. + + "Head densely rough-haired. Ocelli large. Tongue obsolete. Antennæ half + the length of the fore-wings or less, in male strongly bi-pectinated to + apex. Labial palpi very short, hairy. Thorax densely hairy above and + beneath. Abdomen, femora, and tibiæ densely hairy, posterior tibiæ + without middle spurs, end spurs extremely short. Fore-wings with vein + 1_a_ anastomosing with 1_b_ before middle; 1_c_ (if present) coincident + with 1_b_ beyond middle, 7 absent. Hind-wings, with vein 8, connected by + bar with upper margin of cell. Female apterous, without legs or developed + antennæ. + +{123}"A rather small family of universal distribution, but commoner in warm +countries. Male imago with thinly scaled wings, without markings; flight +strong and swift, sometimes in sunshine. The female is almost wholly +helpless; the abdomen is at first greatly distended with eggs, and +ultimately shrivels up. + +"Ovum oval, smooth. Larva inhabiting a strong portable silken case, covered +with fragments of stick or refuse. Pupa within the larval +case."--(Meyrick.) + +There are two genera in New Zealand closely allied to each other. + +1. OECETICUS. 2. OROPHORA. + + +Genus 1.--OECETICUS, Guild. + + "Ocelli present. Antennæ 1/3, in male strongly bi-pectinated, much more + shortly on apical half. Labial palpi extremely short, rough-haired. + Abdomen in male very elongate, roughly hairy. Legs hairy, tibiæ without + spurs, posterior tarsi extremely short and stout. Fore-wings with veins 4 + and 5 short-stalked, 7 sometimes out of 9, 8 and 9 stalked, forked + parting-vein well defined. Hind-wings with veins 4 and 5 stalked, forked + parting-vein well defined, 8 connected by bar with cell beyond middle. An + additional vein (9) rising from 8 beyond bar, another (10) from 8 before + bar, and another (11) from base of costa running into 8 before 10." (See + Plate I., figs. 30, 31.) + +"This generic name was wrongly spelt _Oiketicus_ by its originator and +others, for which there is no possible justification. I have corrected +it."--(Meyrick.) + +Although I have made several examinations of fully denuded wings of _OE. +omnivorus_, I have been unable to discover any trace of the additional +veins mentioned by Mr. Meyrick. The hair-like scales which clothe the wings +of this insect are very long and slender, and might easily be mistaken for +a short vein, if placed in the requisite position. I am disposed to think +that the examination of undenuded specimens has led to the discrepancy +between the results. + +We have one species. + + +OECETICUS OMNIVORUS, Fereday. + +(_Liothula omnivora_, Fereday, Trans. N. Z. Inst. x., 260, pl. ix. +_Oeceticus omnivorus_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxii. 212.) + +(Plate XIII., fig. 6 [M]; Plate III., fig. 26, larva in its case; fig. 25 +ditto withdrawn from case.) + +This interesting species is seldom seen as an imago in the natural state, +although the cases constructed by its larva are of common occurrence. +Specimens of these cases have been noticed at several localities between +Palmerston, in the North Island, and Invercargill, in the South Island, so +that apparently the insect is common, and generally distributed throughout +New Zealand. + + The expansion of the wings of the male is from 1¼ to 1½ inches. _The + fore-wings are very elongate and narrow. All the wings are + blackish-brown, and sparsely covered with scales_, the hind pair being + semi-transparent. The body is very hairy, and deep black. The antennæ are + broadly bi-pectinate at the base, becoming almost filiform towards the + apex. The female insect is apterous, having a close superficial + resemblance to a large maggot. The head and thorax are very small, and + the legs and antennæ rudimentary. The extremity of the body is furnished + with a two-jointed ovipositor, and there are a few scattered yellowish + scales on various parts of the insect. Its length is about 1 inch. + +The eggs of this species are deposited inside the old case, which the +female insect never leaves during the whole of her life. The young larva +when first hatched is about 1/8 inch in length. Its head and three anterior +segments are corneous and much larger than the others, which are rather +soft with the exception of the last one. These little {124}larvæ are +extremely active, and immediately after hatching leave the old case, and +roam in all directions over the tree, letting themselves down from branch +to branch by silken threads. They carry the posterior portion of their body +elevated in the air, walking whilst doing so by means of their strong +thoracic legs. + +The food-plants of this species are numerous. The following are a few of +them: Manuka (_Leptospermum scoparium_ and _ericoides_, _Cupressus +macrocarpa_, _Pinus insignis_), and various species of willow, &c. These, +it will be observed, include several introduced trees. In fact, the insect +is a very general feeder. About three days after leaving the egg, the +little caterpillar constructs a minute, conical-shaped, silken case, which +it carries almost in an upright position on its posterior segments. Later +on in life this case becomes too heavy to be held vertically, and is +afterwards dragged along by the larva, and often allowed to hang downwards. +The case has two apertures--a large one in front, through which the head of +the larva is projected, and a smaller one at the posterior extremity, which +allows the pellets of excrement to fall out of the case, as soon as they +are evacuated. + +Owing to the apterous and completely helpless condition of the female +imago, it is evident that the dispersal of this insect must take place in +the larval state. Distribution is of course quite impossible without a +female being transported in some way, and from observations made on a good +many larvæ of various ages, I am disposed to think that the migration of +this insect to new localities takes place at an early age, possibly soon +after its emergence from the egg. On this account I think that the +occurrence of the moth in both North and South Islands is of great +interest, as it would seem to indicate the existence of some connection +between the two islands, at a period not sufficiently remote to have +allowed any appreciable modification to take place in the insect's +structure and habits. At the same time, it should be borne in mind, that +the protection afforded the larva by its case, and its ability to feed on +so many different plants, may have rendered any modification unnecessary +for the preservation of the species during recent times. The length of the +full-grown caterpillar is about 1 inch. The head is dull yellow speckled +with black. The first three segments are very hard, dark brown, with +numerous white markings. The remaining segments are considerably thickened +near the middle of the insect, rudimentary prolegs being present on the +seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth segments of the larva. The anal prolegs +are very strong, and are furnished with numerous sharp hooklets, which +retain the larva very firmly in its case. As the caterpillar grows, it +increases the length of its domicile from the anterior, causing it +gradually to assume a more tubular form, tapering towards the posterior +aperture, which is enlarged from time to time. The outside is covered with +numerous fragmentary leaves and twigs of various sizes, placed +longitudinally on the case, and, frequently, near the anterior aperture the +materials, owing to their recent selection, are fresh and green. The +interior is lined with soft, smooth silk of a light brown colour, the +thickness of the whole fabric being about the same as that of an ordinary +kid glove, and so strong that it is impossible to tear it, or indeed to cut +it, except with sharp instruments. The size of the case, when the +caterpillar is mature, varies considerably, ranging from 2¼ to 3 inches or +more in length, and about ¼ inch in diameter, the widest portion being a +little behind the anterior aperture. + +During the day the larva closes the entrance, and spins a loop of very +strong silk {125}over a twig, the ends being joined to the upper edges of +the case on each side; in this way it hangs suspended, the caterpillar +lying snugly within. I have often known a larva to remain thus for over +three weeks without moving, and afterwards resume feeding as before; this +probably occurs whilst the inmate is engaged in changing its skin. At night +the larvæ may be seen busily engaged: they project the head and first four +segments of the body beyond the case, and walk about with considerable +rapidity, often lowering themselves by means of silken threads; the only +locomotive organs are, of course, their strong thoracic legs, which appear +to easily fulfil their double function of moving both larva and case. If +disturbed, these insects at once retreat into their cases, closing the +anterior aperture with a silken cord, which is kept in readiness for the +purpose, and pulled from the inside by the retreating larva. This operation +is most rapidly performed, as the upper edges of the case are flexible, and +thus fold closely together, completely obstructing the entrance. When full +grown, this caterpillar fastens its case to a branch with a loop of strong +silk, which is drawn very tight, preventing the case from swinging when the +plant is moved by the wind, and also rendering the insect's habitation more +inconspicuous, by causing it to resemble a broken twig. The anterior +aperture is completely closed, the loose edges being drawn together and +fastened like a bag. The posterior end of the case is twisted up for some +little distance above the extremity, thus completely closing the opening +there situated. It is lined inside with a layer of very soft silk spun +loosely over the sides, and partly filling up each end. In the centre of +this the pupa lies with its head towards the lower portion of the case, the +old larval skin being thrust backwards amongst the loose silk above the +insect. + +The male and female pupæ may very easily be distinguished. The male pupa is +rather attenuated, and has all the organs of the future moth plainly +indicated on the integument, as is usual with lepidopterous pupæ. The +female pupa, on the contrary, is merely a chain of segments, with a few +faint indications of rudimentary organs on the anterior extremity. It is, +moreover, much larger than the male pupa. + +The insect remains in this condition during the winter months. About +September the male pupa works its way down to the lower end of the case, +forces open the old aperture there situated, and projects the head and +thorax, the pupa being secured from falling by the spines on its posterior +segments, which retain a firm hold in the silk. Its anterior portion then +breaks open, and the moth makes its escape, clinging to the outside of its +old habitation, and drying its wings. + +The perfect insect must be about from September till December, but I have +never then observed it. The only specimen I have seen was noticed flying +very rapidly in the street in Wellington, in July. I was at first unable to +tell what species it was, as it had a most unusual appearance on the wing, +but its subsequent near approach enabled me to ascertain for certain that +it was a specimen of this insect. In captivity I have also noticed the +extreme activity of the male when first emerged. Indeed this moth is so +vivacious, that it often happens, owing to the emergence usually taking +place very early in the morning, that specimens are more or less injured by +their efforts to escape, before they are discovered in the breeding cage. +This restless energy of the male is no doubt essential to the insect's +well-being, as the females, hidden away in their cases and incapable of any +movement, must of necessity be very hard to discover. The power of +locomotion lost in the one sex is thus doubled in the other. Considering +the protection {126}afforded this insect by the case, which it inhabits +during its preparatory stages, its enormous mortality from the attacks of a +parasitic dipteron (_Eurigaster marginatus_) is very remarkable. In this +connection the following analysis of 38 cases, gathered at random, may be +of interest:-- + + 26 had parasites. + 8 were dead. + 2 contained eggs. + 2 contained living pupæ, 1 male and 1 female respectively. + +Amongst some of these parasites I once obtained a specimen, which was in +its turn infested by a secondary or hyper-parasite, belonging to the genus +_Pteromalus_, in the order Hymenoptera. Eighteen of these minute insects +emerged from a single pupa of _E. marginatus_. The method by which the +_Pteromalus_ introduces its eggs into the dipterous larva, which is in its +turn enclosed in a caterpillar, is not at present known to entomologists; +but it seems probable that the eggs of the hyper-parasite are either +deposited in the eggs of the dipterous insect, or else on the very young +larvæ, before they penetrate the skin of the caterpillar.[66] + + +Genus 2.--OROPHORA, Fereday. + + "Ocelli present. Antennæ 2/3, in male moderately bi-pectinated + throughout. Labial palpi rudimentary, hairy. Abdomen densely hairy. + Fore-wings with veins 4 and 5 short-stalked, 7 and 8 out of 9. Hind-wings + with veins 4 and 5 stalked, parting-vein well defined, 8 connected by bar + with cell beyond middle, and additional vein (9) rising out of 8 before + bar." + +We have one species. + + +OROPHORA UNICOLOR, Butl. + + (_Psyche unicolor_, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc., London, 1877, 381. _Orophora + toumatou_, Fereday, Trans. N. Z. Inst. x. 262, pl. ix. _Orophora + unicolor_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxii. 212.) + +(Plate XIII., fig. 7 [M].) + +This odd-looking little insect has been found by Mr. Fereday, at Rakaia. + + The expansion of the wings is hardly 1 inch. _All the wings are rather + broad, rounded, and very sparsely covered with dusky brown hair-like + scales_; the body is very hairy, and the antennæ are slightly + bi-pectinated. The female is apterous. + +The life-history is thus described by Mr. Fereday: "I have never seen the +larva. Its case measures in length about 16 lines (1-3/8 inches); the +exterior is covered with pieces of stems of grass from a line to 5 lines in +length, laid longitudinally and in the manner of thatch; the interior is +thinly lined with fine silk. The cases are found fixed to the twigs of the +Wild Irishman (_Discaria toumatou_), but it may be inferred from the +covering of the case, that it probably does not feed on the shrub but upon +the tussock grass, generally growing where the shrub is found. It is some +years since I found the cases on _Discaria toumatou_, growing in the +river-beds of the Rakaia and Waimakariri, on the Canterbury Plains, and I +did not find any case in its earlier stage before the larva had fed up and +changed into the pupa state."[67] + +All Mr. Fereday's specimens were bred from the cases, and to the best of my +belief no one has ever observed the insect on the wing. It is evidently a +very scarce species, and is probably restricted to a few river-beds in the +South Island. + + + + +{127}VII.--THE TORTRICINA. + + +Not dealt with in this volume. + + + + +VIII.--THE TINEINA. + + +Not dealt with in this volume. + + + + +IX.--THE MICROPTERYGINA. + +The following are the principal characters of the _Micropterygina_:-- + + "Fore-wings with an oblique membranous dorsal process (jugum) near base, + forming with the dorsal margin a notch or sinus, which receives the costa + of the hind-wings. Hind-wings without frenulum, 1_c_ present, with 11 or + more veins, neuration essentially, almost or quite identical with that of + fore-wings. Fore-wings and hind-wings more than usually remote at origin. + +"In the two families, which constitute this highly interesting group, is +fortunately preserved a type of _Lepidoptera_ whose existence could never +have been inferred from a study of other forms. Without a knowledge of +these two families the true origin of the order could never have been more +than a matter of more or less probable conjecture. The _Micropterygidæ_ are +the primeval ancestors of all the Lepidoptera, indicating their origin from +the _Trichoptera_ so nearly that one or two more discoveries might make it +hard to draw any line of demarcation. The _Hepialidæ_ are an offshoot from +the _Micropterygidæ_ (with considerable extinction of intermediate forms), +constituting a separate line of development quite unconnected with any +other _Lepidoptera_; if, as is possible, this separate stem may have ever +given rise to other branches forming distinct families, all trace of their +existence seems to have been lost. + +"Imago with fore-wings and hind-wings more or less semi-oval, termen and +dorsum forming a nearly uniform curve. + +"Larva with few hairs, with 10 to 16 prolegs, or apodal, living concealed. + +"Pupa in _Hepialidæ_ with segments 7 to 11 and in male 12, in +_Micropterygidæ_ with all segments free."--(Meyrick.) + +In this work the _Hepialidæ_ alone are dealt with, the _Micropterygidæ_ +being reserved {128}for a future work. It may, however, again be mentioned +that the last-named family contains amongst its New Zealand representatives +_Palæomicra chalcophanes_, a species which more closely approximates in +structure to a Neuropterous insect than does any other member of the +_Lepidoptera_. This insect is consequently regarded by Mr. Meyrick as the +most ancient species of the order yet known. The survival of _Palæomicra_ +in New Zealand is quite in accord with the existence of such forms as +_Apteryx_ and _Dinornis_ amongst the birds, the tuatara lizard +(_Sphenodon_) amongst reptiles, and _Peripatus_ amongst _Myriapoda_, +archaic forms which have been preserved in this country through its long +isolation from continental areas, and the resulting absence of more recent +competing forms. + + +Family 1.--HEPIALIDÆ. + + "Head rough. Ocelli absent. Tongue obsolete. Maxillary palpi obsolete. + Tibiæ without spurs. Fore-wings with all main veins and costa connected + by bars near base, 1_b_ furcate, forked parting vein strong." (Plate I., + figs. 22, 23, 24, 28, 29.) + +"By no means an extensive family, yet of universal distribution. It stands +more conspicuously isolated than any other group of _Lepidoptera_, for +although it is without doubt a terminal development from the +_Micropterygidæ_ (that is one from which no existing family has +originated), the gap between them is considerable; exotic genera, whilst +differing in various details, are remarkably uniform in the more important +peculiarities of structure, and do not at all tend to bridge the gap. The +relatively large size of the _Hepialidæ_ (of which some species exceed six +inches in expanse of wing) may be attributed to the larval habits, which +render these insects independent of the seasons or fluctuations of +food-supply, thus removing the check which ordinarily limits growth. The +modified type of neuration may have resulted directly from the increase of +size, involving a great strengthening of the main veins beneath the costa +to support the weight. As a consequence of this strengthening, the flight +of the larger species is very powerful, and to this, combined with a choice +of larval food, which is often rather indiscriminate, may perhaps be +ascribed the wide range of the group, rather than to its antiquity. It is +probably of Indo-Malayan origin, and must have existed in that region long +enough to acquire fixity of type before its dispersal, which, geologically +speaking, may not have been exceedingly remote."--(Meyrick.) + +There are two genera represented in New Zealand. + +1. HEPIALUS. 2. PORINA. + + +Genus 1.--HEPIALUS, F. + + "Antennæ 1/8 to ¼, in male lamellate or simple. Palpi short, drooping, + hairy. Posterior tibiæ usually densely rough-haired, in male sometimes + with long projecting tuft above. Fore-wings with vein 7 from angle, 8 + remote, 9 and 10 stalked. Hind-wings as fore-wings, 8 seldom connate or + stalked with 7." (Plate I., figs. 22 and 23, neuration of _Hepialus + virescens_, 24 head of ditto.) + +"A genus of universal distribution, but not very numerous in species. Ovum +spheroidal, smooth. Larva elongate, active. Pupa with segmental whorls of +spines, enabling it to move actively before emergence."--(Meyrick.) + +Represented by one species only--the largest moth we have in New Zealand. + + +{129}HEPIALUS VIRESCENS, Dbld. + + (_Hepialus virescens_, Dbld., Dieff. New Zeal., ii. 284; White, Taylor + New Zeal., pl. i. 6. _Hepialus rubroviridans_, White, l.c., pl. i. 1. + _Charagia virescens_, Walk., Bomb., 1569; Scott, Trans. Ent. Soc. N. S. + Wales, ii. 28. _C. fischeri_, Feld., pl. lxxx. 1. _C. hectori_, Butl., + Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1877, 380. _Hepialus virescens_, Meyr., Trans. N. + Z. Inst., xxii., 211.) + +(Plate XIII., fig. 16 [M], 17 [F]; Plate III., fig. 23 larva, 30 pupa.) + +This large and conspicuous insect appears to be generally distributed +throughout the North Island. + + The expansion of the wings of the male is 4 inches, of the female + sometimes fully 5½ inches. The fore-wings of the male are _bright green, + with a series of paler ring-shaped markings between the veins; an + irregular row of white spots crosses the wing near the middle_, and a + small white spot is situated on the costa at the base. The hind-wings are + very pale yellowish-brown near the body, becoming pure white in the + middle, and pale green on the termen. The head and thorax are green, the + abdomen is white, tinged with green at the apex. The female has all the + wings of a relatively more attenuated shape; _the fore-wings are green, + mottled with black_; the hind-wings are pale reddish-brown, shaded with + green near the termen; the abdomen is also reddish-brown, becoming green + at the extremity. + +The species is rather variable in both sexes. In the male the white spots +on the fore-wings vary considerably in size, and there are occasionally +several additional spots near the body. In the female the black markings of +the fore-wings are sometimes much more extensive than the green ground +colour. This dark form of the female was described by Butler as a distinct +species, under the name of _Charagia hectori_. In both sexes the green +colouring is occasionally entirely absent, a dull orange-brown taking its +place. I formerly attributed this peculiarity to the effects of fading, but +Mr. Norris has shown me a very perfect specimen of this variety, which he +bred from the pupa, he having noticed the orange-brown colouring +immediately after the insect emerged. + +The transformations of this insect are very interesting. The female lays an +enormous number of very small, round, yellowish eggs, which she seems to +deposit quite indiscriminately. The young larvæ consequently have to find +their way along the ground to the stems of their food-plant, a large +percentage no doubt perishing before they succeed in doing so, and this +circumstance probably accounts for the great number of eggs produced. + +The food-plants of this species are numerous; the following are a few of +them: "wineberry" or "currant" (_Aristotelia racemosa_), apparently the +favourite; "manuka" (_Leptospermum ericoides_); "ki-ki" (_Astelia +solandri_); "black maire" (_Olea apetela_); titoki (_Alectryon excelsum_); +and _Melicope_. The larva tunnels the stems of these trees, feeding +entirely on the wood, which it bites off with its strong mandibles. + +For the most part it inhabits the main stem of the tree, its gallery always +having an outlet, which is covered with a curtain of silk and refuse, and +is spun exactly level with the surrounding bark, and very inconspicuous. +These burrows usually run towards the ground, and are mostly two or three +inches from the surface of the trunk. In some instances the larvæ inhabit +branches, in which case, if they are small, the tunnels are made near the +centre. Later on in its life, but probably some time before its +transformation into the pupa, the caterpillar of this insect constructs a +far more complicated burrow than the above. It consists of a spacious, +irregular, but shallow cavity, just under the bark, having a very large +opening to the air, which is entirely covered {130}with a thin silken +curtain, almost exactly the same shape and size as the numerous marks +occurring at intervals on the trunks of many of the trees. Three large +tunnels open into this shallow cavity: one in the centre, which runs into +the middle of the stem, and one on each side, which run right and left just +under the bark. These lateral tunnels are usually very short, but sometimes +they extend half-way round the tree, and occasionally even join one another +on the opposite side. The central tunnel has a slightly upward direction +for a short distance inwards, which effectually prevents it from becoming +flooded in wet weather; afterwards it pursues an almost horizontal course +until it reaches the centre of the tree, when it appears to suddenly +terminate. This, however, is not the case, for, if the gallery floor be +carefully examined a short distance before its apparent termination, a +round trap-door will be found, compactly constructed of very hard, smooth +silk, and corresponding with the surrounding portion of the tunnel so +exactly that it almost escapes detection. When this lid is lifted a long, +perpendicular shaft is disclosed, which runs down the middle of the tree to +a depth of 14 or 16 inches, and is about ½ inch in diameter. The upper end +of this shaft is lined with silk, which forms a framework on which the +trap-door rests when closed. The lid itself is of a larger size than the +orifice which it covers, and this makes it extremely difficult, if not +impossible, to force it open from the exterior, especially as it always +fits down very closely as long as the insect remains in its burrow. The +object of this contrivance is, no doubt, to prevent the ingress of enemies, +large numbers of spiders, slugs, wood-lice, and various orthoptera being +frequently found in both central and lateral tunnels, but they are quite +unable to pass the trap-door. The galleries of individual larvæ are all +wonderfully alike, the only differences observable being in the length of +the perpendicular shaft, and in the direction of the horizontal burrow, +which is sometimes curved. These variations are usually caused by the +presence of other tunnels in the tree, which the larva appears to carefully +avoid; at least I have never known an instance where a larva has allowed +its tunnel to communicate with another one, whether inhabited or otherwise. + + The caterpillar, when full grown, measures from 2½ to 3 inches in length. + It is tolerably uniform in thickness, and of a dull yellow colour. The + head is large, dark brown, very irregularly striated, and covered with a + few short bristles. The first segment is hard and shining with the back + and sides ruddy-brown. Its spiracle, which is very large, is situated + near the posterior margin, and a little above it there is a dull black + spot, filling a slight concavity about the same size as the spiracle + itself. Each remaining segment has on its dorsal surface two horny + plates, and two similar plates are situated on each side immediately + below the spiracle. The body of the larva is thinly covered with yellow + and black bristles. In many specimens the ventral surface and connecting + membrane between the horny plates is pale purple. Younger specimens + differ in being of an olive-green colour, which is much more pronounced, + when they are small. + +The last act performed by the caterpillar, prior to undergoing its +transformation, is the construction of the above-described trap-door at the +top of its burrow. This done the insect retreats to the bottom, its +posterior segment resting on the termination of the vertical gallery. In +the course of a few days the skin is cast off and worked downwards to the +bottom of the burrow, underneath the last segment of the pupa. + + This pupa varies from 2 to 2½ inches in length. It is attenuated in form + and pale reddish-yellow in colour. The head and dorsal portion of the + thorax are dark brown and harder than the rest of the body. The edges of + the abdominal segments are furnished dorsally with a row of small + {131}hooklets above and below all the divisions; on the ventral surface + there is only a single row, which is situated in front of each + articulation. + +As development progresses in the pupa it becomes darker in colour, +especially on the wing-cases, where, in some female specimens, the future +black markings of the moth are quite discernible as long as two months +before emergence. Other specimens remain pale in colour until within a +fortnight or three weeks of the appearance of the imago, when the green +colouring of the wings suddenly becomes visible through their +semi-transparent envelopes. + +When about to emerge the pupa works its way up the vertical tunnel by means +of the above-mentioned hooklets, forces open the trap-door, and wriggles +along the horizontal burrow until it reaches the air, only the last three +or four segments remaining in the tree. Its anterior portions then break +open and the moth crawls out and expands its wings in the ordinary way, +resting on the trunk of the tree, until they are of sufficient strength and +hardness for flight. + +The perfect insect appears in October and November. Although it must be +common, it is rarely seen; specimens are consequently best obtained in the +pupa state and reared in captivity. The easiest way to find the pupa is to +pass a straw into the horizontal burrow, and move it about until it touches +the trap-door. The collector is at once apprised of this circumstance by a +distinct hollow sound, produced by the straw when it comes in contact with +the lid, which acts like a miniature drum. If no such sound is heard after +moving the straw into every possible position, it may be assumed either +that the insect has left the burrow, or that it is inhabited by a larva +only. When, however, a pupa is actually discovered, a section of the +tree-trunk should be cut out, extending from about two inches above the +horizontal burrow to about one foot below it, and the log, thus obtained, +taken home. Should a number of pupæ be found in one tree the whole trunk +may then be taken, if practicable, and kept in a well-lighted room or a +conservatory, until the enclosed insects emerge. The specimens usually come +out of the pupa at about five or six o'clock in the evening, and if +intended for the cabinet should be killed before dark, as they very soon +injure themselves when flying. + +The best time of year to obtain the pupa of this insect is during August +and September, as most of the specimens are then in that condition. Apart +from the indications above described, burrows containing larvæ may often be +known by the fresh pellets of excrement which are present near the opening. +The vacated burrows frequently have the remains of the old pupa shell at +the entrance, and generally look gnarled and weather-worn. These +indications are useful as guides to the collector before exploring the +burrow with a straw in the manner above described. + +This insect is much attracted by light, and in consequence sometimes enters +shop-windows and houses. In fact nearly all the _captured_ specimens are so +taken, the moth being very rarely found in its native forests. This +circumstance is no doubt due to its very perfect protective colouring +which, notwithstanding its large size, causes it to be almost invisible, +when resting on the branch of a tree. On one occasion I discovered a +specimen in this situation; being obliged to leave it for a short time, I +experienced the utmost difficulty in finding it again, although I had taken +a special note of its position. This species appears to be much persecuted +by insectivorous birds, as we may frequently see its large green wings +lying on the ground, where they are very conspicuous. + + +{132}Genus 2.--PORINA. + + "Antennæ ¼-2/5, in male bi-pectinated, or more or less shortly + bi-dentate. Palpi moderate, porrected, basal joint rough-haired, second + joint rough-haired or almost smooth, terminal joint smooth, sometimes + subclavate. Posterior tibiæ densely rough-haired. Fore-wings with vein 7 + from angle of cell, 8 and 9 out of 10, rising from upper margin much + before angle. Hind-wings as in fore-wings."--(Meyrick.) (Plate I., figs. + 28 and 29 neuration of _Porina signata_.) + +Of this genus we have eight species in New Zealand. + + +PORINA DINODES, Meyr. + +(_Porina dinodes_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxii. 206.) + +(Plate XIII., fig. 8.) + +This handsome species was discovered at Invercargill by Professor Hutton. + + The expansion of the wings is 2¾ inches. The fore-wings are dark brown. + There is an irregular white mark with a brown centre at the base, several + white dots and crescentic marks near the middle, an oblique series of + double crescentic marks followed by a considerably fainter series near + the termen. The hind-wings are yellowish-brown; the cilia of all the + wings are white, barred with dark brown. _The antennæ of the male are + strongly bi-pectinated._ + +Described and figured from a specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection. + + +PORINA MAIRI, Buller. + +(_Porina mairi_, Buller, Trans. N. Z. Inst. v. 279, pl. xvii., Meyr., +Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxii. 207.) + +A single specimen of this fine species was discovered by Sir Walter Buller +on the Ruahine Ranges, in the Wellington district, during the summer of +1867. + + The expansion of the wings is about 5 inches. "Wings large, broad, + front-wings produced, ovate-triangular, pale dirty testaceous; six black + spots terminating veins on outer margin, and bounded by a lunated + marginal white band; a submarginal series of arrow-headed black spots, + and beyond these a series of rounded spots, the first four encircled with + white, the rest with pale brown; two broken, black discal lines filled in + with brown; a broad irregular band to below centre of wing, beyond cell, + and formed of three black lines with brown interspaces; a triangular + white spot below cell and a white patch terminating it and traversed by + two black crosses; two diverging black bars surrounded with white in + centre of cell and a third surrounded with dirty testaceous near base; a + large irregular patch of whitish-brown below end of cell, bounded on + internal area by three unequally formed patches which together almost + form the sides of a large triangle; two small spots near base; hind-wings + greyish, becoming browner towards outer margin and crossed by eight + interrupted black bars."--(Buller). + +The type specimen of this species was unfortunately lost in the wreck of +the barque 'Assaye' in 1890. I have copied the above from Sir Walter +Buller's original paper, and it may be well to point out that his +description proceeds from the termen to the base, being the _reverse_ order +to that followed by me in all the other descriptions in this work. + +The so-called "vegetable caterpillar" (infested with the _Sphæria_ fungus +[_Cordiceps robertsii_]) is, I think, very probably the larva of this +insect. It was formerly supposed to be the larva of _Hepialus virescens_; +but I have pointed out elsewhere[68] that this is certainly erroneous, the +larva of _H. virescens_ living in the stems of trees, and never going +beneath the ground, even to pupate, whilst the "vegetable" larva is +subterranean. The real point to be discovered is the precise species of +_Lepidoptera_ this caterpillar would develop into, if not attacked by the +fungus; but at present no definite information has been obtained on the +subject. + + +{133}PORINA ENYSII, Butl. + +(_Porina enysii_, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1877, 381, pi. xlii. 7. +_Porina enysii_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxii. 207.) + +(Plate XIII., fig. 9 [M], fig. 10 [F].) + +This species appears to be confined to the North Island, where it is rather +rare. + + The expansion of the wings of the male is 2½ inches, of the female 3½ + inches. The fore-wings are dark orange-brown, more or less marbled with + yellow and dark brown; there is a very variable number of small dull + white spots margined with black and arranged irregularly on the wing. + _The hind-wings are pinkish-brown, tinged with ochreous on the termen._ + +This species varies a good deal in the extent of the darker markings, and +number and position of the dull white spots. When alive it is usually very +strongly tinged with pink. + +The perfect insect appears in December and January, and frequents forests. +It is especially fond of resting on the stems of tree-ferns in the daytime, +where, however, it is extremely inconspicuous, and can only be discovered +by very careful searching. It is also very partial to light, and specimens +might perhaps be secured more plentifully, if a good attracting lamp were +exhibited in a suitable locality. + + +PORINA CHARACTERIFERA, Walk. + +(_Hepialus characterifer_, Walk., Suppl. 594. _Oxycanus impletus_, ib. 598. +_Porina characterifera_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxii. 208.) + +(Plate XIII., fig. 11 [M].) + +This fine species has been taken in the North Island at Auckland, Kaitoke, +and Wellington. + + The expansion of the wings is about 3 inches. The fore-wings are rather + dull yellow, finely marbled with black; _there are two conspicuous + irregular black marks a little above the middle of the dorsum. The + hind-wings are very dark purplish-brown with the cilia yellow, barred + with brown._ The head and thorax are dull yellow, speckled with black, + and the abdomen is dark purplish-brown, barred with dull white, with a + yellow tuft at the apex. + +The perfect insect appears in October, November, and December. At present I +am only aware of four specimens in collections, viz., two in the British +Museum, taken at Auckland; one in Mr. Meyrick's collection, taken by Mr. H. +B. Kirk on the Rimutaka Ranges, at an elevation of about 1,500 feet; and +one kindly given to me by Mr. W. R. Morris, who took it at Wadestown, near +Wellington.[69] It is evidently a scarce species, but may be looked for in +the forest districts of the North Island. + + +PORINA CERVINATA, Walk. + + (_Elhamma cervinata_, Walk., Suppl. 595. _Porina vexata_, ib. 597. + _Pielus variolaris_, Gn., Ent. Mo. Mag. v. 1. _Porina fuliginea_, Butl., + Cist. Ent. ii. 488. _Porina cervinata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxii. + 208.) + +(Plate XIII., fig. 12 [M], fig. 18 variety of [F].) + +This insect is fairly common, and generally distributed throughout the +country. It is very abundant in the Manawatu district. + + The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. The fore-wings vary from + brownish-black to dull yellow; there are several small white spots near + the base margined with black, and an obscure cloudy central streak, + sometimes containing one or two minute irregular white marks; near the + termen a broad, pale, wavy line runs from the costa to the dorsum, and + contains several elongate dull white spots, margined with black; another + series of smaller spots is often situated between this line and the + termen; there is a terminal row of small black spots. The {134}hind-wings + vary from pale greyish-brown to dull yellow. The cilia of all the wings + are barred with dark brown. + +This species is extremely variable. In many cases a large number of the +spots is wanting. Mr. Meyrick states that the northern specimens are more +yellow-ochreous, and more distinctly spotted than the southern ones. He +adds that "the ochreous forms are easily distinguished from other species +by the numerous spots and the absence of a continuous pale discal streak; +the fuscous forms are sometimes very similar in colouring to _P. despecta_, +but they are distinctly shorter-winged, and the compound discal spots +appear to be a good character." + +I have taken several specimens of what appears to be a variety of this +species on the Tableland of Mount Arthur. It is much paler than the typical +form, the markings much less distinct, and the central portions of the +fore-wings very pale yellow (see fig. 18). + +The moth appears in October. It is very much attracted by light. + + +PORINA DESPECTA, Walk. + +(_Hepialus despectus_, Walk., Suppl. 594. _Porina despecta_, Meyr., Trans. +N. Z. Inst. xxii. 209.) + +(Plate XIII., fig. 13 [F].) + +This species has occurred in the South Island, at Christchurch, the Otira +River and Lake Wakatipu. + + The expansion of the wings is from 1½ to 1¾ inches. The fore-wings are + dull brown with several irregular dull white markings near the centre of + the wing. The hind-wings are also dull brown. In general appearance it + closely resembles the last-mentioned species (_P. cervinata_), _but may + always be recognised by its longer and narrower wings, smaller body and + antennæ, and absence of distinct markings near the termen_. + +The perfect insect appears in January, and is usually taken at light. + + +PORINA UMBRACULATA, Gn. + +(_Pielus umbraculatus_, Gn., Ent. Mo. Mag. v. 1. _Porina umbraculata_, +Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxii. 209.) + +(Plate XIII., fig. 14 [M].) + +This species is probably common, and generally distributed throughout the +country. It has been taken at Palmerston, North Wellington, Nelson, +Christchurch, Invercargill and Stewart Island. + + The expansion of the wings of the male is 1¾ inches, of the female 2¼ + inches. The fore-wings are dull yellowish-brown; _in the centre there is + a broad longitudinal blackish streak, containing a conspicuous straight + white stripe, occasionally broken into two or three very elongate spots_; + there are often several black dots along the termen. The hind-wings are + dull ochreous, strongly tinged with pink towards the base. + +This species varies considerably in the depth of the ground colour, and in +the number of the black dots. A blackish shaded line, parallel to the +termen, is also frequently present. The species may, however, be at once +recognised by the straight, white, central stripe of the fore-wings. + +The perfect insect appears from October till January, and is generally +captured at light. + + +PORINA SIGNATA, Walk. + +(_Elhamma signata_, Walk., Bomb. 1563. _Porina novæ-zealandiæ_, ib. 1573. +_Porina signata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxii. 210.) + +(Plate XIII., fig. 15 [M]; Plate III., fig. 6 larva.) + +Apparently an abundant species in the North Island, having been taken +{135}commonly at Napier, Palmerston and Wellington. I suspect it occurs in +the South Island also, but I have no records of its capture there. + + The expansion of the wings is from 2 to 2¼ inches. The fore-wings are + dark brownish-ochreous, becoming dull white near the middle and on the + termen; _there is a shaded central, longitudinal, blackish band + containing several white spots, forming an irregular stripe in the middle + of the wing_; there are also many irregular markings with dull white + centres, chiefly situated near the veins, and often arranged in two or + three rows parallel to the termen. All the markings are very variable, + but the insect may be at once known by the irregular central white + stripe. When alive the entire colouring is always strongly tinged with + pink. + +I have often found a large subterranean caterpillar, that I believe to be +the larva of this insect; but as I have never succeeded in rearing a +specimen, I cannot assign it to this species with absolute certainty. + + The length of this larva when full grown is nearly 3 inches. Its colour + is dirty white, becoming darker on the back. The head is dark brown, very + rough and horny; the three first segments are also horny on the dorsal + surface. The rest of the body is very much softer, and is furnished with + several horny tubercles, each of which emits a long bristle. + +This larva is very lively when disturbed. It usually disgorges a large +quantity of black juice from the mouth, biting meantime, in order no doubt +to frighten its enemies. It feeds on the roots of various grasses. + +The perfect insect appears in January, February and March, and is often +extremely abundant at light. + + + + +{137}APPENDIX. + +BY FLORENCE W. HUDSON. + +A BRIEF DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF THE PLANTS MENTIONED IN THIS WORK. + + +The following list of trees, shrubs, &c, has been prepared to assist +entomologists in recognising the various food-plants mentioned in +connection with the insects described in the foregoing pages. In order to +meet the requirements of beginners, all botanical terms have been omitted. +Those desiring precise scientific information on these plants, will of +course consult works specially dealing with botany. + + ACIPHYLLA SQUARROSA (Spear-grass). A plant often found on the sea-coast, + or open hilly country, with long, very sharp spines instead of leaves. + The flowers are very small, and are placed round a tall central shoot, + which is also covered with spines. + + ASCLEPIAS (Milkweed). + + ASTELIA SOLANDRI. A plant found growing on the stems of large forest + trees. It has very long, narrow, dark green leaves springing from the + base of the plant, and lemon-coloured flowers arranged on a long stem. + The berries are bright crimson. + + ALECTRYON EXCELSUM (Titoki). A moderate-sized tree with leaves rather + long, toothed, and light green. The fruit has a very remarkable + appearance; it consists of a shining black seed, partially surrounded by + a bright red fleshy covering. + + APOCYNUM (the common Periwinkle). + + ARISTOTELIA RACEMOSA (Wine-berry, New Zealand Currant, Makomako). A + well-known tree, often found in clearings in the forest, where it usually + takes the place of the original trees; in fact this plant seems to seize + on every vacant space. Its leaves are pale green, the flowers are much + like those of the garden "flowering currant," and the berries are small + and dark red. + + BEILSCHMIEDIA TAWA (Tawa tree). A handsome tree, with very long, narrow, + light green leaves, and smooth bark. + + BRACHYGLOTTIS REPANDA (Wharangi). One of the early flowering shrubs, with + large bunches of small, strong-scented, white flowers. The leaves are + large and pale green, the under side being white. + + CARMICHÆLIA, or New Zealand Broom. A genus of shrubs closely resembling + the common broom, but with very small flowers, more or less streaked with + blue or lilac. + + {138}CARPODETUS SERRATUS. A pretty shrub or small tree with rather small, + serrated, bright green leaves and numerous clusters of small whitish + fragrant flowers, followed by nearly globular hard green fruits. + + CAREX SUBDOLA (Sedge). + + COPROSMA. A genus of shrubs with small, generally rather dull green + leaves, insignificant flowers, and bright, variously coloured berries. + One common species, _Coprosma foetidissima_, has a most objectionable + odour when cut or bruised. + + CORDYLINE AUSTRALIS (Ti-tri, or Cabbage tree, as it is usually called). + This is one of the most remarkable-looking trees in New Zealand. It much + resembles a palm in general appearance. The leaves are long and narrow, + with parallel veins; the flowers are whitish, very numerous, growing in + drooping clusters at the top of the tree. + + CYATHEA DEALBATA (Silver tree fern). A large tree fern, growing from ten + to forty feet high, with a slender black stem, and dark green fronds + silvery underneath. + + DISCARIA TOUMATOU (Wild Irishman, Tumatakuru). A straggling shrub, or + small tree, often common in dry, open places. It is furnished with + numerous long sharp spines, with several very insignificant flowers and + leaves at the base of each spine. + + DONATIA NOVÆZEALANDIÆ. A small Alpine plant, with very short stems, + around each of which are placed numerous leaves. It has a superficial + resemblance to a moss. + + FAGUS CLIFFORTIOIDES (Mountain Beech, but more often known as Birch or + Black Birch). A very handsome forest tree, usually growing in somewhat + elevated localities. It has small light green leaves, and black stems + with very rough bark. + + FUCHSIA EXCORTICATA (our native Fuchsia). A very common tree or shrub + growing in the forest. The bark is pale reddish-brown; the leaves rather + elongate, dark green, with pale under-side. The flowers closely resemble + those of the cultivated fuchsia, but are less brightly coloured. This + plant partially sheds its leaves in winter. + + GALINIA SETIFOLIA. A large, grass-like plant growing in clumps, with very + long, dark green leaves, which cut the fingers unless the plant is + carefully handled. A number of small, brown flowers is situated near the + top of a tall stem, in the centre of each clump. + + HALORAGIS ALATA. A herbaceous plant abundant on dry hills; the leaves are + deeply indented, slightly rough, and arranged on opposite sides of the + stem. The flowers are small and green; the fruit is a nut with small + wings attached. + + LEPTOSPERMUM SCOPARIUM (Manuka, Tea tree). A small tree, growing usually + in poor soil. The leaves are very small and dull green, and the numerous + star-like flowers are white, tinged with pink. + + MELICOPE SIMPLEX. A somewhat straggling shrub with very small, roundish, + light green leaves. + + MELICYTUS RAMIFLORUS (Mahoe or Hinahina). A shrub or tree. The leaves are + moderately toothed, bright green, and very pretty. The flowers are in + clusters, hanging from the bases of the leaves; the fruit is + violet-coloured with black seeds. + + METROSIDEROS SCANDENS (White Rata). A common climbing shrub with small, + roundish, glossy, dark green leaves and very numerous feathery white + flowers. The seed has a powdery appearance, and is enclosed in a large + capsule. + + {139}MUHLENBECKIA ADPRESSA. A common climbing plant, generally found near + the edge of the forest. It has a very tangled growth. Leaves heart-shaped + or broadly oblong; in young plants, three-lobed; spike, many-flowered. + + MYOSOTIS ARVENSIS (Forget-me-not). + + MYRTUS BULLATA (Ramarama). A remarkably pretty shrub with reddish-brown + or green leaves, much crinkled. The flowers are white, tinged with pink, + and very much resemble those of the English myrtle. Berries about the + size of currants, red or purple. + + OENOTHERA BIENNIS (the Evening Primrose). This herb grows to the height + of two or three feet. It has large, bright yellow flowers, opening + towards evening. Found in sandy soil on the sea-coast. + + OLEA APETALA (Maire, New Zealand Olive). A shrub or small tree with broad + leaves, and insignificant flowers growing on opposite sides of the + flower-stalk. + + OLEARIA TRAVERSII (Ake-ake). A small tree or shrub with oval, very wavy, + thick, pale green leaves, white underneath. The flowers are very small, + yellowish-white and strongly scented. They do not appear till late in + autumn. + + PANAX ARBOREA. A small tree with bright, glossy green, compound leaves. + Each leaf consists of five separate leaflets on distinct footstalks, + connected with branch by a long, stout stem. The large bunches of black + berries are very conspicuous in the autumn. + + PENNANTIA CORYMBOSA. A small tree with oval, serrated, bright green + leaves, and handsome clusters of sweet-scented white flowers. + + PIPER EXCELSUM (Kawa-kawa). A small tree generally growing in damp + places. The leaves are broad, heart-shaped, bright green, and nearly + always riddled with holes. + + PITTOSPORUM EUGENIOIDES (Tarata). A shrub or small tree, with rather + elongate, pale green wavy leaves, and bundles of fragrant, small, yellow + flowers. + + PITTOSPORUM TENUIFOLIUM, var. NIGRESCENS (Matipo). A very ornamental + shrub with small, shining, bright green leaves, and black stems. The + flowers are dark purple, and rather buried among the foliage. + + PLAGIANTHUS BETULINUS (South Island Ribbon Wood). A tree of moderate + size. The leaves are rather light green, and doubly serrated. The flowers + are small, white, with red anthers, and very numerous. + + POA AUSTRALIS (Tussock). One of the common native grasses of New Zealand. + It grows in large clumps, often about two feet in height. It is + especially common in open situations in the South Island. + + POMADERRIS ERICIFOLIA (Tauhinu, or Cotton Wood). A shrub usually growing + in rather exposed places. The leaves are very small, pointed, dull green + above and white underneath. They are placed very closely on the stems, + which are also white. The flowers are dull yellowish-white, and grow in + clusters. + + PTERIS INCISA. A soft, light green, straggling fern, growing in open + places in the forest, and round decayed logs. + + SCABIOUS ("Pincushion"). An introduced garden plant. The flowers are of + many different colours--the name "pincushion," gives the best description + of appearance. It is very attractive to insects. + + {140}SENECIO BELLIDIOIDES. A common mountain herb, with rather dark green + leaves, and a small tuft of bright yellow daisy-like flowers. + + SENECIO SCANDENS (called by settlers French Ivy). A common climbing plant + having a superficial resemblance to ivy, but with much brighter green + leaves, and yellow flowers. + + SENECIO VULGARIS (Groundsel). A common garden weed. + + SOLANUM AVICULARE (Poro-poro, or Potato Plant). A shrub, with very dark + green, pointed leaves, purple underneath, and bright purple flowers + resembling those of the potato. + + TODEA HYMENOPHYLLOIDES. One of the "crape" ferns, growing in very shady + places in the forest. It has soft, graceful, light green fronds. + + URTICA FEROX ("Nettle Tree"). It has prickly, light green leaves, with + very long thick spines; a row of these spines is situated along the + midrib of each leaf. It grows in open situations. + + URTICA INCISA (Ground Nettle). A herbaceous plant found in shady places + amongst ferns. The leaves are covered with spines, which give a very + sharp sting when touched. + + VERONICA (Koromiko). A genus of shrubs, found commonly on the margins of + forests, and on hill-tops. The leaves are rather long, smooth, and dark + green, and the flowers are mostly purplish-white. + + + + +INDEX TO GENERAL SUBJECTS. + + + PAGE + + Abdomen, xiii + Adaptive characters, xvi + Air-tubes, ix + Alpine Lepidoptera, colours of, xv + Anastomosis, xii + Antennæ of imago, x + " of larva, ix + Apex of wing, xii + Arctic Lepidoptera, colours of, xv + + Base of wing, xi + Biliary vessels of imago, xiii + " " of larva, x + Bi-pectinated, x + Butterflies, 101 + + Cæcum, xiii + Caterpillars, ix + Classification, xvi + Clavate intestine, x + Coincidence of veins, xii + Colon of imago, xiii + " of larva, x + Concurrence of veins, xii + Connection of veins, xii + Contrast colours, xv + Costa, xi + Coxa of imago, xiii + " of larva, ix + Crown, x + + Digestive system of imago, xiii + " " of larva, x + Divergence of character, xiv + Dorsum, xi + + Ecdysis, x + Egg, ix + Eyes, compound, x + " simple, x + + Face, x + Fasciculate-ciliated, xi + Femur of imago, xiii + " of larva, ix + Filiform, xi + Frenulum, xii + + Geographical distribution, xix + + Haustellum, xi + Head, x + + Ilium of imago, xiii + " of larva, x + Imago, x + Inheritance, xiv + + Jugum, xii + + Labium of imago, xi + " of larva, ix + Labrum of imago, xi + " of larva, ix + Larva, ix + Legs of imago, xiii + " of larva, ix + Lepidoptera, descent of, xvii + " arrangement of, xviii + + Mandibles of imago, xi + " of larva, ix + Maxillæ of imago, xi + " of larva, ix + Mimicry, xv + + Natural selection, xiv + Neuration, xii + + Obsolescence of veins, xii + Ocelli, x + Oesophagus of imago, xiii + " of larva, x + Ornamental colouring, xv + + Palpi, labial, of imago, xi + " " of larva, ix + " maxillary, of imago, xi + " " of larva, ix + Pectinated, x + Præcostal spur, xii + Proboscis, xi + Prolegs, ix + Protective resemblance, xiv + Pseudoneuria, xii + Pubescent, xi + Pupa, x + + Retinaculum, xii + + Salivary vessels, xiii + Serrate, xi + Sexual selection, xvi + Species, origin of, xiii + Spinneret, x + Spinning vessels, x + Spiracles, ix + Stalking of veins, xii + Struggle for existence, xiv + Sucking stomach, xiii + "Survival of the Fittest", xiv + + Termen, xi + Tibia of imago, xiii + " of larva, ix + Tongue, xi + Tornus, xii + + Unipectinated, x + + Variation, xiii + "Vegetable caterpillar", 132 + Veins of wings, xii + Ventriculus of imago, xiii + " of larva, x + + Warning colours, xv + Wings, xi + + + + +SPECIAL INDEX. + + + Names of Groups are printed in capitals (CARADRININA, &c.). + " Families, in small capitals (ARCTIADÆ, &c.). + " Sub-families, in sanserif italic (_Poliades_, &c.). + " Genera, in roman beginning with a capital (Agrotis, &c.). + " Species, in roman (annulata, &c.). + " Synonyms, in ordinary italic (_doubledayi_, &c.). + + + PAGE + + abrogata, 55 + _absconditaria_, 60 + _acceptrix_, 18 + _acetina_, 7 + _acidaliaria_, 77 + acontistis, 11 + _acroiaria_, 80 + acutata, 76 + admirationis, 31 + adonis, 63 + ægrota, 64 + Agrotis, 30 + agrionata, 40 + agorastis, 18 + alcyone, 24 + alectoraria, 80 + alopa, 12 + anceps, 69 + _anguligera_, 47 + _angusta_, 18 + annulata, 2 + Anosia, 102 + antarctica, 42 + anthracias, 67 + _antipoda_, 10 + _antipodaria_, 87 + antipodum, 110 + _aquosata_, 41 + _arachnias_, 23 + _archippus_, 102 + ARCTIADÆ, 1 + _ardularia_, 57 + _arenacea_, 87 + _argentifera_, 35 + Argyrophenga, 110 + arida, 50 + aristarcha, 85 + aristias, 42 + armigera, 32 + arotis, 12 + Asaphodes, 54 + asterope, 24 + Asthena, 52 + _astrapia_, 82 + _assata_, 55 + atalanta, 120 + atristriga, 10 + atronivea, 95 + _attracta_, 86 + _auge_, 104 + _aulacias_, 12 + Azelina, 92 + + beata, 63 + _bicomma_, 7 + bilineolata, 41 + _bisignata_, 47 + Bityla, 29 + blenheimensis, 13 + boldenarum, 118 + bolina, 104 + _boreophilaria_, 88 + brephos, 75 + _brephosata_, 75 + bryopis, 62 + bulbulata, 68 + butleri, 115 + + cærulea, 8 + _calida_, 41 + callicrena, 73 + callichlora, 50 + camelias, 65 + CARADRINIDÆ, 5 + _Caradrinides_, 29 + CARADRININA, 1 + _caprimulgata_, 86 + cardui, 108 + cataphracta, 61 + _catapyrrha_, 68 + catilla, 121 + _catocalaria_, 75 + Catopsilia, 121 + _ceramodes_, 8 + cerapachoides, 32 + ceraunias, 14 + cervinata, 133 + Chalastra, 88 + chalcites, 35 + chalcophanes, 128 + _chaotica_, 50 + characterifera, 133 + _charybdis_, 41 + chionogramma, 65 + chorica, 66 + chlamydota, 59 + chlorias, 63 + Chloroclystis, 41 + chrysopeda, 68 + Chrysophanus, 116 + _cidariaria_, 41 + _cinerascens_, 88 + cinerearia, 67 + clarata, 61 + coeleno, 26 + comma, 7 + composita, 22 + _conferta_, 32 + _congregata_, 47 + _congressata_, 47 + _conversata_, 47 + convolvuli, 99 + _cookaria_, 91 + _corcularia_, 67 + Cosmodes, 33 + cosmodora, 62 + cucullina, 27 + _cymosema_, 56 + + Dasypodia, 35 + Dasyuris, 69 + _debilis_, 18 + _deceptura_, 9 + Declana, 94 + defigurata, 29 + dejectaria, 86 + _delicatulata_, 59 + deltoidata, 47 + denotatus, 45 + _dentigera_, 22 + _descriptata_, 47 + despecta, 134 + _desiccata_, 87 + Diadema, _see_, Anosia, 102 + diatmeta, 21 + Dichromodes, 78 + _diffusaria_, 67 + dinodes, 132 + dione, 14 + disjungens, 15 + _dissociata_, 67 + _distans_, 99 + Dodonidia, 112 + _donovani_, 46 + dotata, 24 + _doubledayi_, 2 + Drepanodes, 91 + dryas, 43 + + egregia, 96 + elegans, 33 + Elvia, 46 + _encausta_, 89 + enysii (Chrysophanus), 117 + enysii (Dasyuris), 69 + " (Porina), 133 + _ephyraria_, 91 + Epirranthis, 79 + Erana, 28 + Erebia, 113 + _erebinata_, 86 + erichrysa, 4 + _eriosoma_, 35 + erippus, 102 + Euchoeca, 51 + euclidiata, 68 + _eupitheciaria_, 67 + Euploæ, 120 + _exprompta_, 86 + exsularis, 34 + _extranea_, 13 + + falcata, 66 + falcatella, 76 + _felix_, 90 + fenerata, 82 + _feredayi_ (Declana), 96 + _feredayi_ (Chrysophanus), 116 + ferox, 74 + _figlinaria_, 77 + _fischeri_, 129 + flexata, 90 + floccosa, 96 + fortinata, 93 + _fragosata_, 84 + _fuliginea_, 133 + _fuscinata_, 48 + _fusiplagiata_, 89 + + gallaria, 92 + GEOMETRINA, _see_ NOTODONTINA, 38 + glaucata, 46 + _glyphicata_, 68 + gobiata, 47 + gonerilla, 105 + Gonophylla, 90 + graminosa, 28 + griseata, 98 + griseipennis, 9 + gypsotis, 78 + + _haastaria_, 91 + Hamadryas, 120 + hectori (Dasyuris), 70 + _hectori_ (Hepialus), 129 + helias, 64 + Heliothis, 32 + helmsi, 112 + hemipteraria, 80 + hemizona, 48 + HEPIALIDÆ, 128 + Hepialus, 128 + hermione, 98 + _homomorpha_, 69 + homoscia, 21 + humeraria, 89 + _humerata_, 41 + humillima, 83 + huttonii, 5 + Hybernia, 87 + Hydriomena, 46 + HYDRIOMENIDÆ, 38 + _Hypenides_, 34 + Hypenodes, 34 + + Ichneutica, 14 + immunis, 7 + _impletus_, 133 + _implexa_, 7 + _inamænaria_, 57 + _inceptura_, 9 + _inclarata_, 47 + _inclinataria_, 40 + _inconspicua_, 31 + _inconstans_, 9 + indicataria, 44 + _indistincta_, 85 + indocilis, 88 + inductata, 44 + _infantaria_, 67 + infensa, 23 + _innocua_, 7 + innominata, 31 + _inoperata_, 67 + _inopiata_, 47 + insignis (Melanchra), 16 + insignis (Notoreas), 71 + _invexata_, 67 + Ipana, 94 + _iphigenia_, 104 + itea, 107 + isoleuca, 72 + _juncicolor_, 12 + junctilinea, 98 + Junonia, 109 + + _kershawii_, 108 + + LASIOCAMPINA, 101 + leptomera, 94 + Leptomeris, 77 + lestevata, 39 + Leucania, 8 + lichenodes, 44 + lignana, 26 + _lignifusca_, 18 + _lignisecta_, 26 + _lignosata_, 86 + _lilacina_, 36 + limonodes, 57 + lithias, 17 + lophogramma, 59 + lucidata, 64 + _lupinata_, 83 + Lycæna, 119 + LYCÆNIDÆ, 115 + Lythria, 68 + + maculata, 44 + mairi, 132 + Mamestra, _see_ Melanchra, 15 + _manxifera_, 95 + _maori_, 22 + _maoriata_, 86 + margarita, 6 + _maui_, 116 + maya, 17 + mechanitis, 72 + megaspilata, 55 + Melanchra, 15 + _Melanchrides_, 8 + melinata, 85 + _menanaria_, 87 + merope, 19 + _merula_, 114 + Metacrias, 4 + micrastra, 12 + MICROPTERYGIDÆ, 127 + MICROPTERYGINA, 127 + _mitis_, 27 + Miselia, 6 + _mistata_, 40 + _mixtaria_, 80 + mnesichola, 60 + moderata, 9 + MONOCTENIADÆ, 77 + _monoliata_, 47 + _morosa_, 26 + muriferata, 91 + _muscosata_, 41 + mutans, 18 + + _nehata_, 55 + nelsonaria, 90 + nephelias, 61 + nereis, 43 + _nerina_, 104 + _nervata_, 15 + _niger_, 78 + nigra, 78 + _nigrosparsa_, 96 + niphocrena, 74 + niveata, 98 + NOCTUINA, _see_ CARADRININA, 1 + NOTODONTINA, 38 + Notoreas, 71 + _novæ-zealandiæ_, 134 + nullifera, 9 + Nyctemera, 2 + NYMPHALIDÆ, 102 + + obarata, 66 + _obtruncata_, 89 + _obtusaria_, 89 + _ochthistis_, 20 + octans, 25 + octias, 37 + Oeceticus, 123 + Oiketicus, 123 + omichlias, 76 + omicron, 22 + _omnivora_, 123 + omnivorus, 123 + omoplaca, 23 + _ondinata_, 52 + ophiopa, 93 + Orophora, 126 + orophyla, 58 + orphnæa, 71 + Orthosia, 6 + ORTHOSTIXIDÆ, 79 + _otaheitæ_, 105 + _othello_, 114 + oxleyi, 119 + + Palæomicra, 128 + _palthidata_, 92 + panagrata, 87 + _pannularia_, 86 + PAPILIONINA, 101 + paracausta, 15 + paradelpha, 72 + Paradetis, 40 + parora, 56 + partheniata, 70 + _parvulata_, 45 + _pastinaria_, 47 + _patularia_, 86 + pelistis, 19 + pelurgata, 88 + _perductata_, 47 + perornata, 72 + _perversata_, 47 + pessota, 6 + petrina, 78 + _petropola_, 66 + phaula, 11 + phoebe, 119 + phricias, 27 + Phrissogonus, 45 + Physetica, 8 + pictula, 19 + _plagifurcata_, 47 + plena, 17 + _plexippus_, 102 + plinthina, 41 + _plurilineata_, 52 + _plurimata_, 64 + Plusia, 34 + PLUSIADÆ, 33 + _Plusiades_, 34 + _plusiata_, 7 + pluto, 114 + _Poliades_, 6 + _polychroa_, 16 + Porina, 132 + porphyrias, 41 + præfectata, 60 + prasinias, 65 + _primata_, 80 + prionistis, 27 + prionota, 47 + productata, 84 + propria, 11 + _proserpina_, 104 + proteastis, 20 + _psamathodes_, 64 + PSYCHIDÆ, 122 + PSYCHINA, 122 + pulchella, 3 + pulchraria, 52 + _punctilineata_, 67 + _pungata_, 84 + purpurea, 8 + purpurifera, 49 + purdii, 10 + PYRALIDINA, 122 + _pyramaria_, 61 + + _ranata_, 39 + _rauparaha_, 116 + rectilineata, 45 + Rhapsa, 36 + rhodopleura, 19 + RHOPALOCERA, _see_ PAPILIONINA, 101 + _rivularis_, 47 + rixata, 49 + rosearia, 57 + rubescens, 25 + rubraria, 77 + rubropunctaria, 51 + _rubroviridans_, 129 + rufescens, 56 + rudiata, 82 + _rudisata_, 82 + + salustius, 116 + Samana, 76 + SATYRIDÆ, 110 + _scabra_, 96 + schistaria, 52 + _scriptaria_, 86 + scissaria, 79 + scotosialis, 36 + selenophora, 35 + Selidosema, 82 + SELIDOSEMIDÆ, 81 + _semialbata_, 41 + semifissata, 59 + _semilisata_, 67 + _semisignata_, 67 + semivittata, 13 + sericea (Agrotis), 31 + sericea (Bityla), 29 + _servularia_, 55 + Sestra, 89 + signata, 134 + similata, 50 + simplex, 74 + _simulans_, 47 + siria, 51 + siris, 55 + _sistens_, 9 + _squalida_, 49 + _specifica_, 9 + _sphæriata_, 67 + _sphagnea_, 17 + Sphinx, 99 + SPHINGIDÆ, 99 + sphragitis, 43 + steropastis, 23 + STERRHIDÆ, 77 + _stigmaticata_, 86 + stinaria, 60 + stipata, 25 + _strangulata_, 48 + strategica (Metacrias), 4 + " (Notoreas), 73 + _streptophora_, 88 + suavis, 83 + subductata, 57 + _subitata_, 44 + _subobscurata_, 66 + subochraria, 48 + _subpurpureata_, 52 + _subtentaria_, 60 + _suffusa_, 30 + sulcana, 13 + _sulpitiata_, 86 + + tartarea, 21 + Tatosoma, 39 + temperata, 9 + Theoxena, 79 + _thoracica_, 29 + _timarata_, 50 + timora, 40 + TINEINA, 127 + _tipulata_, 40 + TORTRICINA, 127 + _toumatou_, 126 + _transitaria_, 40 + triphragma, 49 + _tuhuata_, 52 + _turbida_, 16 + + umbraculata, 134 + undosata, 54 + _undulifera_, 47 + unica, 12 + unicolor, 126 + unipuncta, 13 + urtica, 120 + _usitata_, 83 + ustistriga, 26 + Utetheisa, 3 + + Vanessa, 105 + _varians_, 80 + _variolaris_, 133 + velleda, 109 + _venipunctata_, 64 + Venusia, 53 + verriculata, 53 + _vexata_, 133 + _vigens_, 28 + _virescens_ (_Chera_), 9 + virescens (Hepialus), 129 + _viridis_, 17 + _visata_, 51 + vitiosa, 20 + vulcanica, 75 + + xanthaspis, 54 + Xanthia, 7 + Xanthorhoe, 56 + + ypsilon, 30 + _ypsilonaria_, 59 + + _ziczac_, 93 + zoilus, 120 + zopyra, 74 + + + + +PLATES AND EXPLANATIONS. + + +PLATE I. + +ANATOMICAL. + + + 1. Outline of a Lepidopterous insect showing the terms employed in + describing the various margins and angles of the fore- and + hind-wings. + 2. View of the under side of the head and first segment of the larva of + a Lepidopterous insect. AA, eyes; BB, antennæ; 1, labrum; 22, + mandibles; 33, maxillæ; 4, labium; 5, spinneret; _a_, coxa; _b_, + trochanter; _c_, femur; _d_, tibia; _e_, tarsus; _f_, claw (highly + magnified). + 3. Assumed type of neuration of fore-wing of a Lepidopterous insect. + (After Meyrick.) + 4. Ditto of hind-wing. (After Meyrick.) + 5. Side view of the head of _Vanessa gonerilla_ with proboscis extended. + (Imago, Plate XII., fig. 5.) + 6. Ditto with proboscis coiled up. (In both these figures only the basal + portions of the antennæ are shown.) + 7. Neuration of fore-wing of _Anosia erippus_. (Imago, Plate XI., fig. + 1.) + 8. Ditto of hind-wing. + 9. Digestive system of a Lepidopterous larva. A, oesophagus; D, + ventriculus; F, clavate intestine; E, ilium; H, colon; K, biliary + vessels; O, spinning vessels. (After Suckow.) + 10. Ditto of perfect insect. N, salivary vessels; C, sucking stomach; G, + cæcum. The rest as before. (After Herold.) + 11. Front view of the head of _Vanessa gonerilla_ with the labial palpi + removed showing the organs of the mouth. AA, eyes; BB, antennæ + (basal portion); _l_, labrum; _mm_, mandibles; _pp_, maxillary + palpi; C, proboscis formed of elongated maxillæ (highly magnified). + 12. Neuration of fore-wing of _Sphingidæ_. (_Deilephila_; after + Meyrick.) + 13. Ditto hind-wing. (After Meyrick.) + 14. Proleg of caterpillar highly magnified. + 15. Neuration of fore-wing of _Chrysophanus salustius_. (Imago, Plate + XII., figs. 18-21.) + 16. Ditto of hind-wing. + 17. Fasciculate-ciliated antenna of _Chloroclystis plinthina_. (Imago, + Plate VI., fig. 8.) + 18. Serrate antenna of _Melanchra composita_. (Imago, Plate V., fig. 8.) + 19. Pubescent antenna of _Epirranthis alectoraria_. (Imago, Plate VIII., + figs. 42-47.) + 20. Bi-pectinated antenna of _Nyctemera annulata_. (Imago, Plate IV., + figs. 1, 2.) + 21. Leg of _Agrotis ypsilon_. (Imago, Plate V., figs. 35, 36.) 1, coxa; + 2, trochanter; 3, femur; 4, tibia; 5, tarsus; 6, claw; SS, spurs. + (All these are highly magnified.) + 22. Neuration of fore-wing of _Hepialus virescens_. (Imago, Plate XIII., + figs. 16, 17.) + 23. Ditto of hind-wing. + 24. Head of ditto. + 25. Neuration of fore-wing of _Erebia pluto_. (Imago, Plate XI., figs. + 8-10.) Vein 11 absent. + 26. Ditto, veins 11 and 12 concurrent. + 27. Ditto of hind-wing. + 28. Neuration of fore-wing of _Porina signata_. (Imago, Plate XIII., + fig. 15.) + 29. Ditto of hind-wing. + 30. Neuration of fore-wing of _Oeceticus omnivorus_. (Imago, Plate + XIII., fig. 6.) + 31. Ditto of hind-wing. + +[Illustration: Plate I.] + + +PLATE II. + +ANATOMICAL. + + + 1. Neuration of fore-wing of _Metacrias erichrysa_. (Imago, Plate IV., + fig. 5.) + 2. Neuration of hind-wing of ditto. + 3. Head of _Nyctemera annulata_. (Imago, Plate IV., figs. 1, 2.) + 4. Neuration of fore-wing of ditto. + 5. Neuration of hind-wing of ditto. + 6. Neuration of fore-wing of _Mamestra mutans_. (Imago, Plate IV., figs. + 34-36.) + 7. Neuration of hind-wing of ditto. + 8. Head of male of _Physetica cærulea_. (Imago, Plate IV., fig. 7.) + 9. Neuration of fore-wing of _Erana graminosa_. (Imago, Plate V., figs. + 24-25.) + 10. Neuration of hind-wing of ditto. + 11. Head of _Leucania nullifera_. (Imago, Plate IV., fig. 9.) + 12. Head of _Dasypodia selenophora_. (Imago, Plate VI., fig. 4.) + 13. Head of _Venusia verriculata_. (Imago, Plate VI., figs. 30-31.) + 14. Neuration of fore-wing of _Plusia chalcites_. (Imago, Plate VI., + fig. 3.) + 15. Neuration of hind-wing of ditto. + 16. Neuration of fore-wing of _Rhapsa scotosialis_. (Imago, Plate VI., + figs. 5-6.) + 17. Neuration of hind-wing of ditto. + 18. Head of ditto. + 19. Neuration of fore-wing of _Chloroclystis bilineolata_. (Imago, Plate + VI., figs. 9-10.) + 20. Neuration of hind-wing of ditto. + 21. Neuration of fore-wing of _Tatosoma agrionata_. (Imago, Plate VI., + figs. 26-27.) + 22. Neuration of hind-wing of male. + 23. Neuration of hind-wing of female. + 24. Head of ditto. + 25. Neuration of fore-wing of _Venusia undosata_. (Imago, Plate VI., + figs. 33-34.) + 26. Neuration of hind-wing of ditto. + 27. Neuration of fore-wing of _Paradetis porphyrias_. (Imago, Plate VI., + fig. 36.) + 28. Neuration of hind-wing of male. + 30. Neuration of fore-wing of _Asthena pulchraria_. (Imago, Plate VI., + figs. 37-38.) + 31. Neuration of hind-wing of ditto. + 32. Head of _Hydriomena deltoidata_. (Imago, Plato VII., figs. 1-9.) + 33. Neuration of fore-wing of ditto. + 34. Neuration of hind-wing of ditto. + 35. Neuration of fore-wing of _Asaphodes megaspilata_. (Imago, Plate + VII., figs. 17-20.) + 36. Neuration of hind-wing of ditto. + 37. Neuration of fore-wing of _Xanthorhoe clarata_. (Imago, Plate VII., + figs. 31-32.) + 38. Neuration of hind-wing of ditto. + 39. Neuration of fore-wing of _Lythria chrysopeda_. (Imago, Plate VIII., + figs. 33-34.) + 40. Neuration of hind-wing of ditto. + 42. Neuration of fore-wing of _Dasyuris partheniata_ (hind-wings as in + _Xanthorhoe_). (Imago, Plate VIII., figs. 30-31.) + 43. Neuration of fore-wing of _Notoreas brephos_ (hind-wings also as in + _Xanthorhoe_). (Imago, Plate VIII., figs. 20-23.) + 44. Neuration of fore-wing of _Dichromodes petrina_. (Imago, Plate + VIII., fig. 39.) + 45. Neuration of hind-wing of ditto. + 46. Neuration of fore-wing of _Epirranthis alectoraria_. (Imago, Plate + VIII., figs. 42-47.) + 47. Neuration of hind-wing of ditto. + 48. Head of ditto. + 49. Neuration of fore-wing of _Leptomeris rubraria_. (Imago, Plate + VIII., fig. 37.) + 50. Neuration of hind-wing of ditto. + 51. Neuration of fore-wing of _Chalastra pelurgata_. (Imago, Plate IX., + figs. 33-36.) + 52. Neuration of hind-wing of ditto. + 53. Neuration of fore-wing of _Sestra humeraria_ (hind-wing as in + _Selidosema_). (Imago, Plate X., figs. 1-2). + 54. Neuration of fore-wing of _Azelina gallaria_. (Imago, Plate X., + figs. 13-23.) + 55. Neuration of hind-wing of ditto. + 56. Neuration of fore-wing of _Declana floccosa_. (Imago, Plate X., + figs. 39-47.) + 57. Neuration of hind-wing of ditto. + 58. Head of ditto. + 59. Neuration of fore-wing of _Selidosema dejectaria_. (Imago, Plate + IX., figs. 19-24.) + 60. Neuration of hind-wing of ditto. + 61. Neuration of fore-wing of _Drepanodes muriferata_. (Imago, Plate X., + figs. 7-12.) + 62. Neuration of hind-wing of ditto. + 63. Neuration of fore-wing of _Gonophylla nelsonaria_. (Imago, Plate X., + figs. 3-6.) + 64. Neuration of hind-wing of ditto. + +[Illustration: Plate II.] + + +PLATE III. + +PREPARATORY STAGES. + + + FIG. PAGE + 1, 2. Larvæ of _Vanessa gonerilla_. (Pupæ, figs. 31, 32; Imago, Plate + XII., fig. 5.) 105 + 3. Larva of _Anosia erippus_. (Pupa, fig. 27; Imago, Plate XI., fig. + 1.) 102 + 4. Larva of _Argyrophenga antipodum_. (Pupa, fig. 29; Imago, Plate + XI., fig. 4.) 110 + 5. Larva of _Dodonidia helmsi_. (Pupa, fig. 28; Imago, Plate XI., + fig. 14.) 112 + 6. Larva of _Porina signata_. (Imago, Plate XIII., fig. 15.) 134 + 7. Larva of _Melanchra composita_. (Imago, Plate V., fig. 8.) 22 + 8. Larva of _Erana graminosa_. (Imago, Plate V., fig. 24.) 28 + 9. Larva of _Nyctemera annulata_. (Imago, Plate IV., fig. 1.) 2 + 10. Larva of _Melanchra homoscia_. (Imago, Plate V., fig. 7.) 21 + 11. Larva of _Orthosia comma_. (Imago, Plate V., fig. 27.) 7 + 12. Larva of _Selidosema dejectaria_. (Imago, Plate IX., fig. 21.) 86 + 13, 14. Larvæ of _Sphinx convolvuli_. (Imago, Plate XIII., fig. 1.) 99 + 15. Larva of _Melanchra mutans_. (Imago, Plate IV., fig. 34.) 18 + 16. Larva of _Melanchra vitiosa_. (Imago, Plate IV., fig. 42.) 20 + 17. Larva of _Selidosema aristarcha_. (Imago, Plate IX., fig. 17.) 85 + 18. Larva of _Declana atronivea_. (Imago, Plate X., fig. 33.) 95 + 19. Larva of _Epirranthis hemipteraria_. (Imago, Plate VIII., fig. + 48.) 80 + 20. Larva of _Sestra humeraria_. (Imago, Plate X., fig. 1.) 89 + 21. Larva of _Chalastra pelurgata_. (Imago, Plate IX., fig. 34.) 88 + 22. Larva of _Selidosema productata_. (Imago, Plate IX., fig. 6.) 84 + 23. Larva of _Hepialis virescens_. (Pupa, fig. 30; Imago, Plate + XIII., fig. 16.) 129 + 24. Larva of _Epirranthis alectoraria_. (Imago, Plate VIII., fig. 42.) 80 + 25. Larva of _Oeceticus omnivorus_ withdrawn from case. (Imago, Plate + XIII., fig. 6.) 123 + 26. Larva of ditto in its case. + 27. Pupa of _Anosia erippus_. (Larva, fig. 3; Imago, Plate XI., fig. + 1.) 102 + 28. Pupa of _Dodonidia helmsi_. (Larva, fig. 5; Imago, Plate XI., + fig. 14.) 112 + 29. Pupa of _Argyrophenga antipodum_. (Larva, fig. 4; Imago, Plate + XI., fig. 4.) 110 + 30. Pupa of _Hepialus virescens_. (Larva, fig. 23; Imago, Plate + XIII., fig. 16.) 129 + 31, 32. Pupæ of _Vanessa gonerilla_. (Larva, figs. 1, 2; Imago, Plate + XII., fig. 5) 105 + +[Illustration: Plate III.] + +PLATE IV. + +CARADRININA. + + + FIG. PAGE + 1. _Nyctemera annulata_ [M] + (Larva, Plate III., fig. 9.) 2 + 2. " " [F] + 3. _Utetheisa pulchella_ 3 + 4. _Metacrias strategica_ [M] 4 + 5. " _erichrysa_ [M] 4 + 6. " _huttonii_ [M] 5 + 7. _Physetica cærulea_ [M] 8 + 8. _Leucania griseipennis_ [F] 9 + 9. " _nullifera_ [F] 9 + 10. " _micrastra_ [M] 12 + 11. " _purdii_ [M] 10 + 12. " _atristriga_ [M] 10 + 13. " _propria_ [M] 11 + 14. " _acontistis_ [M] 11 + 15. " _phaula_ [M] 11 + 16. " _alopa_ [M] 12 + 17. " _unica_ [F] 12 + 18. " _arotis_ [F] 12 + 19. " _sulcana_ [M] 13 + 20. " " [F] + 21. " _semivittata_ [M] 13 + 22. " " [F] + 23. " _blenheimensis_ [F] 13 + 24. " _unipuncta_ [F] 13 + 25. _Ichneutica ceraunias_ [M] 14 + 26. " " [F] + 27. " _dione_, n. sp. [M] 14 + 28. _Melanchra paracausta_ [M] 15 + 28A. " " [F] + 29. " _insignis_ [M] 16 + 30. " " [F] + 31. " _maya_, n. sp. [F] 17 + 32. " _plena_ [M] 17 + 33. " _lithias_ [M] 17 + 34. " _mutans_ [M] + (Larva, Plate III., fig. 15.) 18 + 35. " " [F] + 36. " " [M] variety + 37. " _pictula_ [M] 19 + 38. " _rhodopleura_ [F] 19 + 39. " _coeleno_, n. sp. [M] 26 + 40. " _proteastis_ [M] 20 + 42. " _vitiosa_ [F] + (Larva, Plate III., fig. 16.) 20 + +[Illustration: Plate IV.] + + +PLATE V. + +CARADRININA. + + + FIG. PAGE + 1. _Melanchra octans_, n. sp. 25 + 2. " _merope_, n. sp. [M] 19 + 3. " _pelistis_ [M] 19 + 4. " " [F] + 5. " _diatmeta_ [M] 21 + 6. " _tartarea_ [M] 21 + 7. " _homoscia_ [M] + (Larva, Plate III., fig. 10.) 21 + 8. " _composita_ [M] + (Larva, Plate III., fig. 7.) 22 + 9. " " [F] + 10. " _steropastis_ [M] 23 + 11. " " [F] + 12. " _infensa_ [F] 23 + 13. " _omoplaca_ [F] 23 + 14. " _alcyone_, n. sp. [M] 24 + 15. " _asterope_, n. sp. [F] 24 + 16. " _dotata_ [F] 24 + 17. " _stipata_ [F] 25 + 18. " _rubescens_ [M] 25 + 19. " _lignana_ [M] 26 + 20. " _ustistriga_ [M] 26 + 20A. " " [F] + 21. " _prionistis_ [M] 27 + 22. " _phricias_ [M] 27 + 23. " _cucullina_ [M] 27 + 24. _Erana graminosa_ [M] + (Larva, Plate III., fig. 8.) 28 + 25. " " [F] + 26. _Miselia pessota_ [M] 6 + 27. _Orthosia comma_ [M] + (Larva, Plate III., fig. 11.) 7 + 28. " " [F] + 29. " _immunis_ [M] 7 + 30. _Melanchra agorastis_ [F] 18 + 31. _Orthosia margarita_ [F] 6 + 32. _Xanthia purpurea_ [M] 8 + 33. _Bityla defigurata_ [M] 29 + 34. " _sericea_ [M] 29 + 35. _Agrotis ypsilon_ [M] 30 + 36. " " [F] + 37. " _admirationis_ [M] 31 + 38. " _sericea_ [F] 31 + 39. " _innominata_, n. sp. [M] 31 + 40. _Heliothis armigera_ [M] 32 + 41. " " [F] + 42. _Melanchra omicron_, n. sp. [M] 22 + 43. " _disjungens_ [M] 15 + +[Illustration: Plate V.] + + +PLATE VI. + +CARADRININA AND NOTODONTINA. + + + + CARADRININA. + + FIG. PAGE + 1. _Agrotis carapachoides_ [M] 32 + 2. _Cosmodes elegans_ [F] 33 + 3. _Plusia chalcites_ [M] 35 + 4. _Dasypodia selenophora_ [M] 35 + 5. _Rhapsa scotosialis_ [M] 36 + 6. " " [F] + 7. _Rhapsa octias_ [F] 37 + + NOTODONTINA. + + 8. _Chloroclystis plinthina_ [M] 41 + 9, 10. " _bilineolata_ varieties 41 + 11. " _nereis_ [F] 43 + 12. " _dryas_ [M] 43 + 13, 14. " _sphragitis_ varieties 43 + 15, 16. " _lichenodes_ varieties 44 + 17. " _indicataria_ [M] 44 + 17A. " " [F] + 18. " _maculata_, n. sp. 44 + 19. _Phrissogonus denotatus_ [M] 45 + 20. _Chloroclystis antarctica_, n. sp. 42 + 21. " _aristias_ [M] 42 + 22. " " [F] + 23, 24. _Elvia glaucata_ varieties 46 + 25. _Tatosoma lestevata_ [M] 39 + 26. " _agrionata_ [M] 40 + 27. " " [F] + 28. " _timora_ [M] 40 + 29. " " [F] + 30. _Venusia verriculata_ [M] 53 + 31. " " [F] + 32. " _xanthaspis_ [M] 54 + 33. " _undosata_ [M] 54 + 34. " " [F] + 35. _Euchoeca rubropunctaria_ [F] 51 + 36. _Paradetis porphyrias_ [M] 41 + 37. _Asthena pulchraria_ [M] 52 + 38. " " [F] + 39-42. _Asthena schistaria_ varieties 52 + 43. _Hydriomena gobiata_ [M] 47 + 44. " " [F] + 45, 46. " _subochraria_ varieties 48 + 47. " _prionota_ 47 + 48. " _siria_ 51 + +[Illustration: Plate VI.] + + +PLATE VII. + +NOTODONTINA. + + + FIG. PAGE + 1-9. _Hydriomena deltoidata_ varieties 47 + 10. " _hemizona_ 48 + 11. " _rixata_ 49 + 12. " _purpurifera_ 49 + 13. " _callichlora_ 50 + 14. " _similata_ 50 + 15. " _arida_ 50 + 16. _Asaphodes siris_ [F] 55 + 17-19. " _megaspilata_ [M] varieties 55 + 19A, 20. " " [F] varieties + 21. " _abrogata_ [M] 55 + 22. _Xanthorhoe rosearia_ [M] 57 + 23. " " [F] + 24. " _orophylla_ [M] 58 + 25. " " [F] + 26. " _semifissata_ [M] 59 + 27. " " [F] + 28. " _chlamydota_ 59 + 29. " _stinaria_ [M] 60 + 30. " _præfectata_ [F] 60 + 31. " _clarata_ [M] 61 + 32. " " [F] + 33. " _cataphracta_ [M] 61 + 34. " " [F] + 35. " _beata_ [M] 63 + 36. " " [F] + 37. " _ægrota_ [M] 64 + 38. " _lucidata_ [M] 64 + 39. " _mnesichola_ [M] 60 + 40. " _helias_ [F] 64 + 41. " _prasinias_ [F] 65 + 42. " _chionogramma_ [M] 65 + 43. " " [F] + 44. " _chorica_ 66 + 45. " _obarata_ 66 + 46. " _limonodes_ [M] 57 + 47. " _lophogramma_ [M] 59 + 48. " " [F] + 49. " _adonis_ [M] 63 + +[Illustration: Plate VII.] + + +PLATE VIII. + +NOTODONTINA. + + + FIG. PAGE + 1. _Xanthorhoe bulbulata_ [M] 68 + 2, 2A. " _cineraria_ varieties 67 + 3. _Notoreas insignis_ [M] 71 + 4-8. " _perornata_ varieties 72 + 9-11. " _mechanitis_ varieties 72 + 12-14. " _paradelpha_ varieties 72 + 15. " _strategica_ [F] 73 + 16. " _callicrena_ [F] 73 + 17. " _ferox_ [M] 74 + 18, 19. " _zopyra_ [M] varieties 74 + 20-23. " _brephos_ varieties 75 + 24. " _vulcanica_ 75 + 25. " _omichlias_ [M] 76 + 26. " _simplex_, n. sp. [F] 74 + 27. " _isoleuca_ [F] 72 + 28. _Dasyuris enysii_ [F] 69 + 29. " _anceps_ [M] 69 + 30. " _partheniata_ [M] 70 + 31. " " [F] + 32. " _hectori_ [M] 70 + 33. _Lythria chrysopeda_ [M] 68 + 34. " " [F] + 35. " _euclidiata_ 68 + 36. _Samana falcatella_ [F] 76 + 37. _Leptomeris rubraria_ [M] 77 + 38. " " [F] + 39. _Dichromodes petrina_ 78 + 40. " _nigra_ 78 + 41. _Theoxena scissaria_ 79 + 42-47. _Epirranthis alectoraria_ varieties. + (Larva, Plate III., fig. 24.) 80 + 48. " _hemipteraria_ [M] + (Larva, Plate III., fig. 19.) 80 + 49. " " [F] + 50. _Selidosema fenerata_ [M] 82 + 51. " " [F] + +[Illustration: Plate VIII.] + + +PLATE IX. + +NOTODONTINA. + + + FIG. PAGE + 1. _Selidosema rudiata_ [M] 82 + 2. " " [F] + 3. " _suavis_ [M] 83 + 4. " " [F] + 5. " _humillima_, n. sp. [M] 83 + 6-10. " _productata_ [M] varieties. + (Larva, Plate III., fig. 22.) 84 + 11-14. " " [F] varieties + 15. " _melinata_ [M] 85 + 16. " " [F] + 17. " _aristarcha_ [M] + (Larva, Plate III., fig. 17.) 85 + 18. " " [F] + 19-22. " _dejectaria_ [M] varieties. + (Larva, Plate III., fig. 12.) 86 + 23, 24. " " [F] varieties + 25-28. " _panagrata_ [M] varieties 87 + 29, 30. " " [F] varieties + 31. _Hybernia indocilis_ [M] 88 + 32. " " [F] + 33, 34. _Chalastra pelurgata_ [M] varieties. + (Larva, Plate III., fig. 21.) 88 + 35, 36. " " [F] varieties + 37. _Sestra flexata_ [F] 90 + +[Illustration: Plate IX.] + + +PLATE X. + +NOTODONTINA. + + + FIG. PAGE + 1, 2. _Sestra humeraria_ varieties. + (Larva, Plate III., fig. 20.) 89 + 3, 4. _Gonophylla nelsonaria_ [M] varieties 90 + 5, 6. " " [F] varieties + 7-10. _Drepanodes muriferata_ [M] varieties 91 + 11, 12. " " [F] varieties + 13-20. _Azelina gallaria_ [M] varieties 92 + 21-23. " " [F] varieties + 24. " _fortinata_ [M] 93 + 25. " " [F] + 26. " _ophiopa_ [M] 93 + 27. " " [M] variety + 28. " " [F] + 29, 31, 31A. _Ipana leptomera_ [M] varieties 94 + 30. " " [F] + 32. _Declana griseata_, n. sp. 98 + 33. " _atronivea_ [M] + (Larva, Plate III., fig. 18.) 95 + 34. " " [F] + 35. " _egregia_ [M] 96 + 36. " _hermione_, n. sp. [M] 98 + 37. " _junctilinea_ [M] 98 + 38. " " [F] + 39-43. " _floccosa_ [M] varieties 96 + 44-47. " " [F] varieties + +[Illustration: Plate X.] + + +PLATE XI. + +PAPILIONINA. + + + FIG. PAGE + 1. _Anosia erippus_ [F] + (Larva, Plate III., fig. 3; Pupa, fig. 27.) 102 + 2. " " under side. + 3, 4. _Argyrophenga antipodum_ [M] varieties. + (Larva, Plate III., fig. 4; Pupa, fig. 29.) 110 + 5. " " [F] + 6, 7. " " under sides. + 8. _Erebia pluto_ [M] 114 + 9. " " [F] + 10. " " under side. + 11. _Erebia butleri_ [M] 115 + 12. " " [F] + 13. " " under side. + 14. _Dodonidia helmsi_ [M] + (Larva, Plate III., fig. 5; Pupa, fig. 28.) 112 + 15. " " under side. + 16. _Junonia velleda_ 109 + 17. " " under side. + +[Illustration: Plate XI.] + + +PLATE XII. + +PAPILIONINA. + + + FIG. PAGE + 1. _Vanessa cardui_ 108 + 2. " " under side. + 3. " _itea_ 107 + 4. " " under side. + 5. " _gonerilla_. + (Larva, Plate III., figs. 1 and 2; Pupa, figs. 31, 32.) 105 + 6. " " under side. + 7. _Anosia bolina_ [M] 104 + 8. " " [F] + 9. " " under side. + 10. _Lycæna phoebe_ [M] 119 + 11. " " under side. + 12. " _oxleyi_, under side. 119 + 13, 14. _Chrysophanus boldenarum_ [M] varieties 118 + 15. " " under side of [M] + 16. " " [F] + 17. " " under side of [F] + 18. " _salustius_ [M] 116 + 19. " " [F] + 20. " " under side + 21. " " under side of variety + (upper side, Plate XIII., fig. 2.) + 22. " _enysii_ [M] 117 + 23. " " [F] + 24. " " under side. + +[Illustration: Plate XII.] + + +PLATE XIII. + +NOTODONTINA, PAPILIONINA, PSYCHINA, AND MICROPTERYGINA. + + + + NOTODONTINA. + + FIG. PAGE + 1. _Sphinx convolvuli._ + (Larva, Plate III, figs. 13 and 14.) 99 + + PAPILIONINA. + + 2-5. Varieties of _Chrysophanus salustius_ 116 + + PSYCHINA. + + 6. _Oeceticus omnivorus_ [M] + (Larva, Plate III., figs. 25, 26.) 123 + 7. _Orophora unicolor_ [M] 126 + + MICROPTERYGINA. + + 8. _Porina dinodes_ [M] 132 + 9. " _enysii_ [M] 133 + 10. " " [F] + 11. " _characterifera_ [M] 133 + 12. " _cervinata_ [M] 133 + 13. " _despecta_ [M] 134 + 14. " _umbraculata_ [M] 134 + 15. " _signata_ [M] + (Larva, Plate III., fig. 6.) 134 + 16. _Hepialus virescens_ [M] + (Larva, Plate III., fig. 23; Pupa, fig. 30.) 129 + 17. " " [F] + 18. _Porina cervinata_ [F] variety 133 + +[Illustration: Plate XIII.] + + + + +Notes. + + [1] This organ is termed the tongue by Mr. Meyrick. As many mandibulate + insects possess a true tongue, and the proboscis of the _Lepidoptera_ + is not homologous with the tongue, but with the maxillæ, I think the + term is very misleading. + + [2] For the examination of the wings taken from _dried_ specimens, I have + found that immersion in methylated spirits renders the veins visible + after _partial_ denudation with the camel's-hair brush. With recent + specimens, however, the scales can easily be _entirely_ removed. + + [3] I have found considerable difficulty and uncertainty in examining the + neuration of undenuded specimens. + + [4] Entom. xxvi. 220. + + [5] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxii. 218. + + [6] 'British Moths,' 31. + + [7] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxii. 217. + + [8] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxii. 216. + + [9] Ibid. + +[10] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 7. + +[11] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 10. + +[12] _Leucania aulacias_, Meyr., is distinguished by having grey cilia to + the hind-wings. The species was described from a single specimen taken + at Dunedin and now in Mr. Fereday's collection. I have carefully + examined this specimen, and find that the cilia, although considerably + injured, are distinctly grey. As, however, I think it undesirable to + characterize species so closely resembling each other from such meagre + material, I here regard it as a synonym of _Leucania arotis_. + +[13] Report of American Department of Agriculture, 1881, p. 93. + +[14] Mr. Philpott informs me that the larva of _M. paracausta_ closely + resembles that of _M. vitiosa_. + +[15] This species has been recently named by Mr. Meyrick, but a description + of it has not yet been published. + +[16] The accurate ascertainment of the positions of the veins near the + costa in this species is a matter of considerable difficulty owing to + the extremely dense tuft of hairs there situated. + +[17] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 29. + +[18] Newman's British Moths, 319. + +[19] Meyrick, Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 33. + +[20] Meyrick, Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 35. + +[21] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 35. + +[22] Meyrick, 'Handbook of British Lepidoptera,' 159. + +[23] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xi. 300. + +[24] Ib. xix. 38. + +[25] Since this was written I find that Mr. Meyrick has created a new + genus, _Hyperaucha_, for the reception of this insect. See + 'Transactions of the Entomological Society of London,' 1897, 383. + +[26] N. Z. 'Journal of Science,' July, 1884. + +[27] N. Z. 'Journal of Science,' July, 1884. + +[28] A second specimen of this variety has since occurred in the + neighbourhood of Nelson. + +[29] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 60. + +[30] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 60. + +[31] N. Z. 'Journal of Science,' July, 1884. + +[32] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 60. + +[33] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xviii. 208. + +[34] Ib. xvi. 71. + +[35] Ib. + +[36] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 78. + +[37] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 82. + +[38] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 83. + +[39] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 86. + +[40] In connection with these three species of _Notoreas_ I should here + mention that I have a number of specimens in my collection which + appear to me to establish a complete transition between _N. + mechanitis_, _N. paradelpha_, and _N. perornata_. From a careful study + of these specimens I am led to believe that these three forms are + really only varieties of one very variable species. Mr. Meyrick does + not at present share this opinion, but I am disposed to think that + this is chiefly due to the comparatively limited number of specimens + he has had the opportunity of examining. In any case I do not regard + the question of the specific or varietal values of these, or indeed of + any other forms, as matters of great scientific importance, being, to + a great extent, merely matters of individual opinion. + +[41] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 57. + +[42] Mr. Meyrick now includes these three species in the genus + _Gonophylla_. (_See_ Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1897, 387.) + +[43] 'Trans. N. Z. Inst.' xxii. 214. + +[44] 'Catalogue of N. Z. Butterflies,' p. 21. + +[45] 'Trans. N. Z. Inst.' x. 265. + +[46] 'Cat. N. Z. Butterflies,' p. 22. + +[47] 'Trans. N. Z. Institute,' x. 463. + +[48] Ibid. xviii. 205. + +[49] Since writing the above, I have been informed by Mr. Kingsley that one + male specimen of _A. bolina_ was taken at Wakapuaka, in 1896, and two + others reported as seen at Collingwood and Nelson in March, 1897. Mr. + A. P. Buller has also kindly informed me of the capture of a male + specimen in perfect condition, at Ohau, Manawatu district, in March, + 1898. + +[50] See notes by Mr. Stainton in the Ent. Mo. Mag., xxv. pp. 225, 268. + +[51] 'British Butterflies and Moths,' p. 103. + +[52] 'Entomologist,' xxii. 37. + +[53] 'Trans. N. Z. Inst.' xxviii. 312. + +[54] 'Trans. N. Z. Inst.' xv. 197. + +[55] Ent. Mon. Mag. iv. p. 53. + +[56] 'Trans. N. Z. Inst.' ix. 460; x. 252. + +[57] 'Trans. N.Z. Inst.,' vol. x. 259. + +[58] 'Catalogue of N. Z. Butterflies,' 22. + +[59] 'Catalogue of New Zealand Butterflies,' 18, 23, Pl. II., fig. 1. + +[60] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 550. + +[61] Stainton's 'British Butterflies and Moths,' 103, Pl. II., fig. 1. + +[62] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 550. + +[63] Stainton's 'British Butterflies and Moths,' 106. + +[64] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 550. + +[65] 'Catalogue of N.Z. Butterflies,' 17, 23. Pl. IV., figs. 3, 4. + +[66] For further details on this subject see 'The Entomologist,' xiii. 245, + and xviii. 159. + +[67] 'Trans. N. Z. Inst.' x. (1877), 262. + +[68] 'Entomologist,' xviii. 36. + +[69] Since writing the above I understand from Mr. Baunehr that he has met + with several specimens of this species in forest on the Dun Mountain, + Nelson, at an elevation of about 2,000 feet. + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's New Zealand Moths and Butterflies, by G. V. Hudson + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44551 *** |