  The Hydriomenidae are thus characterized:— "Tongue well developed. Fore-wings with vein 10 rising separate; anastomosing with 11 and 9 (forming double areole), or rising out of 11 and anastomosing with 9 (forming simple areole). Hind-wings with vein 5 fully developed, parallel to 4, 6, and 7 almost always stalked or connate, 8 anastomosing with upper margin of cell from near base to beyond middle, or sometimes approximated only and connected by a bar or shortly anastomosing beyond middle." (Plate II., figs. 19 to 43.) "A very large family distributed in equal plenty throughout all temperate regions, but becoming scarcer within the tropics. The structure is very uniform throughout, and the generic distinctions slight. Imago with body slender, fore-wings usually broad. "Ovum broad, oval, rather flattened with usually oval reticulations. Larva elongate, slender, with few hairs, without prolegs on segments 7 to 9; often imitating live or dead twigs and shoots. Pupa usually subterranean."—(Meyrick.) This family is very extensively represented in New Zealand by the following fifteen genera:—
"Face smooth. Palpi long, straight, porrected, shortly rough-scaled, terminal joint short. AntennÆ in male simple, stout, gradually dilated from base to near apex, apex attenuated. Abdomen in male very excessively elongate. Hind-wings in male deeply excised near dorsum, dorsal lobe folded into a long pocket, fringed with hairs. Fore-wings with vein 6 rising out of 9, 7 from or above angle of areole, 10 anastomosing moderately with 9, 11 anastomosing moderately with 10, 12 free. Hind-wings with veins 6 and 7 separate, 8 free, united with 7 before transverse vein by an oblique bar. "This singular genus is a remnant of a widely diffused, but now fragmentary group, to which belong also Lobophora (Europe), Rhopalodes (South America), Sauris (Ceylon), and Remodes (Borneo.) In all, the hind-wings of the male are peculiarly modified, usually much diminished in size, and with the dorsum formed into a distinct lobe, the object of which is unknown. A similar structure is found only in one or two genera of Tortricina. Rhopalodes is the nearest genus to this, but vein 5 is said to be obsolete, and the lobe does not form a pocket; in Sauris the areole is simple, and the antennÆ thickly scaled; in Remodes the areole is also simple, the antennÆ flattened and scaled, and the dorsum is furnished with three superposed lobular folds, so that it represents the extreme of development in this direction."—(Meyrick.) It will be seen on reference to Plate II., figs. 22 and 23, which represent the structure of the hind-wings of the male and female of Tatosoma agrionata respectively, that in the male veins 1 and 2 are absent, having no doubt become absorbed during the formation of the characteristic sexual lobe; vein 8 is connected with the margin of the cell by an oblique bar, this being probably due to an extension of the wing in the costal region, compensating for the loss in the dorsal region due to the above-mentioned lobe. In the hind-wings of the female the normal neuration of the family is almost preserved, the only peculiar feature consisting in the origin of veins 6 and 7 from a point on the margin of the cell. Of this remarkable genus we have three species, and I think it quite possible that others may reward the industry of future collectors. TATOSOMA LESTEVATA, Walk. (Cidaria lestevata, Walk. 1416. Sauris ranata, Feld. cxxxi. 11., Tatosoma lestevata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 67.) (Plate VI., fig. 25 ?.) This beautiful species has occurred at Wainuiomata, near Wellington, in the North Island, and at Nelson and Christchurch, in the South Island. The expansion of the wings is 1? inches. The fore-wings are bright-green; there are four wavy, black, transverse lines; the first near the base, the second a little before the middle, the third considerably beyond the middle, and the fourth near the termen; the terminal line is very faint towards the tornus, and it emits three or four very sharp, longitudinal, black, tooth-like marks; all the transverse lines are much stronger where they cross the principal veins. The hind-wings are very pale yellowish-green. The perfect insect appears in February. At present I believe the species is represented by four specimens only—two in Mr. Fereday's collection and two in my own. TATOSOMA AGRIONATA, Walk. (Cidaria agrionata, Walk. 1417. Cidaria tipulata, ib. 1417. Cidaria inclinataria, ib. 1418. Cidaria transitaria, ib. 1419. Sauris mistata, Feld. cxxxi. 12. Tatosoma transitaria, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 68. Tatosoma agrionata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvii. 64.) (Plate VI., fig. 26 ?, 27 ?.) This fine species has occurred commonly at Wellington in the North Island. It is generally distributed in the South Island, and has also been found at Stewart Island. The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. The fore-wings are bright-green traversed by numerous black, wavy, transverse lines; these black lines are grouped into four more or less distinct bands, the outermost of which is interrupted at each of the veins; there is a conspicuous black dot in the middle of the wing, a number of small triangular black marks near the termen, and a series of minute black dots on the termen. The hind-wings are ochreous, tinged with green towards the termen. In the female the abdomen is much shorter, and the hind-wings are larger than in the male. The perfect insect appears from December till April. It frequents dense forests, and is generally found at rest on the trunks of trees. In these situations the pattern of the fore-wings is extremely protective, the whole insect bearing the closest possible resemblance to a patch of moss. This species may also be taken at sugar, and sometimes at light, but I have found that it can be obtained most plentifully by a careful scrutiny of the tree-trunks in a favourable locality. As a rule I think that the males are considerably commoner than the females. I have noticed them in the proportion of about four to one. TATOSOMA TIMORA, Meyr. (Tatosoma agrionata, Meyr. (nec Walker), Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 68. Tatosoma timora, Meyr., ib. xvii. 64.) (Plate VI., fig. 28 ?, 29 ?.) This rather sombre, though interesting insect, has occurred at Palmerston and Wellington in the North Island, and at Christchurch and Akaroa in the South Island. The expansion of the wings is 1? inches. All the wings are sparsely covered with scales. The fore-wings of the male are dull reddish-brown, with numerous obscure transverse dusky stripes; there are two rather conspicuous blackish blotches on the costa, a white dot in the middle of the wing, a wavy, pale, transverse line near the termen, and a series of black terminal dots; the veins are dotted in black. The hind-wings are very small, dull grey, with the lobe large and conspicuous. The female is faintly tinged with green, the markings on the fore-wings are rather indistinct; the hind-wings are small, though much larger than those of the male. The perfect insect appears from November till May. It frequents densely wooded districts, but is not a common species. Genus 2.—PARADETIS, Meyr."Palpi short, arched, roughly-scaled beneath. AntennÆ bipectinated. Fore-wings with vein 6 from below 9, 7 from below angle of areole, 10 very shortly anastomosing with 9, 11 out of 10 considerably before angle of areole, 12 free. Hind-wings with veins 6 and 7 stalked, 8 separate, united to 7 before transverse vein by an oblique bar. "This singular genus is of quite uncertain affinity, and stands at present alone. The simple areole, and connecting bar of 7 and 8, can only have arisen by modification of the normal type of this family, to which it must be referred. It is also the only New Zealand genus except Declana in which the female has pectinated antennÆ; but this character recurs in a few exotic genera not otherwise allied."—(Meyrick.) Plate II., figs. 27 and 28 represent the neuration of the male of Paradetis porphyrias, vein 2 of the hind-wings being absent in that sex. In the female, which is the sex from which Mr. Meyrick characterized the genus, the vein is present as usual. Only one species is known. PARADETIS PORPHYRIAS, Meyr. (Parysatis porphyrias, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 58. Paradetis porphyrias, Meyr., ib. xviii. 184.) (Plate VI., fig. 36 ?.) This interesting little insect has occurred in the South Island at Mount Arthur, Castle Hill, the Otira Gorge, and Lake Wakatipu. The expansion of the wings is about ¾ inch. The fore-wings of the male are deep purplish-brown; there is a wavy, reddish, transverse line at about one-third and another at about two-thirds; between these two lines near the dorsum there are often four, more or less distinct, yellow dots; there is an obscure orange mark at the origin of the first line and a conspicuous mark at the origin of the second. The hind-wings are deep purplish-brown. The cilia of all the wings are white. The fore-wing has the apex hooked and the termen deeply excavated above and below the middle. The female is very much paler; the lines are more distinct and the veins are marked in brown. The perfect insect appears in January. It frequents rather open spots in the forest, and flies in a very busy manner close to the ground amongst the numerous ferns and other plants, which are always abundant in such situations. It is consequently very inconspicuous and sometimes difficult to capture. Thus, no doubt, it is often overlooked, and perhaps is much commoner than at present appears probable. Genus 3.—CHLOROCLYSTIS, Hb."Face with short cone of scales. Palpi rough-scaled. AntennÆ in male shortly ciliated. Abdomen crested. Fore-wings with areole simple, vein 11 running into or anastomosing with 12. Hind-wings with vein 8 anastomosing with cell from near base to beyond middle." (Plate II., figs. 19 and 20.) "This genus is especially characteristic of New Zealand, and is also found in South Asia, a few stragglers occurring in Europe and elsewhere."—(Meyrick.) We have twelve species, several of which are very beautiful. CHLOROCLYSTIS PLINTHINA, Meyr. (Pasiphila plinthina, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 49.) (Plate VI., fig. 8.) This pretty species has occurred at Wellington. The expansion of the wings is about ½ inch. All the wings are traversed by numerous obscure, wavy, reddish-yellow lines; the fore-wings have a dark shading near the base, a very large white blotch in the middle, and a dark chocolate-brown patch near the apex. The hind-wings have a large shaded white patch in the middle, a blackish dot near the base, and a series of brownish crescentic marks on the termen; the cilia of all the wings are pale brown barred with brownish-black. The termen of the fore-wings is very oblique, of the hind-wings rather irregular. Many specimens of this insect are strongly tinged with green, and the shape and size of the white patches on the fore- and hind-wings are subject to slight variations. The perfect insect appears in November and December. It frequents brushwood, where it may be occasionally taken at rest on tree-trunks but more often dislodged from the foliage. It is not a very common species. CHLOROCLYSTIS BILINEOLATA, Walk. (Eupithecia bilineolata, Walk. 1246. E. muscosata, ib. 1246. Scotosia humerata, ib. 1362. Eupithecia semialbata, ib. 1708. E. cidariaria, Gn., Ent. Mo. Mag. v. 62. Cidiaria aquosata, Feld., pl. cxxxi. 33. Helastia charybdis, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 503. H. calida, ib. 504. Pasiphila muscosata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. 50. P. bilineolata, ib.) (Plate VI., fig. 9 type, fig. 10 variety.) This beautiful little species is common, and generally distributed throughout the country. The expansion of the wings is ¾ inch. The fore-wings are bright green with numerous wavy darker lines. There is a jagged transverse black line near the base, two at about one-fourth, enclosing a rather paler space; beyond this there are several rather irregular, fine black marks, and an obscure white patch below the apex; the cilia are dull green. The hind-wings are grey slightly tinged with reddish; the dorsum and termen are shaded with green, and there is a number of curved black lines on the dorsum; the cilia are dull greenish-grey. The termen of the fore-wings is slightly bowed, and all the wings are finely scalloped and sharply outlined in black. A very distinct variety frequently occurs in which the entire ground colour is orange-yellow. This variety can be artificially produced by exposing a typical specimen to the fumes of bruised laurel leaves. Intermediate forms may also be found, but are much scarcer than either the typical form or the variety. The larva (according to Mr. Purdie[26]) is about ½ inch long; colour brownish, surface very rugged; body tapering somewhat towards the head. Two pairs of small dorsal tubercles about the middle, the posterior pair being larger; oblique lateral dark markings faintly seen on dark ground colour; below lighter. Food-plants: Aristotelia, Leptospermum ericoides, Rubus (?), and Muhlenbeckia (?). Found in December and January. The perfect insect appears from September till May, and is often very common. It rests on tree-trunks with outspread wings, in which position it so closely resembles a patch of moss that it is extremely difficult to detect, even when specially searched for. CHLOROCLYSTIS ANTARCTICA, n. sp. (Plate VI., fig. 20.) This species was discovered by Mr. Philpott at West Plains, near Invercargill. The expansion of the wings is ? inch. The fore-wings are rather dull green; there is a reddish-brown patch near the base, followed by two, slightly oblique, reddish bands; the central band is very broad, green, traversed by numerous fine wavy lines; there is a broad reddish band on the termen. The hind-wings are slaty-grey, tinged with pink towards the termen and dorsum. The cilia of all the wings are pink barred with black. Two other specimens kindly given to me by Mr. Philpott have the bands on the fore-wings more or less brown in place of red, but are otherwise identical. This insect is evidently very closely allied to C. bilineolata, but its larger size, longer wings, and barred cilia will, I think, distinguish it from that species. The perfect insect appears in November. CHLOROCLYSTIS ARISTIAS, Meyr. (Chloroclystis aristias, Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1897, 385.) (Plate VI., fig. 21 ?, 22 ?.) This beautiful insect was discovered on the Mount Arthur Tableland in January, 1896, at an elevation of about 4,000 feet. The expansion of the wings is 1? inches. All the wings are very pale greenish-grey. The male has three distinct dark brownish bands near the base, an irregular broad suffused band near the middle, becoming obsolete before it reaches the dorsum, a dark patch at the apex, another patch on the termen below the apex and another near the tornus. The hind-wings are traversed by numerous, very fine, wavy blackish lines, becoming darker towards the dorsum. In the female there are three wavy reddish-brown bands on the costa of the fore-wings, becoming obsolete towards the dorsum, then a wavy yellowish line, followed by two rust-red patches. The hind-wings resemble those of the male. Both sexes have the veins dotted with black, and the cilia of all the wings are grey barred with black. The perfect insect was found in a limestone valley at the foot of Mount Peel, where it was fairly common. CHLOROCLYSTIS NEREIS, Meyr. (Pasiphila nereis, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 51.) (Plate VI., fig. 11 ?.) This insect has occurred at Mount Arthur, Mount Hutt, and the Humboldt Range, Lake Wakatipu, at elevations from 2,500 to 4,000 feet. The expansion of the wings is nearly an inch. All the wings are dusky grey with numerous black and dull white, wavy transverse lines; there is often a somewhat paler area near the apex of the fore-wings, and the termen of the hind-wings is slightly scalloped; the cilia are dull white barred with dark greyish-black. The perfect insect appears in January and February. It generally frequents cliffs on mountain sides, resting with outspread wings on the dark rocky surfaces. In these situations it is extremely difficult to detect, and the protective value of its colouring is thus at once demonstrated. CHLOROCLYSTIS DRYAS, Meyr. (Pasiphila dryas, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxiii. 97.) (Plate VI., fig. 12 ?.) This species has occurred at Wellington. The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. The fore-wings are dull rosy-brown, traversed by numerous obscure blackish transverse lines, somewhat concentrated towards the middle and forming an ill-defined central band; the termen is slightly shaded with blackish, and the veins are marked with dotted lines. The hind-wings are grey, tinged with rosy-brown; there are numerous very faint blackish transverse lines and the veins are marked with blackish dots. The cilia of all the wings are dark grey. The termen of the hind-wings is rather irregular. The perfect insect appears in December and January, and is attracted by light. I once took a specimen in July, but this may have been due to an exceptionally mild winter. CHLOROCLYSTIS SPHRAGITIS, Meyr. (Pasiphila sphragitis, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 51.) (Plate VI., fig. 13 ?, 14 ?.) This extremely variable insect has occurred at Wellington in the North Island, and at Christchurch in the South Island. The expansion of the wings of the male is ? inch, of the female ¾ inch. The fore-wings are pale ochreous; there is a narrow darker area at the base followed by a narrow oblique pale band; then a broad central band, formed of numerous oblique, wavy, brown, transverse lines, next, a rather narrow curved pale band, followed by several small irregular patches on the termen, sometimes forming a dark brown terminal band; all the markings are much darker on the costa, and portions of the costa, termen, and dorsum are frequently tinged with green. The hind-wings are pale ochreous; there are numerous wavy, pale brown lines on the dorsum, becoming obsolete towards the costa. The termen of all the wings is edged with fine black crescents. The cilia are pale ochreous barred with dark brown. The perfect insect may be met with from September till February, but is most abundant in the early spring. It is extremely common in the Wellington Botanical Gardens, frequenting the forest gullies, where numerous specimens may be easily dislodged from amongst the dense undergrowth. This moth rests with expanded wings on the leaves and stems of shrubs, but is extremely difficult to find in such situations, the colouring of the insect causing it to closely resemble the droppings of birds. CHLOROCLYSTIS LICHENODES, Purd. (Pasiphila lichenodes, Purdie, Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 70.) (Plate VI., figs. 15 and 16, varieties.) This extremely interesting species has occurred at Wellington in the North Island, and at Dunedin in the South Island; it has also been found at Stewart Island. The expansion of the wings is about ¾ inch. The fore-wings are dull green; there is a large pale brown area near the base, divided by fine black lines into three distinct patches; the central portion of the wing is mottled with black, pale brown, and dull green; there is a very broad, irregular band of chocolate-brown near the termen, outlined with black towards the base and with white towards the termen, the white line almost dividing the band into four or five patches. The hind-wings are dull greenish-brown; there are several irregular black and white transverse lines and small patches of chocolate-brown, the markings being more distinct towards the dorsum. The cilia of all the wings are pale brown barred with dark brown. I have observed that in many specimens of this species the ground colour is entirely pale brown instead of green; the markings, however, are not variable. The perfect insect appears from November till February. It frequents forests, resting with outspread wings on lichen-covered tree-trunks, where its wonderfully perfect protective colouring may be seen to great advantage. The remarkable brown patches on the wings have undoubtedly been acquired for this protective purpose, and Mr. Purdie's name is certainly a most appropriate one. It is not, I think, a common species. CHLOROCLYSTIS INDICATARIA. (Eupithecia indicataria, Walk. 1708. Pasiphila indicataria, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 52.) (Plate VI., fig. 17 ?, 17A ?.) This rather dull-looking species has occurred at Napier and Wellington in the North Island, and at Nelson in the South Island. The expansion of the wings is ? 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 ? 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 The perfect insect appears in December, and is attracted by light. Described and figured from a specimen kindly given to me by Mr. Cohen. CHLOROCLYSTIS RECTILINEATA, n. sp. (Plate VI., fig. 22.) This species was discovered at Wellington by Mr. W. P. Cohen. The expansion of the wings is ¾ inch. The fore-wings are pale grey; there are several irregular black, transverse lines near the base, very broad on the costa; a broad, pale, central area with no distinct markings; then two very fine, almost straight, parallel, dark transverse lines alternating with two broader white lines, and followed by a very conspicuous black line, this being again immediately followed by a fainter black line; beyond these lines the wing is darker, with a wavy transverse white line and a row of black terminal marks. The hind-wings are grey with several faint, wavy, transverse lines and a series of darker marks on the termen. The cilia of all the wings are grey. Described and figured from a specimen kindly given to me by Mr. Cohen. Genus 4.—PHRISSOGONUS, Butl."Face with short cone of scales or smooth. Palpi moderate or short, porrected, more or less rough-scaled. AntennÆ in male ciliated or naked. Posterior tibiÆ with all spurs present. Fore-wings in male with swelling or tuft or rough scales on costa, vein 5 sometimes distorted or absent; areole simple, 11 running into 12. Hind-wings with vein 8 anastomosing with cell from near base to beyond middle."—(Meyrick.) We have one species in New Zealand. PHRISSOGONUS DENOTATUS, Walk. (Scotosia denotata, Walk. 1361. Phibalapteryx parvulata, ib. 1721. Phrixogonus denotatus, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 53.) (Plate VI., fig. 19 ?.) This dull-looking insect is common and generally distributed throughout the country. The expansion of the wings is ¾ inch. The fore-wings are very dark grey, with numerous obscure black and pale brown transverse lines; there are several black dots on the veins, and a white mark on the termen near the apex. The hind-wings are pale grey with numerous wavy black lines, especially near the dorsum. The antennÆ are simple in both sexes. The cilia are dull pink barred with black. The female is slightly tinged with reddish-brown. The male has a peculiar dilation on the costa, beyond the middle, beneath which is a naked longitudinal mark occupying the space between veins 10 and 12, these veins being slightly distorted in consequence. The larva, which feeds on the blossoms of the wharangi (Brachyglottis repanda), is pale green with a series of elongate triangular brown markings down the back and an obscure series of brown marks on each side. It may be found during the latter end of October and beginning of November, but is extremely inconspicuous amongst its food-plant. The pupa is concealed in a light cocoon constructed of the remains of the blossoms. The perfect insect appears from October till February. It frequents dense undergrowth in the forest, and is generally found resting with extended wings on the dark-coloured stems of the kawakawa (Piper excelsum), where it is practically invisible. In this situation its colouring is evidently specially adapted for protective purposes. Genus 5.—ELVIA, Walk."Face smooth. Palpi rather long, straight, porrected, densely rough-scaled above and beneath, terminal joint short. AntennÆ in male stout, flattened, bipectinated (2½). Thorax somewhat crested. Fore-wings with vein 6 from a point with 9, 7 from angle of areole, 10 anastomosing moderately with 9, 11 out of 10, running shortly into 12. Hind-wings with veins 6 and 7 stalked, 8 anastomosing with 7 from near base to near transverse vein."—(Meyrick.) We have one species. ELVIA GLAUCATA, Walk. (Elvia glaucata, Walk. 1431; Feld. cxxxii. 25. Elvia donovani, Feld. cxxxii. 5. Elvia glaucata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 65.) (Plate VI., fig. 23 and 24 varieties.) This very pretty insect is generally distributed throughout the country. The expansion of the wings is about an inch. The fore-wings vary from pale green to dark steely blue, rarely pale reddish-brown; there is an almost straight, black transverse line near the base; a broad curved line before the middle, shaded towards the termen; then a straight line, breaking up into dots towards the dorsum, followed by a conspicuous cream-coloured blotch near the costa; this again is followed by a fine jagged cream-coloured line; there is a terminal series of black dots. The hind-wings are cream-coloured, tinged with steely blue or green towards the termen; there are a few obscure transverse lines and a short series of dots from the dorsum. The apex of the fore-wing is very blunt, and the termen is slightly hollowed out towards the tornus; the termen of the hind-wings is deeply scalloped. This species is extremely variable. In addition to the variations above indicated, the markings of many specimens differ considerably in intensity, and there are frequently several large cream-coloured blotches towards the base or middle of the forewings. The perfect insect appears from September till March, but is not a common species. It frequents forest districts, and may sometimes be found at rest on tree-trunks, where the beautiful colouring of its fore-wings closely imitates that of certain lichens, and renders its detection in such situations extremely difficult. Unlike the insects included in the two preceding genera, this species closes its wings when at rest, the anterior pair alone being visible. These wings are not held flat, but are curiously folded longitudinally, and the end of the abdomen is also curled upwards. By slightly raising the insect above the level of the surrounding surface, this peculiar attitude considerably increases its resemblance to a lichen growing on the stem or branch of a tree. It will also be observed that in this species, which when at rest exposes only its fore-wings, these alone are protectively coloured; whilst in the genera Chloroclystis and Phrissogonus, where both pairs of wings are displayed, both pairs are protectively coloured. Genus 6.—HYDRIOMENA, Hb."Face with somewhat projecting or loose scales, or with conical tuft. Palpi rough-scaled. AntennÆ in male ciliated, rarely dentate or naked. Abdomen not crested, or with crests on two basal segments only. Fore-wings with areole double. Hind-wings with 8 anastomosing with cell from near base to beyond middle. (See Plate II., fig. 32 head, figs. 33 and 34 neuration of Hydriomena deltoidata.) "A very large genus, principally characteristic of temperate regions in both hemispheres.—(Meyrick.) There are twelve New Zealand species. HYDRIOMENA GOBIATA, Feld. (Cidaria gobiata, Feld. cxxxi. 2. Phibalapteryx simulans, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 506. Phibalapteryx undulifera, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 506. Phibalapteryx anguligera, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 507. Phibalapteryx rivularis, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 507. Scotosia gobiata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 70. Cephalissa gobiata, ib. xviii. 184.) (Plate VI., fig. 43 ?, 44 ?.) This insect has occurred plentifully at Wanganui and Wellington in the North Island, and is generally distributed throughout the South Island. The expansion of the wings is from 1 to 1¼ inches. All the wings vary from pale ochreous to rather dull yellowish brown, sometimes very slightly tinged with green. There is usually a large number of fine, slightly waved, oblique lines arranged on both pairs of wings, very like the markings in Venusia verriculata (see page 53), both insects evidently having acquired this style of colouring for similar protective purposes. In many specimens the whole of the anterior portion of the fore-wings, a small area at the base of the hind-wings, and a band near the termen are much paler in colour than the rest. There is usually a very oblique elongate pale area near the apex, and an irregular dark spot considerably below the apex. The outline of all the wings is more or less distinctly scalloped. The larva (according to Mr. Purdie[27]) is about 1 inch in length, greyish-brown, with a rough prominent dorsal tubercle about the ninth segment. There are sometimes other smaller tubercles. It feeds on various species of Coprosoma in January, March, and May. The perfect insect appears from October till March, and generally frequents rather open country where Manuka and Cabbage Tree Palms are abundant. HYDRIOMENA PRIONOTA, Meyr. (Arsinoe prionata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 73. Anachloris prionata, Meyr., ib. xviii. 184.) (Plate VI., fig. 47.) This species has been taken in the South Island at Mount Arthur, Castle Hill and Dunedin. The expansion of the wings is rather under 1½ inches. The fore-wings are dull yellowish-brown, with many obscure, wavy, transverse, brown lines, which tend to form two ill-defined bands, one rather narrow near the base and the other much broader near the middle of the wing. The hind-wings are very pale yellowish-brown; there are a few obscure dark lines near the dorsum. The veins are distinctly dotted in black, and the outline of all the wings is deeply scalloped. The perfect insect appears in January, but is not common. HYDRIOMENA DELTOIDATA, Walk. (Coremia deltoidata, Walk. 1321. Cidaria inclarata, Walk. 1411. Cidaria perductata, Walk. 1412. Cidaria congressata, Walk. 1412. Cidaria conversata, Walk. 1413. Cidaria descriptata, Walk. 1414. Cidaria bisignata, Walk. 1415. Cidaria aggregata, Walk. 1415. Cidaria congregata, Walk. 1415. Cidaria plagifurcata, Walk. 1416. Coremia pastinaria, Gn., E. M. M. v. 64. Cidaria inopiata, Feld. cxxxii. 3. Cidaria monoliata, Feld. cxxxii. 8. Cidaria perversata, Feld. cxxxii. 14, 24. Scotosia deltoidata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 70. Cephalissa deltoidata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xviii. 184.) (Plate VII., figs. 1 to 9 varieties.) This pretty insect is extremely abundant throughout the country. The expansion of the wings varies from 1? to 1? inches. The fore-wings vary from brownish-black to dull orange-brown; there is a small darker area near the base, then two pale whitish wavy transverse lines, then a broad darker central band, often containing within it a still darker central band, bounded by two wavy black transverse lines; beyond the central band there are nearly always two or three pale brown or whitish, wavy, transverse lines, then an interrupted line just before the termen, and a short oblique whitish line below the apex; there is a black dot a little above the centre of the wing, and a white dot on the termen near the middle. The hind-wings are yellowish-brown, with several wavy, transverse lines near the dorsum; there is a series of fine crescentic black lines on the termen of both fore- and hind-wings. This species is extremely variable, but may generally be recognised by a careful scrutiny of the above-named characters. One very striking variety occasionally met with has the central band of the fore-wing completely divided in the middle, which thus forms two dark patches, one on the costa, and one on the dorsum. (See Plate VII., figs. 7 and 8.) A further development of this variety, of which I have only seen one example, taken by Mr. Hawthorne at Springfield, Canterbury, and now in his collection, has only the costal patch present, the whole of the lower portions of the band being completely obliterated.[28] (See Plate VII., fig. 9.) The minor varieties are too numerous to specify. The larva feeds on grasses. When full-grown its length is about 1 inch. The colour is dark brown, with the skin very much wrinkled. It is sluggish in its habits, and lives through the winter, becoming full-grown about the end of September. During severe weather it generally seeks refuge from the elements amongst the stalks and roots of the rank herbage often surrounding stones or fallen logs. The pupa is concealed in the earth. The perfect insect appears early in January, and continues in the utmost profusion until the middle or end of March. It may often be seen resting with the wings folded backwards and forming together a triangle, whence the moth has probably derived its name of deltoidata. In the neighbourhood of Wellington I have observed that this insect has very much decreased in numbers during the last ten or fifteen years. HYDRIOMENA HEMIZONA, Meyr. (Hydriomena hemizona, Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1897, 385.) (Plate VII., fig. 10.) This insect has occurred at Terawhiti in the North Island, and at Mount Arthur in the South Island. The expansion of the wings is about 1? 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 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 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 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 ? inch. The fore-wings are rich brown with two transverse bands of darker brown; the first near the base, rather narrow; the second near the middle, considerably broader, especially on the costa. The hind-wings are bright orange. The termen of the fore-wings is slightly excavated below the apex, and considerably bowed a little below the middle. Described and figured from a specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection. Genus 7.—EUCHŒCA, Hb."Face smooth, flat. AntennÆ in ? shortly ciliated. Palpi short, slender, loosely scaled. Fore-wings with areole simple. Hind-wings with vein 8 anastomosing with cell to beyond middle. "A small genus containing a few species distributed throughout the northern hemisphere and one Australian."—(Meyrick.) We have one species. EUCHŒCA RUBROPUNCTARIA, Dbld. (Ptychopoda rubropunctaria, Dbld., Dieff. N. Z. li. 287. Asthena visata, Gn. ix. 438. Asthena, Gn., E. M. M. v. 42. Asthena pulchraria, Butl., Cat. pl. iii. 18. Hippolyte rubropunctaria, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 60. Epicyme rubropunctaria, Meyr., ib. xviii. 184.) (Plate VI., fig. 35.) This little species is common and generally distributed throughout both the North and South Islands, and has also occurred at Stewart Island. The expansion of the wings is about ? 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. 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 ? shortly ciliated. Palpi short, slender, loosely scaled. Fore-wings with areole double. Hind-wings with vein 8 anastomosing with cell to beyond middle. (Plate II., figs. 30 and 31.) "A genus of a few widely scattered species most numerous in the Australian Region."—(Meyrick.) We have two species. ASTHENA PULCHRARIA, Dbld. (Acidalia pulchraria, Dbld., Dieff. N. Z. ii. 286. Chlorochroma plurilineata, Walk. 563, 676. Asthena ondinata, Gn. ix. 438, pl. xix. 4; Butl., Cat. pl. iii. 20. Cidaria ondinata, Feld. cxxviii. 17. Asthena pulchraria, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 69.) (Plate VI., fig. 37 ?, 38 ?.) This beautiful little insect has occurred at many localities throughout both the North and South Islands. It is probably a common species in most wooded districts. The expansion of the wings is almost an inch. All the wings are very pale greenish-white with numerous faint green, wavy, transverse lines. The fore-wings have a more or less distinct brown band on the costal edge, and a conspicuous greenish central dot. The hind-wings often have a slight projection on the termen near the middle. The perfect insect appears from October till May, and frequents dense forest undergrowth. It is chiefly attached to the Kawakawa (Piper excelsum), and may often be found resting with outspread wings on the under-surfaces of the leaves of this plant, where it is very inconspicuous. There are probably two or more broods during the summer. On the 11th of May, 1892, I observed large numbers of this species flying over the Manuka bushes in the Wellington Botanical Gardens in brilliant moonlight. The night was very cold, but notwithstanding this the moths were most numerous and active. The appearance of this insect under such unusual conditions may have been quite accidental, as I have never seen a recurrence; but one is often somewhat unobservant in the winter, hence the record of this observation may be of use in directing the attention of others to the subject. According to Mr. Meyrick this species is also found in Tasmania, and South-east Australia. ASTHENA SCHISTARIA, Walk. (Acidalia schistaria, Walk. 782. Asthena subpurpureata, Walk. 1588. Acidalia tuhuata, Feld. cxxviii. 5. Asthena schistaria, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 69.) (Plate VI., figs. 39, 40 ?, 41, 42 ? varieties.) This pretty species is common, and generally distributed throughout the country. The expansion of the wings is nearly an inch. All the wings vary from very pale brown to rather dull purplish-brown; there are numerous jagged, darker, transverse lines forming several more or less distinct bands. The first of these bands extends from the base to about one-eighth; the second, composed of only two or three lines, is situated at about one-third; the third extends from The larva, which feeds on Manuka (Leptospermum), is very ornamental. Its general colour is light green, with black dorsal and lateral stripes, and a series of diagonal markings bordered with crimson; the legs and prolegs are also crimson, and the segments are divided by brilliant yellow rings, a white line extending down each side of the larva. This caterpillar is difficult to find, as it remains closely concealed amongst the dense Manuka foliage, from which it can be dislodged only by vigorous and continued beating. The larvÆ allow themselves to fall a short distance, hanging suspended by a silken thread, which they rapidly ascend when the danger is past. The pupa is enclosed in a slight cocoon about one inch below the surface of the earth. The perfect insect appears from October till April. It is very common in most situations where its food-plant is found and, owing to its pale colour, is readily seen when flying in the evening twilight. Specimens may also be taken in the daytime resting with outspread wings on the trunks of trees and on fences, where they are much more easily detected than many other species. Mr. Meyrick thinks that this insect will also be found in Australia. Genus 9.—VENUSIA, Curt."Face smooth. AntennÆ in ? bi-pectinated, apex simple. Palpi loosely scaled. Fore-wings with areole simple. Hind-wings with vein 8 anastomosing with cell to beyond middle."—(Meyrick.) (Plate II., fig. 13, head of V. verriculata; figs. 25 and 26, neuration of V. undosata.) We have three species represented in New Zealand. VENUSIA VERRICULATA, Feld. (Cidaria verriculata, Feld. cxxxi. 20. PanopÆa verriculata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 62. Pancyma verriculata, ib. xviii. 184.) (Plate VI., fig. 30 ?, 31 ?.) This remarkable species has occurred at Wellington in the North Island, and in the South Island at Christchurch, Ashburton, Dunedin and West Plains. The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. All the wings are pale yellowish-brown, with many straight oblique parallel dull brown lines; on the fore-wings there are three lines broader and more isolated than the rest, running from the apex to the dorsum; on the hind-wings the lines near the middle are rather thicker than the others, and have a broad space on each side of them; all the lines are clearly marked on the abdomen, so that each line appears to be continuous from one side of the moth to the other. The perfect insect appears from October till May, and frequents the Cabbage Tree Palm (Cordyline), on which its larva probably feeds. According to Mr. Fereday the moth always rests on the dead leaves of the plant, keeping its wings in such a position that the lines are continuous with the parallel veins of the dead leaf, which they precisely resemble in appearance. We have, I think, in this species a most instructive instance of special adaptation to surrounding conditions; and the action of natural selection, in preserving favourable variations of colour and habit, appears to be here unmistakably indicated. Had our investigations been confined to the examination of cabinet specimens only, we might VENUSIA XANTHASPIS, Meyr. (Hermione xanthaspis, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 61. Aulopola xanthaspis, Meyr., ib. xviii. 184.) (Plate VI., fig. 32 ?.) This handsome insect has occurred in the South Island at Mount Arthur and at Lake Guyon. The expansion of the wings is a little over 1 inch. The fore-wings are bright yellow; there is a broad pale reddish-brown band on the costa; a conspicuous oval dark brown spot above the middle, often touching the costal band; a double series of minute brown dots near the termen. The hind-wings are pale yellow, with a double series of minute brown dots parallel to the termen. The perfect insect appears in January, February, and March. It is apparently a rare species. Mr. Fereday has six specimens taken at Lake Guyon, and I have two specimens captured on the Tableland of Mount Arthur, at an elevation of about 3,500 feet. These comprise, I believe, all the specimens at present taken. VENUSIA UNDOSATA, Feld. (Cidaria undosata, Feld. cxxviii. 2. Epiphryne undosata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 60.) (Plate VI., fig. 33 ?, 34 ?.) This neatly marked little insect has occurred at Napier and Palmerston in the North Island; and at Nelson, Mount Hutt, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Lake Wakatipu in the South Island. The expansion of the wings is hardly an inch. All the wings are pale yellow with a variable number of fine jagged reddish-brown transverse lines, which are usually most distinct towards the termen. The fore-wings have a broad band of reddish-brown along the costal edge; a blackish dot above the middle just touching the costal band, and a small brown mark near the apex. The hind-wings have a minute black dot a little above the middle. This species is rather variable: in some specimens the transverse lines are much broader, forming bands of reddish-brown; in others the whole of the wings are dull reddish-brown, except a small yellow area near the base; whilst others are entirely dull greyish-brown with the transverse lines very faint, intermediate varieties between all these forms also occurring. The larva, according to Mr. Purdie,[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. ASAPHODES ABROGATA, Walk. (Aspilates abrogata, Walk. 1075. Fidonia (?) servularia, Gn., E. M. M. v. 43. Thyone abrogata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 61. Asaphodes abrogata, Meyr., ib. xviii. 184.) (Plate VII., fig. 21 ?.) This species has occurred at Murimutu in the North Island; and in the South Island at Kekerangu, Christchurch, Castle Hill, Dunedin, and Invercargill. The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. All the wings are ochreous with pale brown markings. The fore-wings have a conspicuous dot in the middle, a wavy transverse line a little beyond the middle, another line just before the termen, and a brown shading on the termen broader near the apex of the wing. The hind-wings have a brown central dot and two transverse lines. The cilia of all the wings are brownish. This species varies considerably in the distinctness of the brown markings, and there is occasionally a transverse line near the base of the fore-wings. The perfect insect appears in February and March, and frequents open country, often at elevations of from 2,000 to 4,000 feet above the sea-level. It is, I think, rather a local species, though abundant where found. I met with it in considerable numbers on the chalk range near Kekerangu in the Marlborough Province. ASAPHODES SIRIS, Hawth. (Asaphodes siris, Hawth., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxix. 283.) (Plate VII., fig. 16.) This interesting little species was discovered near Wellington by Mr. Hawthorne. The expansion of the wings is about ? inch. The fore-wings are dull ochreous; there is a small curved brown patch near the base; then a pale band, followed by a very broad brown central band, paler in the middle; there is a very sharp projection on the outer edge of the central band, a conspicuous black dot in the centre of the wing, and a series of minute black dots on the termen. The hind-wings are pale ochreous, with a faint central transverse line. The perfect insect appears in March. Described and figured from the type specimen in Mr. Hawthorne's collection. ASAPHODES MEGASPILATA, Walk. (Larentia megaspilata, Walk. 1198. Cidaria assata, Feld. cxxxi. 4. Cidaria nehata, Feld. cxxxi. 6. Harpalyce megaspilata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 63. ProbolÆa megaspilata, Meyr., ib. xviii. 184.) (Plate VII., figs. 17, 18, and 19 ?; figs. 19A and 20 ?, varieties.) This species is very common, and generally distributed throughout the country. The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. The fore-wings are dull ochreous; there is a series of fine brown and reddish wavy transverse lines near the base, forming a rather broad basal band; then a pale central area containing a blackish dot above the middle; next, a very distinct band made up of several fine wavy grey lines, with a rounded projection near the middle; this is followed by numerous pale brown curved marks forming more or less broken transverse lines; there is always an oblique slaty patch below the apex, and a series of minute dots on the termen. The hind-wings are ochreous brown, slightly darker towards the base, with numerous indistinct wavy brown lines. The apex of the fore-wing is very pointed and slightly hooked downwards; the termen is bowed near the middle. The female is much duller and more uniform in colour than the male, and the antennÆ are simple. This species is very variable. Some male specimens have several more or less distinct white markings on the middle of the fore-wings; the transverse bands also differ considerably in both size and intensity. The females are not so variable; but in some specimens the bands on the fore-wings are almost absent, whilst others have the fore-wings rich brown, with a very conspicuous dark central band. The eggs when first deposited are pale yellow. They turn dark reddish-brown for some days before the young larva emerges. The young larva is rather stout, dark brownish-black with numerous fine parallel ochreous lines; the whole body is covered with rather long bristles. The perfect insect appears from October till April, and frequents forest, where it is generally very abundant. It is a difficult insect to identify on the wing, and in consequence is often captured under a misapprehension. This species probably hibernates in the imago state during the winter months, as we may often observe specimens abroad on mild evenings, at that season. ASAPHODES PARORA, Meyr. (Harpalyce humeraria, Meyr. (nec Walk.), Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 64. Harpalyce parora, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvii. 63. ProbolÆa parora, ib. xviii. 184.) "Male, female.—29-34 mm. (about 1¼ inches). Fore-wings moderate, apex acute, termen excavated on upper half, acutely projecting in middle; varying from light grey to light reddish-fuscous; about eighteen irregular dentate darker striÆ, sometimes partially obsolete; first three, seventh and eighth, and eleventh to thirteenth usually more distinct and blackish; seventh and eighth closely approximated, forming a small blackish or reddish spot on dorsum, sometimes partially suffused with blackish; eleventh to thirteenth closely approximated, widely remote from eighth, parallel to termen; a blackish discal dot; sometimes a broad purplish-grey median band; sixteenth sometimes spotted with blackish towards costa; a terminal row of blackish dots. Hind-wings moderate, upper angle broadly projecting, termen shortly projecting in middle; varying from whitish-grey to very pale reddish-fuscous, faintly striated with darker. "Very variable in colour, but always distinguishable by the peculiar form of wing. "Wellington, Christchurch, Mount Hutt; common amongst bush, in January, February, April, and May; probably generally distributed; twenty specimens."—(Meyrick.) I am unacquainted with this insect, but it would appear to closely resemble A. megaspilata. ASAPHODES RUFESCENS, Butl. (Larentia(?) rufescens, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 502. Eurydice cymosema, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 63. Eurydice rufescens, ib. xvii. 63. Homodotis rufescens, ib. xviii. 184.) "Male, female.—25-29 mm. (about 1¼ inches). Fore-wings moderate, termen rather strongly sinuate; brown-whitish, sometimes more or less suffused with brown; numerous fine dark fuscous sinuate subdentate lines; three before middle and four beyond middle more blackish, generally partially suffused with brown, leaving a clear median space on costal half, in which is a transverse blackish discal dot; termen suffusedly greyish; a suffused oblique dark fuscous sub-apical streak. Hind-wings moderate, termen irregularly crenulate, somewhat projecting in middle; grey whitish; several subdentate grey lines, only distinct towards dorsum; a dark grey discal dot. "Variable only in the degree of the brownish suffusion; in the markings of the fore-wings it agrees almost exactly with some forms of A. megaspilata, but, apart from structure, may be always known by the whitish hind-wings and rather larger size. "Dunedin; ten specimens sent to Mr. Fereday by Capt. Hutton."—(Meyrick.) I have only seen one specimen of this insect, in Mr. Fereday's collection, and it appeared to me to be identical with the somewhat variable female of A. megaspilata. Genus 11.—XANTHORHOE, Hb."Face with somewhat projecting scales or conical tuft. AntennÆ in male bi-pectinated, apex usually simple. Palpi rough-scaled. Fore-wings with areole double. Hind-wings with vein 8 anastomosing with cell to beyond middle."—(Meyrick.) (See Plate II., figs. 37 and 38.) This interesting genus is relatively far more numerous in New Zealand than elsewhere, its place in other regions being largely taken by Hydriomena. We have no less than thirty-one known species, and many others will no doubt be ultimately discovered, especially in the mountainous districts of the west coast of the South Island. XANTHORHOE LIMONODES, Meyr. (Epyaxa limonodes, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 54.) (Plate VII., fig. 46 ?.) This species has occurred at Wellington and at Cape Terawhiti in the North Island. The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. The fore-wings of the male are dull olive-green with numerous, rather obscure, wavy brownish transverse lines; these lines are all more distinct near the costa; there are two transverse rows of white dots near the base, a very broken line of white dots at about three-fourths, one of the dots forming a crescentic mark above the middle; beyond this line the colour is often paler, especially towards the apex, but inside this line there is often a considerably darker patch; there is a very distinct blackish patch just below the apex. The apex of the wing slightly projects, and the termen is arched. The hind-wings are very pale greenish-ochreous; there is an obscure dusky transverse line in the middle. The female has the fore-wings much browner; there are several additional rows of white dots and two conspicuous white spots above the middle. The species is rather variable. In many specimens the dorsal half of the fore-wing is much paler than the costal half. The perfect insect appears from November till March, and frequents dense forest. It is not a common species. XANTHORHOE SUBDUCTATA, Walk. (Larentia subductata, Walk. 1198. Epyaxa subductata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 55.) This species has occurred at Auckland. "The expansion of the wings of the female is 26 mm. (about 1 inch). Head, palpi, and thorax pale greyish-ochreous, somewhat mixed with yellow-greenish, and densely irrorated with fuscous. AntennÆ whitish-ochreous annulated with fuscous. Abdomen grey-whitish, densely irrorated with fuscous. Legs dark fuscous, apex of joints ochreous-whitish, middle and posterior pair irrorated with grey-whitish. Fore-wings with costa gently arched, termen waved, slightly rounded, oblique; pale greyish-ochreous, mixed with yellow-greenish, and thinly sprinkled with fuscous, tending to form faint waved lines; three light fuscous fasciÆ, each marked with three dark fuscous lines; first near base, outer edge sharply angulated above middle; second from two-fifths of costa to before middle of dorsum, slightly curved; third from two-thirds of costa to two-thirds of dorsum, outer edge somewhat prominent in middle, rather sinuate above it; a crescentic black obscurely whitish-margined discal spot; a short oblique cloudy fuscous streak from apex; cilia light fuscous, somewhat sprinkled with whitish. Hind-wings light grey; a grey discal dot before middle; a median band of three darker lines, outer rather prominent in middle; faint indications of other darker lines, most distinct posteriorly; cilia grey-whitish, with two cloudy grey lines."—(Meyrick.) The perfect insect appears in December. XANTHORHOE ROSEARIA, Dbld. (Cidaria rosearia, Dbld., Dieff. N. Z. ii. 285, Butl., Cat. pl. iii. 13. Coremia ardularia, Gn., E. M. M. v. 63. Coremia inamÆnaria, Gn., E. M. M. v. 63. Epyaxa rosearia, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 71.) (Plate VII., fig. 22 ?, 23 ?.) This species has occurred at Wellington in the North Island; and in the South Island at Akaroa, Christchurch, and Dunedin. The expansion of the wings is about 1? 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 ?, 25 ?.) This fine species has occurred in the South Island at Nelson, Castle Hill, Mount Hutt, Dunedin and Lake Wakatipu. The expansion of the wings of the male is 1¼ inches, of the female 1? inches. The fore-wings of the male are pale brownish-grey; there is an obscure bent blackish line near the base, a moderately broad central band bounded by two very distinct shaded blackish lines, the basal one of which is not curved; the termen is shaded with darker grey, and there is an oblique pale mark near the apex. The hind-wings are pale grey tinged with ochreous. The female is slightly darker than the male; and there are numerous wavy pale and dark grey lines filling up the entire wing on each side of the central band. The perfect insect appears in December, January, and February. It frequents open country on the mountain sides, at elevations of from 2,500 to 4,000 feet. I observed it in great abundance on the Humboldt Range at the head of Lake Wakatipu, where it frequented the damp rocky precipices which were fringed with a luxuriant growth of Alpine plants. At Castle Hill it occurred much less commonly, so that it would appear to be most plentiful in the extreme south of New Zealand. The colouring is protective when the insect is resting on rock surfaces. XANTHORHOE SEMIFISSATA, Walk. (Coremia semifissata, Walk. 1320. Coremia ypsilonaria, Gn., E. M. M. v. 64. Cidaria delicatulata, Gn., E. M. M. v. 94. Epyaxa semifissata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 72.) (Plate VII., fig. 26 ?, 27 ?.) This extremely pretty insect is very common, and generally distributed throughout the country. The expansion of the wings is about an inch. The fore-wings of the male are pale pink; there are several wavy brown lines near the base, a very distinct brown central band, narrowest near the middle, but much broader on the costa than on the dorsum; the centre of this band is paler towards the costa; the termen is shaded with brown, except near the apex of the wing; the veins are dotted in black. The hind-wings are bright ochreous with numerous wavy darker lines. The female is darker in colour than the male, the central band is broader; there are numerous brown and pink wavy lines on each side of the central band, and the principal veins are marked in pale ochreous. The grey transverse lines on the hind-wings are much more distinct in the female than in the male. The perfect insect appears from September till April, and is very common in rather open forest districts, usually frequenting undergrowth on the edges of the denser forest. It is often one of the earliest of the Notodontina to appear in spring, and its advent is then especially welcome to the collector after the long inaction of winter. It is evidently closely allied to X. orophyla, which appears to be the southern and Alpine representative of this interesting insect. Coremia ypsilonaria, Gn., is the male, and Cidaria delicatulata, Gn., is the female of this species. XANTHORHOE LOPHOGRAMMA, Meyr. (Xanthorhoe lophogramma, Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1897, 386.) (Plate VII., fig. 47 ?, 48 ?.) This species was discovered at Castle Hill in January, 1893. The expansion of the wings is about 1? 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 The species varies a little in the depth of its colouring, but the markings appear to be constant. The perfect insect appears from November till April. It chiefly frequents forest, but is not a common species. At present, more specimens have been found in the Wellington Botanical Gardens than elsewhere. XANTHORHOE STINARIA, Gn. (Camptogramma stinaria, Gn., E. M. M. v. 92. Larentia stinaria, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 78.) (Plate VII., fig. 29 ?.) This species has occurred in the South Island at Christchurch, Dunedin, and at the foot of Mount Hutt. The expansion of the wings is barely 1 inch. All the wings are deep ochreous; the fore-wings have an oblique white line running from the dorsum near the base, towards the middle of the wing; this line is edged with blackish-brown towards the dorsum; there is a very conspicuous white transverse line at about three-fourths shaded with brown towards the body; the apex of the fore-wing slightly projects. The hind-wings have no markings. The perfect insect appears in December and January. It seems to be fairly common, frequenting Carex subdola.[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 ?.) 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 XANTHORHOE NEPHELIAS, Meyr. (Larentia nephelias, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 78.) This species was discovered by Mr. Meyrick in the South Island at Arthur's Pass, West Coast Road, and he has since taken it on Mount Arthur. "Male, female.—The expansion of the wings is 32-34 mm. (about 1¼ inches). Fore-wings moderate, in female narrower and more elongate, termen rounded; pale whitish-grey, slightly ochreous-tinged; an indistinct suffusion of dark fuscous scales before middle; a small dark fuscous discal dot; a rather irregular cloudy dark fuscous line beyond middle, sinuate beneath costa, shortly angulated in middle; a very faint stria beyond this; a terminal band composed of two rows of cloudy partially confluent dark fuscous spots, separating on costa; cilia pale whitish-grey. Hind-wings moderate, in female narrower, termen rounded; ground colour as in fore-wings, with a few grey scales posteriorly. "A remarkable-looking species. "I took two fine specimens above Arthur's Pass (4,600 feet), in January."—(Meyrick). I am unacquainted with this species. It is evidently very conspicuous and distinct. XANTHORHOE CATAPHRACTA, Meyr. (Larentia cataphracta, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 79.) (Plate VII., fig. 33 ?, 34 ?.) This large and conspicuous species has occurred in the South Island at Mount Arthur, Arthur's Pass, Lake Guyon, and Lake Wakatipu. The expansion of the wings of the male is 1? inches, of the female 1½ inches. The fore-wings are dull yellowish-brown, with numerous slightly waved oblique black and white transverse bands; one very broad white band is situated near the middle, and another at about three-fourths; there is a broad longitudinal reddish-brown line on the costal edge, in which the transverse lines almost disappear; there is also a pale, somewhat triangular, area at the apex. The hind-wings are very pale greyish-ochreous. The cilia of all the wings are very pale ochreous. The female is duller and paler than the male. The perfect insect appears from December till March, and frequents grassy slopes on the mountain sides, at elevations of from 3,000 to 4,000 feet. I observed this insect in great abundance on the Humboldt Range at the head of Lake Wakatipu, but have not found it at any of the other Alpine localities I have visited, so I imagine that it is a rather local species. XANTHORHOE CLARATA, Walk. (Larentia clarata, Walk. 1197; Butl., Cat. pl. iii. 14. Cideria pyramaria, Gn., E. M. M. v. 93. Larentia clarata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 79.) (Plate VII., fig. 31 ?, 32 ?.) This conspicuous species has occurred in the South Island at Lake Rotoiti, Mount Arthur, Castle Hill, Mount Hutt, Dunedin, and Lake Wakatipu. The expansion of the wings of the male is 1½ inches, of the female 1? 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 There is slight variation in the details of the markings, but the species can always be immediately recognised. The perfect insect appears in December, January, and February. It frequents open grassy places at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 4,500 feet, and is often extremely abundant in these situations. XANTHORHOE COSMODORA, Meyr. (Larentia cosmodora, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 57.) This species was discovered by Mr. Meyrick in the South Island on Mount Arthur, at an elevation of 4,500 feet. Female.—27 mm. (slightly over 1 inch). Head, palpi, antennÆ, thorax, abdomen, and legs whitish-ochreous, slightly brownish-tinged; abdomen with a double dorsal series of dark fuscous dots. Fore-wings with costa hardly perceptibly arched, termen slightly rounded, oblique; whitish-ochreous, slightly yellowish-tinged; a curved irregular black line rather near base, followed by a white line; median band rather darker, tinged with yellowish-fuscous towards edges, margined with dentate black lines and outside these with white, anterior from one-third of costa to two-fifths of dorsum, rather curved, posterior from two-thirds of costa to three-fourths of dorsum, somewhat prominent beneath costa, and with a more distinct double prominence in middle; two white dentate-edged spots within median band, first beneath costa, containing small black discal dot, second on dorsum; a waved white subterminal line; a fine dark fuscous terminal line interrupted into numerous dots; cilia whitish-ochreous, with dark fuscous bars hardly reaching base. Hind-wings whitish-ochreous, with faint darker greyish-tinged lines; a median band of four more distinct cloudy grey lines, first three straight, fourth well marked, rather dark fuscous, waved, somewhat prominent in middle, beneath confluent with third; a faint white subterminal line; cilia pale whitish-ochreous, with a faint greyish line tending to form spots. "Appears in January; one specimen. It is conceivable that this may be the other sex of the following species, but they are very dissimilar, and I do not at present think it probable."—(Meyrick.) XANTHORHOE BRYOPIS, Meyr. (Larentia bryopis, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 57.) Discovered by Mr. Meyrick in the South Island on Mount Arthur, 4,500 feet above the sea-level. "Male.—29-32 mm. (about 1¼ inches). Head, palpi, thorax, abdomen, and legs pale greyish-ochreous, slightly greenish-tinged, irrorated with blackish. AntennÆ whitish, annulated with black. Fore-wings with costa gently arched, termen somewhat rounded, rather oblique; pale greyish-ochreous, tinged with olive-greenish, irrorated with blackish-grey, tending to form waved transverse lines on basal area; median band margined with dentate black lines and outside them with white; anterior from one-third of costa to one-third of dorsum, curved, posterior from beyond two-thirds of costa to three-fourths of dorsum, somewhat indented above middle, with a moderate double prominence in middle; three blackish-grey subdentate lines within median band, first near and parallel to anterior edge, other two near and parallel to posterior edge, first and second tending to be confluent below middle, space between these more or less suffused with white, enclosing a small black discal spot; an obscure dentate whitish subterminal line, anteriorly margined with dark fuscous, preceded and followed by waved fuscous lines; a terminal series of pairs of dark fuscous dots; cilia ochreish-grey, whitish, barred with fuscous, and with a fuscous basal line. Hind-wings ochreous-grey, with waved darker grey transverse lines, except towards base; a dark grey discal dot before middle; posterior edge of median band formed as in fore-wings, followed by an obscure whitish line and somewhat paler band; terminal dots and cilia as in fore-wings, but more obscure. "Appears in January; not uncommon. Nearest allied to X. beata."—(Meyrick.) XANTHORHOE BEATA, Butl. (Cidaria beata, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1877, 397, pl. xliii. 6. Larentia beata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 79.) (Plate VII., fig. 35 ?, 36 ?.) This very beautiful species has occurred at Wellington in the North Island, is common and generally distributed throughout the South Island, and has also been found at Stewart Island. The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. The fore-wings are bright green; there is a darker area at the base edged with a jagged white line; then a paler band followed by a very broad darker green central band edged with very jagged white lines, and containing several white patches in the middle, one of which is situated close to the costa and encloses a black dot; beyond this central band there is a paler area, then an interrupted darker green band edged with white towards the termen. There is an oblique pale mark from the apex of the wing. The hind-wings are very pale ochreous, sometimes slightly tinged with green; there are several obscure rows of dusky spots. The white markings included in the central band are rather variable. The egg is smooth, oval, and pale green in colour. The young larva is orange-brown, becoming greenish-brown soon after emergence. The full-grown larva is dark brown above and pale brown beneath, the two colours being sharply separated on the sides by a broken white line. A series of V-shaped markings is situated on the back, each mark enclosing a paler area. Several fine black wavy lines traverse the darker portions of the larva, and a dark mark, edged with black beneath, is situated on each segment just above the ventral surface. The food-plant is watercress. The pupa is enclosed in a frail cocoon on the surface of the ground. The perfect insect appears from October till March, and frequents forest. It is often dislodged from dense undergrowth during the daytime, and may be found in the evening on the blossoms of the white rata. It is very much commoner in some years than in others; but occasionally several seasons will pass without our noticing a single specimen of this attractive insect. The colouring is extremely protective when the moth is resting on moss-covered tree trunks. XANTHORHOE ADONIS, n. sp. (Plate VII., fig. 49 ?.) This extremely beautiful insect has occurred in the South Island at Castle Hill, and at Lake Wakatipu. The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. The fore-wings are vivid green; there is a broad, wavy, black transverse line near the base; a somewhat broken line at about one-third, much broader on the costa and edged with white towards the base; a very conspicuous broad black line at two-thirds, shaded towards the base, and sharply edged with white towards the termen; between this line and the termen there are several black marks, forming another extremely broken transverse line. The hind-wings are pale orange-brown, with a faint grey central band. The perfect insect appears in January. It frequents forests at elevations of from 1,000 to 2,000 feet above the sea-level, but it is not common. Mr. Meyrick regards this insect as identical with Xanthorhoe beata. XANTHORHOE CHLORIAS, Meyr. (Larentia chlorias, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 80.) This species was discovered in the South Island at Castle Hill, by Mr. Meyrick. "The expansion of the wings of the male is 30 mm. (about 1¼ inches). Fore-wings moderate, termen hardly rounded; bright yellow; base of costa dark fuscous-purple; a curved row of three very small dark purple-fuscous spots about one-fourth, and another of four spots before middle, costal spots larger; a "A very beautiful and conspicuous species. "I took one fine specimen in a wooded gully near Castle Hill, at 3,100 feet, in January."—(Meyrick.) XANTHORHOE ÆGROTA, Butl. (Selidosema Ægrota, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 499. Larentia Ægrota, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 80.) (Plate VII., fig. 37 ?.) This rather inconspicuous species has occurred at Palmerston and Kaitoke in the North Island; and at Christchurch, Dunedin, and Lake Wakatipu in the South Island. It has also been taken at Stewart Island. The expansion of the wings is about 1? inches. The fore-wings are dull ochreous-brown; there are several indistinct wavy blackish lines near the base, a black dot above the middle, then three or four more lines, followed by a cloudy shading on the termen. The hind-wings are pale ochreous-brown. The cilia of all the wings are dull ochreous-brown barred with black. The perfect insect appears from November till March and is sometimes very common. It usually frequents rather open situations in the neighbourhood of forest, and I have often observed it amongst the bushes of "Wild Irishman" (Discaria toumatou.) It is extremely abundant on the banks of the River Dart, at the head of Lake Wakatipu. XANTHORHOE LUCIDATA, Walk. (Larentia lucidata, Walk. 1200. Coremia plurimata, ib. 1321. Panagra venipunctata, ib. 1666. Larentia psamathodes, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 81. Larentia lucidata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvii. 64.) (Plate VII., fig. 38 ?.) This rather dull-coloured species has occurred at Napier, Palmerston, and Wellington in the North Island, and at Dunedin in the South Island. The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. The fore-wings are dull yellowish-brown; there are numerous fine, almost straight blackish lines parallel to the termen, forming four more or less distinct transverse bands; the first at the base rather broad, the second a little before the middle, the third beyond the middle, and the fourth just before the termen; there is a black dot a little above the middle of the wing, and the veins are marked with white dots between the transverse bands. The hind-wings are pale brownish-ochreous; there are numerous, rather faint, wavy, blackish, transverse lines, which are much more distinct near the dorsum. There is a series of distinct black dots on the termen of both fore- and hind-wings. The perfect insect appears during the winter months from March till August. It is rather a scarce species, but on mild evenings it is sometimes taken at light. XANTHORHOE HELIAS, Meyr. (Larentia helias, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 81.) (Plate VII., fig. 40.) Two specimens of this species have been taken at Dunedin in the South Island. The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. All the wings are pale ochreous; the fore-wings have a slender brown transverse line at the base, then a large loop-like marking from the costa, almost meeting a smaller, similarly looped marking from the dorsum; next a broad irregular dark brown band a little beyond the middle, considerably indented towards the termen; this is followed by a rather narrow pale band, and then by a narrow brown band, also indented towards the termen; there is a small oblique brown mark below the apex, and a terminal series of black dots. The hind-wings have several faint dusky transverse lines near the base, a row of small spots near the 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? inches. The fore-wings are bright orange-yellow; there is a small brown area near the base, with the outer edge indented; then a pale band followed by a very broad brown central band, composed of wavy transverse lines, with irregular yellow spaces between them, the largest of these spaces containing a small black dot; the outer edge of the central band is very wavy, and has several rather prominent projections near the middle; beyond this are several rather faint brownish lines; the cilia are yellow, barred with dark brown. The hind-wings are pale ochreous, shaded with grey near the base, and with yellow near the termen; the cilia are yellow, barred with brown. The perfect insect appears in January, and frequents forest. It is found at elevations of from 2,000 to 3,000 feet, but is not by any means a common species. XANTHORHOE CHIONOGRAMMA, Meyr. (Larentia chionogramma, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 82.) (Plate VII., fig. 42 ?, 43 ?.) This rather dull-looking species has occurred in the South Island at Mount Arthur and Mount Hutt. The expansion of the wings is about 1? inches. The fore-wings are rather dark greyish-brown; there are numerous indistinct wavy paler and darker transverse lines near the base; a rather broad transverse brown band towards the middle, shaded towards the base, and edged with an interrupted jagged white line towards the termen; beyond this there are several broken darker and paler lines. The hind-wings are very pale greyish-ochreous, clouded with grey near the base, and with several rows of small cloudy grey spots near the termen. The female is paler than the male and the markings are less distinct. The perfect insect appears in December and January, and frequents wooded valleys on the lower slopes of the mountains, at elevations of from 2,000 to 3,000 feet. XANTHORHOE CAMELIAS, Meyr. (Larentia camelias, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 58.) This species was discovered by Mr. Meyrick in the North Island at Whangarei. "The expansion of the wings of the male is 23 mm. (rather less than 1 inch). Head, antennÆ, and thorax whitish-ochreous, greyish-tinged, with a few dark fuscous scales. Palpi fuscous. Abdomen whitish-ochreous, with a double dorsal series of dark fuscous dots. Legs whitish-ochreous, irrorated with purple-reddish and dark fuscous. Fore-wings with costa rather sinuate in middle, on anterior half gently, on posterior half very strongly arched, termen moderately sinuate below apex, bowed in middle; light greyish-ochreous, with numerous cloudy, waved, brown-grey transverse lines, somewhat bent near costa; a black discal dot; margin of basal patch and anterior edge of median band indicated by series of very minute white dots, preceded and followed by black points; posterior edge of median band marked by a darker line, followed by a fine white line reduced on lower half to a series of points, subterminal line represented by four cloudy blackish dots on upper half and another above tornus; cilia greyish-ochreous (imperfect). Hind-wings fuscous-whitish; a median band of four cloudy greyish lines, bent near costa; a cloudy grey spot above tornus; cilia fuscous-whitish (imperfect.) "Appears in December. Immediately recognisable by the peculiar form of forewings."—(Meyrick.) XANTHORHOE FALCATA, Butl. (Larentia falcata, Butl., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 58.) A single specimen of this species is in the British Museum collection of New Zealand Lepidoptera. Of this specimen Mr. Meyrick remarks as follows:— "This appears to be a good species allied to X. camelias, but with the costa of fore-wings less arched posteriorly, and posterior edge of median band practically straight, not bent near costa; also much darker in general colouring. I have not yet seen any specimen except the original type." XANTHORHOE OBARATA, Feld. (Cidaria obarata, Feld. cxxxii. 33. Larentia obarata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 82.) (Plate VII., fig. 45.) This little species has occurred at Wellington in the North Island, and at Christchurch and Mount Hutt in the South Island. The expansion of the wings is barely 1 inch. The fore-wings are pale greyish-ochreous; there is an interrupted reddish-brown transverse band near the base; two faint, interrupted, shaded blackish lines, one at about one-third and the other at about two-thirds, enclosing between them a large central area, which contains a very distinct black dot above the middle, and several irregular shaded black marks; beyond this there is a wavy reddish-brown band; the apex of the wing is somewhat projecting, and the termen is considerably bowed. The hind-wings are pale grey, with a paler central band, and numerous faint, wavy, darker grey lines. The cilia of all the icings are white, banded with dark grey. The perfect insect appears from November till January. Mr. Fereday states that it is a plain-frequenting species, especially attached to gorse hedges.[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 "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 ? 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; "Varies slightly in distinctness of pale markings. "Mount Hutt and Lake Wakatipu (5,400 feet), on the open mountain sides, in December and January; twelve specimens."—(Meyrick.) XANTHORHOE BULBULATA, Gn. (Cidaria bulbulata, Gn., E. M. M. v. 94. Larentia bulbulata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 84.) (Plate VIII., fig. 1.) This species has occurred in the South Island at Kekerangu, Christchurch, Castle Hill, and Dunedin. The expansion of the wings is barely 1 inch. The fore-wings are very pale brownish-ochreous; there is a brown area near the base; a moderately broad brown central band with a distinct projection near the middle; the termen is broadly shaded with brown, with a wavy paler line in the middle of the shading; there are often several oval paler marks in the middle of the central band, and pale brown spots and lines between the darker brown markings. The hind-wings are bright orange, with the cilia pale brown. The perfect insect appears from September till March, and frequents open, grassy places, from the sea-level to elevations of from 2,000 to 3,000 feet. Genus 12.—LYTHRIA, Hb."Face rough-haired or loosely scaled, antennÆ in male bi-pectinated, apex sometimes simple. Palpi with long rough hairs. Thorax roughly hairy beneath. Fore-wings with areole simple. Hind-wings with vein 8 anastomosing with cell to beyond middle."—(Meyrick.) (Plate II., figs. 39 and 40, neuration of L. chrysopeda.) We have two interesting little species in New Zealand. The genus also occurs in Europe, and probably elsewhere. LYTHRIA CHRYSOPEDA, Meyr. (Arcteuthes chrysopeda, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 48.) (Plate VIII., fig. 33 ?, 34 ?.) This bright-looking little species has been taken in the South Island at Mount Arthur. The expansion of the wings is about ¾ inch. The fore-wings are very dark, glossy brown; there is a pale yellowish transverse line near the base, a broader, rather wavy orange-yellow line a little before the middle, another still broader at about two-thirds, and an indistinct fine line near the termen. The hind-wings are rich orange-brown, with three broad, wavy, dark brown transverse bands; the termen is narrowly margined with dark orange-brown. The female is generally rather paler than the male, very faintly marked specimens occasionally occurring. The perfect insect appears in January and February. It frequents the tussock openings in the forest on the Tableland of Mount Arthur, at elevations of from 3,000 to 4,000 feet. In these situations it appears to be fairly abundant, flying actively in the hottest sunshine. LYTHRIA EUCLIDIATA, Gn. (Coremia euclidiata, Gn. x. 420. Coremia glyphicata, ib. 420. Fidonia catapyrrha, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 392, pl. xliii. 2. Stratonice catapyrrha, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 64. Stratonice euclidiata, ib. xvii. 63. Arctesthes euclidiata, ib. xviii. 184. Arcteuthes euclidiata, ib. xx. 47.) (Plate VIII., fig. 35 ?.) This pretty little species has occurred in the South Island at Lake Rotoiti near Nelson, Lake Guyon, Otira Gorge, Dunedin, and Mount Linton near Invercargill. The expansion of the wings is ¾ inch. The fore-wings are dark greyish-brown speckled with black and white; there is a curved black transverse line near the base, followed by a white line, then two black lines close together followed by another white line, then a broad black line followed by a pale central band containing a well-marked central dot, beyond this there are two angulated black lines, and a very conspicuous white line; there is a broad black shading on the termen, traversed by a rather obscure fine white line. The hind-wings are rather narrow, yellowish-orange speckled with black near the base, there is a strongly angulated black line near the middle, and an obscure blackish band near the termen. On the under side the fore-wings are yellow, with two black transverse bands from the costa near the termen and a red mark near the apex; the hind-wings are streaked with white and yellow, and broadly bordered with red on the costa and termen; there are two very broad black transverse bands. The female is paler than the male, with the dark markings rather narrower. The perfect insect appears in February and March, and frequents open, sunny places, at elevations of from 1,000 to 2,000 feet above the sea-level. Genus 13.—DASYURIS, Gn."Face rough-haired or with projecting scales. Palpi moderate, porrected, with long dense rough hairs. AntennÆ in male shortly ciliated. Thorax and coxÆ densely hairy beneath. Posterior tibiÆ with all spurs present. Fore-wings with areole double. Hind-wings with vein 8 anastomosing with cell from near base to beyond middle."—(Meyrick.) (Plate II., fig. 42, neuration of fore-wing. Hind-wing as in Xanthorhoe.) Of this genus we have four species in New Zealand. DASYURIS ENYSII, Butl. (Fidonia enysii, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 391, pl. xlii. 9. Statira homomorpha, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 91. Statira enysii, ib. xvii. 65. Stathmonyma enysii, ib. xviii. 184.) (Plate VIII., fig. 28.) This species has occurred in the South Island on the Dun Mountain near Nelson, and at Mount Hutt. The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. The fore-wings are greyish-brown, with numerous wavy blackish transverse lines; there is usually a wavy yellowish transverse stripe near the base, and another broader and more conspicuous stripe near the termen; the termen itself is broadly shaded with dark brown. The hind-wings are orange-yellow; there is a small dusky brown area near the base, then a faint straight transverse line, followed by a slightly waved conspicuous dark brown line; there is a very wavy broad dark brown line near the termen, and the termen itself is narrowly edged with dark brown. The perfect insect appears in January and February, and frequents stony situations on the mountains, at elevations of from 2,500 to 4,000 feet. I have taken numerous specimens on the "Mineral Belt," Dun Mountain, but have not yet met with it elsewhere. This insect is probably often mistaken during flight for Notoreas brephos, from which it may easily be distinguished by its larger size, paler colouring, and simple antennÆ of the male. DASYURIS ANCEPS, Butl. (Fidonia anceps, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 392, pl. xliii. 3. Statira anceps, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 91. Stathmonyma anceps, ib. xviii. 184.) (Plate VIII., fig. 29.) This species has been taken in the South Island at Mount Arthur, Castle Hill, and Arthur's Pass. The expansion of the wings is about 1? 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 The perfect insect appears in January and February, and frequents bare rocky situations on the mountains, at elevations of from 4,000 to 5,000 feet. On one occasion I met with this species very plentifully, though in poor condition, on Mount Peel, near Mount Arthur; but subsequent visits have led me to think that, as a rule, it is rather a scarce species. The bluish-grey colouring of the fore-wings affords this moth a most efficient protection from enemies, whilst resting on the rocky ground which it always frequents. Apart from special characters, the fainter colouring of this insect will at once distinguish it from any of the numerous allied species. DASYURIS PARTHENIATA, Gn. (Dasyuris partheniata, Gn., E. M. M. v. 93; Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 92.) (Plate VIII., fig. 30 ?, 31 ?.) This bright-looking species has occurred at Wellington in the North Island, and at Mount Arthur and Mount Hutt in the South Island. The expansion of the wings is about 1? 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 The perfect insect appears in December, January and February, and frequents rocky crags on mountains, at elevations of from 4,700 to 5,700 feet above the sea-level. It delights to rest on blackened rocks in the hottest sunshine, but dashes away with the greatest rapidity on the approach of the collector, so that it is generally rather difficult to capture. Genus 14.—NOTOREAS, Meyr."Face roughly haired. Palpi moderate, second joint with long or very long spreading hairs beneath, terminal joint moderate or rather long, often concealed. AntennÆ in male bi-pectinated. Thorax beneath more or less strongly clothed with long hairs. Fore-wings with vein 6 rising out of 9, 7 almost from angle of areole, 10 anastomosing moderately with 9, 11 anastomosing moderately or very shortly with 10, 12 free. Hind-wings normal."—(Meyrick.) (See Plate II., fig. 43, fore-wing of Notoreas brephos.) This interesting genus, of which we have no less than fifteen species, comprises a number of gaily coloured little insects, chiefly inhabiting mountain regions. All the species are day-fliers, and most of them only appear during the hottest sunshine. Mr. Meyrick regards the genus Notoreas as most closely approaching to the ancestor of the family HydriomenidÆ. NOTOREAS INSIGNIS, Butl. (Aspilates insignis, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 393, pl. xliii. 1. Pasithea insignis, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 85. Notoreas insignis, ib. xviii. 184.) (Plate VIII., fig. 3 ?.) This very striking species has been taken in the South Island at Castle Hill. The expansion of the wings of the male is 1¼ inches, of the female 1 inch. The fore-wings of the male are dull yellowish-brown; in the middle of the wing there is an almost straight long white streak from the base to about three-fourths; there is another straight white streak parallel to the termen and almost touching the apex. The hind-wings are bright ochreous speckled with brown near the base. The female has the wings rather narrower than the male, and the ground colour is paler. The perfect insect appears in January. Mr. Fereday's specimens, which formed the basis for the above figure and description, were captured on a bare mountain side at an elevation of about 4,000 feet. Mr. Hawthorne has directed my attention to the remarkable similarity existing between the markings on the fore-wings of this species and those on Xanthorhoe stinaria. NOTOREAS ORPHNÆA, Meyr. (Pasithea orphnÆa, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 85. Notoreas orphnÆa, ib. xviii. 184.) This species was discovered by Mr. Meyrick in the South Island at Lake Wakatipu. The expansion of the wings of the female is from 28 to 30 mm. (about 1¼ inches). "Fore-wings moderate, termen rounded; dark fuscous, mixed with yellowish and whitish, which tend to form alternate fasciÆ; a discal dot and numerous curved irregularly dentate blackish lines, varying in strength and intensity; cilia barred with blackish and whitish. Hind-wings moderate, termen rounded; dark fuscous; a blackish discal dot; a cloudy whitish irroration forming a double curved fascia beyond middle, and a dentate subterminal line; cilia as in fore-wings. "Imitative in colour of the dark lichen-grown rocks. "I took three specimens almost on the summit of Ben Lomond, Lake Wakatipu, at 5,600 feet, in January."—(Meyrick.) NOTOREAS ISOLEUCA, Meyr. (Notoreas isoleuca, Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1897, 386.) (Plate VIII., fig. 27.) This little species has been taken in the South Island on the Craigieburn Range, near Castle Hill. The expansion of the wings is about ¾ inch. All the wings are very dark blackish-brown; the fore-wings have five slender wavy white transverse lines. The hind-wings have three white transverse lines, the first near the base, the second near the middle, and the third, which is very slender and considerably broken, near the termen. The cilia of all the wings are white, barred with blackish-brown. The perfect insect was captured in January, amongst a varied growth of stunted Alpine vegetation, at an elevation of about 5,600 feet. NOTOREAS MECHANITIS, Meyr. (Pasithea mechanitis, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 86. Notoreas mechanitis, ib. xviii. 184.) (Plate VIII., figs. 9, 10, 11, varieties.) This insect has occurred in the South Island at Mount Arthur, Arthur's Pass and Mount Hutt. The expansion of the wings is about ? 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. 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? 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? inches. The fore-wings are deep orange-brown, shaded with black near the base and in the vicinity of the three cream-coloured transverse bands; the first of these bands is situated near the base, the second at about one-third, and the third, which is rather wavy, at about two-thirds; there is a fine wavy white line close to the termen. The hind-wings are dark grey, with two broad cream-coloured bands, the first near the base and the second near the middle; there is a slender wavy line near the termen. The cilia of all the wings are cream-coloured, barred with brownish-black. The perfect insect appears in January, and evidently frequents high mountains. Described and figured from the type-specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection. NOTOREAS NIPHOCRENA, Meyr. (Pasithea niphocrena, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 88. Notoreas niphocrena, ib. xviii. 184.) This species was discovered by Mr. Meyrick in the South Island, at Arthur's Pass, West Coast Road. "The expansion of the wings of the female is from 24 to 25 mm. (1 inch). Fore-wings moderate, termen rounded; rather dark fuscous, mixed and obscurely striated with orange; a curved white subdentate line before one-fourth, anteriorly blackish-margined; a similar white line beyond one-fourth, posteriorly blackish-margined; space between these sometimes suffused with orange; a slender irregularly dentate white fascia beyond middle, rather strongly angulated in middle, anteriorly blackish-margined, posteriorly closely followed by a dentate orange line; a dentate orange line near termen, dilated on costa. Hind-wings moderate, termen rounded; orange, lighter anteriorly; basal half dark fuscous mixed with orange, its outer edge irregularly curved; a dentate subterminal fascia and narrow terminal fascia dark fuscous, sometimes obscure. "Possibly when the male is known this may prove to be a Dasyuris. "I took two specimens on the mountain-side above Arthur's Pass at 4,500 feet, in January."—(Meyrick.) NOTOREAS SIMPLEX, n. sp. (Plate VIII., fig. 26.) A single specimen of this species was captured on Mount Arthur in the South Island. The expansion of the wings is about 1? inches. The fore-wings are bright ochreous; there are four broad black transverse bands near the base, edged with white, and separated from one another by yellow spaces of almost equal width; the outermost of these bands is situated a little more than half-way between the base and termen; the last two lines become obsolete before they reach the costa; there are no other markings, except a black shading on the termen near the tornus, which is traversed by an obscure jagged paler line; the cilia are white barred with black. The hind-wings are bright orange-yellow, without markings; the cilia are ochreous. The perfect insect appears in January. The type-specimen was taken on the mountain-side, at an elevation of about 4,000 feet. NOTOREAS FEROX, Butl. (Fidonia ferox, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 392, pl. xlii. 8. Pasithea ferox, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 88. Notoreas ferox, ib. xviii. 184.) (Plate VIII., fig. 17.) Two specimens of this species were captured by Mr. J. D. Enys, at Castle Hill in the South Island. The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. The fore-wings are dull brown, with numerous fine, wavy, dusky lines and a faint dot above the middle. The hind-wings are orange-yellow, dotted with black near the base; there is a rather broad STRAIGHT transverse black band near the middle, followed by a much finer wavy line; there are three fine, wavy lines parallel with the termen, and the termen itself is finely bordered with black. Described and figured from a specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection. NOTOREAS ZOPYRA, Meyr. (Pasithea zopyra, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 89. Notoreas zopyra, ib. xviii. 184.) (Plate VIII., figs. 18 and 19, varieties.) This bright-looking little species has occurred at Mount Arthur and at Mount Hutt, in the South Island. The expansion of the wings is about ¾ inch. The fore-wings are dark bluish-grey, with numerous slender, wavy, blackish transverse lines, and a distinct blackish dot above the middle. The hind-wings are bright orange, speckled with grey near the base and dorsum; there are from two to four very fine, wavy, broken, blackish, transverse lines, and the termen is narrowly bordered with black. The perfect insect appears in January, frequenting shingle flats on the mountain sides, at about 4,000 feet above the sea-level. It flies rapidly in the hottest sunshine, and, when it alights on the stones, is extremely difficult to find. The brilliant hind-wings, which are very conspicuous when the moth is flying, quite disqualify the eye from detecting the extremely obscure object, which the insect instantly becomes when resting with its fore-wings alone exposed. This method of increasing the value of protective tints by means of bright colours temporarily displayed was very clearly described, I believe for the first time, by Lord Walsingham in his address to the Fellows of the Entomological Society of London, in January, 1891. It is certainly well exemplified by this and several other species of the genus Notoreas, and it will be at once noticed by the collector, how extremely difficult it is to follow these active little moths, as they fly with short and rapid flight over the grey rocks and stones, with which their fore-wings so completely harmonize; the momentary glimpse obtained of the brilliant hind-wings so completely deceives the eye, that there is much more difficulty in marking the spot where the insect alights, than would have been the case if the brilliant colour had never been displayed. NOTOREAS VULCANICA, Meyr. (Pasithea vulcanica, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 89. Notoreas vulcanica, ib. xviii. 184.) (Plate VIII., fig. 24.) This species has been taken in the North Island at Makotuku, and the Kaweka Range, in the Hawkes Bay District. The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. The fore-wings are very dark blackish-grey; there is a rather narrow black transverse line near the base, another at about one-third; then a small black dot, followed by a wavy, rather broad, black band, and two cloudy wavy black transverse lines near the termen. The hind-wings are very dark orange; there is a large black basal patch, then a broad black band joining the basal patch near the dorsum; beyond this is a fine black line, then another broad black line followed by a very fine wavy line of the orange ground colour; the termen is very broadly margined with black. The perfect insect appears from January to March. Mr. Meyrick states that he found it resting on the roads near Makotuku. Described and figured from a specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection. NOTOREAS BREPHOS, Walk. (Fidonia brephosata, Walk. 1037; Butl., Cat. pl. iii. 14. Larentia catocalaria, Gn., E. M. M. v. 62. Fidonia brephos, Feld. cxxix. 5. Pasithea brephos, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 89. Notoreas brephos, ib. xviii. 184.) (Plate VIII., figs. 20, 21, 22, and 23, varieties.) This very pretty species is common, and generally distributed throughout the country. The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. The fore-wings are dark grey; there is a wavy black line near the base, two similar lines enclosing a very broad central area, with a black dot a little above the middle; beyond this there is a more or less distinct wavy band of pale grey or brown; there are several obscure wavy blackish lines near the termen. The hind-wings are bright orange, dotted with grey near the base and dorsum, with from two to four more or less distinct wavy black transverse lines, generally rather narrow; the termen is moderately broadly bordered with black. This insect is extremely variable, and, so far as I can judge from an extensive series, several of the varieties appear to indicate that both Notoreas zopyra and N. vulcanica may ultimately have to be ranked as varieties of N. brephos, but the evidence on this point is not yet conclusive enough to render such a course at present desirable. The perfect insect appears from December to March. It is very active, and is extremely fond of settling on roads or bare ground in the hot sunshine, instantly darting away on the approach of an enemy. It is also common on the mountains, and is often found at elevations of from 3,000 to 4,000 feet above the sea-level. NOTOREAS OMICHLIAS, Meyr. (Pasithea omichlias, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 90. Notoreas omichlias, ib. xviii. 184.) (Plate VIII., fig. 25.) Two specimens of this dull-looking little species were captured at Castle Hill, by Mr. J. D. Enys. The expansion of the wings is ? 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. |
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