  "Hind-wings with vein 5 imperfect (not tubular) or obsolete, 6 and 7 usually separate, 8 usually obsoletely connected with upper margin of cell near base, approximated to near middle." (See Plate II., figs. 51 to 64.) "A very large family, equally common throughout all regions. It varies considerably in superficial appearance, and is also remarkable for the variability of structure of veins 10 and 11 of the fore-wings in many (not all) species. Imago with body slender to rather stout; fore-wings broad to rather elongate, triangular; posterior tibiÆ of male often enlarged and enclosing an expansible tuft of hairs. The structure termed the fovea is a circular impression on the lower surface of the fore-wings above the dorsum near the base, usually placed about the origin of the basal fork of 1b; it is generally confined to the male, and is often sub-hyaline, sometimes surmounted by a small thickened gland; it may possibly be a scent-producing organ. It is strictly confined to that branch of which Selidosema is the type, but is not invariably present there. "Ovum subcylindrical or elongate-ovate, more or less reticulated, sometimes ribbed. Larva elongate, more or less slender, with few hairs, without developed prolegs on segments 7, 8, and usually 9; often remarkably like a twig of its food-plant. Pupa subterranean, or in a slight cocoon above ground."—(Meyrick.) Of this extensive family we have nine genera represented in New Zealand:
Genus 1.—SELIDOSEMA, Hb."Face with appressed or shortly projecting scales. Tongue developed. AntennÆ in male bipectinated, towards apex simple. Palpi rough-scaled. Thorax sometimes crested posteriorly, hairy beneath. Femora nearly glabrous; posterior tibiÆ in male dilated. Fore-wings in male with fovea; vein 10 sometimes connected with 9, 11 sometimes out of 10 near base only, or if separate, sometimes anastomosing with 12."—(Meyrick.) (Plate II., figs. 59 and 60, neuration of Selidosema dejectaria.) This genus is universally distributed and of considerable extent. We have nine species in New Zealand. SELIDOSEMA FENERATA, Feld. (Rhyparia fenerata, Feld. cxxxi. 7. Zylobara fenerata, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 498. Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 97.) (Plate VIII., fig. 50 ?, 51 ?.) This species is common, and generally distributed throughout the country. The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. The fore-wings of the male are very pale ochreous-brown; there is a double jagged transverse line near the base, a single jagged line a little before the middle, and a double one a little beyond the middle; an almost continuous jagged line near the termen. The hind-wings are very pale ochreous, almost white; their outline is peculiar; the dorsum is very short, the termen very long, first oblique and then rounded with a small projection midway between the apex and the tornus. The female has the fore-wings pale grey, and the hind-wings dull white; the markings resemble those of the male, but the outline of the hind-wing is of the usual form. This insect varies slightly in the depth of its colouring. It may be distinguished from the allied species by the peculiar outline of the hind-wings in the male, and by the pale grey colouring of the female. The perfect insect appears from October till March and is very common. It has a great liking for the faded fronds of tree-ferns, from which specimens may often be dislodged. Both sexes are very abundant at various blossoms during the evening, and are also attracted by light. The female is sometimes observed in the winter months, and probably hibernates. SELIDOSEMA RUDIATA, Walk. (Cidaria rudiata, Walk. 1420. Boarmia astrapia, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxii. 218. Boarmia rudiata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxiii. 101.) (Plate IX., fig. 1 ?, 2 ?.) This species is fairly common in the neighbourhood of Wellington, and has occurred at Dunedin, and at Stewart Island. It is probably generally distributed throughout the country. The expansion of the wings of the male is 1½ inches, of the female 1? inches. The fore-wings are very pale ochreous-brown; there are two interrupted jagged transverse lines near the base; a single very indistinct line in the middle; a double, nearly continuous jagged transverse line beyond the middle; a double jagged line near the termen completely interrupted in the middle; there is generally a dark patch on the termen just below the apex of the wing. The hind-wings are very pale ochreous. There is a series of black dots on the termen of both fore-wings and hind-wings, and the termen of the hind-wing is slightly indented. This species varies a good deal in size; the specimens from Stewart Island are The larva is cylindrical, of even thickness throughout, and almost uniform dull greyish-brown in colour, occasionally with a series of small oblong black marks on segments 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. It feeds on the young leaves and buds of the ake ake (Olearia traversii). It is extremely difficult to find as it almost exactly resembles a twig of its food-plant. It is full grown about April. The pupa is concealed in the earth. The perfect insect appears from October till March. It seems to prefer cultivated districts, and is generally observed at rest on garden fences or tree-trunks. It also frequents flowers in the evening. SELIDOSEMA SUAVIS, Butl. (Pseudocoremia suavis, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 497. Pachycnemia usitata, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 501. Pseudocoremia lupinata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 98. Boarmia suavis, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxiii. 101.) (Plate IX., fig. 3 ?, 4 ?.) This species is very common and generally distributed throughout the country, and has occurred as far south as Stewart Island. The expansion of the wings is 1¼ inches. The fore-wings of the male are dull yellowish-brown, speckled with black; there are two curved transverse lines near the base; a very obscure line near the middle, darker on the costa; two doubly curved lines beyond the middle, slightly darker on the dorsum; and two very faint jagged lines near the termen. The hind-wings are pale ochreous, tinged with brown near the termen. The female has narrower wings, shorter body, and is usually duller in colour than the male. This insect is rather variable, some specimens of both sexes being much darker than others; but all the forms may usually be recognised by their dull speckled colouring and absence of conspicuous markings. The larva feeds on the white rata (M. scandens) and the tawa (Beilschmiedia tawa). Its length when full grown is about 1? inches. The upper surface is dark reddish-brown with numerous blackish stripes and white markings, which give it a very variegated appearance; the under side is pale green; there are two small tubercles on the back of the eighth segment. The pupa is concealed amongst refuse on the ground, the larva constructing no cocoon before changing. The perfect insect appears from October till April, and may often be observed on mild days in the middle of winter. It is common in forest districts, where it is usually seen resting on the tree-trunks, in which situation its colouring must afford it efficient protection from many enemies. SELIDOSEMA HUMILLIMA, n. sp. (Plate IX., fig. 5.) This inconspicuous-looking insect has occurred at Wellington. The expansion of the wings of the male is about 1? inches. The fore-wings are dull yellowish-brown; there are three short oblique dark brown stripes on the costa, inclined very much towards the termen; the first of these stripes is distinctly double, and the second and third partially so; there is an indistinct brown mark just below the apex, several slender faint streaks on the veins near the middle of the wing, and a very distinct brown shading on the dorsum. The hind-wings are very pale ochreous. This species may be readily distinguished from the other species of the genus by its small size and by the obliquity of the costal stripes. In S. humillima the costal markings slope very rapidly from the base towards the termen; in the The perfect insect appears from December till March. It frequents the immediate neighbourhood of Wellington, but is not a common species. At present I am only acquainted with the male insect. SELIDOSEMA PRODUCTATA, Walk. (Larentia productata, Walk. 1197 (?). Selidosema pungata, Feld. cxxxi. 23. Selidosema (?) fragosata, Feld. cxxxi. 29. Zylobara productata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 98.) (Plate IX., figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 ? varieties, 11, 12, 13, and 14 ? ditto; Plate III., fig. 22, larva.) This species is very common, and generally distributed throughout both the North and South Islands. It has also occurred at Stewart Island. The expansion of the wings of the male is 1? inches, of the female 1? inches. The fore-wings vary from pale yellowish-brown to rich chocolate-brown; there are two curved transverse lines near the base, generally enclosing a paler stripe between them; next a broad dark central area; then a wavy paler transverse line, usually followed by a very much paler irregular band, generally formed by two partially disconnected patches, one on the costa and one on the dorsum; there is a jagged, whitish, transverse line near the termen, always broken in the middle, and often shaded with black towards the base of the wing. The hind-wings are ochreous, speckled with brown towards the dorsum; there is usually a brown central dot. This is an extremely variable insect. In some specimens there are very extensive white patches on the wings, whilst in others the colouring is almost uniform rich brown, and the characteristic markings can only be detected with difficulty. It may, however, be distinguished from the allied species by the interrupted pale jagged transverse line near the termen and by the absence of greenish colouring. The eggs are oval with the surface honeycombed; they are pale green in colour. The young larva, when first hatched, is much attenuated, light reddish-brown with a broad pale lateral stripe, and a few bristles. The full-grown larva measures about 1½ inches in length; it is rather slender and has a large hump on the sixth segment. Its colour is dark reddish-brown, mottled and striped with dull white and greenish. It feeds on the white rata (Metrosideros scandens). During the day it firmly grasps a stem of its food-plant with its prolegs, holding the rest of its body out from the branch in a perfectly straight and rigid position. When in this attitude it so exactly resembles a twig, that, even in the case of captive specimens, it is often a matter of the greatest difficulty to find a caterpillar amongst the branches. Several times I have even caught hold of a larva, thinking it to be a twig, so perfect is the resemblance. At night these larvÆ become much more active, and by the aid of a lantern they may then be seen busily walking about and feeding. The pupa is enclosed in a slight cocoon about two inches below the surface of the earth. The larvÆ of the autumnal brood remain in this condition during the winter, but in the case of the spring and summer broods the pupa state only occupies a few weeks. The moth appears from November till May. It is very common in forest regions, and may be observed resting on the trunks of the trees, its pale yellow hind-wings being completely concealed by the mottled brown fore-wings. In this position the insect is almost invisible, and the protection afforded by its colouring is at once apparent. In the autumn evenings it is often very abundant at the blossoms of the white rata. SELIDOSEMA ARISTARCHA, Meyr. (Selidosema aristarcha, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxiv. 216.) (Plate IX., fig. 17 ?, 18 ?; Plate III., fig. 17, larva.) Of this fine species only about a dozen specimens have hitherto been captured, all of which have occurred in the immediate vicinity of Wellington. It is consequently at present a rarity, but future collectors will probably find the insect in many other parts of the country. The expansion of the wings varies from 1¼ to 1½ inches. The fore-wings are light ochreous-brown; there is a small white-edged brown spot near the base; two oblique curved brown transverse lines enclosing between them a white space towards the dorsum; a short stripe on the costa, near the middle, edged with white towards the base of the wing; a doubly curved transverse line beyond the middle, finely edged with white towards the base of the wing; there is also a short white-edged brown stripe extending from the apex of the wing to the last-named transverse line, the two lines enclosing between them a small pale triangular area; there are five short longitudinal brown lines running from the termen to the outermost of the transverse lines, two of them being tipped with white towards the base of the wing. The hind-wings are dull ochreous-brown, with two very faint brown transverse lines towards the dorsum, and several whitish spots and one brown spot near the tornus. The female is a little darker in colour than the male. This insect varies slightly in size. The larva feeds on Cyathea dealbata (tree-fern) in September. Its colour is dull reddish-brown with an irregular brownish-black blotch on the side of each segment, and a dark brown dorsal line. It is very sluggish in its habits. The pupa is concealed amongst moss, &c., on the surface of the ground, the insect remaining in this state for about six weeks. The moth appears from September till March, and frequents dense forests. It has been dislodged from its food-plant in the daytime, and has also been taken on the flowers of the white rata in the evening. SELIDOSEMA MELINATA, Feld. (Numeria melinata, Feld. cxxix. 9. Pseudocoremia indistincta, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 394, pl. xliii. 8. Pseudocoremia melinata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 99.) (Plate IX., fig. 15 ?, 16 ?.) This species is very common, and generally distributed throughout the country. The expansion of the wings of the male is 1¼ inches, of the female 1½ inches. The fore-wings are dull greenish-grey, with black markings; there is a transverse line near the base; another near the middle, followed by two broken irregular lines, then a broader, paler area sometimes white, followed by a series of jagged pale markings shaded with black. The hind-wings are ochreous mottled with pale brown near the dorsum; there is a series of black dots on the termen of both fore- and hind-wings. This species is extremely variable, but may always be recognised by its greenish tinge, and the absence of indentations on the termen of both fore- and hind-wings. The larva, according to Mr. Purdie, is about ¾ inch long; dull green with darker longitudinal striations. It may be beaten from New Zealand broom (CarmichÆlia) in February. There must be some other commoner food-plant, as the moth is found in many localities where the New Zealand broom does not occur. The perfect insect appears from November till March, and is generally very abundant in all wooded districts. It is also common in birch forests on the mountain sides, where it may be taken at altitudes of from 3,000 to 4,000 feet above the sea-level. SELIDOSEMA DEJECTARIA. (Boarmia dejectaria, Walk. 394. Boarmia attracta, Walk. 394. Boarmia exprompta, Walk. 395. Tephrosia patularia, Walk. 422; Butl., Cat., pl. iii. 8. Tephrosia scriptaria, Walk. 422. Scotosia erebinata, Walk. 1358. Scotosia stigmaticata, Walk. 1359. Scotosia lignosata, Walk. 1361. Gnophos pannularia, Gn., E. M. M. v. 42. Scotopteryx maoriata, Feld. cxxvi. 4. Hemerophila (?) sulpitiata, Feld. cxxvi. 7. Hemerophila caprimulgata, Feld. cxxvi. 12. Boarmia dejectaria, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 100.) (Plate IX., figs. 19, 20, 21 and 22 ? varieties, 23 and 24 ? ditto; Plate III., fig. 12, larva.) This large insect is very common, and generally distributed throughout the country. The expansion of the wings is from 1½ to 2 inches. The fore-wings vary from pale ochreous to very dark rich brown; there is an oblique transverse line near the base, often enclosing a darker basal area; a small dark brown spot in the middle of the wing surrounded by a ring; a very oblique, wavy, transverse line beyond the middle, often double towards the dorsum, and several irregular markings on the termen; there is often a white spot on the middle of the termen, and a pale blotch on the apex of the wing. The hind-wings resemble the fore-wings in colour; there are two obscure transverse lines near the base; generally forming a dark basal area; a wavy line near the middle, and a strongly shaded line near the termen. The termen of both the wings is indented, the depth of the indentations varying greatly in different specimens. This insect is very variable, but its large size and oblique transverse lines suffice to distinguish it from any of the other allied species. The larva feeds on a great variety of plants, mahoe (Melicytus ramiflorus), white rata (Metrosideros scandens), Solanum aviculare, fuchsia (Fuchsia excorticata), and Pennantia corymbosa being amongst the number. The caterpillar may often be recognised by a large hump, which is situated on each side of the third segment. Its colouring appears to be so entirely influenced by its surroundings that a description is impossible. For instance, larvÆ taken from the pale green foliage of the mahoe resemble in colour the twigs of that plant; others captured feeding on the white rata are dark reddish-brown, those from Solanum aviculare are purplish slate-colour, whilst those from the fuchsia are pale olive-green tinged with brown, like the sprouting twigs. The pupa is enclosed in a slight cocoon situated about two inches below the surface of the ground. Those larvÆ which become full grown in the autumn remain as pupÆ during the winter, but the summer broods only remain in the pupa state a few weeks. The perfect insect appears from November till March. It has a great partiality for resting with outspread wings on the walls of sheds and outhouses, where it is frequently noticed by the most casual observer. It is very common in most situations, and may be taken in large numbers at sugar, light, or blossoms, during the whole of the summer. Its extreme abundance and great variability, in both the larval and imago states, would render it a good subject for a series of experiments, resembling those conducted by Messrs. Poulton and Merrifield on several allied European species. SELIDOSEMA PANAGRATA, Walk. (Scotosia panagrata, Walk. 1360. Angerona menanaria, Walk. 1500. Epirrhanthis (?) antipodaria, Feld. cxxvi. 3. Hyperythra desiccata, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 495. Hyperythra arenacea, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 495. Barsine panagrata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 100.) (Plate IX., figs. 25, 26, 27, and 28 ? varieties, 29 and 30 ? ditto.) This species is very common, and generally distributed throughout the country. It has occurred as far south as Stewart Island. The expansion of the wings is from 1½ to 1¾ inches. The fore-wings of the male vary from pale yellowish-white to rich brown or dark brownish-black; there is a jagged transverse line near the base; a large black or white spot in the middle of the wing; a doubly curved transverse line beyond the middle, then a very jagged transverse line, followed by several paler markings, and an obscure line parallel with the termen. The hind-wings are paler in colour; there is a slightly curved transverse line near the base; a jagged line near the middle, and a very faint line beyond the middle. The termen of both fore- and hind-wings is slightly indented. The female varies from pale ochreous to dark slate-colour; the markings resemble those of the male, but the termen of the wings is more indented. This species is so extremely variable that a more detailed description would be useless; its numerous forms may, however, be at once recognised by the unbroken jagged transverse lines of both fore- and hind-wings. The larva is quite as variable as the perfect insect. When very young it is bright green, with a conspicuous white dorsal line; as age advances the caterpillar becomes dark olive-brown, sometimes striped with paler brown or green, whilst many specimens retain the green colouring throughout the whole of their lives. The favourite food-plant is the kawa-kawa (Piper excelsum), which the larvÆ voraciously devour, thus causing the riddled appearance which the leaves of that plant almost invariably present. These larvÆ often select a forked twig to rest in, where they lie curled round, with the head and tail close together. Other food-plants are Aristotelia racemosa and Myrtus bullata. Those caterpillars found on the latter plant are strongly tinged with pink, and are consequently very inconspicuous amongst the young shoots, where they generally feed. The burrows of the larvÆ of Hepialus virescens are frequently utilised by the caterpillars, which feed on the Aristotelia, as convenient retreats during the winter. When full-grown these caterpillars descend to the ground and construct loose cocoons of silk and earth on the under sides of fallen leaves. The moth usually emerges in about a month's time, but the autumnal larvÆ either hibernate or remain in the pupa state throughout the winter. The perfect insect appears from October till April. It frequents forest and is extremely common. It also occurs in great abundance on the white rata blossoms in the autumn, and specimens may be occasionally seen even in the depth of winter. Genus 2.—HYBERNIA, Latr."Face with appressed scales or short rough scales. Tongue developed or weak. AntennÆ in male bi-pectinated, pectinations sometimes short and terminating in fascicles of cilia, apex simple. Palpi shortly rough-scaled. Thorax with small triangular anterior crest, hairy beneath. Femora glabrous; posterior tibiÆ in male not dilated. Fore-wings in male without fovea; vein 10 sometimes out of 9, sometimes anastomosing or connected with 9, 11 sometimes out of 10, usually anastomosing with or running into 12, rarely absent. Female semiapterous or apterous."—(Meyrick.) We have one species. HYBERNIA INDOCILIS, Walk. (Zermizinga indocilisaria, Walk. 1530. Hybernia boreophilaria, Gn., E. M. M. v. 61. Hybernia indocilis, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 97.) (Plate IX., fig. 31 ?, 32 ?.) This species has occurred plentifully in the neighbourhood of Christchurch. The expansion of the wings of the male is 1¼ inches, of the female ½ inch. All the wings are pale grey, speckled with darker grey. The fore-wings have four obscure wavy transverse lines; the first near the base, the second and third near the middle, rather close together, and the fourth near the termen, much interrupted; there is a series of black dots on the termen. The hind-wings have two very faint transverse lines, and a series of black terminal dots; the termen of the hind-wings is slightly scalloped. The cilia of all the wings are grey. The female has the wings extremely small and quite useless for flight; in colour and markings they resemble those of the male, except that the transverse lines are black and sharply defined. The perfect insect appears from July to January. Mr. R. W. Fereday states that the male is found plentifully at rest on the bare ground, amongst Leptospermum, and the female on the stems. Described and figured from specimens kindly given to me by Mr. Fereday. "Face with a slight cone of scales. Palpi rather long, porrected, roughly scaled. AntennÆ in male bi-pectinated. Fore-wings with vein 6 from below 9, 7 from below angle of areole, 10 very shortly touching 9, 11 free, 12 very shortly touching 11. Hind-wings normal."—(Meyrick.) (Plate II., figs. 51 and 52.) This genus is represented by one species only. I have made a very careful examination of several denuded specimens of Chalastra pelurgata, and I find that in the fore-wings veins 9, 10, and 11 rise almost from a point. Vein 10 afterwards approaches closely to 9, but does not actually touch it, and consequently does not form a true areole. Vein 12 also appears to me to be free. CHALASTRA PELURGATA, Walk. (Chalastra pelurgata, Walk. 1430. Itama cinerascens, Feld. cxxxi. 1. Stratocleis streptophora, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 106.) (Plate IX., figs. 33 and 34 ? varieties, 35 and 36 ? ditto; Plate III., fig. 21, larva.) This species is very abundant in the neighbourhood of Wellington. It has also occurred at Palmerston North, and is probably common throughout the whole of the North Island. In the South Island it has been taken in the Otira Gorge, and at Dunedin, Otara and Invercargill. The expansion of the wings is about 1? inches. The fore-wings of the male vary from pale orange-brown to dull yellowish-brown; there is a doubly curved dark brown transverse line near the base; a broad straight line a little before the middle; a very strongly curved line a little beyond the middle, and a less strongly curved line near the termen, often composed of a series of triangular white dots edged with dark brown; all these lines are much stronger on the costa, and are sometimes almost obliterated elsewhere. The hind-wings are pale yellow, with several brown-edged white spots at the tornus, and an indistinct line parallel to the termen. The apex of the fore-wing is considerably produced, and there is a large rounded projection on the termen. The hind-wings have several small projections on the termen. In the female the fore-wings are pale yellow or orange, the transverse lines and white spots are usually more conspicuous, and the projections on the termen of the fore- and hind-wings larger. This is a very variable insect, especially in the male, some specimens of which sex are very much clouded and dappled with dark brown both on the fore- and hind-wings. The larva feeds on Todea hymenophylloides, a fern which grows in shady places in the depths of the forest. The length of the caterpillar when full grown is about 1¼ inches. It is very variable; some specimens are dull brown, with a row of green or pale brown lunate spots down each side, and a dark brown line down the back. Others are bright green, with a diagonal reddish-brown stripe on the side of each segment; the segmental divisions are reddish-brown, intersected by numerous very minute whitish lines. The pupa is enclosed in a loose cocoon on the surface of the ground. The perfect insect appears from November till March, and is very common in forest regions. It may often be dislodged from the dead fronds surrounding the stems of tree-ferns, and is also met with in great abundance towards the end of summer on the blossoms of the white rata. Genus 4.—SESTRA, Walk."Face smooth. Palpi short, rough-haired beneath, porrected. AntennÆ in male stout, serrate, shortly ciliated. Fore-wings with vein 6 from below 9, 7 from below angle of areole, 10 rising out of 9 above origin, anastomosing again shortly with 9, 11 anastomosing shortly with 10, 12 anastomosing shortly with 11. Hind-wings normal."—(Meyrick.) (Plate II., fig. 53, neuration of fore-wing of Sestra humeraria.) We have two species in New Zealand. It will be seen that my figure of the neuration of Sestra humeraria does not precisely agree with Mr. Meyrick's description. The differences in the results arrived at are probably due to the variability in structure of veins 10, 11 (and 12), mentioned when dealing with the characters of the entire family. Similar slight discrepancies also occur in connection with the three following genera. SESTRA HUMERARIA, Walk. (Macaria humeraria, Walk. 940. Lozogramma obtusaria, ib. 985. Cidaria obtruncata, ib. 1421. Sestra fusiplagiata, ib. 1751. Amastris encausta, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 105. Sestra humeraria, ib. xviii. 184.) (Plate X., figs. 1 and 2 varieties; Plate III., fig. 20, larva.) This species is very common, and generally distributed throughout both the North and the South Islands; it also occurs plentifully at Stewart Island. The expansion of the wings is 1? inches. The fore-wings are pale plum-colour; there is an indistinct, curved, brownish transverse line near the base; a straight dark brown line across the middle, and a curved series of blackish dots beyond the middle; the apex is pointed, and the termen has a strong projection a little above the middle. The hind-wings are ochreous, with a series of minute brownish dots across the middle. This is a variable species. The fore-wings are often much clouded with rich brown, and in some specimens scarcely a trace of the original purplish colour remains; the central straight transverse line is often absent, and the other lines are frequently very indistinct, except on the costa; the dots on the hind-wings are also often absent, and occasionally specimens are met with in which all the wings are almost white. The larva is rather elongate, dull yellowish-brown or greenish-brown; there is a very broad dark brown dorsal line, and several wavy lateral lines; the prolegs are black, the spiracles are also black; there is a slight hump on the posterior edge of each of the last six segments, the hump on the penultimate segment being considerably larger than the others. The length of the caterpillar when full grown is about 1 inch. It feeds on Pteris incisa, a beautiful pale green fern, attaining a height of four feet or more, and growing in open situations in the forest. This fern is especially abundant on old decaying logs situated amongst light brushwood. When disturbed these larvÆ immediately drop to the ground and coil themselves up. In this situation they are very inconspicuous, as their colouring so closely resembles that of the faded fronds or stems of the fern. The pupa is buried in the earth about two inches below the surface, the insect remaining in this state during the winter months. The moth first appears about September, and continues in great abundance until the end of March or beginning of April. It frequents forest, and is noticed most commonly in the neighbourhood of its food-plant. There are probably several broods in the course of a year. SESTRA FLEXATA, Walk. (Cidaria flexata, Walk. 1421.) (Plate IX., fig. 37.) This species has occasionally occurred in the neighbourhood of Wellington. I have no records of its capture elsewhere, but expect it will be found to be generally distributed. The expansion of the wings is about 1¼ inches. The fore-wings are bright orange-red; there is a very faint transverse line near the base, darker on the costa; a dark red oblong mark on the costa near the middle; and a faint transverse line beyond the middle, also darker on the costa. The hind-wings are bright ochreous-yellow, with the cilia orange. This insect varies considerably in the intensity of its colouring. It has long been considered as merely a variety of Sestra humeraria, but as I have not observed any intermediate forms, although the two insects frequently occur together, I think it may be regarded for the present as a distinct species. The perfect insect appears from October till December, and is found in the same localities as S. humeraria. Genus 5.—GONOPHYLLA, Meyr."Face shortly rough-haired. Palpi moderate, arched, ascending, shortly rough-scaled, terminal joint short. AntennÆ in male rather stout, pubescent. CoxÆ and femora densely rough-haired beneath. Fore-wings with vein 6 from below 9, 7 from below angle of areole, 10 shortly touching 9, 11 separate, 12 free. Hind-wings normal."—(Meyrick.) (Plate II., figs. 63 and 64, neuration of Gonophylla nelsonaria.) Of this genus we have but one species. GONOPHYLLA NELSONARIA, Feld. (Gonodontis (?) nelsonaria, Feld. cxxiii. 3. Gonodontis felix, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 389, pl. xlii. 10. Phyllodoce nelsonaria, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 104. Gonophylla nelsonaria, ib. xviii. 184.) (Plate X., figs. 3 and 4 ? varieties, 5 and 6 ? ditto.) This handsome insect is common in the neighbourhood of Wellington. It has also occurred at Nelson and Dunedin, and is possibly generally distributed throughout the country. The expansion of the wings is 1½ inches. The fore-wings of the male are rich reddish-brown, mottled with darker; there are several small white marks on the costa; a black dot in the middle of the wing, and an almost straight white transverse line beyond the middle; outside this line the wing is speckled with greyish-white. The hind-wings are pale pinkish-brown; there is a black dot in the middle, and a curved blackish transverse line a little beyond the middle, being a continuation of the transverse line of the fore-wing; beyond this line, and on the dorsum, there are generally several small blackish markings. The female has the fore-wings The variation of this insect is considerable, especially in the male. The ground colour of the fore-wings often inclines to dull brown, or even dull yellowish-brown; the light and dark mottling, and the greyish markings near the termen are sometimes hardly visible; there is often a yellowish blotch opposite the large angle in the termen of the fore-wing. The hind-wings also are very variable in their colouring. All these varieties exist in the female in a less pronounced degree. The perfect insect appears during the first week in February, and is generally over by the middle or end of March. The males are first noticed, the females not appearing until about a fortnight later. I have never taken this insect in the daytime, and in fact have never seen it except on the blossoms of the white rata, where, on fine evenings, it is often very abundant. As yet, however, Wellington is the only locality where I have met with it. Genus 6.—DREPANODES, Gn."Face with cone of scales. Palpi moderate, triangularly scaled, porrected. AntennÆ in male moderate, simple. Fore-wings with vein 6 from below 9, 7 from below angle of areole, 10 very shortly touching 9, 11 rising out of 10 before angle of areole, 12 free. Hind-wings normal. (Plate II., figs. 61 and 62 neuration of Drepanodes muriferata.) A characteristic South American genus. The single New Zealand species is very similar to some South American forms."—(Meyrick.) DREPANODES MURIFERATA, Walk. (Gargaphia muriferata, Walk. 1635. Panagra ephyraria, Walk. 1761. ? Zanclognatha (?) cookaria, Feld. cxxiii. 26. Zanclognatha (?) haastiaria, Feld. cxxiii. 32. Drepanodes muriferata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 107.) (Plate X., figs. 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 ? varieties, 12 ?.) This species is very abundant in the neighbourhood of Wellington. It has also been taken at Taranaki, Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill and Stewart Island, and is probably common and generally distributed throughout the country. The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. All the wings of the male are yellowish-brown; there is a faint transverse line near the base, and a conspicuous darker transverse line running from a little before the apex of the fore-wing to the middle of the dorsum of the hind-wing; there is also a dark spot in the centre of the fore-wing, often containing two white dots. In the female, all the wings are slate-coloured; the transverse lines are very faintly indicated, and the central dot of the fore-wing is reddish-brown. The apex of the fore-wing in each sex is conspicuously hooked, and the termen is bowed and sometimes has a very slight angle in the middle. Both sexes of this insect are very variable. In the male, the ground colour ranges from dingy-brown to bright orange-brown; the transverse lines differ much in intensity, and in some specimens the central area of the wings enclosed by them is much darker than either the basal or the marginal portions; occasionally there is a series of black markings between the outer transverse line and the termen of the fore-wings, whilst the transverse line itself is frequently edged with a band of paler The larva, according to Mr. Purdie, is light grey, cylindrical, about ? inch in length. It may be beaten in February from an undergrowth of Carpodetus and Aristotelia. The perfect insect appears from November till March. It frequents dense forest and is often very abundant. The colouring of the upper and under surfaces of its wings, and the shape of the wings are both very protective, giving the moth an exact resemblance to a dead leaf. When disturbed, the insect adds to this deception by keeping its wings quite motionless and rigidly extended, and allowing itself to fall through the air like a leaf. The resemblance in this case to the inanimate object is very perfect, and has no doubt enabled the moth to escape from many enemies. It is, in fact, an extremely interesting example of the simultaneous development of structure and instinct in a useful direction, through the agency of natural selection. This species is much attracted both by light and by blossoms. Genus 7.—AZELINA, Gn."Face with some projecting hairs. Palpi rather long, obliquely ascending, roughly scaled, attenuated. AntennÆ in male thick, simple. Fore-wings with vein 6 from below 9, 7 from below angle of areole, 10 very shortly touching 9, 11 separate, 12 free. Hind-wings normal. A genus of some extent, specially characteristic of South America. GuenÉe made a separate genus (Polygonia) of the New Zealand species, but without any point of distinction."—(Meyrick.) (Plate II., figs. 54 and 55, neuration of Azelina gallaria.) We have three species in New Zealand.[42] AZELINA GALLARIA, Walk. (Selenia gallaria, Walk. 185, Butl., Cat., pl. iii. 6, 7. Euchlaena (?) palthidata, Feld. cxxxii. 21, 22. Stratocleis gallaria, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 105; Azelina gallaria, xx. 62.) (Plate X., figs. 13 to 20 ? varieties, 21 to 23 ? ditto.) This species is very common in the neighbourhood of Wellington. It has also occurred at Palmerston North, Makotuku, Christchurch, Dunedin and Stewart Island. The expansion of the wings is 1¼ inches. The fore-wings of the male vary from pale yellowish-brown to bright orange-brown, or reddish-brown; there is a wavy transverse line near the base, often obsolete except on the costa; another wavy transverse line beyond the middle, also frequently obsolete except on the costa; followed by a very conspicuous straight line, often double, running obliquely from a little before the apex to the dorsum; outside this line, near the tornus, there are, in most specimens, two black spots or one large rust-red spot; the termen has two projections near the apex, inside which there is usually a darker blotch. The hind-wings are as variable in colour as the fore-wings; there is one wavy line near the base, followed by an almost straight line, which is a continuation of the straight line of the fore-wing; beyond this line the ground colour is generally much darker; the termen itself has no projections. The female has broader wings and a shorter body than the male; the ground colour and markings are similar to those of the male, but are usually more sombre, and the termen of both fore- and hind-wings is furnished with a number of prominent projections. The under side of the wings in both sexes is beautifully marbled with yellow and reddish-brown, and several of the markings of the upper surface are faintly indicated. This species, as will be seen from the foregoing, is so extremely variable that a more detailed description would be useless, especially as the straight, oblique, transverse lines of both fore- and hind-wings will at once distinguish it from the two other members of the genus. The perfect insect appears from November till March. It frequents dense forest, and is most abundant at the flowers of the white rata in the evening. Earlier in the year, before the rata blooms, it may sometimes be taken at sugar. AZELINA OPHIOPA, Meyr. (Gonophylla ophiopa, Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1897, 387.) (Plate X., fig. 26 ?, 27 ? variety, 28 ?.) This species has occurred occasionally in the neighbourhood of Wellington, but has not yet been recorded from any other locality. The expansion of the wings is 1½ inches. The fore-wings of the male are pale orange-brown; there is a doubly toothed shaded transverse line near the base, the teeth being marked with two black spots; a conspicuous wavy transverse line runs from the apex to the dorsum, and is also marked with several black dots; the space between the two transverse lines is paler than the rest of the wing; there is a row of small black dots on the termen, and the termen itself has two small projections. The hind-wings are yellowish at the base, becoming orange beyond the middle; there is a faint brownish transverse line near the base, and a conspicuous wavy transverse line at the middle, marked by a series of black dots; this central transverse line divides the yellowish ground colour of the basal area, from the orange ground colour of the rest of the wing. The female is larger and duller than the male; the fore-wings are yellowish drab, with the outer transverse line dull red; there is a series of minute black dots on the termen; the hind-wings are dull yellow, with a wavy central transverse line. The only variety of this species which has come under my observation is a male. In this specimen all the wings are pale yellowish-brown, with very broad black transverse lines. (See Plate X., fig. 27.) This insect is evidently closely allied to Azelina fortinata. It may, however, be distinguished from that species by the smaller projections on the termen of the fore- and hind-wings, and the dotted transverse lines of the male. The perfect insect appears from January till April. It is met with much later in the season than either of the two other species of Azelina. It frequents forest, and may be found on the blossoms of the white rata, but is, I think, the rarest of the genus. AZELINA FORTINATA, Gn. (Polygonia fortinata, Gn., E. M. M. v. 41. Caustoloma (?) ziczac, Feld. cxxxii. 4. Azelina fortinata, Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 106.) (Plate X., fig. 24 ?, 25 ?.) This beautiful insect occurs occasionally in forests in both the North and the South Islands. It has been taken at Wellington, Nelson, Castle Hill, Akaroa, Mount Hutt, West Plains and Otara. The expansion of the wings is 1¼ inches. The fore-wings of the male are pale orange-brown, with a doubly toothed black transverse line near the base, and a less acutely toothed line beyond the middle; between these there is a black mark on the costa; the termen has two large projections, and several smaller ones; between the outer transverse line and the termen there are several small black markings. The hind-wings are yellowish, clouded with orange-brown towards the termen, which also has several projections; there is a faint blackish line near the base, and a much stronger black line near the middle, starting from the dorsum and reaching about half-way across the wing. The female has the fore-wings dark brown, with the central area between the two transverse lines paler; the hind-wings are also considerably darker than those in the male. This species varies a little in the depth of the ground colour, but not otherwise. The perfect insect appears in December, January and February. It frequents dense forest, and is generally disturbed from amongst ferns and undergrowth. Genus 8.—IPANA, Walk."Face roughly haired. AntennÆ in male simple, shortly ciliated. Palpi as in Declana. Thorax densely hairy above and beneath, with slight median crest. Abdomen in male elongate. Femora densely hairy; posterior tibiÆ in male short and much swollen, furnished on inner side with very large dense tuft of hairs. Fore-wings in male without fovea; veins 10 and 11 separate."—(Meyrick). We have one species in New Zealand. IPANA LEPTOMERA, Walk. (Ipana leptomera, Walk., Noct. 1662.) (Plate X., figs. 29, 31, and 31A ? varieties, 30 ?.) This species is common in the neighbourhood of Wellington, and I expect generally distributed throughout New Zealand; but as there appears to have been some confusion in Mr. Meyrick's papers between it and the female of Declana junctilinea, I am unable to assign the localities there mentioned to either of the species. The expansion of the wings of the male is 1½ inches, of the female 1? inches. The fore-wings of the male are uniform pale brownish-ochreous, generally with two transverse series of minute darker brown dots parallel to the termen, and two or three similar dots near the middle of the wing. There is a series of very small parallel brown lines on the costa. The hind-wings are greyish-brown with two very deep indentations in the termen. The female has the fore-wings pale grey, and the hind-wings darker grey; the markings and outline resemble the male. In a few male specimens I have observed four large black spots on the fore-wings, two near the base, and two near the termen. All these spots are sometimes joined together by a very broad black band, which extends along the whole of the central portion of the fore-wings. I have also a male specimen in which the fore-wings are entirely marbled with dark grey. In the female two or three moderately large spots are occasionally present on the fore-wings, near the termen. All these varieties appear to be much scarcer than the typical form. The larva, which feeds on manuka (Leptospermum), has ten legs. It is rather slender, dark brown, mottled with grey and dull red. There are two large tubercles on the sides of the seventh and eighth segments. It is a sluggish caterpillar and is generally seen in a motionless condition, clasping the stem of its food-plant with its prolegs, and holding the rest of its body in a perfectly rigid position like a small branch. The pupa is enclosed in a cocoon of silk and refuse on the surface of the ground. The perfect insect appears in January, February and March. It is a forest-dwelling species, and may often be captured in some numbers, at dusk, on the flowers of the white rata (M. scandens). It is very sluggish and nearly always drops to the ground when disturbed and feigns death. Genus 9.—DECLANA, Walk."Face roughly haired. AntennÆ in male bi-pectinated to apex or simple. Palpi with second joint ascending, rough-haired, terminal joint rather long, slender, clavate, porrected. Thorax densely hairy above and beneath, with more or less developed median crest. Femora densely hairy. Fore-wings in male without fovea; vein 6 sometimes out of 9, 10 sometimes out of 9, connected or anastomosing with 9, 11 sometimes out of 10, sometimes connected or anastomosing with 10."—(Meyrick.) (Plate II., figs. 56 and 57, neuration of Declana floccosa, 58 head of ditto.) We have seven species. DECLANA ATRONIVEA, Walk. (Detunda atronivea, Walk., Suppl. ii. 619. Chlenias (?) manxifera, Fereday, Trans. N. Z. Inst. xii. (1879), 268, pl. ix. 1. Detunda atronivea, Meyr., ib. xvi. 101.) (Plate X., fig. 33 ?, 34 ?; Plate III., fig. 18, larva.) This very handsome and conspicuous insect appears to be restricted to the North Island, where it is rather rare. It has occurred at Wellington, Otaki, and Napier. The expansion of the wings of the male is 1? inches, of the female nearly 2 inches. The fore-wings are brilliant shining white, with numerous black markings; these consist chiefly of three irregular branching transverse bands, and a series of wedge-shaped spots on the termen; the larger markings are brownish in the centre. The hind-wings are dark grey, becoming almost black on the termen, with a fine wavy transverse black line. This species varies considerably in the size and shape of the black markings on the fore-wings, which are often slightly different on the opposite sides, in the same specimen. The eggs of this moth are oval in shape, slightly roughened on the surface and light blue in colour. They are deposited towards the end of October. The young larva escapes by gnawing a hole out of the side. When first hatched it is dull brownish-black, with creamy-white lateral lines and prolegs; the head is reddish. It feeds on Panax arborea. After the first moult the lateral lines become much wider, especially towards the head. After the second moult the two dorsal tubercles are fully developed, the thoracic segments much swollen and flattened above, the latter bearing traces of the black markings of the full-grown larva. After the third moult the larva becomes a dark brownish colour inclining to chocolate on the dorsal surface. The characteristic markings on the penultimate and anal segments of the adult larva now appear, and the dorsal tubercles are yellowish in colour; the extra prolegs are very small, and are visible as wart-like appendages on the lower surface of the tenth segment. The full-grown caterpillar is a remarkable-looking animal. The head is very small; the first three segments of the body are enormously swollen and flattened above, the flattened portions being white, with several small black ring-shaped markings; there is a pair of large yellowish tubercles on the dorsal surface of the seventh segment, and two smaller ones on the tenth and eleventh segments; the larva is much stouter towards the posterior extremity, especially behind the ninth segment; the penultimate segment is furnished with a large creamy-white ridge, starting on the back and proceeding downwards and forwards; the extra pair of prolegs is small and only occasionally used in walking. The general colour of the larva is brownish- or blackish-green; the tenth and eleventh segments are generally darker, and there are many fine parallel lines of darker colouring on the central portions of the larva; the whole insect is also speckled with black; the spiracles are red. The larva varies a good deal in colour, but its peculiar structure will at once distinguish it from any other. These larvÆ often coil themselves up when at rest, clinging firmly with their large prolegs to their food-plant. Whilst thus engaged they have a very remarkable appearance. I have not yet ascertained the precise object of the peculiar shape and coloration of this caterpillar. It appears to resemble very closely a lichen-covered twig, but I suspect in this case there is something more special aimed at. In connection with this subject, it is noteworthy that the flattened extremities of the elytra of the beetle, Ectopsis ferrugalis, closely resemble in both shape and colour the remarkable anterior segments of the larva of D. atronivea. As both insects feed on the same plant, and thus exist under very similar conditions, it is highly probable that the peculiarities have been independently acquired in each species for similar purposes. The pupa is enclosed in a light cocoon amongst dead leaves, &c, on the surface of the ground. The perfect insect appears in February and March, and may sometimes be taken at blossoms in the evening. It is also attracted by light, and has been found occasionally, in the daytime, resting on tree-trunks. It hibernates during the winter, coming abroad again the following spring to lay its eggs. I have observed that a good many pupÆ from the autumnal brood do not emerge until September or October, so that the insect evidently spends the winter both as a pupa and as an imago. DECLANA EGREGIA, Feld. (Chlenias egregia, Feld. cxxxi. 24; Fereday, Trans. N. Z. Inst. xii. 268, pl. ix. 2. Detunda egregia, Meyr., ib. xvi. 101.) (Plate X., fig. 35.) This very handsome insect has occurred in the South Island at Nelson, Christchurch, Akaroa and the Otira Gorge. The expansion of the wings is about 1¾ inches. The fore-wings are creamy-white; there is a small dark brown mark at the base, a broad transverse wavy brown band before the middle, a very large four-cornered irregular brown mark beyond the middle, one of its corners touching the apex and the other the tornus; the termen is shaded with pale grey, and there is a series of faint brown marks on the costa and dorsum. The hind-wings are dull white, darker towards the termen; there are two very faint transverse lines. The perfect insect appears from November till February. It is a very rare species. Described and figured from a specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection. DECLANA FLOCCOSA, Walk. (Declana floccosa, Walk. xv. 1649. Argua scabra, Walk, xxviii. 448. Declana feredayi, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 398, pl. xliii. 5. Declana nigrosparsa, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 500. Declana floccosa, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 102.) (Plate X., figs. 39 to 43 ? varieties, 44 to 47 ? ditto.) This species has occurred very commonly at Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. It is probably generally distributed throughout the country. The expansion of the wings is about 1? inches. The fore-wings are pale greyish-white with numerous small brownish-black streaks, exhibiting a slight concentration near the apex. The hind-wings are dull white, clouded with greyish towards the termen. This insect is so extremely variable that I have given descriptions of a few of the principal varieties below; all these forms may, however, be connected by specimens exhibiting every intermediate gradation both in colour and in markings. 1. Fore-wings with several large brown spots near the middle. 2. Fore-wings covered with numerous black spots (formerly known as Declana nigrosparsa) (fig. 47). 3. Fore-wings with two more or less conspicuous curved black or brown lines from costa to dorsum (figs. 41, 42, and 44). 4. Fore-wings with these transverse lines joined by two others running parallel to dorsum and costa. 5. Fore-wings with transverse lines and black spots (fig. 43). 6. Fore-wings diffused with dark greyish-black, except two broad bands of the original light colour extending from costa to dorsum; hind-wings darker than usual (fig. 45). 7. Fore-wings with a dark brown central band; hind-wings clouded with dark brown towards termen, with a faint curved transverse line near the middle (figs. 39 and 40). All these varieties occasionally have tufts of orange-yellow scales on both the wings and on the body, and they also vary in other minor particulars (fig. 46). The egg of this insect when first laid is oval in shape and light green in colour, becoming bronzy a few days before the emergence of the larva. The young larva is very attenuated, with only ten legs. The full-grown larva has the body much flattened underneath. In colour it is pale brownish-pink, with numerous irregular darker markings, which in some specimens almost form two broad subdorsal lines. The under surface of the larva is pale green. There is a series of fleshy filaments of a pinkish-brown colour along each side of the insect, and an extra pair of prolegs on the ninth segment. This caterpillar is, however, very variable, its colouring appearing to depend largely on its surroundings. The favourite food-plants are Leptospermum ericoides and Aristotelia racemosa. The larvÆ found on the former plant are usually pale yellowish-brown, whilst those from the latter are much darker brown, often mottled with grey like the stems of the Aristotelia. A specimen I once found on a mountain beech (Fagus cliffortioides), the gnarled stem and branches of which were covered with grey lichens and mosses, was mottled with the most beautiful shades of greenish-grey. These larval varieties are very interesting, and in order to test the direct influence of food on the colouring of the larvÆ, I once divided a batch of eggs deposited by a single female into two equal parts, and fed one half on Aristotelia, and the other half on Leptospermum. The differences in colouring between the two lots of larvÆ thus treated were, however, of the most trivial description. This somewhat surprised me at first, as I had previously observed quite distinct varieties on each plant, when found in a state of nature. Hence I am now disposed to think that these differences have been brought about gradually, by natural selection acting on larvÆ feeding on the same plant for a large number of generations. By this means a sufficient amount of variation might be accumulated, to cause the closest possible approximation in colouring to the stems of the several food-plants. It is also noteworthy that many of these food-plants grow in widely dissimilar localities, so that the free inter-breeding of insects dependent on them would not be likely to occur, and thus the peculiarities of colouring adapted to the stems of each food-plant would not be disturbed by the effects of inter-breeding. In connection with the foregoing experiment it is also interesting to observe, that the specimens fed on Aristotelia matured much more rapidly than those on Leptospermum; the former plant evidently being the more nourishing food for the larvÆ. Also that out of the batch fed on Aristotelia 28 became moths, of which 12 were males and 16 females; whilst out of those fed on Leptospermum only 24 became moths, of which 15 were males and 9 females. In all other respects, excepting food-plant, the two lots of larvÆ were subjected to identical treatment. During the day this larva rests quietly attached to the stem of its food-plant, where it is very difficult to detect, as the filaments so closely embrace the twig or tree-trunk that the whole insect exactly resembles a swelling in the stem. The pupa of D. floccosa is enclosed in a loose cocoon on the surface of the ground. The perfect insect appears about September, and continues in more or less abundance until the end of April. There are most likely several broods in a season, and, as we frequently meet with specimens of the moth on mild days in the middle of winter, it probably also hibernates. This insect is usually observed at rest on fences and tree-trunks, where its grey mottled colouring causes it to closely resemble a patch of lichen. DECLANA JUNCTILINEA, Feld. (Plate X., fig. 37 ?, 38 ?.) This species has occurred occasionally in the Wellington Botanical Gardens. It is no doubt found elsewhere, but I cannot give any other localities with certainty. The expansion of the wings of the male is 1¼ inches, of the female 1? inches. The fore-wings of the male are pale yellowish-brown, with two indistinct, irregular, transverse darker lines near the base, a conspicuous curved line a little beyond the middle, followed by a blackish patch; there is a series of very fine parallel oblique brown stripes on the costa, and several series of curved, blackish marks near the termen, and on the central portions of the wing. The fore-wings of the female are much greyer, with a conspicuous, irregular, white streak from the apex towards the dorsum, the central portions of the wing are white, and, with the exception of the fine, oblique costal stripes, the other markings of the male are usually absent. The hind-wings of both sexes are dull ochreous. The strongly pectinated antennÆ of the male, and the oblique costal markings of both sexes, will at once distinguish this species from any of the varieties of Declana floccosa. This moth varies in the intensity of the markings, which in some specimens are very indistinct. The perfect insect appears from November till March. It is generally captured on blossoms in the evening. DECLANA HERMIONE, n. sp. (Plate X., fig. 36.) A single specimen of this very handsome insect was captured at Khandallah near Wellington. The expansion of the wings is 1¼ inches. The fore-wings are bright purplish-brown, clouded with silvery-white towards the middle and on the termen; there is a very fine oblique chocolate-brown mark at the base, a broad broken transverse band at about one-eighth; a fine curved transverse line at about three-fourths, shaded towards the termen; there are four wavy brown marks on the termen inclining obliquely upwards towards the costa; the termen itself is narrowly edged with chocolate-brown. The cilia are silvery mixed with brown; the termen is very strongly bowed. The hind-wings are grey, shaded with purplish-grey towards the termen; the cilia are grey. The type specimen was captured at sugar in November. DECLANA GRISEATA, n. sp. (Plate X., fig. 32 ?.) This species has occurred at Wellington in the North Island, and at Lake Wakatipu in the South Island. The expansion of the wings of the male is 1? inches, of the female 1? inches. The fore-wings are dull slaty-grey, with a slightly paler central band; there is a fine oblique wavy transverse line at about one-fourth, another at about one-half, and indications of a third at about three-fourths; numerous minute black streaks are thickly scattered over the wing, especially near the base and the termen; the outline of the termen is very slightly scalloped. The hind-wings are pale grey, darker near the termen. The body is very dark slaty-grey. The antennÆ of the male are not bi-pectinated. The perfect insect appears in January, and is attracted by light. It is a scarce species. DECLANA NIVEATA, Butl. (Declana niveata, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 500. Atossa niveata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 104.) This species has occurred at Dunedin, in the South Island. "The expansion of the wings of the male is 30 mm. (about 1¼ inches). Fore-wings elongate-triangular, costa somewhat sinuate, termen rounded, dentate; dull white, faintly irrorated with grey; costa marked with short indistinct dark grey direct strigulÆ; an irregular line towards base, and another twice angulated about two-thirds, obscurely indicated by dark grey scales; some scattered "I took one fine specimen at rest on a tree-trunk near Dunedin, in February."—(Meyrick.) |
|
