Chapter II: Part 2

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

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

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

{ 1. MISELIA.
Sub-family 1.--POLIADES { 2. ORTHOSIA.
{ 3. XANTHIA.

{ 4. PHYSETICA.
{ 5. LEUCANIA.
Sub-family 2.--MELANCHRIDES { 6. ICHNEUTICA.
{ 7. MELANCHRA.
{ 8. ERANA.

{ 9. BITYLA. {6}
Sub-family 3.--CARADRINIDES { 10. AGROTIS.
{ 11. HELIOTHIS.
{ 12. COSMODES.

Sub-family 1.--_POLIADES_.

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

Genus 1.--MISELIA, Steph.

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

We have at present but one New Zealand species.

MISELIA PESSOTA, Meyr.

(_Miselia pessota_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 29.)

(Plate V., fig. 26.)

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

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

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

Genus 2.--ORTHOSIA, Ochs.

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

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

Represented in New Zealand by three species.

ORTHOSIA MARGARITA, Hawth.

(_Orthosia margarita_, Hawth., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxix. 283.)

(Plate V., fig. 31.)

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

The expansion of the wings is about 1-1/3 inches. The fore-wings are dark
brownish-black and rather glossy; there are several obscure dark marks
near the base; the orbicular is oval, oblique, brownish-yellow, slightly
darker in the middle; the claviform is almost obsolete; the reniform is
rather large, bordered with dull white towards the base and termen;
beyond the reniform there is a very distinct wavy transverse line;
another line is situated near the termen emitting several black
wedge-shaped markings from its inner edge. _The hind-wings are shining
white and iridescent, with the veins black and the costa and termen
narrowly shaded with black._

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

{7}ORTHOSIA COMMA, Walk.

(_Mamestra comma_, Walk., Noct. 239; Butl., Voy. Ereb., pl. ix., 6.
_Graphiphora implexa_, Walk., Noct. 405. _Hadena plusiata_, ib., Suppl.
742; _Nitocris bicomma_, Gn., Ent. Mon. Mag. v., 4. _Orthosia comma_,
Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 30.)

(Plate V., fig. 27 [M], 28 [F]; Plate III., fig. 11, larva.)

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

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

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

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

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

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

ORTHOSIA IMMUNIS, Walk.

(_Tæniocampa immunis_, Walk., Noct. 430. _Cerastis innocua_, ib. 1710
(locality probably erroneous). _Agrotis acetina_, Feld., Reis. Nov. pl.
cix. 6. _Orthosia immunis_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 30.)

(Plate V., fig. 29.)

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

The expansion of the wings is 1-3/8 inches. _The fore-wings vary from
bright orange-brown to dull reddish-brown_; there is an obscure black dot
near the base, a faint transverse line at about one-fourth; the orbicular
is oval, faintly outlined in brown; the claviform is very faint, its
position indicated by a small brown dot; the reniform is large, oblong,
much indented towards the termen, doubly outlined with dull yellow and
containing a blackish spot towards its lower edge, its posterior margin
is shaded with dark brown; there are several faint, wavy, transverse
lines near the termen, and the termen itself is shaded with
brownish-black; the cilia are reddish-brown. The hind-wings are dull
grey; the cilia are pale reddish-ochreous tipped with white. _The head is
covered with scattered white scales_, the thorax is reddish-brown, and
the abdomen is grey tipped with reddish-brown; _the upper joints of the
tarsi of the anterior legs are white_.

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

Genus 3.--XANTHIA, Tr.

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

Only one New Zealand species is known at present.

{8}XANTHIA PURPUREA, Butl.

(_Graphiphora purpurea_, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. _Xanthia ceramodes_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 31. _X. purpurea_, ib. xx. 46.)

(Plate V., fig. 32.)

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

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

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

Sub-family 2.--_MELANCHRIDES_.

Eyes hairy.

Genus 4.--PHYSETICA, Meyr.

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

PHYSETICA CÆRULEA, Gn.

(_Agrotis cærulea_, Gn., Ent. Mo. Mag. v. 38. _Physetica cærulea_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 5.)

(Plate IV., fig. 7.)

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

The expansion of the wings is 1-5/8 inches. _The fore-wings are
slaty-blue_; there is an obscure, wavy, whitish transverse line near the
base, two very wavy blackish lines at about one-third, a dark transverse
shaded line across the middle, containing the orbicular spot, then a very
wavy line followed by a darker space and a wavy, dull, whitish terminal
line. Hind-wings dark grey, paler near the base, cilia shining white.

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

Genus 5.--LEUCANIA, Ochs.

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

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

We have seventeen species.

{9}LEUCANIA GRISEIPENNIS, Feld.

(_Mamestra griseipennis_, Feld., pl. cix. 22. _Chera virescens_, Butl.,
Cist. Ent. ii. 489. _Spælotis inconstans_, ib. 545; _Leucania moderata_,
Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 7 (nec Walk.). _Leucania griseipennis_,
Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 44.)

(Plate IV., fig. 8.)

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

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

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

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

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

LEUCANIA MODERATA, Walk.

(_Agrotis moderata_, Walk., Suppl. 705. _Eumichtis sistens_, Gn., Ent.
Mo. Mag. v. 39. _Mamestra sistens_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 19.
_Leucania moderata_, ib. xx. 45.)

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

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

LEUCANIA TEMPERATA, Walk.

(_Bryophila temperata_, Walk., 1648 (nec Meyrick). _Xylina inceptura_, ib. 1736. _X. deceptura_, ib. 1737. _Leucania temperata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 45.)

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

Described by Mr. Meyrick from the British Museum specimens.

I am unacquainted with this species.

LEUCANIA NULLIFERA, Walk.

(_Agrotis nullifera_, Walk., Noct. 742; Butl., Voy. Ereb., pl. ix. 5.
_Alysia specifica_, Gn., Ent. Mo. Mag. v. 3. _Leucania nullifera_, Meyr.,
Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 7.)

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

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

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

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

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

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

LEUCANIA PURDII, Frdy.

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

(Plate IV., fig. 11.)

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

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

The perfect insect appears in December.

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

LEUCANIA ATRISTRIGA, Walk.

(_Xylina atristriga_, Walk., Suppl. 756. _Mamestra antipoda_, Feld., Reis. Nov., pl. cix. 23. _Leucania atristriga_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 8.)

(Plate IV., fig. 12.)

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

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

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

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

LEUCANIA PROPRIA, Walk.

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

(Plate IV., fig. 13.)

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

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

This species varies slightly in the depth of its colouring.

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

LEUCANIA ACONTISTIS, Meyr.

(_Leucania acontistis_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 9.)

(Plate IV., fig. 14.)

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

The expansion of the wings is 1-3/8 inches. _The fore-wings are dull
ochreous; the veins are slightly darker; there is a fine, black,
doubly-curved, longitudinal streak from the base to about one-third._ The
hind-wings are pale yellowish-grey. The cilia of all the wings are dull
ochreous.

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

LEUCANIA PHAULA, Meyr.

(_Leucania phaula_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 10.)

(Plate IV., fig. 15.)

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

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

The perfect insect appears in November.

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

{12}LEUCANIA ALOPA, Meyr.

(_Leucania alopa_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 10.)

(Plate IV., fig. 16.)

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

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

The moth appears in March.

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

LEUCANIA MICRASTRA, Meyr.

(_Leucania micrastra_, Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1897, 383.)

(Plate IV., fig. 10.)

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

The expansion of the wings is 1-5/8 inches. The fore-wings are _bright
orange-brown_; there are several white scales near the base, two
black-edged white dots at about one-third, _a small black spot with a
shining white dot on each side of it at the origin of veins 3 and 4_, and
a series of black and white dots on all the veins near the termen; the
cilia are orange-brown _tipped with white_. The hind-wings are pale
ochreous-brown. The cilia are ochreous broadly _tipped with white_.

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

The moth appears in December.

LEUCANIA UNICA, Walk.

(_Leucania unica_, Walk., Noct. 112; Butl., Voy. Ereb., pl. ix. 9.
_Nonagria juncicolor_, Gn., Ent. Mo. Mag. v. 2. _Leucania unica_, Meyr.,
Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 10.)

(Plate IV., fig. 17.)

This insect has been taken at Blenheim and at Rakaia.

The expansion of the wings is 1-3/8 inches. The fore-wings are dull
ochreous with the veins darker; there are one or two obscure blackish
dots at about one-third from the base, and several faint dots near the
termen. Hind-wings paler with very pale cilia; _the antennæ in the male
are moderately bipectinated_.

The moth appears in November.

Described and figured from Mr. Fereday's specimens.

LEUCANIA AROTIS, Meyr.

(_Leucania arotis_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 11. _Leucania aulacias_,[12] Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 11.)

(Plate IV., fig. 18.)

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

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

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

{13}LEUCANIA SULCANA, Fereday.

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

(Plate IV., fig. 19 [M], 20 [F].)

This species has occurred at Akaroa and at Dunedin.

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

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

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

LEUCANIA SEMIVITTATA, Walk.

(_Leucania semivittata_, Walk., Suppl. 628; Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 12.)

(Plate IV., fig. 21 [M], 22 [F].)

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

The expansion of the wings is from 1-1/8 to 1-3/8 inches. The fore-wings
are pale ochreous; there is a very obscure, shaded, brownish,
longitudinal streak below the middle, _a conspicuous black dot at the
base, a second at about one-sixth, a third at one-third_, a fourth
between the origins of veins 3 and 4, a curved series of minute terminal
dots. Hind-wings much paler with a darker blotch near the middle. In the
female the wings are browner with the dots much smaller or absent.

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

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

LEUCANIA BLENHEIMENSIS, Frdy.

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

(Plate IV., fig. 23 [F].)

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

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

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

LEUCANIA UNIPUNCTA, Haw.

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

(Plate IV., fig. 24.)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Genus 6.--ICHNEUTICA, Meyr.

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

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

ICHNEUTICA DIONE, n. sp.

(Plate IV., fig. 27 [M].)

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

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

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

ICHNEUTICA CERAUNIAS, Meyr.

(_Ichneutica ceraunias_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 13.)

(Plate IV., fig. 25 [M], 26 [F]).

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

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

This species varies slightly in the intensity of the markings.

The moth appears early in January. It is much attracted by light. In 1891 I took over twenty specimens by means of a single candle exhibited, during three evenings, {15}at the door of my tent. Prior to this date only one specimen had been taken by Mr. Meyrick during January, 1886. All these moths were met with over 3,500 feet above the sea-level, so that the insect is evidently confined to mountain regions.

Genus 7.--MELANCHRA, Hb.

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

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

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

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

MELANCHRA DISJUNGENS, Walk.

(_Heliophobus disjungens_, Walk., Noct. 1681; Butl., Voy. Ereb., pl. ix.
1. _Hadena nervata_, Gn., Ent. Mo. Mag. v. 40. _Mamestra disjungens_,
Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 15.)

(Plate V., fig. 43.)

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

The expansion of the wings is about 1-3/8 inches. The fore-wings are
brownish-grey; _the veins are very conspicuously marked in white_, the
orbicular and reniform are large, white, each with a dusky centre; there
is a conspicuous, white, transverse line near the termen, emitting two
white, tooth-like projections on veins 3 and 4, _and connected with a
longitudinal line running to the base of the wing_. The hind-wings are
grey with the cilia white.

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

MELANCHRA PARACAUSTA, Meyr.

(_Mamestra paracausta_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 15.)

(Plate IV., fig. 28 [M], 28A [F].)

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

The expansion of the wings is about 1-3/8 inches. _The fore-wings are
dull white with an irregular, central, longitudinal, blackish-brown
streak becoming very broad towards the termen; there is an oval
reddish-brown blotch near the base, but no distinct transverse lines; two
conspicuous elliptic, white marks are situated on the termen near the
tornus._ The hind-wings are pale grey, with an obscure central shade and
a series of brownish dots along the termen.

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

{16}MELANCHRA INSIGNIS, Walk.

(_Euplexia insignis_, Walk., Suppl. 724. _Xylina turbida_, ib. 754.
_Mamestra polychroa_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 16. _Mamestra
insignis_, Meyr., ib. xx. 45.)

(Plate IV., fig. 29 [M], 30 [F].)

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

The expansion of the wings is about 1-3/8 inches. _The fore-wings are
pinkish-brown_; there is a short black streak near the centre of the wing
at the base, and an irregular, extensive black marking along the dorsum;
_the orbicular, reniform, and claviform spots are large, margined first
with green and then with black_; a fine white line is situated parallel
with the termen, edged with green, and emitting two sharp tooth-like
markings; beyond this line the ground colour of the wing is
dark-brownish-black. The hind-wings are dull brown, darker towards
termen; the cilia are white with a brown line. The antennæ of the male
are slightly bipectinated. In the female the ground colour is
considerably paler, the black markings much darker, and more suffused,
and the posterior half of the reniform is usually creamy-white.

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

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

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

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

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

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

{17}MELANCHRA MAYA, n. sp.

(Plate IV., fig. 31.)

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

The expansion of the wings is 1-5/8 inches. The fore-wings are bright
yellowish-brown, paler towards the apex; there are two broad, shaded,
black stripes at the base, one near the middle edged with yellow above,
and one below the middle edged with yellow beneath; the orbicular is
oval, oblique, edged with black except towards the costa; the claviform
is rather irregular, dark purplish-brown; _the reniform is very large,
dark purplish-brown edged with black; there is a large elongate patch of
very dark brown at the tornus, partly edged first with yellow and then
with black_; another smaller patch is situated on the termen near the
middle, bisected by a fine yellow line. The hind-wings are grey; the
cilia of all the wings are yellowish-brown. The head and thorax are
purplish-brown, the abdomen dull brownish-grey.

MELANCHRA PLENA, Walk.

(_Erana plena_, Walk., Suppl. 744. _Mamestra sphagnea_, Feld., Reis.
Nov., pl. cix. 17. _Dianthoecia viridis_, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 547.
_Mamestra plena_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 17.)

(Plate IV., fig. 32.)

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

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

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

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

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

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

MELANCHRA LITHIAS, Meyr.

(_Mamestra lithias_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 17.)

(Plate IV., fig. 33.)

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

The expansion of the wings is 1¼ inches. _The fore-wings are slaty-brown;
there is a broken, black-edged, white, transverse line near the base, and
another at about one-third; the orbicular is indicated by a conspicuous
black-edged white crescent, the reniform is large, oblong, white,
margined with {18}black, and crossed by two grey lines_; there is an
interrupted white terminal transverse line and a series of black dots on
the termen. The hind-wings are grey, paler towards the base; the cilia of
all the wings are slaty-brown.

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

MELANCHRA MUTANS, Walk.

(_Hadena mutans_, Walk., Noct. 602. _H. lignifusca_, ib. 603. _Mamestra
angusta_, Feld., Reis. Nov., pl. cix. 18. _M. acceptrix_, ib., pl. cix.
19. _Hadena debilis_, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1877, 385, pl. xlii.
6. _Mamestra mutans_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 17.)

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

This is a very abundant species throughout the country.

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

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

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

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

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

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

MELANCHRA AGORASTIS, Meyr.

(_Mamestra agorastis_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 18.)

(Plate V., fig. 30 [F].)

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

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

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

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

{19}MELANCHRA PICTULA, White.

(_Dianthoecia pictula_, White, Tayl. New Zeal., pl. i. 3. _Meterana
pictula_, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1877, 386, pl. xlii. 1.
_Mamestra pictula_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 18.)

(Plate IV., fig. 37 [M].)

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

The expansion of the wings is 1-5/8 inches. The fore-wings are grey, very
faintly tinged with pink, the markings are yellowish-green margined with
black, _the reniform is large, oval, clear white, with a minute white dot
above and below it_, there is a series of conspicuous black-edged yellow
spots near the termen; the cilia are grey with a series of minute black
and white dots at their base. _The hind-wings are pale crimson shaded
with dark grey near the termen_, there is an obscure grey spot near the
middle; the cilia are grey. The sides of the abdomen are bright crimson.

The moth appears in March.

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

MELANCHRA RHODOPLEURA, Meyr.

(_Mamestra rhodopleura_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 19.)

(Plate IV., fig. 38.)

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

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

This insect is very closely allied to _Melanchra pictula_, _but the absence of the white reniform spot and the grey hind-wings, will at once distinguish it from that species_.

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

MELANCHRA MEROPE, n. sp.

(Plate V., fig. 2.)

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

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

MELANCHRA PELISTIS, Meyr.

(_Mamestra pelistis_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 20.)

(Plate V., fig. 3 [M], 4 [F].)

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

The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. The fore-wings are dull
ochreous more or less shaded with dark reddish-brown, _especially in the
vicinity of the transverse lines_; there are several obscure pale marks
near the base; _the orbicular is grey, margined towards the dorsum with a
conspicuous white or dull yellow crescentic line; the claviform is small,
round, dull grey, edged with darker; the reniform is large, darker grey,
paler towards the costa, margined with {20}white or dull yellow towards
the base of the wing and termen_; there are two obscure transverse lines,
the outer one often being slightly toothed towards the termen; sometimes
there is a terminal series of minute black marks; the cilia are brown.
The hind-wings are dark grey, with the cilia white.

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

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

MELANCHRA PROTEASTIS, Meyr.

(_Mamestra vitiosa_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 20 (nec Butl.). _Mamestra proteastis_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 45.)

(Plate IV., fig. 40 [M].)

This insect is very common in the neighbourhood of Christchurch.

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

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

The perfect insect appears in May and June.

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

MELANCHRA VITIOSA, Butl.

(_Apamea vitiosa_, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1877, 384, pl. xlii. 3.
_Mamestra ochthistis_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 20. _Mamestra
vitiosa_, Meyr. Trans. N. Z. Inst., xx. 45.)

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

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

The expansion of the wings is 1-3/8 inches. In general colouration it
closely resembles the preceding insect, but is considerably paler, with
the markings much more distinct. There are no clear white dots above or
below the reniform stigma, the orbicular is obliquely oval and rather
conspicuous, and the claviform is strongly margined with black.

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

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

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

The perfect insect appears from November till April.

{21}MELANCHRA DIATMETA, Meyr.[15]

(Plate V., fig. 5.)

This species has occurred at Wellington.

The expansion of the wings is 1-3/8 inches. The fore-wings are
reddish-brown; there is a short longitudinal black streak near the base,
an obscure yellow transverse line at about one-fourth, and several short
oblique brown or yellow marks on the costa; the orbicular is oval oblique
outlined very distinctly in yellow; the reniform is white, margined with
yellow towards the base of the wing; _there is a black longitudinal
streak at the base on the dorsum, which bends upwards at about
one-fourth, and runs in a somewhat curved direction to a little above the
tornus_. The veins are faintly marked in black, and there are several
large yellow dots between the veins near the termen; the termen itself is
slightly indented, the cilia are reddish-brown. The hind-wings are
greyish-brown with the cilia reddish. There are two very conspicuous
curved yellowish stripes on each side of the thorax.

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

MELANCHRA TARTAREA, Butl.

(_Graphiphora tartarea_, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1877, 384, pl. xlii. 2. _Mamestra tartarea_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 21.)

(Plate V., fig. 6.)

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

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

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

The perfect insect appears in March and April.

MELANCHRA HOMOSCIA, Meyr.

(_Mamestra homoscia_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 21.)

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

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

The expansion of the wings is about 1-3/8 inches. The fore-wings are
uniform dark grey; the veins are marked with a series of white dots,
preceded and followed by black marks; the orbicular, reniform, and
claviform spots are scarcely visible; an indistinct wavy line runs
parallel with the termen. The hind-wings are grey; the cilia are white
with a cloudy line. The head, thorax, and abdomen are grey.

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

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

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

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

{22}MELANCHRA OMICRON, n. sp.

(Plate V., fig. 42.)

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

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

The perfect insect appears in November.

MELANCHRA COMPOSITA, Gn.

(_Cloantha composita_, Gn., Noct. vi. 114. _Auchmis composita_, Walk.,
Noct. 616; Butl., Voy. Ereb., pl. ix. 12. _Mamestra maori_, Feld., Reis.
Nov., pl. cix. 24. _Leucania dentigera_, Butl. _Mamestra composita_,
Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 22.)

(Plate V., fig. 8 [M], 9 [F]; Plate III., fig. 7, larva.)

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