Chapter III: Part 3

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

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

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

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

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

This insect is much attracted by light, and occasionally assembles in vast numbers round a brilliant lamp. I have had as many as one hundred specimens in my verandah at Karori, attracted during two or three hours. It is by far the commonest insect at the collectors' sugar, the numerous visitors of this species eagerly jostling each other in their haste to obtain a share of the sweets. _M. composita_ is likewise observed in the utmost profusion on attractive flowers of all kinds, crowding out the rarer and more aristocratic species. Mr. Hanify has drawn my attention to the remarkable habit this insect has of suddenly stopping {23}during its flight, and thus eluding pursuit. It also takes wing with unusual rapidity. Specimens of this moth may constantly be observed at rest in various situations during the daytime, when the protective character of the colouring will be at once apparent, especially when the insect is partially concealed amongst grass. Mr. Meyrick informs us that this species is common in Tasmania and South-Eastern Australia.

MELANCHRA STEROPASTIS, Meyr.

(_Mamestra steropastis_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 22.)

(Plate V., fig. 10 [M], 11 [F].)

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

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

The perfect insect appears from November till February.

Described and figured from Mr. Fereday's specimens.

MELANCHRA INFENSA, Walk.

(_Orthosia infensa_, Walk. 748. _Mamestra arachnias_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 23. _Mamestra infensa_, Meyr., ib. xx. 45.)

(Plate V., fig. 12.)

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

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

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

MELANCHRA OMOPLACA, Meyr.

(_Mamestra omoplaca_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 24.)

(Plate V., fig. 13.)

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

The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. The fore-wings are dark
reddish-brown, there is a short black median streak from the base,
margined above with ochreous-white; the space between this and the costa
is marked with suffused ochreous-whitish lines; in one specimen {24}a
blackish suffusion extending from base of the dorsum obliquely to
orbicular and reniform, the space between this and the subterminal line
is suffused with pale whitish-ochreous; the orbicular and reniform are
blackish-fuscous, black-margined, and connected by a blackish-fuscous
spot; the orbicular is large, roundish; the reniform with its outer edge
white; the claviform is small, suboval, blackish-fuscous; the transverse
lines are indistinct; the subterminal is obscurely paler or hardly
traceable, with two somewhat acute dentations below the middle; the
terminal space is mixed with blackish-fuscous; the cilia are
reddish-fuscous mixed with blackish. The hind-wings are fuscous-grey; the
cilia grey-whitish, with a grey line.

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

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

MELANCHRA ALCYONE, n. sp.

(Plate V., fig. 14 [M].)

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

The expansion of the wings of the [M] is 1-5/8 inches, of the [F] 1½
inches. The fore-wings of the male are _warm brown, darker towards the
base_; there is a wavy, white-edged, black, transverse line at about
one-fifth, followed by a round black spot; _the costa is yellowish, with
four pairs of short oblique black marks_; the orbicular is large, oval,
oblique, pale yellowish-brown slightly darker in the middle; the
claviform is small, obscure, and brownish-black; the reniform is black,
outlined with dull white; _there is a series of very acute, dull white,
tooth-like terminal markings_, and the termen itself is slightly
scalloped; the cilia are dark brown. The hind-wings are grey with a
series of small dark marks on the termen; the cilia are reddish-ochreous.
The head and anterior portion of the thorax are reddish-ochreous; the
rest of the thorax is rich brown, and there is a conspicuous black
transverse line between the pale and dark colouring; the abdomen is
reddish-ochreous with the crests reddish-brown. The female is much darker
and duller than the male, the markings are much less distinct, there are
several additional jagged transverse lines, and the white markings of the
male are indistinctly indicated in drab.

The perfect insect appears in March.

MELANCHRA DOTATA, Walk.

(_Dasypolia dotata_, Walk., Noct. 522. _Mamestra dotata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 24.)

(Plate V., fig. 16.)

This species has occurred at Nelson.

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

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

MELANCHRA ASTEROPE, n. sp.

(Plate V., fig. 15.)

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

The expansion of the wings is 1-3/8 inches. The fore-wings are dull brown
_with a pale area on the dorsum near the base, and a very broad pale band
just before the termen_; there is a broken {25}black-edged transverse
line near the base, and a fainter transverse line at about one-third; the
orbicular is oblong, the claviform crescentic, _and the reniform oblong,
white, and very conspicuous_, all are strongly outlined in black; there
is a shaded transverse line on each side of the broad pale terminal band;
the termen is dark brown; the cilia are brown, and the veins are marked
in black. The hind-wings are pale grey; there is a rather conspicuous
dark crescent in the middle, and two shaded transverse lines; the cilia
are grey.

This species is evidently allied to _Melanchra dotata_.

MELANCHRA STIPATA, Walk.

(_Xylina stipata_, Walk., Suppl. 753. _Mamestra stipata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 25.)

(Plate V., fig. 17 [F].)

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

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

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

MELANCHRA OCTANS, n. sp.

(Plate V., fig. 1.)

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

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

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

The perfect insect appears in March.

MELANCHRA RUBESCENS, Butl.

(_Xylophasia rubescens_, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 489. _Mamestra rubescens_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 25.)

(Plate V., fig. 18 [M].)

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

The expansion of the wings is about 1-5/8 inches. The fore-wings are pale
orange-brown, the orbicular and claviform spots are faintly margined with
reddish-brown; the reniform is dark brown and very conspicuous; there are
two large reddish-brown markings on the termen. The hind-wings are dark
grey tinged with red. The cilia of all the wings are reddish-brown.

This species varies slightly in the shape and extent of the markings on the termen {26}of the fore-wings, which occasionally cause the pale ground colour to form tooth-like projections. It also varies a little in the intensity of the other markings, and in the depth of the ground colour.

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

MELANCHRA LIGNANA, Walk.

(_Hadena lignana_, Walk., Noct. 758. ? _Xylophasia morosa_, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 543. _Mamestra lignana_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 26.)

(Plate V., fig. 19 [M].)

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

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

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

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

MELANCHRA COELENO, n. sp.

(Plate IV., fig. 39.)

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

The expansion of the wings is 1-3/8 inches. The fore-wings are very pale
brownish-cream-colour; _there is a large irregular dark brown patch on
the dorsum from about one-eighth to about two-thirds, another smaller
patch at the tornus, and another still smaller on the termen a little
above the middle_; there are two very obscure transverse lines; the
orbicular is finely outlined in brown; the reniform contains two very
dark brown dots, and is rather strongly outlined in brown towards the
base. The hind-wings are dark grey. The cilia of all the wings are grey
with a paler line.

The perfect insect appears in November.

MELANCHRA USTISTRIGA, Walk.

(_Xylina ustistriga_, Walk., Noct. 630. _X. lignisecta_, ib., 631. _Mamestra ustistriga_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 26.)

(Plate V., fig. 20 [M], 20A [F].)

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

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

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

The pupa state is spent in the earth.

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

MELANCHRA PRIONISTIS, Meyr.

(_Mamestra prionistis_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 27.)

(Plate V., fig. 21 [M].)

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

The expansion of the wings of the male is 1-5/8 inches, of the female 1¾
inches. _The fore-wings are rather pale yellowish-brown, with numerous
irregular longitudinal grey streaks_; there are several very obscure
jagged transverse lines, and the stigmata are almost invisible; _a very
broad blackish longitudinal band is situated on the dorsum_. The
hind-wings are brownish-grey; the cilia are grey tipped with white. The
head and thorax are grey tinged with yellowish-brown; there is a
conspicuous blackish streak on each side of the thorax.

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

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

MELANCHRA PHRICIAS, Meyr.

(_Mamestra temperata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 27 (nee Walk.). _Mamestra phricias_, Meyr., ib., xx. 46.)

(Plate V., fig. 22.)

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

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

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

MELANCHRA CUCULLINA, Gn.

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

(Plate V., fig. 23 [M].)

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

The expansion of the wings is 1-3/8 inches. _The fore-wings are
bluish-grey, speckled and dappled with blackish-brown_; there is a pale
transverse line near the base, partially edged with black; the orbicular
is round, containing a blackish dot in the middle; the reniform is
elongate-oval, including a {28}dark spot in its lower portion; the space
surrounding the stigmata is clouded with dark blackish-brown; there is a
terminal series of small blackish crescentic marks, and the cilia are
dark grey. The hind-wings are brownish-grey; the cilia are also grey
tipped with white.

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

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

Genus 8.--ERANA, Walk.

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

We have one species representing this interesting genus.

ERANA GRAMINOSA, Walk.

(_Erana graminosa_, Walk., Noct. 605. _E. vigens_, ib., Suppl. 743. _Erana graminosa_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 28.)

(Plate V., fig. 24 [M], 25 [F]; Plate III., fig. 8, larva.)

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

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

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

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

The larva feeds on the mahoe (_Melicytus ramiflorus_).

When first excluded from the egg it is about 1/8 inch long, and of a very
pale green colour. After the first moult the caterpillar is bright green,
darker towards the head, with white dorsal, subdorsal, and lateral lines;
there are eight rows of shining black spots, each spot emitting a number
of stout black bristles; the head is yellowish-brown with a few black
dots. After the last moult the larva has a totally different appearance.
It is pale green marbled with darker green; there is often a whitish
lateral line, and an obscure series of diagonal green stripes on the
sides of each segment. Sometimes the whole larva has a pinkish-brown
tinge, and there are often two or three rows of pale spots. In fact the
full-grown caterpillar is very variable in its colouring.

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

The moth appears in December, January, February, March and April. It is often {29}found at rest on tree-trunks in the daytime, where its beautiful green colouring causes it to resemble, in the closest possible manner, a patch of moss. Mr. Hawthorne tells me that he has frequently found dead specimens in this situation.

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

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

Sub-family 3.--_CARADRINIDES_.

"Eyes naked, not ciliated."

Genus 9.--BITYLA, Walk.

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

Of this genus we have two species in New Zealand.

BITYLA DEFIGURATA, Walk.

(_Xylina defigurata_, Walk., Suppl. 756. _Bityla thoracica_, ib. 869. _Bityla defigurata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 31.)

(Plate V., fig. 33.)

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

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

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

BITYLA SERICEA, Butl.

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

(Plate V., fig. 34.)

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

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

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

Genus 10.--AGROTIS, Ochs.

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

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

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

AGROTIS YPSILON, Rott.

(_Noctua ypsilon_, Rott. Agrotis suffusa, Hb. _Agrotis ypsilon_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 32.)

(Plate V., fig. 35 [M], 36 [F].)

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

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

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

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

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

{31}AGROTIS ADMIRATIONIS, Gn.

(_Agrotis admirationis_, Gn. (nec Meyrick), Ent. Mo. Mag. v. 38.)

(Plate V., fig. 37.)

This species has been taken at Christchurch.

The expansion of the wings is 1-3/8 inches. The fore-wings are dull grey;
there are two minute black marks on the costa near the base, a slender
interrupted transverse line at about one-third, _the orbicular, reniform,
and claviform spots are very large and conspicuous, surrounded by a dark
grey shading_; there is a series of black dots on the termen. The
hind-wings are pale grey. The cilia of all the wings are also pale grey.

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

AGROTIS INNOMINATA, n. sp.

(_Agrotis admirationis_, Meyr. (nec Guenée), Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 33.)

(Plate V., fig. 39 [M].)

Two specimens of this species have been taken at Wellington.

The expansion of the wings is 1-3/8 inches. The fore-wings are pale
pinkish-yellow; there is a slender black longitudinal streak on the costa
at the base, _a broad black longitudinal streak at the base near the
middle, and another a little beyond the base above the middle, containing
the orbicular and reniform stigmata, these are sharply outlined in
pinkish-yellow_; there are several rather indistinct black streaks
between the veins, and a series of terminal black dots; the cilia are
dull pinkish-yellow. The hind-wings are dull white; there is a series of
brownish terminal dots, and the veins are marked in brown; _the cilia are
shining white_. The head and thorax are pinkish-brown; the latter has two
transverse black lines near the head, and two longitudinal black streaks
on each side. The abdomen is dull white tipped with pale brown.

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

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

AGROTIS SERICEA, Butl.

(_Chersotis sericea_, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 490. _C. inconspicua_, ib.
545. _Agrotis sericea_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 33. _A.
inconspicua_, ib. 34. _Agrotis sericea_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx.
46.)

(Plate V., fig. 38 [F].)

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

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

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

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

{32}AGROTIS CEROPACHOIDES, Gn.

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

(Plate VI., fig. 1.)

This species has occurred at Rakaia.

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

The perfect insect appears in July, August and September.

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

Genus 11.--HELIOTHIS, Ochs.

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

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

This genus is represented in New Zealand by the world-wide _Heliothis armigera_.

HELIOTHIS ARMIGERA, Hb.

(_Heliothis armigera_, Hb. _H. conferta_, Walk., Noct. 690. _H. armigera_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 34.)

(Plate V., fig. 40 [M], 41 [F].)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Genus 12.--COSMODES, Gn.

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

We have only one species in New Zealand.

COSMODES ELEGANS, Don.

(_Phalæna elegans_, Don. Ins. N. H. _Cosmodes elegans_, Gn., Noct. vi. 290; Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 35.)

(Plate VI., fig. 2.)

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

The expansion of the wings is 1-1/8 inches. The fore-wings are rich
orange-brown, with _four large green spots margined with silver_; there
is a curved silvery mark near the apex. The hind-wings are pale yellow,
shaded with orange-brown towards the termen; the cilia are pale
orange-brown mixed with white.

The perfect insect appears in March and April.

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

Family 3.--PLUSIADÆ.

The _Plusiadæ_ are characterized as follows:--

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

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

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

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

Sub-family 1.--HYPENIDES 1. HYPENODES.

{2. PLUSIA.
Sub-family 2.--PLUSIADES {3. DASYPODIA.
{4. RHAPSA.

{34}Sub-family 1.--_HYPENIDES_.

Vein 5 of hind-wings parallel to 4.

Genus 1.--HYPENODES, Gn.

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

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

We have one species in New Zealand.

HYPENODES EXSULARIS, Meyr.

(_Hypenodes exsularis_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 46.)

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

"Taranaki, in March; one specimen.

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

Sub-family 2.--_PLUSIADES_.

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

Genus 2.--PLUSIA, Ochs.

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

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

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

{35}PLUSIA CHALCITES, Esp.

(_Plusia criosoma_, Dbld., Dieff. N. Z. 285; Butl., Voy. Ereb., pl. x. 1,
2. _P. argentifera_, Gn., Noct. vi. 352. _P. eriosoma_, Meyr., Trans. N.
Z. Inst. xix. 36.)

(Plate VI., fig. 3 [M].)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Genus 3.--DASYPODIA, Gn.

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

We have one species.

DASYPODIA SELENOPHORA, Gn.

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

(Plate VI., fig. 4.)

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

The expansion of the wings is about 3 inches. _The fore-wings are very
rich deep brown_; there are two faint jagged transverse lines near the
base, a straight shaded line at about one-third; _the reniform is very
large, crescentic, steely blue, finely margined first with black, then
with orange, and {36}then again with black; the centre of the crescent is
filled in with black; beyond this spot there are three fine black wavy
transverse lines emitting three very sharp teeth between the reniform and
the dorsum_; there is a faint shaded line near the termen. The hind-wings
are rich brown, slightly paler than the fore-wings; there are three
shaded, wavy, transverse lines. The termen of both wings is slightly
scalloped with a minute bluish-white dot at each indentation; the cilia
are dark brown.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Genus 4.--RHAPSA.

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

We have two species.

RHAPSA SCOTOSIALIS, Walk.

(_Rhapsa scotosialis_, Walk., Suppl. 1150. _Herminia lilacina_, Butl.,
Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, pl. xlii. 11. _Rhapsa scotosialis_, Meyr.,
Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 38.)

(Plate VI., fig. 5 [M], 6 [F].)

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

The expansion of the wings is 1-3/8 inches. _The fore-wings have the
costa considerably arched towards the apex, and the termen is bowed
outwards in the middle_; the colour is pale brown in the male and dark
brown in the female; there are several obscure black marks near the base;
_the orbicular is very small, orange or pale grey outlined in black, the
claviform is absent, the reniform is conspicuous, the outer edge is much
indented, the inner edge is outlined with dull orange-red_, there is a
black blotch between the orbicular and the reniform; beyond the reniform
there is a curved transverse line enveloping a series of minute black
dots, then a very conspicuous wavy transverse line shaded towards the
base of the wing; _there is a pale triangular area at the apex_, and a
series of small crescentic dark brown markings on the termen; the cilia
are dark brown. The hind-wings are greyish-ochreous; there is a rather
faint line across the middle, followed by a broad shade; a series of
{37}small crescentic marks is situated on the termen; the cilia are dark
greyish-ochreous. _The antennæ of the male are strongly bipectinated. The
female is considerably darker, the markings are less distinct and
numerous, and there is no black blotch between the orbicular and the
reniform._

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

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

The young larva when first emerged is about 1/8 inch in length; the head
is brown; the body dull white, with a series of black tubercles round
each segment, each tubercle emitting a tuft of bristles. The larva has
sixteen legs, but the two anterior pairs of ventral claspers are not
employed in walking, the caterpillar's mode of progression, consequently,
resembling that of a larva with twelve legs only. The food-plant is
_Piper excelsum_.

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

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

RHAPSA OCTIAS. Meyr.

(_Hyperaucha octias_, Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1897, 383.)

(Plate VI., fig. 7.)

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

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

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

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

{38}II.--THE NOTODONTINA.

The _Notodontina_ are characterized as follows:--

"The maxillary palpi are obsolete. Fore-wings with vein 1b usually
furcate, but with lower fork often weak or tending to be obsolete, 5
rising not nearer to 4 than to 6, parallel, 7 and 8 out of 9. Hind-wings
almost always with frenulum, 1c absent. (Plate II., figs. 19 to 64, and
Plate I., figs. 12 and 13.)

"Imago with fore-wings more or less broad-triangular; hind-wings
broad-ovate."--(Meyrick.)

Larva (in New Zealand) generally with 10 or 12 legs only (Plate III.,
figs. 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 24), rarely with 16 (_Sphinx_, Pl.
III., figs. 13 and 14).

"Pupa with segments 9 to 11 free; not protruded from cocoon in
emergence."--(Meyrick.)

This is a very extensive group of the Lepidoptera, and so far as it is represented in New Zealand is equivalent to that group formerly known as the _Geometrina_, with the addition of the family _Sphingidæ_. The insects here included comprise many of our most interesting, abundant, and beautiful species. Some of them are so extremely variable that it is often a matter of considerable difficulty to determine the most convenient points on which to base the specific distinctions; although fortunately great advances have been made in this direction of late years owing to the increase in the number of workers, and the consequent accumulation of available material. In connection with this portion of the subject, special mention should be made of Mr. Meyrick's paper on the group, which appeared in the 'Transactions' of the New Zealand Institute for 1883. This essay has been of the greatest value in dispelling the doubts which formerly existed respecting the limits of many of the most variable species.

The _Notodontina_ are represented in New Zealand by the six following families:--

1. HYDRIOMENIDÆ. 4. ORTHOSTIXIDÆ.
2. STERRHIDÆ. 5. SELIDOSEMIDÆ.
3. MONOCTENIADÆ. 6. SPHINGIDÆ.

Family 1.--HYDRIOMENIDÆ.

The _Hydriomenidae_ are thus characterized:--

"Tongue well developed. Fore-wings with vein 10 rising separate;
anastomosing with 11 and 9 (forming double areole), or rising out of 11
and anastomosing with 9 (forming simple areole). Hind-wings with vein 5
fully developed, parallel to 4, 6, and 7 almost always stalked or
connate, 8 anastomosing with upper margin of cell from near base to
beyond middle, or sometimes approximated only and connected by a bar or
shortly anastomosing beyond middle." (Plate II., figs. 19 to 43.)

"A very large family distributed in equal plenty throughout all temperate regions, but becoming scarcer within the tropics. The structure is very uniform throughout, and the generic distinctions slight. Imago with body slender, fore-wings usually broad.

"Ovum broad, oval, rather flattened with usually oval reticulations. Larva elongate, slender, with few hairs, without prolegs on segments 7 to 9; often imitating live or dead twigs and shoots. Pupa usually subterranean."--(Meyrick.)

{39}This family is very extensively represented in New Zealand by the following fifteen genera:--

1. TATOSOMA. 5. ELVIA. 9. VENUSIA. 13. DASYURIS.

2. PARADETIS. 6. HYDRIOMENA. 10. ASAPHODES. 14. NOTOREAS.

3. CHLOROCLYSTIS. 7. EUCHOECA. 11. XANTHORHOE. 15. SAMANA.

4. PHRIXOGONUS. 8. ASTHENA. 12. LYTHRIA.

Genus 1.--TATOSOMA, Butl.

"Face smooth. Palpi long, straight, porrected, shortly rough-scaled,
terminal joint short. Antennæ in male simple, stout, gradually dilated
from base to near apex, apex attenuated. Abdomen in male very excessively
elongate. Hind-wings in male deeply excised near dorsum, dorsal lobe
folded into a long pocket, fringed with hairs. Fore-wings with vein 6
rising out of 9, 7 from or above angle of areole, 10 anastomosing
moderately with 9, 11 anastomosing moderately with 10, 12 free.
Hind-wings with veins 6 and 7 separate, 8 free, united with 7 before
transverse vein by an oblique bar.