Chapter V: Part 5

The perfect insect appears from November till February, and frequents forest. According to my experience it is rather a local species, although plentiful where found. Mr. Meyrick states that it is "very common in bush, from August to February, and in May."[32]

Genus 10.--ASAPHODES, Meyr.

"Face with a tuft or hardly projecting scales. Palpi moderate, porrected,
rough-scaled. Antennæ in male bi-pectinated, apex simple. Thorax glabrous
beneath. Posterior tibiæ with all spurs present. Fore-wings with areole
simple. Hind-wings with vein 8 anastomosing with cell from near base to
beyond middle."--(Meyrick.) (See Plate II., figs. 35 and 36, neuration of
_Asaphodes megaspilata_.)

We have five species of this genus in New Zealand.

{55}ASAPHODES ABROGATA, Walk.

(_Aspilates abrogata_, Walk. 1075. _Fidonia (?) servularia_, Gn., E. M.
M. v. 43. _Thyone abrogata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 61.
_Asaphodes abrogata_, Meyr., ib. xviii. 184.)

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

This species has occurred at Murimutu in the North Island; and in the South Island at Kekerangu, Christchurch, Castle Hill, Dunedin, and Invercargill.

The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. _All the wings are ochreous with
pale brown markings._ The fore-wings have a conspicuous dot in the
middle, _a wavy transverse line a little beyond the middle, another line
just before the termen, and a brown shading on the termen broader near
the apex of the wing_. The hind-wings have a brown central dot and two
transverse lines. The cilia of all the wings are brownish.

This species varies considerably in the distinctness of the brown markings, and there is occasionally a transverse line near the base of the fore-wings.

The perfect insect appears in February and March, and frequents open country, often at elevations of from 2,000 to 4,000 feet above the sea-level. It is, I think, rather a local species, though abundant where found. I met with it in considerable numbers on the chalk range near Kekerangu in the Marlborough Province.

ASAPHODES SIRIS, Hawth.

(_Asaphodes siris_, Hawth., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxix. 283.)

(Plate VII., fig. 16.)

This interesting little species was discovered near Wellington by Mr. Hawthorne.

The expansion of the wings is about 7/8 inch. The fore-wings are dull
ochreous; there is a small curved brown patch near the base; then a pale
band, followed by a very broad brown central band, paler in the middle;
there is a very sharp projection on the outer edge of the central band, a
conspicuous black dot in the centre of the wing, and a series of minute
black dots on the termen. The hind-wings are pale ochreous, with a faint
central transverse line.

The perfect insect appears in March.

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

ASAPHODES MEGASPILATA, Walk.

(_Larentia megaspilata_, Walk. 1198. _Cidaria assata_, Feld. cxxxi. 4.
_Cidaria nehata_, Feld. cxxxi. 6. _Harpalyce megaspilata_, Meyr., Trans.
N. Z. Inst. xvi. 63. _Probolæa megaspilata_, Meyr., ib. xviii. 184.)

(Plate VII., figs. 17, 18, and 19 [M]; figs. 19A and 20 [F], varieties.)

This species is very common, and generally distributed throughout the country.

The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. The fore-wings are dull
ochreous; there is a series of fine brown and reddish wavy transverse
lines near the base, forming a rather broad basal band; then a pale
central area containing a blackish dot above the middle; next, a very
distinct band made up of several fine wavy grey lines, with a rounded
projection near the middle; this is followed by numerous pale brown
curved marks forming more or less broken transverse lines; _there is
always an oblique slaty patch below the apex_, and a series of minute
dots on the termen. The hind-wings are ochreous brown, slightly darker
towards the base, with numerous indistinct wavy brown lines. _The apex of
the fore-wing is very pointed and slightly hooked downwards; the termen
is bowed near the middle._ The female is much duller and more uniform in
colour than the male, and the antennæ are simple.

This species is very variable. Some male specimens have several more or less distinct white markings on the middle of the fore-wings; the transverse bands also differ considerably in both size and intensity. The females are not so variable; but in some specimens the bands on the fore-wings are almost absent, whilst others have the fore-wings rich brown, with a very conspicuous dark central band.

{56}The eggs when first deposited are pale yellow. They turn dark
reddish-brown for some days before the young larva emerges.

The young larva is rather stout, dark brownish-black with numerous fine
parallel ochreous lines; the whole body is covered with rather long
bristles.

The perfect insect appears from October till April, and frequents forest, where it is generally very abundant. It is a difficult insect to identify on the wing, and in consequence is often captured under a misapprehension.

This species probably hibernates in the imago state during the winter months, as we may often observe specimens abroad on mild evenings, at that season.

ASAPHODES PARORA, Meyr.

(_Harpalyce humeraria_, Meyr. (nec Walk.), Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 64.
_Harpalyce parora_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvii. 63. _Probolæa
parora_, ib. xviii. 184.)

"_Male, female._--29-34 mm. (about 1¼ inches). Fore-wings moderate, apex
acute, termen excavated on upper half, acutely projecting in middle;
varying from light grey to light reddish-fuscous; about eighteen
irregular dentate darker striæ, sometimes partially obsolete; first
three, seventh and eighth, and eleventh to thirteenth usually more
distinct and blackish; seventh and eighth closely approximated, forming a
small blackish or reddish spot on dorsum, sometimes partially suffused
with blackish; eleventh to thirteenth closely approximated, widely remote
from eighth, parallel to termen; a blackish discal dot; sometimes a broad
purplish-grey median band; sixteenth sometimes spotted with blackish
towards costa; a terminal row of blackish dots. Hind-wings moderate,
upper angle broadly projecting, termen shortly projecting in middle;
varying from whitish-grey to very pale reddish-fuscous, faintly striated
with darker.

"Very variable in colour, but always distinguishable by the peculiar form of wing.

"Wellington, Christchurch, Mount Hutt; common amongst bush, in January, February, April, and May; probably generally distributed; twenty specimens."--(Meyrick.)

I am unacquainted with this insect, but it would appear to closely resemble _A. megaspilata_.

ASAPHODES RUFESCENS, Butl.

(_Larentia(?) rufescens_, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 502. _Eurydice cymosema_,
Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 63. _Eurydice rufescens_, ib. xvii. 63.
_Homodotis rufescens_, ib. xviii. 184.)

"_Male, female._--25-29 mm. (about 1¼ inches). Fore-wings moderate,
termen rather strongly sinuate; brown-whitish, sometimes more or less
suffused with brown; numerous fine dark fuscous sinuate subdentate lines;
three before middle and four beyond middle more blackish, generally
partially suffused with brown, leaving a clear median space on costal
half, in which is a transverse blackish discal dot; termen suffusedly
greyish; a suffused oblique dark fuscous sub-apical streak. Hind-wings
moderate, termen irregularly crenulate, somewhat projecting in middle;
grey whitish; several subdentate grey lines, only distinct towards
dorsum; a dark grey discal dot.

"Variable only in the degree of the brownish suffusion; in the markings of the fore-wings it agrees almost exactly with some forms of _A. megaspilata_, but, apart from structure, may be always known by the whitish hind-wings and rather larger size.

"Dunedin; ten specimens sent to Mr. Fereday by Capt. Hutton."--(Meyrick.)

I have only seen one specimen of this insect, in Mr. Fereday's collection, and it appeared to me to be identical with the somewhat variable female of _A. megaspilata_.

Genus 11.--XANTHORHOE, Hb.

"Face with somewhat projecting scales or conical tuft. Antennæ in male
bi-pectinated, apex usually simple. Palpi rough-scaled. Fore-wings with
areole double. Hind-wings with vein 8 anastomosing with cell to beyond
middle."--(Meyrick.) (See Plate II., figs. 37 and 38.)

{57}This interesting genus is relatively far more numerous in New Zealand than elsewhere, its place in other regions being largely taken by _Hydriomena_. We have no less than thirty-one known species, and many others will no doubt be ultimately discovered, especially in the mountainous districts of the west coast of the South Island.

XANTHORHOE LIMONODES, Meyr.

(_Epyaxa limonodes_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 54.)

(Plate VII., fig. 46 [M].)

This species has occurred at Wellington and at Cape Terawhiti in the North Island.

The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. _The fore-wings of the male
are dull olive-green with numerous, rather obscure, wavy brownish
transverse lines; these lines are all more distinct near the costa; there
are two transverse rows of white dots near the base, a very broken line
of white dots at about three-fourths, one of the dots forming a
crescentic mark above the middle_; beyond this line the colour is often
paler, especially towards the apex, but inside this line there is often a
considerably darker patch; there is a very distinct blackish patch just
below the apex. The apex of the wing slightly projects, and the termen is
arched. The hind-wings are very pale greenish-ochreous; there is an
obscure dusky transverse line in the middle. _The female has the
fore-wings much browner; there are several additional rows of white dots
and two conspicuous white spots above the middle._

The species is rather variable. In many specimens the dorsal half of the fore-wing is much paler than the costal half.

The perfect insect appears from November till March, and frequents dense forest. It is not a common species.

XANTHORHOE SUBDUCTATA, Walk.

(_Larentia subductata_, Walk. 1198. _Epyaxa subductata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 55.)

This species has occurred at Auckland.

"The expansion of the wings of the female is 26 mm. (about 1 inch). Head,
palpi, and thorax pale greyish-ochreous, somewhat mixed with
yellow-greenish, and densely irrorated with fuscous. Antennæ
whitish-ochreous annulated with fuscous. Abdomen grey-whitish, densely
irrorated with fuscous. Legs dark fuscous, apex of joints
ochreous-whitish, middle and posterior pair irrorated with grey-whitish.
Fore-wings with costa gently arched, termen waved, slightly rounded,
oblique; pale greyish-ochreous, mixed with yellow-greenish, and thinly
sprinkled with fuscous, tending to form faint waved lines; three light
fuscous fasciæ, each marked with three dark fuscous lines; first near
base, outer edge sharply angulated above middle; second from two-fifths
of costa to before middle of dorsum, slightly curved; third from
two-thirds of costa to two-thirds of dorsum, outer edge somewhat
prominent in middle, rather sinuate above it; a crescentic black
obscurely whitish-margined discal spot; a short oblique cloudy fuscous
streak from apex; cilia light fuscous, somewhat sprinkled with whitish.
Hind-wings light grey; a grey discal dot before middle; a median band of
three darker lines, outer rather prominent in middle; faint indications
of other darker lines, most distinct posteriorly; cilia grey-whitish,
with two cloudy grey lines."--(Meyrick.)

The perfect insect appears in December.

XANTHORHOE ROSEARIA, Dbld.

(_Cidaria rosearia_, Dbld., Dieff. N. Z. ii. 285, Butl., Cat. pl. iii.
13. _Coremia ardularia_, Gn., E. M. M. v. 63. _Coremia inamænaria_, Gn.,
E. M. M. v. 63. _Epyaxa rosearia_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 71.)

(Plate VII., fig. 22 [M], 23 [F].)

This species has occurred at Wellington in the North Island; and in the South Island at Akaroa, Christchurch, and Dunedin.

{58}The expansion of the wings is about 1-3/8 inches. The fore-wings of
the male vary _from pale pinkish-grey to pale greenish-grey_; there is an
obscure darker basal area, a rather broad central band, _formed of
numerous shaded, wavy, dark grey lines, which are generally absent
towards the middle of the band_; there is a black dot above the middle;
the termen is shaded with dark grey, and there is an oblique pale mark
near the apex. The hind-wings are grey with a few very faint wavy lines.
The cilia of all the wings are pinkish-grey. _The female is dull
yellowish-grey, with the markings very indistinct._

Both sexes vary slightly in the ground colour, and in the intensity of the markings. Mr. Purdie has pointed out that the species is very liable to fade, and hence it appears to vary more than is actually the case.[33]

The eggs are oval, pale yellow, changing first to orange, and then to
dull grey before hatching. The young larva, when first emerged, is pale
greyish-brown and very slender. Later on the caterpillar becomes dull
olive-green speckled with black; there are two paler stripes just below
the middle of the back, then a fine black line, followed by a very fine
white one, then a broad pink stripe on the side; below this is a broad
black line followed by a white line and two fine black ones. The larva is
moderately stout, and the two prolegs are very close together.

The larva, when full-grown, measures about ¾ inch in length. The general
colour is dull reddish-brown, often greenish-tinged. The back and sides
are marked with numerous slightly waved fine black lines; there is a
double series of black dots down the back, a broad black lateral line,
followed by a fine white line. The under side of the larva is
pinkish-brown; the head greenish-brown speckled with black. The
caterpillar is obscurely marked, and very variable. It is often clouded
with greenish colouring.

The food-plant is watercress.

The pupa, which is enclosed in a slight cocoon constructed of earth and silk, is found on the surface of the ground.

The perfect insect is most abundant in December, and is attracted by light. It seems to be about during the entire year, as Mr. Meyrick states that he has taken numerous specimens from May till September, and hence concludes that it is essentially a winter species.[34] I can to some extent confirm this observation, as I have also found the insect during the winter, although not commonly. It is probable that there are several broods in the course of a year, and that the species hibernates as an imago.

Regarding the synonymy of this species Mr. Meyrick remarks that "_C. ardularia_, Gn., is the male and _C. inamænaria_, Gn., the female of this species. _C. subidaria_, Gn., quoted by Butler as a synonym, is an Australian species, and not identical."[35]

XANTHORHOE OROPHYLA, Meyr.

(_Epyaxa orophyla_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 71.)

(Plate VII., fig. 24 [M], 25 [F].)

This fine species has occurred in the South Island at Nelson, Castle Hill, Mount Hutt, Dunedin and Lake Wakatipu.

The expansion of the wings of the male is 1¼ inches, of the female 1-3/8
inches. _The fore-wings of the male are pale brownish-grey_; there is an
obscure bent blackish line near the base, _a moderately broad central
band bounded by two very distinct shaded blackish lines, the basal one of
which is not curved_; the termen is shaded with darker grey, and there is
an oblique pale mark near the apex. The hind-wings are pale grey tinged
with ochreous.

The female is slightly darker than the male; and there are numerous wavy
pale and dark grey lines filling up the entire wing on each side of the
central band.

The perfect insect appears in December, January, and February. It frequents open country on the mountain sides, at elevations of from 2,500 to 4,000 feet.

{59}I observed it in great abundance on the Humboldt Range at the head of Lake Wakatipu, where it frequented the damp rocky precipices which were fringed with a luxuriant growth of Alpine plants. At Castle Hill it occurred much less commonly, so that it would appear to be most plentiful in the extreme south of New Zealand. The colouring is protective when the insect is resting on rock surfaces.

XANTHORHOE SEMIFISSATA, Walk.

(_Coremia semifissata_, Walk. 1320. _Coremia ypsilonaria_, Gn., E. M. M.
v. 64. _Cidaria delicatulata_, Gn., E. M. M. v. 94. _Epyaxa semifissata_,
Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 72.)

(Plate VII., fig. 26 [M], 27 [F].)

This extremely pretty insect is very common, and generally distributed throughout the country.

The expansion of the wings is about an inch. The fore-wings of the male
are _pale pink_; there are several wavy brown lines near the base, _a
very distinct brown central band, narrowest near the middle, but much
broader on the costa than on the dorsum_; the centre of this band is
paler towards the costa; the termen is shaded with brown, except near the
apex of the wing; _the veins are dotted in black. The hind-wings are
bright ochreous with numerous wavy darker lines._ The female is darker in
colour than the male, the central band is broader; _there are numerous
brown and pink wavy lines on each side of the central band, and the
principal veins are marked in pale ochreous_. The grey transverse lines
on the hind-wings are much more distinct in the female than in the male.

The perfect insect appears from September till April, and is very common in rather open forest districts, usually frequenting undergrowth on the edges of the denser forest. It is often one of the earliest of the _Notodontina_ to appear in spring, and its advent is then especially welcome to the collector after the long inaction of winter. It is evidently closely allied to _X. orophyla_, which appears to be the southern and Alpine representative of this interesting insect. _Coremia ypsilonaria_, Gn., is the male, and _Cidaria delicatulata_, Gn., is the female of this species.

XANTHORHOE LOPHOGRAMMA, Meyr.

(_Xanthorhoe lophogramma_, Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1897, 386.)

(Plate VII., fig. 47 [M], 48 [F].)

This species was discovered at Castle Hill in January, 1893.

The expansion of the wings is about 1-1/8 inches. The insect differs from
_X. semifissata_ in the following respects: In the male the general
colour is slightly duller, _the outer edge of the central band on the
fore-wings is more indented, and the veins are not dotted in black_. In
the female the markings on the fore-wings are less distinct, the veins
are not marked in pale ochreous, the outer edge of the central band is
more deeply indented, and there is a darker shading near the termen than
in _X. semifissata_. _The hind-wings of both sexes are dark ochreous,
without any transverse markings._

XANTHORHOE CHLAMYDOTA, Meyr.

(_Epyaxa chlamydota_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 72.)

(Plate VII., fig. 28.)

This very handsome species has occurred at Wellington in the North Island, and at Christchurch and Akaroa in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings is 1¼ inches. The fore-wings are pale
ochreous, _with two broad, dark, purplish-brown bands. The first, which
is at the base, is slightly paler near the body, and strongly curved
outwards towards the termen_; it is followed by several very fine pale
brown transverse lines. _The second band is very broad, and is situated
near the middle of the wing; its inner edge is curved inwards, and its
outer edge has two rounded projections, one very large about the middle,
and {60}another much smaller near the dorsum_; the middle portion of this
central band is considerably paler than the edges; _the two projections
of the central band are bordered with bright red_. The upper part of the
termen is ochreous, with several faint brown marks; the lower part is
dull grey. The hind-wings are dark ochreous, with a few obscure
purplish-grey markings; the termen of the hind-wing projects slightly
near the middle, and is rather jagged.

The species varies a little in the depth of its colouring, but the markings appear to be constant. The perfect insect appears from November till April. It chiefly frequents forest, but is not a common species. At present, more specimens have been found in the Wellington Botanical Gardens than elsewhere.

XANTHORHOE STINARIA, Gn.

(_Camptogramma stinaria_, Gn., E. M. M. v. 92. _Larentia stinaria_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 78.)

(Plate VII., fig. 29 [M].)

This species has occurred in the South Island at Christchurch, Dunedin, and at the foot of Mount Hutt.

The expansion of the wings is barely 1 inch. _All the wings are deep
ochreous; the fore-wings have an oblique white line running from the
dorsum near the base, towards the middle of the wing; this line is edged
with blackish-brown towards the dorsum; there is a very conspicuous white
transverse line at about three-fourths shaded with brown towards the
body_; the apex of the fore-wing slightly projects. The hind-wings have
no markings.

The perfect insect appears in December and January. It seems to be fairly common, frequenting _Carex subdola_.[36]

Described and figured from a specimen kindly given to me by Mr. Fereday.

XANTHORHOE MNESICHOLA.

(_Larentia mnesichola_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 56.)

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

This dull little species has occurred in the South Island on Mount Arthur, at elevations of from 4,000 to 4,800 feet.

The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. _The fore-wings are pale
brownish-ochreous, and rather glossy; there is a series of minute black
dots at the base, a second series at about one-third, then a cloudy
curved band, slightly darker than the rest of the wing, followed by a
third series of minute black dots; a fourth series is situated slightly
before the termen._ The hind-wings are very pale brownish-ochreous.

The perfect insect appears in January. Mr. Meyrick states that it is rather common.

XANTHORHOE PRÆFECTATA, Walk.

(_Acidalia præfectata_, Walk. 781. _Acidalia subtentaria_, Walk. 1610.
_Acidalia absconditaria_, Walk. 1611; Butl., Cat. pl. iii. 21. _Larentia
præfectata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 78.)

(Plate VII., fig. 30.)

This interesting species has occurred in the South Island at the Dun Mountain, Mount Arthur, Christchurch, and Dunedin.

The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. _All the wings are pure
white_; the fore-wings have a minute grey dot above the middle, _a series
of extremely minute dots a little before the termen, and several rows of
very faint grey marks close to the termen_. The hind-wings have a row of
very obscure dots across the middle, and several rows of very faint grey
marks close to the termen. The face and collar are brown, and there is
sometimes an extremely faint brown tinge on the costal edge of the
fore-wings. The body is pure white.

The perfect insect appears in November, December, January, and February. I do not think it is a very common species, and at present I have only observed it on the Dun {61}Mountain near Nelson, at an elevation of about 2,700 feet above the sea-level. Here I took several specimens on the flowers of an Alpine veronica in the dusk of evening, and saw several others, which I was unable to capture. Mr. Meyrick has taken it on Mount Arthur at an elevation of 4,500 feet, and Mr. Fereday states that it frequents swampy places near Christchurch.

XANTHORHOE NEPHELIAS, Meyr.

(_Larentia nephelias_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 78.)

This species was discovered by Mr. Meyrick in the South Island at Arthur's Pass, West Coast Road, and he has since taken it on Mount Arthur.

"_Male, female_.--The expansion of the wings is 32-34 mm. (about 1¼
inches). Fore-wings moderate, in female narrower and more elongate,
termen rounded; pale whitish-grey, slightly ochreous-tinged; an
indistinct suffusion of dark fuscous scales before middle; a small dark
fuscous discal dot; a rather irregular cloudy dark fuscous line beyond
middle, sinuate beneath costa, shortly angulated in middle; a very faint
stria beyond this; a terminal band composed of two rows of cloudy
partially confluent dark fuscous spots, separating on costa; cilia pale
whitish-grey. Hind-wings moderate, in female narrower, termen rounded;
ground colour as in fore-wings, with a few grey scales posteriorly.

"A remarkable-looking species.

"I took two fine specimens above Arthur's Pass (4,600 feet), in January."--(Meyrick).

I am unacquainted with this species. It is evidently very conspicuous and distinct.

XANTHORHOE CATAPHRACTA, Meyr.

(_Larentia cataphracta_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 79.)

(Plate VII., fig. 33 [M], 34 [F].)

This large and conspicuous species has occurred in the South Island at Mount Arthur, Arthur's Pass, Lake Guyon, and Lake Wakatipu.

The expansion of the wings of the male is 1-5/8 inches, of the female 1½
inches. _The fore-wings are dull yellowish-brown, with numerous slightly
waved oblique black and white transverse bands; one very broad white band
is situated near the middle, and another at about three-fourths; there is
a broad longitudinal reddish-brown line on the costal edge, in which the
transverse lines almost disappear_; there is also a pale, somewhat
triangular, area at the apex. The hind-wings are very pale
greyish-ochreous. The cilia of all the wings are very pale ochreous. The
female is duller and paler than the male.

The perfect insect appears from December till March, and frequents grassy slopes on the mountain sides, at elevations of from 3,000 to 4,000 feet. I observed this insect in great abundance on the Humboldt Range at the head of Lake Wakatipu, but have not found it at any of the other Alpine localities I have visited, so I imagine that it is a rather local species.

XANTHORHOE CLARATA, Walk.

(_Larentia clarata_, Walk. 1197; Butl., Cat. pl. iii. 14. _Cideria
pyramaria_, Gn., E. M. M. v. 93. _Larentia clarata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z.
Inst. xvi. 79.)

(Plate VII., fig. 31 [M], 32 [F].)

This conspicuous species has occurred in the South Island at Lake Rotoiti, Mount Arthur, Castle Hill, Mount Hutt, Dunedin, and Lake Wakatipu.

The expansion of the wings of the male is 1½ inches, of the female 1-3/8
inches.

The species differs from the preceding in the following respects: The
ground colour of the fore-wings is brighter, the markings are less
oblique and much more jagged; the large white central band is often
broken up into several distinct oval patches; the costal edge is very
slightly shaded with {62}brown, _and the transverse lines do not
disappear before reaching the costa_. The hind-wings are bright ochreous.
_The cilia of all the wings are white, strongly barred with
yellowish-brown_.

There is slight variation in the details of the markings, but the species can always be immediately recognised.

The perfect insect appears in December, January, and February. It frequents open grassy places at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 4,500 feet, and is often extremely abundant in these situations.

XANTHORHOE COSMODORA, Meyr.

(_Larentia cosmodora_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 57.)

This species was discovered by Mr. Meyrick in the South Island on Mount Arthur, at an elevation of 4,500 feet.

_Female_.--27 mm. (slightly over 1 inch). Head, palpi, antennæ, thorax,
abdomen, and legs whitish-ochreous, slightly brownish-tinged; abdomen
with a double dorsal series of dark fuscous dots. Fore-wings with costa
hardly perceptibly arched, termen slightly rounded, oblique;
whitish-ochreous, slightly yellowish-tinged; a curved irregular black
line rather near base, followed by a white line; median band rather
darker, tinged with yellowish-fuscous towards edges, margined with
dentate black lines and outside these with white, anterior from one-third
of costa to two-fifths of dorsum, rather curved, posterior from
two-thirds of costa to three-fourths of dorsum, somewhat prominent
beneath costa, and with a more distinct double prominence in middle; two
white dentate-edged spots within median band, first beneath costa,
containing small black discal dot, second on dorsum; a waved white
subterminal line; a fine dark fuscous terminal line interrupted into
numerous dots; cilia whitish-ochreous, with dark fuscous bars hardly
reaching base. Hind-wings whitish-ochreous, with faint darker
greyish-tinged lines; a median band of four more distinct cloudy grey
lines, first three straight, fourth well marked, rather dark fuscous,
waved, somewhat prominent in middle, beneath confluent with third; a
faint white subterminal line; cilia pale whitish-ochreous, with a faint
greyish line tending to form spots.

"Appears in January; one specimen. It is conceivable that this may be the other sex of the following species, but they are very dissimilar, and I do not at present think it probable."--(Meyrick.)

XANTHORHOE BRYOPIS, Meyr.

(_Larentia bryopis_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 57.)

Discovered by Mr. Meyrick in the South Island on Mount Arthur, 4,500 feet above the sea-level.

"_Male_.--29-32 mm. (about 1¼ inches). Head, palpi, thorax, abdomen, and
legs pale greyish-ochreous, slightly greenish-tinged, irrorated with
blackish. Antennæ whitish, annulated with black. Fore-wings with costa
gently arched, termen somewhat rounded, rather oblique; pale
greyish-ochreous, tinged with olive-greenish, irrorated with
blackish-grey, tending to form waved transverse lines on basal area;
median band margined with dentate black lines and outside them with
white; anterior from one-third of costa to one-third of dorsum, curved,
posterior from beyond two-thirds of costa to three-fourths of dorsum,
somewhat indented above middle, with a moderate double prominence in
middle; three blackish-grey subdentate lines within median band, first
near and parallel to anterior edge, other two near and parallel to
posterior edge, first and second tending to be confluent below middle,
space between these more or less suffused with white, enclosing a small
black discal spot; an obscure dentate whitish subterminal line,
anteriorly margined with dark fuscous, preceded and followed by waved
fuscous lines; a terminal series of pairs of dark fuscous dots; cilia
ochreish-grey, whitish, barred with fuscous, and with a fuscous basal
line. Hind-wings ochreous-grey, with waved darker grey transverse lines,
except towards base; a dark grey discal dot before middle; posterior edge
of median band formed as in fore-wings, followed by an obscure whitish
line and somewhat paler band; terminal dots and cilia as in fore-wings,
but more obscure.

"Appears in January; not uncommon. Nearest allied to _X. beata_."--(Meyrick.)

{63}XANTHORHOE BEATA, Butl.

(_Cidaria beata_, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1877, 397, pl. xliii. 6. _Larentia beata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 79.)

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

This very beautiful species has occurred at Wellington in the North Island, is common and generally distributed throughout the South Island, and has also been found at Stewart Island.

The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. _The fore-wings are bright
green; there is a darker area at the base edged with a jagged white line;
then a paler band followed by a very broad darker green central band
edged with very jagged white lines, and containing several white patches
in the middle, one of which is situated close to the costa and encloses a
black dot; beyond this central band there is a paler area, then an
interrupted darker green band edged with white towards the termen_. There
is an oblique pale mark from the apex of the wing. The hind-wings are
very pale ochreous, sometimes slightly tinged with green; there are
several obscure rows of dusky spots.

The white markings included in the central band are rather variable.

The egg is smooth, oval, and pale green in colour.

The young larva is orange-brown, becoming greenish-brown soon after
emergence. The full-grown larva is dark brown above and pale brown
beneath, the two colours being sharply separated on the sides by a broken
white line. A series of V-shaped markings is situated on the back, each
mark enclosing a paler area. Several fine black wavy lines traverse the
darker portions of the larva, and a dark mark, edged with black beneath,
is situated on each segment just above the ventral surface.

The food-plant is watercress.

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

The perfect insect appears from October till March, and frequents forest. It is often dislodged from dense undergrowth during the daytime, and may be found in the evening on the blossoms of the white rata. It is very much commoner in some years than in others; but occasionally several seasons will pass without our noticing a single specimen of this attractive insect. The colouring is extremely protective when the moth is resting on moss-covered tree trunks.

XANTHORHOE ADONIS, n. sp.

(Plate VII., fig. 49 [M].)

This extremely beautiful insect has occurred in the South Island at Castle Hill, and at Lake Wakatipu.

The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. _The fore-wings are vivid green_;
there is a broad, wavy, black transverse line near the base; a somewhat
broken line at about one-third, much broader on the costa and edged with
white towards the base; _a very conspicuous broad black line at
two-thirds, shaded towards the base, and sharply edged with white towards
the termen_; between this line and the termen there are several black
marks, forming another extremely broken transverse line. _The hind-wings
are pale orange-brown, with a faint grey central band_.

The perfect insect appears in January. It frequents forests at elevations of from 1,000 to 2,000 feet above the sea-level, but it is not common.

Mr. Meyrick regards this insect as identical with _Xanthorhoe beata_.

XANTHORHOE CHLORIAS, Meyr.

(_Larentia chlorias_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 80.)

This species was discovered in the South Island at Castle Hill, by Mr. Meyrick.

"The expansion of the wings of the male is 30 mm. (about 1¼ inches).
Fore-wings moderate, termen hardly rounded; bright yellow; base of costa
dark fuscous-purple; a curved row of three very small dark purple-fuscous
spots about one-fourth, and another of four spots before middle, costal
spots larger; a {64}triangular purple blotch on costa before apex,
reaching half across wing, anteriorly margined by a strongly sinuate
bluish-black streak; a row of three dark purple-fuscous dots from apex of
this to dorsum, and a subterminal row of six similar dots; cilia yellow.
Hind-wings moderate, termen rounded; rather paler than fore-wings, with
two curved posterior rows of cloudy purple-fuscous dots.

"A very beautiful and conspicuous species.

"I took one fine specimen in a wooded gully near Castle Hill, at 3,100 feet, in January."--(Meyrick.)

XANTHORHOE ÆGROTA, Butl.

(_Selidosema ægrota_, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 499. _Larentia ægrota_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 80.)

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

This rather inconspicuous species has occurred at Palmerston and Kaitoke in the North Island; and at Christchurch, Dunedin, and Lake Wakatipu in the South Island. It has also been taken at Stewart Island.

The expansion of the wings is about 1-1/8 inches. _The fore-wings are
dull ochreous-brown; there are several indistinct wavy blackish lines
near the base, a black dot above the middle, then three or four more
lines, followed by a cloudy shading on the termen._ The hind-wings are
pale ochreous-brown. _The cilia of all the wings are dull ochreous-brown
barred with black._

The perfect insect appears from November till March and is sometimes very common. It usually frequents rather open situations in the neighbourhood of forest, and I have often observed it amongst the bushes of "Wild Irishman" (_Discaria toumatou._) It is extremely abundant on the banks of the River Dart, at the head of Lake Wakatipu.

XANTHORHOE LUCIDATA, Walk.

(_Larentia lucidata_, Walk. 1200. _Coremia plurimata_, ib. 1321. _Panagra
venipunctata_, ib. 1666. _Larentia psamathodes_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z.
Inst. xvi. 81. _Larentia lucidata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvii. 64.)

(Plate VII., fig. 38 [M].)

This rather dull-coloured species has occurred at Napier, Palmerston, and Wellington in the North Island, and at Dunedin in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. _The fore-wings are dull
yellowish-brown; there are numerous fine, almost straight blackish lines
parallel to the termen, forming four more or less distinct transverse
bands_; the first at the base rather broad, the second a little before
the middle, the third beyond the middle, and the fourth just before the
termen; there is a black dot a little above the middle of the wing, and
the veins are marked with white dots between the transverse bands. The
hind-wings are pale brownish-ochreous; there are numerous, rather faint,
wavy, blackish, transverse lines, which are much more distinct near the
dorsum. There is a series of distinct black dots on the termen of both
fore- and hind-wings.

The perfect insect appears during the winter months from March till August. It is rather a scarce species, but on mild evenings it is sometimes taken at light.

XANTHORHOE HELIAS, Meyr.

(_Larentia helias_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 81.)

(Plate VII., fig. 40.)

Two specimens of this species have been taken at Dunedin in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. All the wings are pale ochreous;
the fore-wings have a slender brown transverse line at the base, then a
large loop-like marking from the costa, almost meeting a smaller,
similarly looped marking from the dorsum; next a broad irregular dark
brown band a little beyond the middle, considerably indented towards the
termen; this is followed by a rather narrow pale band, and then by a
narrow brown band, also indented towards the termen; there is a small
oblique brown mark below the apex, and a terminal series of black dots.
The hind-wings have several faint dusky transverse lines near the base, a
row of small spots near the {65}termen, and a terminal series of minute
black dots. The cilia of all the wings are reddish-ochreous.

The perfect insect appears in January.

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

XANTHORHOE PRASINIAS, Meyr.

(_Larentia prasinias_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 81.)

(Plate VII., fig. 41.)

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

The expansion of the wings is 1-3/8 inches. _The fore-wings are bright
orange-yellow; there is a small brown area near the base, with the outer
edge indented; then a pale band followed by a very broad brown central
band, composed of wavy transverse lines, with irregular yellow spaces
between them_, the largest of these spaces containing a small black dot;
the outer edge of the central band is very wavy, and has several rather
prominent projections near the middle; beyond this are several rather
faint brownish lines; the cilia are yellow, barred with dark brown. The
hind-wings are pale ochreous, shaded with grey near the base, and with
yellow near the termen; the cilia are yellow, barred with brown.

The perfect insect appears in January, and frequents forest. It is found at elevations of from 2,000 to 3,000 feet, but is not by any means a common species.

XANTHORHOE CHIONOGRAMMA, Meyr.

(_Larentia chionogramma_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 82.)

(Plate VII., fig. 42 [M], 43 [F].)

This rather dull-looking species has occurred in the South Island at Mount Arthur and Mount Hutt.

The expansion of the wings is about 1-1/8 inches. _The fore-wings are
rather dark greyish-brown; there are numerous indistinct wavy paler and
darker transverse lines near the base; a rather broad transverse brown
band towards the middle, shaded towards the base, and edged with an
interrupted jagged white line towards the termen_; beyond this there are
several broken darker and paler lines. The hind-wings are very pale
greyish-ochreous, clouded with grey near the base, and with several rows
of small cloudy grey spots near the termen. The female is paler than the
male and the markings are less distinct.

The perfect insect appears in December and January, and frequents wooded valleys on the lower slopes of the mountains, at elevations of from 2,000 to 3,000 feet.

XANTHORHOE CAMELIAS, Meyr.

(_Larentia camelias_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 58.)

This species was discovered by Mr. Meyrick in the North Island at Whangarei.

"The expansion of the wings of the male is 23 mm. (rather less than 1
inch). Head, antennæ, and thorax whitish-ochreous, greyish-tinged, with a
few dark fuscous scales. Palpi fuscous. Abdomen whitish-ochreous, with a
double dorsal series of dark fuscous dots. Legs whitish-ochreous,
irrorated with purple-reddish and dark fuscous. Fore-wings with costa
rather sinuate in middle, on anterior half gently, on posterior half very
strongly arched, termen moderately sinuate below apex, bowed in middle;
light greyish-ochreous, with numerous cloudy, waved, brown-grey
transverse lines, somewhat bent near costa; a black discal dot; margin of
basal patch and anterior edge of median band indicated by series of very
minute white dots, preceded and followed by black points; posterior edge
of median band marked by a darker line, followed by a fine white line
reduced on lower half to a series of points, subterminal line represented
by four cloudy blackish dots on upper half and another above tornus;
cilia greyish-ochreous (imperfect). Hind-wings fuscous-whitish; a median
band of four cloudy greyish lines, bent near costa; a cloudy grey spot
above tornus; cilia fuscous-whitish (imperfect.)

"Appears in December. Immediately recognisable by the peculiar form of forewings."--(Meyrick.)

{66}XANTHORHOE FALCATA, Butl.

(_Larentia falcata_, Butl., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 58.)

A single specimen of this species is in the British Museum collection of New Zealand Lepidoptera. Of this specimen Mr. Meyrick remarks as follows:--

"This appears to be a good species allied to _X. camelias_, but with the costa of fore-wings less arched posteriorly, and posterior edge of median band practically straight, not bent near costa; also much darker in general colouring. I have not yet seen any specimen except the original type."

XANTHORHOE OBARATA, Feld.

(_Cidaria obarata_, Feld. cxxxii. 33. _Larentia obarata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 82.)

(Plate VII., fig. 45.)

This little species has occurred at Wellington in the North Island, and at Christchurch and Mount Hutt in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings is barely 1 inch. _The fore-wings are pale
greyish-ochreous; there is an interrupted reddish-brown transverse band
near the base; two faint, interrupted, shaded blackish lines, one at
about one-third and the other at about two-thirds, enclosing between them
a large central area, which contains a very distinct black dot above the
middle, and several irregular shaded black marks; beyond this there is a
wavy reddish-brown band; the apex of the wing is somewhat projecting, and
the termen is considerably bowed._ The hind-wings are pale grey, with a
paler central band, and numerous faint, wavy, darker grey lines. _The
cilia of all the icings are white, banded with dark grey._

The perfect insect appears from November till January. Mr. Fereday states that it is a plain-frequenting species, especially attached to gorse hedges.[37]

Described and figured from a specimen kindly given to me by Mr. Fereday.

XANTHORHOE CHORICA, Meyr.

(_Larentia chorica_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 58.)

(Plate VII., fig. 44.)

A single specimen of this beautiful insect was taken at Akaroa by Mr. Fereday.

The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. All the wings are pale ochreous.
The fore-wings have a short transverse black mark from the costa near the
base; a fine wavy white transverse line, followed by a wavy black band;
_the middle of the wing is white, marbled with very pale blue; beyond
this there is a broad black band wavy towards the termen, with a very
prominent rounded projection near the middle_; there are two
reddish-brown marks on the costa before the apex, a blackish patch on the
termen below the apex, and a row of terminal black dots; the apex is
slightly projecting, and the termen is strongly arched. The hind-wings
have several fine blackish transverse lines near the base; a broad shaded
band in the middle, and a terminal series of black dots.

The perfect insect appears in January.

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

XANTHORHOE SUBOBSCURATA, Walk.

(_Scotosia subobscurata_, Walk. 1358. _Larentia petropola_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 82.)

This species has occurred in the South Island at the Otira Gorge.

"The expansion of the wings is 39 mm. (1½ inches). Fore-wings moderate,
termen rounded dark grey, densely irrorated with bluish-whitish; costa
broadly suffused with ochreous-whitish anteriorly; a very obscure curved
ochreous-whitish line towards base, anteriorly dark-margined; two obscure
curved subdentate adjacent whitish lines about one-third, followed by a
dark line; a blackish {67}discal dot; a very irregular dentate curved
dark grey line beyond middle, followed by two adjacent whitish lines; a
sharply dentate obscure whitish subterminal line, anteriorly
dark-margined. Hind-wings moderate, termen rounded; markings as in
fore-wings, but more obscure, paler and more suffused towards base.

"A fine species, with a peculiar bluish tinge.

"I took two specimens at rest on rock-faces in the Otira Gorge, at 1,800 feet, in January, and saw others."--(Meyrick.)

XANTHORHOE CINEREARIA, Dbld.

(_Cidaria (?) cinerearia_, Dbld., Dieff. N. Z. ii. 286. _Larentia (?)
invexata_, Walk. 1199; Butl., Cat., pl. iii. 11. _Larentia semisignata_,
Walk. 1200. _Larentia inoperata_, Walk. 1201. _Larentia diffusaria_,
Walk. 1201. _Larentia punctilineata_, Walk. 1202; Butl., Cat., pl. iii.
12. _Cidaria dissociata_, Walk. 1734. _Cidaria semilisata_, Walk. 1735.
_Larentia corcularia_, Gn., E. M. M. v. 61. _Larentia infantaria_, Gn.,
E. M. M. v. 62. _Helastia eupitheciaria_, Gn., E. M. M. v. 95. ? _Cidaria
sphæriata_, Feld. cxxxi. 14. _Larentia cinerearia_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z.
Inst. xvi. 83.)

(Plate VIII., figs. 2 and 2A, varieties.)

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

The expansion of the wings is from 5/8 inch to 1 inch. _The fore-wings
vary from pale to dark grey; there are generally four more or less
distinct blackish marks on the costa, forming the beginning of transverse
bands_; the rest of the wing is marbled with dark-grey or black, the
disposition of the markings varying exceedingly in different specimens.
The hind-wings are pale grey, with a black dot above the middle.

The variation existing in this species is very great, and is thus described by Mr. Meyrick:[38] "Three main forms occur: one large, greyer, and more uniform; a second of middle size whiter and generally strongly marked sometimes bluish-tinged, only found in the hills; and a third small greyish but ochreous-tinged, strongly marked; these are connected by scarcer intermediate forms, and are, I believe, due to the direct effect of food and situation.

"The larva feeds on lichens."

The perfect insect appears from October till March, and frequents a great variety of situations. The colouring of the fore-wings is beautifully adapted for protection on lichen-covered banks, rocks, or fences, where specimens may often be found resting with closed wings during the daytime. This species flies rather freely at evening dusk, and may then be taken plentifully at sugar, blossoms or light. It is, however, a difficult matter to procure specimens in really good condition for the cabinet, as the insect is so extremely restless when confined in a box that if it is not killed at once, it will speedily injure itself during its struggles to escape. This moth is found at elevations ranging from the sea-level to 3,500 feet.

XANTHORHOE ANTHRACIAS, Meyr.

(_Larentia anthracias_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 84.)

This species has occurred in the South Island at Mount Hutt and Lake Wakatipu.

"The expansion of the wings of the male is from 24-25 mm. (about 1 inch).
Fore-wings moderate, termen sinuate; dark fuscous, faintly striated, more
or less sprinkled with whitish; a curved blackish line near base,
posteriorly obscurely whitish-margined; a curved, obscure whitish fascia
at one-third, blackish margined and bisected by a blackish line; a
well-defined black discal dot; a white fascia, partially mixed with
fuscous, beyond middle, anteriorly strongly blackish-margined,
posteriorly more obscurely, and bisected by a blackish line, somewhat
irregular, moderately angulated in middle; {68}an obscure dentate
yellowish or whitish subterminal line; an interrupted black terminal
line. Hind-wings moderate, termen rounded; dark fuscous; two nearly
straight lines before middle, faintly darker; a faint paler or sometimes
whitish sinuate fascia beyond middle, margined and bisected with darker.

"Varies slightly in distinctness of pale markings.

"Mount Hutt and Lake Wakatipu (5,400 feet), on the open mountain sides, in December and January; twelve specimens."--(Meyrick.)

XANTHORHOE BULBULATA, Gn.

(_Cidaria bulbulata_, Gn., E. M. M. v. 94. _Larentia bulbulata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 84.)

(Plate VIII., fig. 1.)

This species has occurred in the South Island at Kekerangu, Christchurch, Castle Hill, and Dunedin.

The expansion of the wings is barely 1 inch. _The fore-wings are very
pale brownish-ochreous; there is a brown area near the base; a moderately
broad brown central band with a distinct projection near the middle; the
termen is broadly shaded with brown, with a wavy paler line in the middle
of the shading_; there are often several oval paler marks in the middle
of the central band, and pale brown spots and lines between the darker
brown markings. _The hind-wings are bright orange, with the cilia pale
brown._

The perfect insect appears from September till March, and frequents open, grassy places, from the sea-level to elevations of from 2,000 to 3,000 feet.

Genus 12.--LYTHRIA, Hb.

"Face rough-haired or loosely scaled, antennæ in male bi-pectinated, apex
sometimes simple. Palpi with long rough hairs. Thorax roughly hairy
beneath. Fore-wings with areole simple. Hind-wings with vein 8
anastomosing with cell to beyond middle."--(Meyrick.) (Plate II., figs.
39 and 40, neuration of _L. chrysopeda_.)

We have two interesting little species in New Zealand. The genus also occurs in Europe, and probably elsewhere.

LYTHRIA CHRYSOPEDA, Meyr.

(_Arcteuthes chrysopeda_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 48.)

(Plate VIII., fig. 33 [M], 34 [F].)

This bright-looking little species has been taken in the South Island at Mount Arthur.

The expansion of the wings is about ¾ inch. _The fore-wings are very
dark, glossy brown; there is a pale yellowish transverse line near the
base, a broader, rather wavy orange-yellow line a little before the
middle, another still broader at about two-thirds, and an indistinct fine
line near the termen. The hind-wings are rich orange-brown, with three
broad, wavy, dark brown transverse bands; the termen is narrowly margined
with dark orange-brown._ The female is generally rather paler than the
male, very faintly marked specimens occasionally occurring.

The perfect insect appears in January and February. It frequents the tussock openings in the forest on the Tableland of Mount Arthur, at elevations of from 3,000 to 4,000 feet. In these situations it appears to be fairly abundant, flying actively in the hottest sunshine.

LYTHRIA EUCLIDIATA, Gn.

(_Coremia euclidiata_, Gn. x. 420. _Coremia glyphicata_, ib. 420.
_Fidonia catapyrrha_, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 392, pl. xliii.
2. _Stratonice catapyrrha_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 64.
_Stratonice euclidiata_, ib. xvii. 63. _Arctesthes euclidiata_, ib.
xviii. 184. _Arcteuthes euclidiata_, ib. xx. 47.)

(Plate VIII., fig. 35 [M].)

This pretty little species has occurred in the South Island at Lake Rotoiti near Nelson, Lake Guyon, Otira Gorge, Dunedin, and Mount Linton near Invercargill.

{69}The expansion of the wings is ¾ inch. The fore-wings are dark
greyish-brown speckled with black and white; there is a curved black
transverse line near the base, followed by a white line, then two black
lines close together followed by another white line, then a broad black
line followed by a pale central band containing a well-marked central
dot, beyond this there are two angulated black lines, and a very
conspicuous white line; there is a broad black shading on the termen,
traversed by a rather obscure fine white line. The hind-wings are rather
narrow, yellowish-orange speckled with black near the base, there is a
strongly angulated black line near the middle, and an obscure blackish
band near the termen. _On the under side the fore-wings are yellow, with
two black transverse bands from the costa near the termen and a red mark
near the apex; the hind-wings are streaked with white and yellow, and
broadly bordered with red on the costa and termen; there are two very
broad black transverse bands._ The female is paler than the male, with
the dark markings rather narrower.

The perfect insect appears in February and March, and frequents open, sunny places, at elevations of from 1,000 to 2,000 feet above the sea-level.

Genus 13.--DASYURIS, Gn.

"Face rough-haired or with projecting scales. Palpi moderate, porrected,
with long dense rough hairs. Antennæ in male shortly ciliated. Thorax and
coxæ densely hairy beneath. Posterior tibiæ with all spurs present.
Fore-wings with areole double. Hind-wings with vein 8 anastomosing with
cell from near base to beyond middle."--(Meyrick.) (Plate II., fig. 42,
neuration of fore-wing. Hind-wing as in _Xanthorhoe_.)

Of this genus we have four species in New Zealand.

DASYURIS ENYSII, Butl.

(_Fidonia enysii_, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 391, pl. xlii. 9.
_Statira homomorpha_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 91. _Statira
enysii_, ib. xvii. 65. _Stathmonyma enysii_, ib. xviii. 184.)

(Plate VIII., fig. 28.)

This species has occurred in the South Island on the Dun Mountain near Nelson, and at Mount Hutt.

The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. The fore-wings are
greyish-brown, with numerous wavy blackish transverse lines; there is
usually a wavy yellowish transverse stripe near the base, and another
broader and more conspicuous stripe near the termen; the termen itself is
broadly shaded with dark brown. The hind-wings are orange-yellow; there
is a small dusky brown area near the base, then a faint straight
transverse line, followed by a slightly waved conspicuous dark brown
line; there is a very wavy broad dark brown line near the termen, and the
termen itself is narrowly edged with dark brown.

The perfect insect appears in January and February, and frequents stony situations on the mountains, at elevations of from 2,500 to 4,000 feet. I have taken numerous specimens on the "Mineral Belt," Dun Mountain, but have not yet met with it elsewhere. This insect is probably often mistaken during flight for _Notoreas brephos_, from which it may easily be distinguished by its _larger size, paler colouring, and simple antennæ of the male_.

DASYURIS ANCEPS, Butl.

(_Fidonia anceps_, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 392, pl. xliii. 3.
_Statira anceps_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 91. _Stathmonyma
anceps_, ib. xviii. 184.)

(Plate VIII., fig. 29.)

This species has been taken in the South Island at Mount Arthur, Castle Hill, and Arthur's Pass.

The expansion of the wings is about 1-1/8 inches. _The fore-wings are
bluish-grey; there are four wavy dark grey transverse lines_, the three
lines nearest the base are double, and the line nearest the termen is
shaded towards the base. _The hind-wings are pale yellow_; there is a
small dusky area near the base, then a slightly curved grey line,
followed by two curved dark grey lines {70}close together; there is a
series of irregular blotches near the termen, and the termen itself is
broadly edged with black near the apex of the wing, and narrowly near the
tornus. The cilia of all the wings are bluish-grey, barred with dusky
black.