Chapter VII: Part 7

The perfect insect appears from November till March, and is generally very abundant in all wooded districts. It is also common in birch forests on the mountain sides, where it may be taken at altitudes of from 3,000 to 4,000 feet above the sea-level. {86}In the lowlands I have observed as many as half a dozen specimens on a single tree-trunk. Whilst resting in this situation they are very inconspicuous, the colouring of the fore-wings harmonizing perfectly with the insect's surroundings, and the pale-coloured hind-wings being then entirely concealed by the upper pair. In connection with this fact it is very interesting to notice that in all those cases where the hind-wings are exposed to view during repose, they are protectively coloured in a similar manner to the fore-wings. It will be observed that the two following species of _Selidosema_ exhibit protective colouring on both pairs of wings, these being invariably exposed when the insects are at rest.

SELIDOSEMA DEJECTARIA.

(_Boarmia dejectaria_, Walk. 394. _Boarmia attracta_, Walk. 394. _Boarmia
exprompta_, Walk. 395. _Tephrosia patularia_, Walk. 422; Butl., Cat., pl.
iii. 8. _Tephrosia scriptaria_, Walk. 422. _Scotosia erebinata_, Walk.
1358. _Scotosia stigmaticata_, Walk. 1359. _Scotosia lignosata_, Walk.
1361. _Gnophos pannularia_, Gn., E. M. M. v. 42. _Scotopteryx maoriata_,
Feld. cxxvi. 4. _Hemerophila_ (?) _sulpitiata_, Feld. cxxvi. 7.
_Hemerophila caprimulgata_, Feld. cxxvi. 12. _Boarmia dejectaria_, Meyr.,
Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 100.)

(Plate IX., figs. 19, 20, 21 and 22 [M] varieties, 23 and 24 [F] ditto; Plate III., fig. 12, larva.)

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

The expansion of the wings is from 1½ to 2 inches. The fore-wings vary
from pale ochreous to very dark rich brown; there is an oblique
transverse line near the base, often enclosing a darker basal area; a
small dark brown spot in the middle of the wing surrounded by a ring; a
very oblique, wavy, transverse line beyond the middle, often double
towards the dorsum, and several irregular markings on the termen; there
is often a white spot on the middle of the termen, and a pale blotch on
the apex of the wing. The hind-wings resemble the fore-wings in colour;
there are two obscure transverse lines near the base; generally forming a
dark basal area; a wavy line near the middle, and a strongly shaded line
near the termen. The termen of both the wings is indented, the depth of
the indentations varying greatly in different specimens.

This insect is very variable, but its large size and _oblique transverse lines_ suffice to distinguish it from any of the other allied species.

The larva feeds on a great variety of plants, mahoe (_Melicytus ramiflorus_), white rata (_Metrosideros scandens_), _Solanum aviculare_, fuchsia (_Fuchsia excorticata_), and _Pennantia corymbosa_ being amongst the number. The caterpillar may often be recognised by a large hump, which is situated on each side of the third segment. Its colouring appears to be so entirely influenced by its surroundings that a description is impossible. For instance, larvæ taken from the pale green foliage of the mahoe resemble in colour the twigs of that plant; others captured feeding on the white rata are dark reddish-brown, those from _Solanum aviculare_ are purplish slate-colour, whilst those from the fuchsia are pale olive-green tinged with brown, like the sprouting twigs.

The pupa is enclosed in a slight cocoon situated about two inches below the surface of the ground. Those larvæ which become full grown in the autumn remain as pupæ during the winter, but the summer broods only remain in the pupa state a few weeks.

The perfect insect appears from November till March. It has a great partiality for resting with outspread wings on the walls of sheds and outhouses, where it is frequently noticed by the most casual observer. It is very common in most situations, and may be taken in large numbers at sugar, light, or blossoms, during the whole of the summer. Its extreme abundance and great variability, in both the larval and imago states, would render it a good subject for a series of experiments, resembling those conducted by Messrs. Poulton and Merrifield on several allied European species.

{87}SELIDOSEMA PANAGRATA, Walk.

(_Scotosia panagrata_, Walk. 1360. _Angerona menanaria_, Walk. 1500.
_Epirrhanthis_ (?) _antipodaria_, Feld. cxxvi. 3. _Hyperythra desiccata_,
Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 495. _Hyperythra arenacea_, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii.
495. _Barsine panagrata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 100.)

(Plate IX., figs. 25, 26, 27, and 28 [M] varieties, 29 and 30 [F] ditto.)

This species is very common, and generally distributed throughout the country. It has occurred as far south as Stewart Island.

The expansion of the wings is from 1½ to 1¾ inches. The fore-wings of the
male vary from pale yellowish-white to rich brown or dark brownish-black;
there is a jagged transverse line near the base; a large black or white
spot in the middle of the wing; a doubly curved transverse line beyond
the middle, then a very jagged transverse line, followed by several paler
markings, and an obscure line parallel with the termen. The hind-wings
are paler in colour; there is a slightly curved transverse line near the
base; a jagged line near the middle, and a very faint line beyond the
middle. The termen of both fore- and hind-wings is slightly indented. The
female varies from pale ochreous to dark slate-colour; the markings
resemble those of the male, but the termen of the wings is more indented.

This species is so extremely variable that a more detailed description would be useless; its numerous forms may, however, be at once recognised by the _unbroken jagged transverse lines of both fore- and hind-wings_.

The larva is quite as variable as the perfect insect. When very young it is bright green, with a conspicuous white dorsal line; as age advances the caterpillar becomes dark olive-brown, sometimes striped with paler brown or green, whilst many specimens retain the green colouring throughout the whole of their lives. The favourite food-plant is the kawa-kawa (_Piper excelsum_), which the larvæ voraciously devour, thus causing the riddled appearance which the leaves of that plant almost invariably present. These larvæ often select a forked twig to rest in, where they lie curled round, with the head and tail close together. Other food-plants are _Aristotelia racemosa_ and _Myrtus bullata_. Those caterpillars found on the latter plant are strongly tinged with pink, and are consequently very inconspicuous amongst the young shoots, where they generally feed. The burrows of the larvæ of _Hepialus virescens_ are frequently utilised by the caterpillars, which feed on the _Aristotelia_, as convenient retreats during the winter. When full-grown these caterpillars descend to the ground and construct loose cocoons of silk and earth on the under sides of fallen leaves. The moth usually emerges in about a month's time, but the autumnal larvæ either hibernate or remain in the pupa state throughout the winter.

The perfect insect appears from October till April. It frequents forest and is extremely common. It also occurs in great abundance on the white rata blossoms in the autumn, and specimens may be occasionally seen even in the depth of winter.

Genus 2.--HYBERNIA, Latr.

"Face with appressed scales or short rough scales. Tongue developed or
weak. Antennæ in male bi-pectinated, pectinations sometimes short and
terminating in fascicles of cilia, apex simple. Palpi shortly
rough-scaled. Thorax with small triangular anterior crest, hairy beneath.
Femora glabrous; posterior tibiæ in male not dilated. Fore-wings in male
without fovea; vein 10 sometimes out of 9, sometimes anastomosing or
connected with 9, 11 sometimes out of 10, usually anastomosing with or
running into 12, rarely absent. Female semiapterous or
apterous."--(Meyrick.)

We have one species.

{88}HYBERNIA INDOCILIS, Walk.

(_Zermizinga indocilisaria_, Walk. 1530. _Hybernia boreophilaria_, Gn., E. M. M. v. 61. _Hybernia indocilis_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 97.)

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

This species has occurred plentifully in the neighbourhood of Christchurch.

The expansion of the wings of the male is 1¼ inches, of the female ½
inch. _All the wings are pale grey, speckled with darker grey. The
fore-wings have four obscure wavy transverse lines_; the first near the
base, the second and third near the middle, rather close together, and
the fourth near the termen, much interrupted; there is a series of black
dots on the termen. The hind-wings have two very faint transverse lines,
and a series of black terminal dots; the termen of the hind-wings is
slightly scalloped. The cilia of all the wings are grey. _The female has
the wings extremely small and quite useless for flight_; in colour and
markings they resemble those of the male, except that the transverse
lines are black and sharply defined.

The perfect insect appears from July to January. Mr. R. W. Fereday states that the male is found plentifully at rest on the bare ground, amongst _Leptospermum_, and the female on the stems.

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

Genus 3.--CHALASTRA, Walk.

"Face with a slight cone of scales. Palpi rather long, porrected, roughly
scaled. Antennæ in male bi-pectinated. Fore-wings with vein 6 from below
9, 7 from below angle of areole, 10 very shortly touching 9, 11 free, 12
very shortly touching 11. Hind-wings normal."--(Meyrick.) (Plate II.,
figs. 51 and 52.)

This genus is represented by one species only.

I have made a very careful examination of several denuded specimens of _Chalastra pelurgata_, and I find that in the fore-wings veins 9, 10, and 11 rise almost from a point. Vein 10 afterwards approaches closely to 9, but does not actually touch it, and consequently does not form a true areole. Vein 12 also appears to me to be free.

CHALASTRA PELURGATA, Walk.

(_Chalastra pelurgata_, Walk. 1430. _Itama cinerascens_, Feld. cxxxi. 1. _Stratocleis streptophora_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 106.)

(Plate IX., figs. 33 and 34 [M] varieties, 35 and 36 [F] ditto; Plate III., fig. 21, larva.)

This species is very abundant in the neighbourhood of Wellington. It has also occurred at Palmerston North, and is probably common throughout the whole of the North Island. In the South Island it has been taken in the Otira Gorge, and at Dunedin, Otara and Invercargill.

The expansion of the wings is about 1-3/8 inches. _The fore-wings of the
male vary from pale orange-brown to dull yellowish-brown_; there is a
doubly curved dark brown transverse line near the base; _a broad straight
line a little before the middle; a very strongly curved line a little
beyond the middle, and a less strongly curved line near the termen, often
composed of a series of triangular white dots edged with dark brown_; all
these lines are much stronger on the costa, and are sometimes almost
obliterated elsewhere. The hind-wings are pale yellow, with several
brown-edged white spots at the tornus, and an indistinct line parallel to
the termen. The apex of the fore-wing is considerably produced, and there
is a large rounded projection on the termen. The hind-wings have several
small projections on the termen. In the female the fore-wings are pale
yellow or orange, the transverse lines and white spots are usually more
conspicuous, and the projections on the termen of the fore- and
hind-wings larger.

This is a very variable insect, especially in the male, some specimens of which sex are very much clouded and dappled with dark brown both on the fore- and hind-wings. {89}Many of these darker forms might readily be taken for distinct species, when compared with the pale orange-brown variety, but a good series of specimens presents numerous intermediate forms which completely connect these extreme varieties. The females also vary, but are never as dark as the males.

The larva feeds on _Todea hymenophylloides_, a fern which grows in shady places in the depths of the forest. The length of the caterpillar when full grown is about 1¼ inches. It is very variable; some specimens are dull brown, with a row of green or pale brown lunate spots down each side, and a dark brown line down the back. Others are bright green, with a diagonal reddish-brown stripe on the side of each segment; the segmental divisions are reddish-brown, intersected by numerous very minute whitish lines.

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

The perfect insect appears from November till March, and is very common in forest regions. It may often be dislodged from the dead fronds surrounding the stems of tree-ferns, and is also met with in great abundance towards the end of summer on the blossoms of the white rata.

Genus 4.--SESTRA, Walk.

"Face smooth. Palpi short, rough-haired beneath, porrected. Antennæ in
male stout, serrate, shortly ciliated. Fore-wings with vein 6 from below
9, 7 from below angle of areole, 10 rising out of 9 above origin,
anastomosing again shortly with 9, 11 anastomosing shortly with 10, 12
anastomosing shortly with 11. Hind-wings normal."--(Meyrick.) (Plate II.,
fig. 53, neuration of fore-wing of _Sestra humeraria_.)

We have two species in New Zealand.

It will be seen that my figure of the neuration of _Sestra humeraria_ does not precisely agree with Mr. Meyrick's description. The differences in the results arrived at are probably due to the variability in structure of veins 10, 11 (and 12), mentioned when dealing with the characters of the entire family. Similar slight discrepancies also occur in connection with the three following genera.

SESTRA HUMERARIA, Walk.

(_Macaria humeraria_, Walk. 940. _Lozogramma obtusaria_, ib. 985.
_Cidaria obtruncata_, ib. 1421. _Sestra fusiplagiata_, ib. 1751.
_Amastris encausta_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 105. _Sestra
humeraria_, ib. xviii. 184.)

(Plate X., figs. 1 and 2 varieties; Plate III., fig. 20, larva.)

This species is very common, and generally distributed throughout both the North and the South Islands; it also occurs plentifully at Stewart Island.

The expansion of the wings is 1-3/8 inches. _The fore-wings are pale
plum-colour_; there is an indistinct, curved, brownish transverse line
near the base; _a straight dark brown line across the middle, and a
curved series of blackish dots beyond the middle_; the apex is pointed,
and the termen has a strong projection a little above the middle. The
hind-wings are ochreous, with a series of minute brownish dots across the
middle.

This is a variable species. The fore-wings are often much clouded with rich brown, and in some specimens scarcely a trace of the original purplish colour remains; the central straight transverse line is often absent, and the other lines are frequently very indistinct, except on the costa; the dots on the hind-wings are also often absent, and occasionally specimens are met with in which all the wings are almost white.

The larva is rather elongate, dull yellowish-brown or greenish-brown;
there is a very broad dark brown dorsal line, and several wavy lateral
lines; the prolegs are black, the spiracles are also black; there is a
slight hump on the posterior edge of each of the last six segments, the
hump on the penultimate segment being considerably larger than the
others. The length of the caterpillar when full grown is about 1 inch.

{90}It feeds on _Pteris incisa_, a beautiful pale green fern, attaining a height of four feet or more, and growing in open situations in the forest. This fern is especially abundant on old decaying logs situated amongst light brushwood. When disturbed these larvæ immediately drop to the ground and coil themselves up. In this situation they are very inconspicuous, as their colouring so closely resembles that of the faded fronds or stems of the fern.

The pupa is buried in the earth about two inches below the surface, the insect remaining in this state during the winter months.

The moth first appears about September, and continues in great abundance until the end of March or beginning of April. It frequents forest, and is noticed most commonly in the neighbourhood of its food-plant. There are probably several broods in the course of a year.

SESTRA FLEXATA, Walk.

(_Cidaria flexata_, Walk. 1421.)

(Plate IX., fig. 37.)

This species has occasionally occurred in the neighbourhood of Wellington. I have no records of its capture elsewhere, but expect it will be found to be generally distributed.

The expansion of the wings is about 1¼ inches. _The fore-wings are bright
orange-red_; there is a very faint transverse line near the base, darker
on the costa; a dark red oblong mark on the costa near the middle; and a
faint transverse line beyond the middle, also darker on the costa. The
hind-wings are bright ochreous-yellow, with the cilia orange.

This insect varies considerably in the intensity of its colouring. It has long been considered as merely a variety of _Sestra humeraria_, but as I have not observed any intermediate forms, although the two insects frequently occur together, I think it may be regarded for the present as a distinct species.

The perfect insect appears from October till December, and is found in the same localities as _S. humeraria_.

Genus 5.--GONOPHYLLA, Meyr.

"Face shortly rough-haired. Palpi moderate, arched, ascending, shortly
rough-scaled, terminal joint short. Antennæ in male rather stout,
pubescent. Coxæ and femora densely rough-haired beneath. Fore-wings with
vein 6 from below 9, 7 from below angle of areole, 10 shortly touching 9,
11 separate, 12 free. Hind-wings normal."--(Meyrick.) (Plate II., figs.
63 and 64, neuration of _Gonophylla nelsonaria_.)

Of this genus we have but one species.

GONOPHYLLA NELSONARIA, Feld.

(_Gonodontis_ (?) _nelsonaria_, Feld. cxxiii. 3. _Gonodontis felix_,
Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 389, pl. xlii. 10. _Phyllodoce
nelsonaria_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 104. _Gonophylla nelsonaria_,
ib. xviii. 184.)

(Plate X., figs. 3 and 4 [M] varieties, 5 and 6 [F] ditto.)

This handsome insect is common in the neighbourhood of Wellington. It has also occurred at Nelson and Dunedin, and is possibly generally distributed throughout the country.

The expansion of the wings is 1½ inches. The fore-wings of the male are
_rich reddish-brown, mottled with darker_; there are several small white
marks on the costa; a black dot in the middle of the wing, and _an almost
straight white transverse line beyond the middle_; outside this line the
wing is speckled with greyish-white. The hind-wings are pale
pinkish-brown; there is a black dot in the middle, and a curved blackish
transverse line a little beyond the middle, being a continuation of the
transverse line of the fore-wing; beyond this line, and on the dorsum,
there are generally several small blackish markings. The female has the
fore-wings {91}orange-red, speckled with darker; there is a doubly curved
transverse line near the base, and an almost straight transverse line
near the termen, both dark red; beyond the outer transverse line the wing
is shaded with dark brown. The hind-wings are pale reddish-orange, with a
curved blackish transverse line. In both sexes the apex of the fore-wing
is projecting, and there is a strong angular projection on the termen a
little before the middle; the termen of the hind-wing has several small
projections.

The variation of this insect is considerable, especially in the male. The ground colour of the fore-wings often inclines to dull brown, or even dull yellowish-brown; the light and dark mottling, and the greyish markings near the termen are sometimes hardly visible; there is often a yellowish blotch opposite the large angle in the termen of the fore-wing. The hind-wings also are very variable in their colouring. All these varieties exist in the female in a less pronounced degree.

The perfect insect appears during the first week in February, and is generally over by the middle or end of March. The males are first noticed, the females not appearing until about a fortnight later. I have never taken this insect in the daytime, and in fact have never seen it except on the blossoms of the white rata, where, on fine evenings, it is often very abundant. As yet, however, Wellington is the only locality where I have met with it.

Genus 6.--DREPANODES, Gn.

"Face with cone of scales. Palpi moderate, triangularly scaled,
porrected. Antennæ in male moderate, simple. Fore-wings with vein 6 from
below 9, 7 from below angle of areole, 10 very shortly touching 9, 11
rising out of 10 before angle of areole, 12 free. Hind-wings normal.
(Plate II., figs. 61 and 62 neuration of _Drepanodes muriferata_.)

A characteristic South American genus. The single New Zealand species is very similar to some South American forms."--(Meyrick.)

DREPANODES MURIFERATA, Walk.

(_Gargaphia muriferata_, Walk. 1635. _Panagra ephyraria_, Walk. 1761. ?
_Zanclognatha_ (?) _cookaria_, Feld. cxxiii. 26. _Zanclognatha_ (?)
_haastiaria_, Feld. cxxiii. 32. _Drepanodes muriferata_, Meyr., Trans. N.
Z. Inst. xvi. 107.)

(Plate X., figs. 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 [M] varieties, 12 [F].)

This species is very abundant in the neighbourhood of Wellington. It has also been taken at Taranaki, Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill and Stewart Island, and is probably common and generally distributed throughout the country.

The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. All the wings of the male
are yellowish-brown; there is a faint transverse line near the base, and
a conspicuous darker transverse line running from a little before the
apex of the fore-wing to the middle of the dorsum of the hind-wing; there
is also a dark spot in the centre of the fore-wing, often containing two
white dots. In the female, all the wings are slate-coloured; the
transverse lines are very faintly indicated, and the central dot of the
fore-wing is reddish-brown. The apex of the fore-wing in each sex is
conspicuously hooked, and the termen is bowed and sometimes has a very
slight angle in the middle.

Both sexes of this insect are very variable. In the male, the ground colour ranges from dingy-brown to bright orange-brown; the transverse lines differ much in intensity, and in some specimens the central area of the wings enclosed by them is much darker than either the basal or the marginal portions; occasionally there is a series of black markings between the outer transverse line and the termen of the fore-wings, whilst the transverse line itself is frequently edged with a band of paler {92}colouring. The female also varies in the ground colour and in the intensity of the transverse lines, which are sometimes marked by a few black dots.

The larva, according to Mr. Purdie, is light grey, cylindrical, about 5/8 inch in length. It may be beaten in February from an undergrowth of _Carpodetus_ and _Aristotelia_.

The perfect insect appears from November till March. It frequents dense forest and is often very abundant. The colouring of the upper and under surfaces of its wings, and the shape of the wings are both very protective, giving the moth an exact resemblance to a dead leaf. When disturbed, the insect adds to this deception by keeping its wings quite motionless and rigidly extended, and allowing itself to fall through the air like a leaf. The resemblance in this case to the inanimate object is very perfect, and has no doubt enabled the moth to escape from many enemies. It is, in fact, an extremely interesting example of the simultaneous development of structure and instinct in a useful direction, through the agency of natural selection.

This species is much attracted both by light and by blossoms.

Genus 7.--AZELINA, Gn.

"Face with some projecting hairs. Palpi rather long, obliquely ascending,
roughly scaled, attenuated. Antennæ in male thick, simple. Fore-wings
with vein 6 from below 9, 7 from below angle of areole, 10 very shortly
touching 9, 11 separate, 12 free. Hind-wings normal.

A genus of some extent, specially characteristic of South America. Guenée
made a separate genus (_Polygonia_) of the New Zealand species, but
without any point of distinction."--(Meyrick.) (Plate II., figs. 54 and
55, neuration of _Azelina gallaria_.)

We have three species in New Zealand.[42]

AZELINA GALLARIA, Walk.

(_Selenia gallaria_, Walk. 185, Butl., Cat., pl. iii. 6, 7. _Euchlaena_
(?) _palthidata_, Feld. cxxxii. 21, 22. _Stratocleis gallaria_, Meyr.,
Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 105; _Azelina gallaria_, xx. 62.)

(Plate X., figs. 13 to 20 [M] varieties, 21 to 23 [F] ditto.)

This species is very common in the neighbourhood of Wellington. It has also occurred at Palmerston North, Makotuku, Christchurch, Dunedin and Stewart Island.

The expansion of the wings is 1¼ inches. The fore-wings of the male vary
from pale yellowish-brown to bright orange-brown, or reddish-brown; there
is a wavy transverse line near the base, often obsolete except on the
costa; another wavy transverse line beyond the middle, also frequently
obsolete except on the costa; _followed by a very conspicuous straight
line, often double, running obliquely from a little before the apex to
the dorsum_; outside this line, near the tornus, there are, in most
specimens, two black spots or one large rust-red spot; the termen has two
projections near the apex, inside which there is usually a darker blotch.
The hind-wings are as variable in colour as the fore-wings; there is one
wavy line near the base, _followed by an almost straight line_, which is
a continuation of the straight line of the fore-wing; beyond this line
the ground colour is generally much darker; the termen itself has no
projections. The female has broader wings and a shorter body than the
male; the ground colour and markings are similar to those of the male,
but are usually more sombre, and the termen of both fore- and hind-wings
is furnished with a number of prominent projections. The under side of
the wings in both sexes is beautifully marbled with yellow and
reddish-brown, and several of the markings of the upper surface are
faintly indicated.

This species, as will be seen from the foregoing, is so extremely variable that a more detailed description would be useless, especially as the straight, oblique, transverse lines of both fore- and hind-wings will at once distinguish it from the two other members of the genus.

{93}The perfect insect appears from November till March. It frequents dense forest, and is most abundant at the flowers of the white rata in the evening. Earlier in the year, before the rata blooms, it may sometimes be taken at sugar.

AZELINA OPHIOPA, Meyr.

(_Gonophylla ophiopa_, Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1897, 387.)

(Plate X., fig. 26 [M], 27 [M] variety, 28 [F].)

This species has occurred occasionally in the neighbourhood of Wellington, but has not yet been recorded from any other locality.

The expansion of the wings is 1½ inches. The fore-wings of the male are
pale orange-brown; there is a doubly toothed shaded transverse line near
the base, the teeth being marked with two black spots; _a conspicuous
wavy transverse line runs from the apex to the dorsum_, and is also
marked with several black dots; the space between the two transverse
lines is paler than the rest of the wing; there is a row of small black
dots on the termen, and the termen itself has two small projections. The
hind-wings are yellowish at the base, becoming orange beyond the middle;
there is a faint brownish transverse line near the base, and a
conspicuous wavy transverse line at the middle, marked by a series of
black dots; this central transverse line divides the yellowish ground
colour of the basal area, from the orange ground colour of the rest of
the wing. The female is larger and duller than the male; the fore-wings
are yellowish drab, with the outer transverse line dull red; there is a
series of minute black dots on the termen; the hind-wings are dull
yellow, with a wavy central transverse line.

The only variety of this species which has come under my observation is a male. In this specimen all the wings are pale yellowish-brown, with very broad black transverse lines. (See Plate X., fig. 27.)

This insect is evidently closely allied to _Azelina fortinata_. It may, however, be distinguished from that species by the smaller projections on the termen of the fore- and hind-wings, and the dotted transverse lines of the male.

The perfect insect appears from January till April. It is met with much later in the season than either of the two other species of _Azelina_. It frequents forest, and may be found on the blossoms of the white rata, but is, I think, the rarest of the genus.

AZELINA FORTINATA, Gn.

(_Polygonia fortinata_, Gn., E. M. M. v. 41. _Caustoloma_ (?) _ziczac_, Feld. cxxxii. 4. _Azelina fortinata_, Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 106.)

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

This beautiful insect occurs occasionally in forests in both the North and the South Islands. It has been taken at Wellington, Nelson, Castle Hill, Akaroa, Mount Hutt, West Plains and Otara.

The expansion of the wings is 1¼ inches. The fore-wings of the male are
pale orange-brown, with _a doubly toothed black transverse line near the
base, and a less acutely toothed line beyond the middle_; between these
there is a black mark on the costa; the termen has two large projections,
and several smaller ones; between the outer transverse line and the
termen there are several small black markings. The hind-wings are
yellowish, clouded with orange-brown towards the termen, which also has
several projections; there is a faint blackish line near the base, and a
much stronger black line near the middle, starting from the dorsum and
reaching about half-way across the wing. The female has the fore-wings
dark brown, with the central area between the two transverse lines paler;
the hind-wings are also considerably darker than those in the male.

This species varies a little in the depth of the ground colour, but not otherwise.

The perfect insect appears in December, January and February. It frequents dense forest, and is generally disturbed from amongst ferns and undergrowth.

{94}Genus 8.--IPANA, Walk.

"Face roughly haired. Antennæ in male simple, shortly ciliated. Palpi as
in _Declana_. Thorax densely hairy above and beneath, with slight median
crest. Abdomen in male elongate. Femora densely hairy; posterior tibiæ in
male short and much swollen, furnished on inner side with very large
dense tuft of hairs. Fore-wings in male without fovea; veins 10 and 11
separate."--(Meyrick).

We have one species in New Zealand.

IPANA LEPTOMERA, Walk.

(_Ipana leptomera_, Walk., Noct. 1662.)

(Plate X., figs. 29, 31, and 31A [M] varieties, 30 [F].)

This species is common in the neighbourhood of Wellington, and I expect generally distributed throughout New Zealand; but as there appears to have been some confusion in Mr. Meyrick's papers between it and the female of _Declana junctilinea_, I am unable to assign the localities there mentioned to either of the species.

The expansion of the wings of the male is 1½ inches, of the female 1-3/8
inches. The fore-wings of the male are uniform pale brownish-ochreous,
generally with two transverse series of minute darker brown dots parallel
to the termen, and two or three similar dots near the middle of the wing.
There is a series of very small parallel brown lines on the costa. The
hind-wings are greyish-brown with two very deep indentations in the
termen. The female has the fore-wings pale grey, and the hind-wings
darker grey; the markings and outline resemble the male.

In a few male specimens I have observed four large black spots on the fore-wings, two near the base, and two near the termen. All these spots are sometimes joined together by a very broad black band, which extends along the whole of the central portion of the fore-wings. I have also a male specimen in which the fore-wings are entirely marbled with dark grey. In the female two or three moderately large spots are occasionally present on the fore-wings, near the termen. All these varieties appear to be much scarcer than the typical form.

The larva, which feeds on manuka (_Leptospermum_), has ten legs. It is rather slender, dark brown, mottled with grey and dull red. There are two large tubercles on the sides of the seventh and eighth segments. It is a sluggish caterpillar and is generally seen in a motionless condition, clasping the stem of its food-plant with its prolegs, and holding the rest of its body in a perfectly rigid position like a small branch. The pupa is enclosed in a cocoon of silk and refuse on the surface of the ground.

The perfect insect appears in January, February and March. It is a forest-dwelling species, and may often be captured in some numbers, at dusk, on the flowers of the white rata (_M. scandens_). It is very sluggish and nearly always drops to the ground when disturbed and feigns death.

Genus 9.--DECLANA, Walk.

"Face roughly haired. Antennæ in male bi-pectinated to apex or simple.
Palpi with second joint ascending, rough-haired, terminal joint rather
long, slender, clavate, porrected. Thorax densely hairy above and
beneath, with more or less developed median crest. Femora densely hairy.
Fore-wings in male without fovea; vein 6 sometimes out of 9, 10 sometimes
out of 9, connected or anastomosing with 9, 11 sometimes out of 10,
sometimes connected or anastomosing with 10."--(Meyrick.) (Plate II.,
figs. 56 and 57, neuration of _Declana floccosa_, 58 head of ditto.)

We have seven species.

{95}DECLANA ATRONIVEA, Walk.

(_Detunda atronivea_, Walk., Suppl. ii. 619. _Chlenias_ (?) _manxifera_,
Fereday, Trans. N. Z. Inst. xii. (1879), 268, pl. ix. 1. _Detunda
atronivea_, Meyr., ib. xvi. 101.)

(Plate X., fig. 33 [M], 34 [F]; Plate III., fig. 18, larva.)

This very handsome and conspicuous insect appears to be restricted to the North Island, where it is rather rare. It has occurred at Wellington, Otaki, and Napier.

The expansion of the wings of the male is 1-5/8 inches, of the female
nearly 2 inches. The fore-wings are _brilliant shining white, with
numerous black markings_; these consist chiefly of three irregular
branching transverse bands, and a series of wedge-shaped spots on the
termen; the larger markings are brownish in the centre. The hind-wings
are dark grey, becoming almost black on the termen, with a fine wavy
transverse black line.

This species varies considerably in the size and shape of the black markings on the fore-wings, which are often slightly different on the opposite sides, in the same specimen.

The eggs of this moth are oval in shape, slightly roughened on the surface and light blue in colour. They are deposited towards the end of October. The young larva escapes by gnawing a hole out of the side.

When first hatched it is dull brownish-black, with creamy-white lateral
lines and prolegs; the head is reddish. It feeds on _Panax arborea_.
After the first moult the lateral lines become much wider, especially
towards the head. After the second moult the two dorsal tubercles are
fully developed, the thoracic segments much swollen and flattened above,
the latter bearing traces of the black markings of the full-grown larva.
After the third moult the larva becomes a dark brownish colour inclining
to chocolate on the dorsal surface. The characteristic markings on the
penultimate and anal segments of the adult larva now appear, and the
dorsal tubercles are yellowish in colour; the extra prolegs are very
small, and are visible as wart-like appendages on the lower surface of
the tenth segment.

The full-grown caterpillar is a remarkable-looking animal. The head is
very small; the first three segments of the body are enormously swollen
and flattened above, the flattened portions being white, with several
small black ring-shaped markings; there is a pair of large yellowish
tubercles on the dorsal surface of the seventh segment, and two smaller
ones on the tenth and eleventh segments; the larva is much stouter
towards the posterior extremity, especially behind the ninth segment; the
penultimate segment is furnished with a large creamy-white ridge,
starting on the back and proceeding downwards and forwards; the extra
pair of prolegs is small and only occasionally used in walking. The
general colour of the larva is brownish- or blackish-green; the tenth and
eleventh segments are generally darker, and there are many fine parallel
lines of darker colouring on the central portions of the larva; the whole
insect is also speckled with black; the spiracles are red. The larva
varies a good deal in colour, but its peculiar structure will at once
distinguish it from any other.

These larvæ often coil themselves up when at rest, clinging firmly with their large prolegs to their food-plant. Whilst thus engaged they have a very remarkable appearance. I have not yet ascertained the precise object of the peculiar shape and coloration of this caterpillar. It appears to resemble very closely a lichen-covered twig, but I suspect in this case there is something more special aimed at.

In connection with this subject, it is noteworthy that the flattened extremities of the elytra of the beetle, _Ectopsis ferrugalis_, closely resemble in both shape and colour the remarkable anterior segments of the larva of _D. atronivea_. As both insects feed on the same plant, and thus exist under very similar conditions, it is highly probable that the peculiarities have been independently acquired in each species for similar purposes.

The pupa is enclosed in a light cocoon amongst dead leaves, &c, on the surface of the ground.

{96}The perfect insect appears in February and March, and may sometimes be taken at blossoms in the evening. It is also attracted by light, and has been found occasionally, in the daytime, resting on tree-trunks. It hibernates during the winter, coming abroad again the following spring to lay its eggs. I have observed that a good many pupæ from the autumnal brood do not emerge until September or October, so that the insect evidently spends the winter both as a pupa and as an imago.

DECLANA EGREGIA, Feld.

(_Chlenias egregia_, Feld. cxxxi. 24; Fereday, Trans. N. Z. Inst. xii. 268, pl. ix. 2. _Detunda egregia_, Meyr., ib. xvi. 101.)

(Plate X., fig. 35.)

This very handsome insect has occurred in the South Island at Nelson, Christchurch, Akaroa and the Otira Gorge.

The expansion of the wings is about 1¾ inches. _The fore-wings are
creamy-white; there is a small dark brown mark at the base, a broad
transverse wavy brown band before the middle, a very large four-cornered
irregular brown mark beyond the middle, one of its corners touching the
apex and the other the tornus_; the termen is shaded with pale grey, and
there is a series of faint brown marks on the costa and dorsum. The
hind-wings are dull white, darker towards the termen; there are two very
faint transverse lines.

The perfect insect appears from November till February. It is a very rare species.

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

DECLANA FLOCCOSA, Walk.

(_Declana floccosa_, Walk. xv. 1649. _Argua scabra_, Walk, xxviii. 448.
_Declana feredayi_, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 398, pl. xliii.
5. _Declana nigrosparsa_, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 500. _Declana floccosa_,
Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 102.)

(Plate X., figs. 39 to 43 [M] varieties, 44 to 47 [F] ditto.)

This species has occurred very commonly at Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. It is probably generally distributed throughout the country.

The expansion of the wings is about 1-3/8 inches. The fore-wings are pale
greyish-white with numerous small brownish-black streaks, exhibiting a
slight concentration near the apex. The hind-wings are dull white,
clouded with greyish towards the termen.

This insect is so extremely variable that I have given descriptions of a
few of the principal varieties below; all these forms may, however, be
connected by specimens exhibiting every intermediate gradation both in
colour and in markings.

1. Fore-wings with several large brown spots near the middle.

2. Fore-wings covered with numerous black spots (formerly known as
_Declana nigrosparsa_) (fig. 47).

3. Fore-wings with two more or less conspicuous curved black or brown
lines from costa to dorsum (figs. 41, 42, and 44).

4. Fore-wings with these transverse lines joined by two others running
parallel to dorsum and costa.

5. Fore-wings with transverse lines and black spots (fig. 43).

6. Fore-wings diffused with dark greyish-black, except two broad bands
of the original light colour extending from costa to dorsum; hind-wings
darker than usual (fig. 45).

7. Fore-wings with a dark brown central band; hind-wings clouded with
dark brown towards termen, with a faint curved transverse line near the
middle (figs. 39 and 40).

All these varieties occasionally have tufts of orange-yellow scales on
both the wings and on the body, and they also vary in other minor
particulars (fig. 46).

The egg of this insect when first laid is oval in shape and light green
in colour, becoming bronzy a few days before the emergence of the larva.
The young larva is very attenuated, with only ten legs. {97}Its colour is
pale yellow striped with brownish-pink near the segmental divisions. It
is very active, and does not devour the egg-shell after emergence.

The full-grown larva has the body much flattened underneath. In colour it
is pale brownish-pink, with numerous irregular darker markings, which in
some specimens almost form two broad subdorsal lines. The under surface
of the larva is pale green. There is a series of fleshy filaments of a
pinkish-brown colour along each side of the insect, and an extra pair of
prolegs on the ninth segment.

This caterpillar is, however, very variable, its colouring appearing to depend largely on its surroundings. The favourite food-plants are _Leptospermum ericoides_ and _Aristotelia racemosa_. The larvæ found on the former plant are usually pale yellowish-brown, whilst those from the latter are much darker brown, often mottled with grey like the stems of the _Aristotelia_. A specimen I once found on a mountain beech (_Fagus cliffortioides_), the gnarled stem and branches of which were covered with grey lichens and mosses, was mottled with the most beautiful shades of greenish-grey. These larval varieties are very interesting, and in order to test the direct influence of food on the colouring of the larvæ, I once divided a batch of eggs deposited by a single female into two equal parts, and fed one half on _Aristotelia_, and the other half on _Leptospermum_. The differences in colouring between the two lots of larvæ thus treated were, however, of the most trivial description. This somewhat surprised me at first, as I had previously observed quite distinct varieties on each plant, when found in a state of nature. Hence I am now disposed to think that these differences have been brought about gradually, by natural selection acting on larvæ feeding on the same plant for a large number of generations. By this means a sufficient amount of variation might be accumulated, to cause the closest possible approximation in colouring to the stems of the several food-plants. It is also noteworthy that many of these food-plants grow in widely dissimilar localities, so that the free inter-breeding of insects dependent on them would not be likely to occur, and thus the peculiarities of colouring adapted to the stems of each food-plant would not be disturbed by the effects of inter-breeding.

In connection with the foregoing experiment it is also interesting to observe, that the specimens fed on _Aristotelia_ matured much more rapidly than those on _Leptospermum_; the former plant evidently being the more nourishing food for the larvæ. Also that out of the batch fed on _Aristotelia_ 28 became moths, of which 12 were males and 16 females; whilst out of those fed on _Leptospermum_ only 24 became moths, of which 15 were males and 9 females. In all other respects, excepting food-plant, the two lots of larvæ were subjected to identical treatment.

During the day this larva rests quietly attached to the stem of its food-plant, where it is very difficult to detect, as the filaments so closely embrace the twig or tree-trunk that the whole insect exactly resembles a swelling in the stem.

The pupa of _D. floccosa_ is enclosed in a loose cocoon on the surface of the ground.

The perfect insect appears about September, and continues in more or less abundance until the end of April. There are most likely several broods in a season, and, as we frequently meet with specimens of the moth on mild days in the middle of winter, it probably also hibernates.

This insect is usually observed at rest on fences and tree-trunks, where its grey mottled colouring causes it to closely resemble a patch of lichen.

{98}DECLANA JUNCTILINEA, Feld.

(Plate X., fig. 37 [M], 38 [F].)

This species has occurred occasionally in the Wellington Botanical Gardens. It is no doubt found elsewhere, but I cannot give any other localities with certainty.

The expansion of the wings of the male is 1¼ inches, of the female 1-3/8
inches. The fore-wings of the male are pale yellowish-brown, with two
indistinct, irregular, transverse darker lines near the base, a
conspicuous curved line a little beyond the middle, followed by a
blackish patch; _there is a series of very fine parallel oblique brown
stripes on the costa_, and several series of curved, blackish marks near
the termen, and on the central portions of the wing. The fore-wings of
the female are much greyer, with a conspicuous, irregular, white streak
from the apex towards the dorsum, the central portions of the wing are
white, and, with the exception of the fine, oblique costal stripes, the
other markings of the male are usually absent. The hind-wings of both
sexes are dull ochreous. The strongly pectinated antennæ of the male, and
the oblique costal markings of both sexes, will at once distinguish this
species from any of the varieties of _Declana floccosa_.

This moth varies in the intensity of the markings, which in some specimens are very indistinct.

The perfect insect appears from November till March. It is generally captured on blossoms in the evening.

DECLANA HERMIONE, n. sp.

(Plate X., fig. 36.)

A single specimen of this very handsome insect was captured at Khandallah near Wellington.

The expansion of the wings is 1¼ inches. _The fore-wings are bright
purplish-brown, clouded with silvery-white towards the middle and on the
termen_; there is a very fine oblique chocolate-brown mark at the base, a
broad broken transverse band at about one-eighth; a fine curved
transverse line at about three-fourths, shaded towards the termen; there
are four wavy brown marks on the termen inclining obliquely upwards
towards the costa; the termen itself is narrowly edged with
chocolate-brown. The cilia are silvery mixed with brown; the termen is
very strongly bowed. The hind-wings are grey, shaded with purplish-grey
towards the termen; the cilia are grey.

The type specimen was captured at sugar in November.

DECLANA GRISEATA, n. sp.

(Plate X., fig. 32 [F].)

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

The expansion of the wings of the male is 1-1/8 inches, of the female
1-3/8 inches. _The fore-wings are dull slaty-grey, with a slightly paler
central band_; there is a fine oblique wavy transverse line at about
one-fourth, another at about one-half, and indications of a third at
about three-fourths; _numerous minute black streaks are thickly scattered
over the wing, especially near the base and the termen_; the outline of
the termen is very slightly scalloped. The hind-wings are pale grey,
darker near the termen. The body is very dark slaty-grey. _The antennæ of
the male are not bi-pectinated._

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

DECLANA NIVEATA, Butl.

(_Declana niveata_, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 500. _Atossa niveata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 104.)

This species has occurred at Dunedin, in the South Island.

"The expansion of the wings of the male is 30 mm. (about 1¼ inches).
Fore-wings elongate-triangular, costa somewhat sinuate, termen rounded,
dentate; dull white, faintly irrorated with grey; costa marked with short
indistinct dark grey direct strigulæ; an irregular line towards base, and
another twice angulated about two-thirds, obscurely indicated by dark
grey scales; some scattered {99}dark grey strigulæ before termen.
Hind-wings moderate, termen crenate, angularly projecting in middle;
wholly white.

"I took one fine specimen at rest on a tree-trunk near Dunedin, in February."--(Meyrick.)

Family 6.--SPHINGIDÆ.

"Head with dense appressed hairs. Ocelli absent. Eyes glabrous. Antennæ
thickened towards middle or posteriorly, in male ciliated with partial
whorls. Labial palpi moderate, ascending, with dense projecting scales.
Thorax densely hairy beneath. Femora densely hairy. Fore-wings with vein
1_b_ furcate, 6 out of 8, 9 absent (rarely present in exceptional
individuals). Hind-wings with veins 3 and 4 approximated at base, 5 from
middle of transverse vein, parallel to 4, 6 and 7 connate or stalked, 8
connected by oblique bar with margin of cell before middle, more or less
approximated to 7 near beyond cell." (Plate I., figs. 12 and 13,
neuration of _Deilephila_ [after Meyrick].)

"This family is generally distributed, but is most plentiful in the tropics. The imagos are usually large insects, with stout, heavy bodies, elongate-triangular fore-wings with very oblique termen, and relatively small hind-wings; the wing muscles are very strong, and the flight exceptionally powerful. Ovum spheroidal, smooth. Larva stout, usually with an oblique, projecting anal horn, anterior segments sometimes retractile or raised in repose. Pupa subterranean."--(Meyrick.)

Only one genus is represented in New Zealand, viz., _Sphinx_.

Genus 1.--SPHINX.

"Tongue strongly developed. Antennæ less than one-half, gradually
thickened to apex, then pointed, apex slender, hooked. Thorax with low
double posterior tuft. Abdomen smooth, broad, conical, pointed. Tibiæ
with appressed scales.

"A moderately large genus, ranging over the whole world, but principally characteristic of America. Imago flying at dusk, feeding on the wing."--(Meyrick.)

This genus is represented in New Zealand by one almost cosmopolitan species.

SPHINX CONVOLVULI, L.

(_Protoparce distans_, Butl. _Sphinx convolvuli_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxii. 213.)

(Plate XIII., fig. 1.; Plate III., figs. 13 and 14 varieties of larvæ.)

This handsome insect often occurs in the northern portions of the North Island, but becomes very rare southward of Napier and New Plymouth. In the South Island it has been taken at Nelson, and recently a very mutilated specimen of what appears to be this species has been found by Mr. Philpott, near West Plains, Invercargill. With these exceptions I have not heard of its appearance in any other localities in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings is about 3½ inches. The fore-wings are
greyish-brown with several irregular, darker markings near the base; and
a broad, dark, central band; beyond the central band there is a very
irregular, pale grey, toothed line. The hind-wings are yellowish-grey,
with four transverse, darker stripes, the outermost one strongly toothed.
The head and thorax are dark grey, paler on the back, with two
conspicuous tufts of pale grey hair on the shoulders. _The abdomen is
grey, striped on the sides with rose-colour and black._

The larva feeds on _Convolvulus_. Like many of the caterpillars of the _Sphingidæ_, there are two very distinct varieties: one is bright green, with white spiracles, and a series of diagonal yellow lines above them; the other is dull yellowish-brown, with broad blackish-brown dorsal and ventral lines, and a series of triangular blackish spots above the spiracles, which in this variety are jet-black. In both these forms of {100}larvæ the anal horn is dark red tipped with black, and the skin is covered with numerous fine wrinkles. The length of the caterpillar when full grown is 3½ inches.

About the middle or end of February these larvæ generally bury themselves in the ground, where they are transformed into pupæ. They remain in that condition until the following summer.

The pupa is about 2 inches in length and is of a dark mahogany-brown colour. It is furnished with a large curved process, projecting from the lower side of the head, and containing the enormous proboscis of the future moth.

The perfect insect appears in November and December. It flies with incredible velocity at evening dusk, and is often observed hovering over flowers, and whilst poised in the air above them, extracts the honey with its long proboscis. Mr. A. P. Buller has very kindly furnished me with the following interesting notes on the habits of this species, as observed by him in the Auckland district:--

"During the summer of 1879 I came across _S. convolvuli_ in great numbers, near Ohinemutu, in the Hot Lake district, frequenting at dusk a tall, delicately perfumed meadow flower (_Oenothera biennis_, commonly called the evening primrose). They were to be seen on the wing soon after sundown, and on warm, still evenings literally swarmed. It was an extremely pretty sight to watch their rapid movements as they darted from flower to flower, never alighting, and keeping up a constant vibration of their wings as they probed the yellow blossoms. They appeared to be extremely local, for I only met with them on a few of the grassy slopes round the shores of Lake Rotorua. I visited the same locality two years later, at the same season, and only occasionally saw one, although the evening primrose was in full bloom at the time. In 1882 I captured several at flowers of the trumpet-tree (_Brugmansia_) in a garden near Auckland. The same summer I found large numbers of the larvæ at Waiwera (near Auckland), on a species of convolvulus growing in profusion on the sandhills in the vicinity. Although the larvæ were so abundant I never came across the perfect insect. I obtained some twenty or thirty of the pupæ, but unfortunately was never successful in hatching out the imago. As far as my knowledge goes, this beautiful moth is confined to the Auckland and Waikato districts, although I have heard of a single specimen being taken in Hawkes Bay."

I am also much indebted to Mr. Buller for the loan of a very perfect specimen of this moth, expressly lent to me for figuring and describing in the present work.