Chapter IX: Part 9

This pretty little butterfly appears to be very common in most parts of New Zealand. I have records of its occurrence in abundance at various localities, from Napier southwards to Invercargill.

The expansion of the wings varies from 1 to 1½ inches. _On the upper side
all the wings are brilliant shining copper, with black markings._
Fore-wings with three spots near the middle, then a row of black spots,
often forming a band nearly parallel with the termen, another row on the
termen, generally touching the narrow black border of the wing.
Hind-wings resembling fore-wings, except that there is only one elongate
spot in the centre, and the terminal series of spots is nearly always
separated from the black border. In the female the black spots are united
and form bands, those on the termen often having violet or blue centres.
The veins in both sexes are indicated by black lines, which are often
double in the male, when the vein itself is coppery. On the under side
the fore-wings are orange-brown, bordered with yellow; the spots resemble
those of the upper side, except that the terminal series are generally
faint or obsolete towards the costa. The hind-wings vary from light
yellow to dull brown; the spots are dull greyish, the posterior series
often having white centres.

From the foregoing it may be seen that the variation in this insect is considerable. After a careful examination of a large number of specimens taken at various localities in both North and South Islands, I am, however, unable to find characters of sufficient constancy to entitle any of the forms to specific rank. The most striking of these varieties appears to be that described by Mr. Bates as _Chrysophanus feredayi_.[55] (See Plate XIII., fig. 2, upper side; Plate XII., fig. 21, under side.) On the upper surface it has the central series of spots almost forming a band in the male, and the coppery ground colour is paler than in the typical form. On the under side the borders of the fore-wings, and the whole of the hind-wings are dull brown. This form closely resembles _C. rauparaha_, Fereday.[56] _C. maui_, Fereday, is evidently that variety of the male having the veins bordered with two fine black lines. Mr. Fereday states that he has never been able to find the female of his _C. maui_. This is readily accounted for by the fact, that the female of _C. maui_ is nothing more than the female of _C. salustius_.

Recently two very remarkable aberrations of _C. salustius_ have come under my {117}notice; one captured by Mr. Hawthorne at Karori, in which the hind-wings are almost entirely suffused with blackish-brown, excepting a small patch of copper colour near the centre, and two patches on the termen. Another specimen, taken by Mr. Grapes near Paraparaumu, has the fore-wings also suffused with blackish-brown, except near the middle, where there are five coppery patches between the veins. On the under side there are six large oblong spots near the termen of the fore-wings, and a series of dusky oblong spots on the hind-wings. (See Plate XIII., fig. 3, fig. 4 under side.) Plate XIII., fig. 5, represents another variety discovered by Mr. Grapes on the coast near Paikakariki, in the Wellington district. It is remarkable for the bright blue terminal spots which are present in both sexes.

The eggs of _C. salustius_, when first deposited, are pale green with yellow reticulations, the whole egg having a honeycombed appearance when magnified. They become uniform pale yellow before hatching. The young larva is shaped somewhat like a wood-louse. The head is quite hidden by the three anterior segments, which are much larger than the rest. After the first moult the larva becomes bright green, with a crimson line down the back; the head is then larger, and the three anterior segments considerably reduced. Unfortunately the life-history could not be investigated beyond this point, as the larvæ all died. The time of year when this occurred was late autumn, and it therefore seems probable that the larvæ hibernate and undergo their transformation early the following spring.

The perfect insect first appears in November and continues abundant until the middle or end of February. Specimens of what I believe to be a second brood may be taken in March and April if the weather be fine, but in stormy seasons these are frequently not observed. I have also noticed that the autumnal specimens are usually smaller and paler in colour than those captured in the spring.

This butterfly frequents open situations, and in fine, sunny weather it is often very common.

CHRYSOPHANUS ENYSII, Butl.

(_Chrysophanus enysii_, Butler, Ent. Mo. Mag. xiii. 153 (1876).)

(Plate XII., fig. 22 [M], 23 [F], 24 under side.)

This species is tolerably common in the Wellington district, and I expect it will be found to occur in most localities in the North Island. I have also taken the insect at Nelson, but have not heard of its capture elsewhere in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings varies from 1 to 1¼ inches. On the upper
surface both sexes resemble some of the females of _Chrysophanus
salustius_, except that the dark markings are very much broader, and the
coppery colour is paler and less lustrous. On the under side the
fore-wings are pale yellowish-brown, bordered with darker brown, with
three black spots near the middle, and a chain of black spots beyond the
middle. _The hind-wings are yellow, with a very large irregular patch of
purplish brown extending over the costal and terminal portions._

This insect varies chiefly in the extent of the dark markings on the upper side, which sometimes very much encroach on the golden ground colour. The spaces between veins 2, 3, and 4, near their origin are sometimes yellow and sometimes black, but, as every intermediate form exists, cannot be distinguished as species. Mr. Fereday regards the form with the black spaces as _C. feredayi_, Bates. As previously stated, however, I am inclined to think that _C. feredayi_, Bates, is the same form as _C. rauparaha_, Fereday.

{118}This butterfly is essentially a forest-loving species, and may sometimes be taken quite plentifully in sunny openings on fine days, during December and January. It is not nearly so common as _C. salustius_, and I do not think that there is more than a single brood in a season.

CHRYSOPHANUS BOLDENARUM, White.

(_Lycæna boldenarum_, White, Proc. Ent. Soc., Ser. 3, 1, p. 26 (1862).
_Chrysophanus boldenarum_, Butl., Zool. Erebus and Terror, Ins. Lep., p.
29, n. 8, pl. 8, figs. 8, 9 (1874).)

(Plate XII., figs. 13, 14, [M] varieties, 15 under side of [M], 16 [F], 17 under side of [F].)

This brilliant little butterfly is very common in most localities in the South Island. In the North Island it has occurred at Lakes Wairarapa and Taupo.

The expansion of the wings is 7/8 inch. On the upper side the male has
all the wings brown, _tinged with the most brilliant glistening purple_.
The fore-wings have two or three black spots near the middle, a curved
series beyond the middle, and on the termen. The hind-wings have two
black spots near the middle, a series beyond the middle, and a terminal
series, generally with blue centres. All the wings are narrowly bordered
with black. The female is pale yellowish-brown, the spots resemble those
of the male, except that all the marginal series have bright purple or
blue centres. On the under side the fore-wings of both sexes are pale
yellow, bordered with slaty-blue: the spots are the same as on the upper
side. The hind-wings are brownish-grey in male, slaty-grey in female,
with the basal portion darker, and the spots of the upper side always
indicated.

This insect is extremely variable, but I do not think it likely that any of the numerous forms will prove sufficiently constant to be regarded as distinct species. The male varies in the size and number of the black spots, many of which are often absent; in the extent of the purple sheen which is sometimes absent from the hind-wings, sometimes partially absent from the fore-wings, and sometimes extends over the whole of both pairs of wings; also in the colour of such sheen, which often inclines towards blue. Some specimens are much paler than others, and so far as my experience goes, these are chiefly found at considerable elevations; in such specimens, the ground colouring inclines towards yellow or orange, and the purple sheen is very brilliant, and extends over the whole of the wings. The female of this form is proportionately paler. Other specimens have the hind-wings almost black with no purple sheen, whilst in others the purple sheen remains. Another form has the usual markings, but the hind-wings are deep orange-brown, without purple sheen, which is also absent from the outer portions of the fore-wings. One female in my collection is dull brown, with yellow markings between the two rows of black spots. The under side is still more variable. One very striking form has only the basal portions of the fore-wings yellow, the rest of the ground colour is pale bluish-grey, and the spots black. On the hind-wings there are a number of black spots near the base; then an irregular band of black, and then a double row of marginal spots. An almost unlimited number of varieties appears to connect this form with one, in which all the markings on the hind-wings are nearly obsolete. The specimens of this insect taken in each district appear to exhibit differences from those taken elsewhere, but specimens also differ from the same district, so that at present we are unable to detect any well-marked local variation, or topomorphism, as it has been termed. It is consequently highly desirable that collectors should endeavour to obtain specimens from as many localities as possible, so that the nature of the variation of this butterfly may be better understood.

Mr. Fereday states[57] that after carefully examining a patch of _Donatia {119}novæzealandiæ_, a plant he had noticed much frequented by this butterfly, he succeeded in finding a larva which there could be little doubt would have given rise to this insect, had it lived. The following is taken from his description: The caterpillar is shaped like a wood-louse, hairy, and pale green. There is a series of conical purplish spots down the back, edged first with white, and then with dull red. On the sides there is a series of pale pinkish oblique stripes, blended with dull red towards the spiracles.

The perfect insect is very common in dry, stony places, generally near river-beds, during January, February and March. It flies only a short distance when disturbed, but is very quick on the wing, and hence difficult to catch until one becomes accustomed to it. In some places these little butterflies are so abundant that they take wing like a swarm of blow-flies. They seldom open their wings whilst at rest, so that when perched on the ground they are very inconspicuous.

Genus 2.--LYCÆNA, F.

"Eyes hairy. Club of antennæ elongate. Fore-wings with vein 6 separate, 8
and 9 stalked.

"A large genus of nearly universal distribution. Imago usually with a horny apical hook on anterior tibiæ. Larva short, stout, attenuated at extremities, with short hairs. Pupa attached by tail and often a central belt of silk, or unattached or subterranean."--(Meyrick.)

Represented in New Zealand by two species.

LYCÆNA PHOEBE, Murray.

(_Lycæna phoebe_, Murray, Ent. Mo. Mag., 1873, 107.)

(Plate XII., fig. 10, 11 under side.)

This little butterfly is extremely abundant in the neighbourhood of Nelson. I have also taken it in plenty in several localities in the Wellington district, and suspect it is common throughout the North Island. In other parts of the South Island its place appears to be taken by _L. oxleyi_.

The expansion of the wings of the male is 1 inch, of the female 7/8 inch.
On the upper side all the wings are pale blue, broadly bordered with dull
brown. The cilia are white, faintly barred with brownish. _On the under
side all the wings, are pale slaty-grey._ There is a faint blackish spot,
edged with white, near the middle of the fore-wings, and two rows of
similar spots near the termen. The hind-wings have several very faint
white-edged spots near the base, a row near the middle, and another row
almost entirely white near the termen.

The perfect insect frequents waste grounds and sandhills, generally beside roads and river-beds, and when found is usually very common. It is on the wing from the beginning of October until the end of March.

LYCÆNA OXLEYI, Feld.

(_Lycæna oxleyi_, Felder, Reise de Novara Lep. ii., 280, pl. 35, fig. 6, 1865.)

(Plate XII., fig. 12 under side.)

According to Mr. Enys[58] this butterfly is common in both islands. I have taken specimens in the Canterbury and Nelson districts.

On the upper side this species can only be distinguished from the
preceding by its somewhat brighter colour, and by the cilia which are
more sharply barred with brown. _On the under side the whole of the
fore-wings, and the central portions of the hind-wings between the outer
and inner series of spots, are much darker and browner than in L.
phoebe_; the spots themselves are also considerably darker, and the
central series of the hind-wings is almost black. A careful examination,
however, shows that the markings are practically identical in both
species, although of different degrees of {120}intensity. In view of the
great variability, which many species of this genus are known to exhibit
in other countries, I am inclined to think that this butterfly's claim to
specific distinction is a very slender one.

The perfect insect may be taken in similar situations to _Lycæna phoebe_.

REPUTED NEW ZEALAND BUTTERFLIES.

The following species are recorded by various observers as having occurred in New Zealand. In nearly every case they are only represented by single specimens. They cannot, in my opinion, be regarded as properly belonging to the fauna:--

1. HAMADRYAS ZOILUS,[59] Fabr.

The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. On the upper side all the wings are
black, becoming brown towards the base; the fore-wings have three dull
white spots near the apex; the hind-wings have the whole of the central
portions white.

Stated by Dieffenbach to occur in New Zealand, probably in error, as it has not since been observed. An Australian species. Mr. W. W. Smith, however, informs me, that his eldest son recently saw near Ashburton a specimen of what he believed to be this butterfly; but as he was unable to capture it he cannot speak with any degree of certainty.

2. EUPLOÆ ---- sp?

The expansion of the wings is 2¾ inches. On the upper side all the wings
are dull, brownish-black, with a series of large white terminal spots.

Two or three specimens of this insect are stated by Mr. T. W. Kirk to have been taken near Flat Point on the east coast of the North Island, but no further details are forthcoming. The late Mr. Olliff, to whom I forwarded a sketch of the insect, informed me that it was not represented in the Sydney collections of Australian and South Sea Island butterflies, but he thought it might be a Malayan species of _Euploæ_.

3. VANESSA ATALANTA,[60] L.

The expansion of the wings is from 2½ to 2¾ inches. "The fore-wings are
black, with a broad deep red central band, and with one large and five
small white spots near the apex. The hind-wings are black, with a broad
deep red band at the termen, in which are four black spots; at the tornus
is a large blue-and-black spot."[61]

Mr. T. W. Kirk states[62] that he captured a specimen of this familiar English butterfly in the Wellington Botanical Gardens, in the summer of 1881. On a subsequent occasion he saw several others. No specimens have since been detected.

4. VANESSA URTICÆ, L.

The expansion of the wings is from 2 to 2¼ inches. "The fore-wings are
reddish-orange with three large black spots on the costa (the third
followed by a white spot), two smaller black spots near the centre, and
one large one on the dorsum; a dark border, containing cresentic blue
spots, runs along the termen. The hind-wings are black at the base, then
reddish-orange, with a blue-spotted dark border along the termen."[63]

Mr. Kirk states[64] that he also obtained specimens of this very common English butterfly during the same season and in the same locality as _Vanessa atalanta_. None have been seen by other observers.

{121}5. CATOPSILIA CATILLA,[65] Cramer.

The expansion of the wings is nearly 3 inches. On the upper side all the
wings of the male are pale sulphur-yellow, with a minute brown mark at
the apex. The female is paler, with a brown spot in the centre of the
fore-wings, and a chain of brown spots on the termen towards the apex.

A single male specimen of this butterfly was captured in the grounds of St. John's College, Auckland, and is now in the Auckland Museum. The species is very common in Australia, and as this is the only specimen observed it was no doubt accidentally introduced from that country on board a steamer.

{122}V.--THE PYRALIDINA.

Not dealt with in this volume.

VI.--THE PSYCHINA.

The _Psychina_ are distinguished by the following characters:--

"Eyes glabrous. Maxillary palpi rudimentary or obsolete (yet sometimes
well marked in pupa). Posterior tibiæ, with spurs very short, middle
spurs often absent. Fore-wings with vein 1_b_ furcate, 1_c_ usually
developed, 5 more or less approximated to 4. Hind-wings with frenulum,
retinaculum often very broad, 1_c_ present, 8 connected or anastomosing
with cell." (See Plate I., figs. 30, 31 neuration of _Oeceticus
omnivorus_.)

"This ancient group, which furnishes the origin of the five preceding, is not now very prominent, though much more numerous in warm regions.

"Imago with fore-wings more or less elongate-triangular, hind-wings ovate, often rather small.

"Larva with 10 prolegs, usually with few hairs.

"Pupa with segments 8-11 free, usually 7 also (except in _Psychidæ_), in male 12 also; protruded from cocoon in emergence."--(Meyrick.)

The _Psychina_ and _Micropterygina_ are included amongst the _Micros_ by most modern authors. I have, however, described and figured certain conspicuous and interesting species belonging to both these groups. The insects in question have, until so very recently, been regarded as _Macros_, that I think it would be a mistake to omit them in the present volume. There can, however, be no question that the modern view is the correct one, and that notwithstanding the large size of some of the species, they are really closely allied to those _Micro-Lepidoptera_, with which they are now associated.

Of the _Psychina_ we have one family represented in New Zealand--the _Psychidæ_.

Family 1.--PSYCHIDÆ.

"Head densely rough-haired. Ocelli large. Tongue obsolete. Antennæ half
the length of the fore-wings or less, in male strongly bi-pectinated to
apex. Labial palpi very short, hairy. Thorax densely hairy above and
beneath. Abdomen, femora, and tibiæ densely hairy, posterior tibiæ
without middle spurs, end spurs extremely short. Fore-wings with vein
1_a_ anastomosing with 1_b_ before middle; 1_c_ (if present) coincident
with 1_b_ beyond middle, 7 absent. Hind-wings, with vein 8, connected by
bar with upper margin of cell. Female apterous, without legs or developed
antennæ.

{123}"A rather small family of universal distribution, but commoner in warm countries. Male imago with thinly scaled wings, without markings; flight strong and swift, sometimes in sunshine. The female is almost wholly helpless; the abdomen is at first greatly distended with eggs, and ultimately shrivels up.

"Ovum oval, smooth. Larva inhabiting a strong portable silken case, covered with fragments of stick or refuse. Pupa within the larval case."--(Meyrick.)

There are two genera in New Zealand closely allied to each other.

1. OECETICUS. 2. OROPHORA.

Genus 1.--OECETICUS, Guild.

"Ocelli present. Antennæ 1/3, in male strongly bi-pectinated, much more
shortly on apical half. Labial palpi extremely short, rough-haired.
Abdomen in male very elongate, roughly hairy. Legs hairy, tibiæ without
spurs, posterior tarsi extremely short and stout. Fore-wings with veins 4
and 5 short-stalked, 7 sometimes out of 9, 8 and 9 stalked, forked
parting-vein well defined. Hind-wings with veins 4 and 5 stalked, forked
parting-vein well defined, 8 connected by bar with cell beyond middle. An
additional vein (9) rising from 8 beyond bar, another (10) from 8 before
bar, and another (11) from base of costa running into 8 before 10." (See
Plate I., figs. 30, 31.)

"This generic name was wrongly spelt _Oiketicus_ by its originator and others, for which there is no possible justification. I have corrected it."--(Meyrick.)

Although I have made several examinations of fully denuded wings of _OE. omnivorus_, I have been unable to discover any trace of the additional veins mentioned by Mr. Meyrick. The hair-like scales which clothe the wings of this insect are very long and slender, and might easily be mistaken for a short vein, if placed in the requisite position. I am disposed to think that the examination of undenuded specimens has led to the discrepancy between the results.

We have one species.

OECETICUS OMNIVORUS, Fereday.

(_Liothula omnivora_, Fereday, Trans. N. Z. Inst. x., 260, pl. ix. _Oeceticus omnivorus_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxii. 212.)

(Plate XIII., fig. 6 [M]; Plate III., fig. 26, larva in its case; fig. 25 ditto withdrawn from case.)

This interesting species is seldom seen as an imago in the natural state, although the cases constructed by its larva are of common occurrence. Specimens of these cases have been noticed at several localities between Palmerston, in the North Island, and Invercargill, in the South Island, so that apparently the insect is common, and generally distributed throughout New Zealand.

The expansion of the wings of the male is from 1¼ to 1½ inches. _The
fore-wings are very elongate and narrow. All the wings are
blackish-brown, and sparsely covered with scales_, the hind pair being
semi-transparent. The body is very hairy, and deep black. The antennæ are
broadly bi-pectinate at the base, becoming almost filiform towards the
apex. The female insect is apterous, having a close superficial
resemblance to a large maggot. The head and thorax are very small, and
the legs and antennæ rudimentary. The extremity of the body is furnished
with a two-jointed ovipositor, and there are a few scattered yellowish
scales on various parts of the insect. Its length is about 1 inch.

The eggs of this species are deposited inside the old case, which the female insect never leaves during the whole of her life. The young larva when first hatched is about 1/8 inch in length. Its head and three anterior segments are corneous and much larger than the others, which are rather soft with the exception of the last one. These little {124}larvæ are extremely active, and immediately after hatching leave the old case, and roam in all directions over the tree, letting themselves down from branch to branch by silken threads. They carry the posterior portion of their body elevated in the air, walking whilst doing so by means of their strong thoracic legs.

The food-plants of this species are numerous. The following are a few of them: Manuka (_Leptospermum scoparium_ and _ericoides_, _Cupressus macrocarpa_, _Pinus insignis_), and various species of willow, &c. These, it will be observed, include several introduced trees. In fact, the insect is a very general feeder. About three days after leaving the egg, the little caterpillar constructs a minute, conical-shaped, silken case, which it carries almost in an upright position on its posterior segments. Later on in life this case becomes too heavy to be held vertically, and is afterwards dragged along by the larva, and often allowed to hang downwards. The case has two apertures--a large one in front, through which the head of the larva is projected, and a smaller one at the posterior extremity, which allows the pellets of excrement to fall out of the case, as soon as they are evacuated.

Owing to the apterous and completely helpless condition of the female imago, it is evident that the dispersal of this insect must take place in the larval state. Distribution is of course quite impossible without a female being transported in some way, and from observations made on a good many larvæ of various ages, I am disposed to think that the migration of this insect to new localities takes place at an early age, possibly soon after its emergence from the egg. On this account I think that the occurrence of the moth in both North and South Islands is of great interest, as it would seem to indicate the existence of some connection between the two islands, at a period not sufficiently remote to have allowed any appreciable modification to take place in the insect's structure and habits. At the same time, it should be borne in mind, that the protection afforded the larva by its case, and its ability to feed on so many different plants, may have rendered any modification unnecessary for the preservation of the species during recent times. The length of the full-grown caterpillar is about 1 inch. The head is dull yellow speckled with black. The first three segments are very hard, dark brown, with numerous white markings. The remaining segments are considerably thickened near the middle of the insect, rudimentary prolegs being present on the seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth segments of the larva. The anal prolegs are very strong, and are furnished with numerous sharp hooklets, which retain the larva very firmly in its case. As the caterpillar grows, it increases the length of its domicile from the anterior, causing it gradually to assume a more tubular form, tapering towards the posterior aperture, which is enlarged from time to time. The outside is covered with numerous fragmentary leaves and twigs of various sizes, placed longitudinally on the case, and, frequently, near the anterior aperture the materials, owing to their recent selection, are fresh and green. The interior is lined with soft, smooth silk of a light brown colour, the thickness of the whole fabric being about the same as that of an ordinary kid glove, and so strong that it is impossible to tear it, or indeed to cut it, except with sharp instruments. The size of the case, when the caterpillar is mature, varies considerably, ranging from 2¼ to 3 inches or more in length, and about ¼ inch in diameter, the widest portion being a little behind the anterior aperture.

During the day the larva closes the entrance, and spins a loop of very strong silk {125}over a twig, the ends being joined to the upper edges of the case on each side; in this way it hangs suspended, the caterpillar lying snugly within. I have often known a larva to remain thus for over three weeks without moving, and afterwards resume feeding as before; this probably occurs whilst the inmate is engaged in changing its skin. At night the larvæ may be seen busily engaged: they project the head and first four segments of the body beyond the case, and walk about with considerable rapidity, often lowering themselves by means of silken threads; the only locomotive organs are, of course, their strong thoracic legs, which appear to easily fulfil their double function of moving both larva and case. If disturbed, these insects at once retreat into their cases, closing the anterior aperture with a silken cord, which is kept in readiness for the purpose, and pulled from the inside by the retreating larva. This operation is most rapidly performed, as the upper edges of the case are flexible, and thus fold closely together, completely obstructing the entrance. When full grown, this caterpillar fastens its case to a branch with a loop of strong silk, which is drawn very tight, preventing the case from swinging when the plant is moved by the wind, and also rendering the insect's habitation more inconspicuous, by causing it to resemble a broken twig. The anterior aperture is completely closed, the loose edges being drawn together and fastened like a bag. The posterior end of the case is twisted up for some little distance above the extremity, thus completely closing the opening there situated. It is lined inside with a layer of very soft silk spun loosely over the sides, and partly filling up each end. In the centre of this the pupa lies with its head towards the lower portion of the case, the old larval skin being thrust backwards amongst the loose silk above the insect.

The male and female pupæ may very easily be distinguished. The male pupa is rather attenuated, and has all the organs of the future moth plainly indicated on the integument, as is usual with lepidopterous pupæ. The female pupa, on the contrary, is merely a chain of segments, with a few faint indications of rudimentary organs on the anterior extremity. It is, moreover, much larger than the male pupa.

The insect remains in this condition during the winter months. About September the male pupa works its way down to the lower end of the case, forces open the old aperture there situated, and projects the head and thorax, the pupa being secured from falling by the spines on its posterior segments, which retain a firm hold in the silk. Its anterior portion then breaks open, and the moth makes its escape, clinging to the outside of its old habitation, and drying its wings.

The perfect insect must be about from September till December, but I have never then observed it. The only specimen I have seen was noticed flying very rapidly in the street in Wellington, in July. I was at first unable to tell what species it was, as it had a most unusual appearance on the wing, but its subsequent near approach enabled me to ascertain for certain that it was a specimen of this insect. In captivity I have also noticed the extreme activity of the male when first emerged. Indeed this moth is so vivacious, that it often happens, owing to the emergence usually taking place very early in the morning, that specimens are more or less injured by their efforts to escape, before they are discovered in the breeding cage. This restless energy of the male is no doubt essential to the insect's well-being, as the females, hidden away in their cases and incapable of any movement, must of necessity be very hard to discover. The power of locomotion lost in the one sex is thus doubled in the other. Considering the protection {126}afforded this insect by the case, which it inhabits during its preparatory stages, its enormous mortality from the attacks of a parasitic dipteron (_Eurigaster marginatus_) is very remarkable. In this connection the following analysis of 38 cases, gathered at random, may be of interest:--

26 had parasites.
8 were dead.
2 contained eggs.
2 contained living pupæ, 1 male and 1 female respectively.

Amongst some of these parasites I once obtained a specimen, which was in its turn infested by a secondary or hyper-parasite, belonging to the genus _Pteromalus_, in the order Hymenoptera. Eighteen of these minute insects emerged from a single pupa of _E. marginatus_. The method by which the _Pteromalus_ introduces its eggs into the dipterous larva, which is in its turn enclosed in a caterpillar, is not at present known to entomologists; but it seems probable that the eggs of the hyper-parasite are either deposited in the eggs of the dipterous insect, or else on the very young larvæ, before they penetrate the skin of the caterpillar.[66]

Genus 2.--OROPHORA, Fereday.

"Ocelli present. Antennæ 2/3, in male moderately bi-pectinated
throughout. Labial palpi rudimentary, hairy. Abdomen densely hairy.
Fore-wings with veins 4 and 5 short-stalked, 7 and 8 out of 9. Hind-wings
with veins 4 and 5 stalked, parting-vein well defined, 8 connected by bar
with cell beyond middle, and additional vein (9) rising out of 8 before
bar."

We have one species.

OROPHORA UNICOLOR, Butl.

(_Psyche unicolor_, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc., London, 1877, 381. _Orophora
toumatou_, Fereday, Trans. N. Z. Inst. x. 262, pl. ix. _Orophora
unicolor_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxii. 212.)

(Plate XIII., fig. 7 [M].)

This odd-looking little insect has been found by Mr. Fereday, at Rakaia.

The expansion of the wings is hardly 1 inch. _All the wings are rather
broad, rounded, and very sparsely covered with dusky brown hair-like
scales_; the body is very hairy, and the antennæ are slightly
bi-pectinated. The female is apterous.

The life-history is thus described by Mr. Fereday: "I have never seen the larva. Its case measures in length about 16 lines (1-3/8 inches); the exterior is covered with pieces of stems of grass from a line to 5 lines in length, laid longitudinally and in the manner of thatch; the interior is thinly lined with fine silk. The cases are found fixed to the twigs of the Wild Irishman (_Discaria toumatou_), but it may be inferred from the covering of the case, that it probably does not feed on the shrub but upon the tussock grass, generally growing where the shrub is found. It is some years since I found the cases on _Discaria toumatou_, growing in the river-beds of the Rakaia and Waimakariri, on the Canterbury Plains, and I did not find any case in its earlier stage before the larva had fed up and changed into the pupa state."[67]

All Mr. Fereday's specimens were bred from the cases, and to the best of my belief no one has ever observed the insect on the wing. It is evidently a very scarce species, and is probably restricted to a few river-beds in the South Island.

{127}VII.--THE TORTRICINA.

Not dealt with in this volume.

VIII.--THE TINEINA.

Not dealt with in this volume.

IX.--THE MICROPTERYGINA.

The following are the principal characters of the _Micropterygina_:--

"Fore-wings with an oblique membranous dorsal process (jugum) near base,
forming with the dorsal margin a notch or sinus, which receives the costa
of the hind-wings. Hind-wings without frenulum, 1_c_ present, with 11 or
more veins, neuration essentially, almost or quite identical with that of
fore-wings. Fore-wings and hind-wings more than usually remote at origin.

"In the two families, which constitute this highly interesting group, is fortunately preserved a type of _Lepidoptera_ whose existence could never have been inferred from a study of other forms. Without a knowledge of these two families the true origin of the order could never have been more than a matter of more or less probable conjecture. The _Micropterygidæ_ are the primeval ancestors of all the Lepidoptera, indicating their origin from the _Trichoptera_ so nearly that one or two more discoveries might make it hard to draw any line of demarcation. The _Hepialidæ_ are an offshoot from the _Micropterygidæ_ (with considerable extinction of intermediate forms), constituting a separate line of development quite unconnected with any other _Lepidoptera_; if, as is possible, this separate stem may have ever given rise to other branches forming distinct families, all trace of their existence seems to have been lost.

"Imago with fore-wings and hind-wings more or less semi-oval, termen and dorsum forming a nearly uniform curve.

"Larva with few hairs, with 10 to 16 prolegs, or apodal, living concealed.

"Pupa in _Hepialidæ_ with segments 7 to 11 and in male 12, in _Micropterygidæ_ with all segments free."--(Meyrick.)

In this work the _Hepialidæ_ alone are dealt with, the _Micropterygidæ_ being reserved {128}for a future work. It may, however, again be mentioned that the last-named family contains amongst its New Zealand representatives _Palæomicra chalcophanes_, a species which more closely approximates in structure to a Neuropterous insect than does any other member of the _Lepidoptera_. This insect is consequently regarded by Mr. Meyrick as the most ancient species of the order yet known. The survival of _Palæomicra_ in New Zealand is quite in accord with the existence of such forms as _Apteryx_ and _Dinornis_ amongst the birds, the tuatara lizard (_Sphenodon_) amongst reptiles, and _Peripatus_ amongst _Myriapoda_, archaic forms which have been preserved in this country through its long isolation from continental areas, and the resulting absence of more recent competing forms.

Family 1.--HEPIALIDÆ.

"Head rough. Ocelli absent. Tongue obsolete. Maxillary palpi obsolete.
Tibiæ without spurs. Fore-wings with all main veins and costa connected
by bars near base, 1_b_ furcate, forked parting vein strong." (Plate I.,
figs. 22, 23, 24, 28, 29.)

"By no means an extensive family, yet of universal distribution. It stands more conspicuously isolated than any other group of _Lepidoptera_, for although it is without doubt a terminal development from the _Micropterygidæ_ (that is one from which no existing family has originated), the gap between them is considerable; exotic genera, whilst differing in various details, are remarkably uniform in the more important peculiarities of structure, and do not at all tend to bridge the gap. The relatively large size of the _Hepialidæ_ (of which some species exceed six inches in expanse of wing) may be attributed to the larval habits, which render these insects independent of the seasons or fluctuations of food-supply, thus removing the check which ordinarily limits growth. The modified type of neuration may have resulted directly from the increase of size, involving a great strengthening of the main veins beneath the costa to support the weight. As a consequence of this strengthening, the flight of the larger species is very powerful, and to this, combined with a choice of larval food, which is often rather indiscriminate, may perhaps be ascribed the wide range of the group, rather than to its antiquity. It is probably of Indo-Malayan origin, and must have existed in that region long enough to acquire fixity of type before its dispersal, which, geologically speaking, may not have been exceedingly remote."--(Meyrick.)

There are two genera represented in New Zealand.

1. HEPIALUS. 2. PORINA.

Genus 1.--HEPIALUS, F.

"Antennæ 1/8 to ¼, in male lamellate or simple. Palpi short, drooping,
hairy. Posterior tibiæ usually densely rough-haired, in male sometimes
with long projecting tuft above. Fore-wings with vein 7 from angle, 8
remote, 9 and 10 stalked. Hind-wings as fore-wings, 8 seldom connate or
stalked with 7." (Plate I., figs. 22 and 23, neuration of _Hepialus
virescens_, 24 head of ditto.)

"A genus of universal distribution, but not very numerous in species. Ovum spheroidal, smooth. Larva elongate, active. Pupa with segmental whorls of spines, enabling it to move actively before emergence."--(Meyrick.)

Represented by one species only--the largest moth we have in New Zealand.

{129}HEPIALUS VIRESCENS, Dbld.

(_Hepialus virescens_, Dbld., Dieff. New Zeal., ii. 284; White, Taylor
New Zeal., pl. i. 6. _Hepialus rubroviridans_, White, l.c., pl. i. 1.
_Charagia virescens_, Walk., Bomb., 1569; Scott, Trans. Ent. Soc. N. S.
Wales, ii. 28. _C. fischeri_, Feld., pl. lxxx. 1. _C. hectori_, Butl.,
Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1877, 380. _Hepialus virescens_, Meyr., Trans. N.
Z. Inst., xxii., 211.)

(Plate XIII., fig. 16 [M], 17 [F]; Plate III., fig. 23 larva, 30 pupa.)

This large and conspicuous insect appears to be generally distributed throughout the North Island.

The expansion of the wings of the male is 4 inches, of the female
sometimes fully 5½ inches. The fore-wings of the male are _bright green,
with a series of paler ring-shaped markings between the veins; an
irregular row of white spots crosses the wing near the middle_, and a
small white spot is situated on the costa at the base. The hind-wings are
very pale yellowish-brown near the body, becoming pure white in the
middle, and pale green on the termen. The head and thorax are green, the
abdomen is white, tinged with green at the apex. The female has all the
wings of a relatively more attenuated shape; _the fore-wings are green,
mottled with black_; the hind-wings are pale reddish-brown, shaded with
green near the termen; the abdomen is also reddish-brown, becoming green
at the extremity.

The species is rather variable in both sexes. In the male the white spots on the fore-wings vary considerably in size, and there are occasionally several additional spots near the body. In the female the black markings of the fore-wings are sometimes much more extensive than the green ground colour. This dark form of the female was described by Butler as a distinct species, under the name of _Charagia hectori_. In both sexes the green colouring is occasionally entirely absent, a dull orange-brown taking its place. I formerly attributed this peculiarity to the effects of fading, but Mr. Norris has shown me a very perfect specimen of this variety, which he bred from the pupa, he having noticed the orange-brown colouring immediately after the insect emerged.

The transformations of this insect are very interesting. The female lays an enormous number of very small, round, yellowish eggs, which she seems to deposit quite indiscriminately. The young larvæ consequently have to find their way along the ground to the stems of their food-plant, a large percentage no doubt perishing before they succeed in doing so, and this circumstance probably accounts for the great number of eggs produced.

The food-plants of this species are numerous; the following are a few of them: "wineberry" or "currant" (_Aristotelia racemosa_), apparently the favourite; "manuka" (_Leptospermum ericoides_); "ki-ki" (_Astelia solandri_); "black maire" (_Olea apetela_); titoki (_Alectryon excelsum_); and _Melicope_. The larva tunnels the stems of these trees, feeding entirely on the wood, which it bites off with its strong mandibles.

For the most part it inhabits the main stem of the tree, its gallery always having an outlet, which is covered with a curtain of silk and refuse, and is spun exactly level with the surrounding bark, and very inconspicuous. These burrows usually run towards the ground, and are mostly two or three inches from the surface of the trunk. In some instances the larvæ inhabit branches, in which case, if they are small, the tunnels are made near the centre. Later on in its life, but probably some time before its transformation into the pupa, the caterpillar of this insect constructs a far more complicated burrow than the above. It consists of a spacious, irregular, but shallow cavity, just under the bark, having a very large opening to the air, which is entirely covered {130}with a thin silken curtain, almost exactly the same shape and size as the numerous marks occurring at intervals on the trunks of many of the trees. Three large tunnels open into this shallow cavity: one in the centre, which runs into the middle of the stem, and one on each side, which run right and left just under the bark. These lateral tunnels are usually very short, but sometimes they extend half-way round the tree, and occasionally even join one another on the opposite side. The central tunnel has a slightly upward direction for a short distance inwards, which effectually prevents it from becoming flooded in wet weather; afterwards it pursues an almost horizontal course until it reaches the centre of the tree, when it appears to suddenly terminate. This, however, is not the case, for, if the gallery floor be carefully examined a short distance before its apparent termination, a round trap-door will be found, compactly constructed of very hard, smooth silk, and corresponding with the surrounding portion of the tunnel so exactly that it almost escapes detection. When this lid is lifted a long, perpendicular shaft is disclosed, which runs down the middle of the tree to a depth of 14 or 16 inches, and is about ½ inch in diameter. The upper end of this shaft is lined with silk, which forms a framework on which the trap-door rests when closed. The lid itself is of a larger size than the orifice which it covers, and this makes it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to force it open from the exterior, especially as it always fits down very closely as long as the insect remains in its burrow. The object of this contrivance is, no doubt, to prevent the ingress of enemies, large numbers of spiders, slugs, wood-lice, and various orthoptera being frequently found in both central and lateral tunnels, but they are quite unable to pass the trap-door. The galleries of individual larvæ are all wonderfully alike, the only differences observable being in the length of the perpendicular shaft, and in the direction of the horizontal burrow, which is sometimes curved. These variations are usually caused by the presence of other tunnels in the tree, which the larva appears to carefully avoid; at least I have never known an instance where a larva has allowed its tunnel to communicate with another one, whether inhabited or otherwise.

The caterpillar, when full grown, measures from 2½ to 3 inches in length.
It is tolerably uniform in thickness, and of a dull yellow colour. The
head is large, dark brown, very irregularly striated, and covered with a
few short bristles. The first segment is hard and shining with the back
and sides ruddy-brown. Its spiracle, which is very large, is situated
near the posterior margin, and a little above it there is a dull black
spot, filling a slight concavity about the same size as the spiracle
itself. Each remaining segment has on its dorsal surface two horny
plates, and two similar plates are situated on each side immediately
below the spiracle. The body of the larva is thinly covered with yellow
and black bristles. In many specimens the ventral surface and connecting
membrane between the horny plates is pale purple. Younger specimens
differ in being of an olive-green colour, which is much more pronounced,
when they are small.

The last act performed by the caterpillar, prior to undergoing its transformation, is the construction of the above-described trap-door at the top of its burrow. This done the insect retreats to the bottom, its posterior segment resting on the termination of the vertical gallery. In the course of a few days the skin is cast off and worked downwards to the bottom of the burrow, underneath the last segment of the pupa.

This pupa varies from 2 to 2½ inches in length. It is attenuated in form
and pale reddish-yellow in colour. The head and dorsal portion of the
thorax are dark brown and harder than the rest of the body. The edges of
the abdominal segments are furnished dorsally with a row of small
{131}hooklets above and below all the divisions; on the ventral surface
there is only a single row, which is situated in front of each
articulation.

As development progresses in the pupa it becomes darker in colour, especially on the wing-cases, where, in some female specimens, the future black markings of the moth are quite discernible as long as two months before emergence. Other specimens remain pale in colour until within a fortnight or three weeks of the appearance of the imago, when the green colouring of the wings suddenly becomes visible through their semi-transparent envelopes.

When about to emerge the pupa works its way up the vertical tunnel by means of the above-mentioned hooklets, forces open the trap-door, and wriggles along the horizontal burrow until it reaches the air, only the last three or four segments remaining in the tree. Its anterior portions then break open and the moth crawls out and expands its wings in the ordinary way, resting on the trunk of the tree, until they are of sufficient strength and hardness for flight.

The perfect insect appears in October and November. Although it must be common, it is rarely seen; specimens are consequently best obtained in the pupa state and reared in captivity. The easiest way to find the pupa is to pass a straw into the horizontal burrow, and move it about until it touches the trap-door. The collector is at once apprised of this circumstance by a distinct hollow sound, produced by the straw when it comes in contact with the lid, which acts like a miniature drum. If no such sound is heard after moving the straw into every possible position, it may be assumed either that the insect has left the burrow, or that it is inhabited by a larva only. When, however, a pupa is actually discovered, a section of the tree-trunk should be cut out, extending from about two inches above the horizontal burrow to about one foot below it, and the log, thus obtained, taken home. Should a number of pupæ be found in one tree the whole trunk may then be taken, if practicable, and kept in a well-lighted room or a conservatory, until the enclosed insects emerge. The specimens usually come out of the pupa at about five or six o'clock in the evening, and if intended for the cabinet should be killed before dark, as they very soon injure themselves when flying.

The best time of year to obtain the pupa of this insect is during August and September, as most of the specimens are then in that condition. Apart from the indications above described, burrows containing larvæ may often be known by the fresh pellets of excrement which are present near the opening. The vacated burrows frequently have the remains of the old pupa shell at the entrance, and generally look gnarled and weather-worn. These indications are useful as guides to the collector before exploring the burrow with a straw in the manner above described.

This insect is much attracted by light, and in consequence sometimes enters shop-windows and houses. In fact nearly all the _captured_ specimens are so taken, the moth being very rarely found in its native forests. This circumstance is no doubt due to its very perfect protective colouring which, notwithstanding its large size, causes it to be almost invisible, when resting on the branch of a tree. On one occasion I discovered a specimen in this situation; being obliged to leave it for a short time, I experienced the utmost difficulty in finding it again, although I had taken a special note of its position. This species appears to be much persecuted by insectivorous birds, as we may frequently see its large green wings lying on the ground, where they are very conspicuous.

{132}Genus 2.--PORINA.

"Antennæ ¼-2/5, in male bi-pectinated, or more or less shortly
bi-dentate. Palpi moderate, porrected, basal joint rough-haired, second
joint rough-haired or almost smooth, terminal joint smooth, sometimes
subclavate. Posterior tibiæ densely rough-haired. Fore-wings with vein 7
from angle of cell, 8 and 9 out of 10, rising from upper margin much
before angle. Hind-wings as in fore-wings."--(Meyrick.) (Plate I., figs.
28 and 29 neuration of _Porina signata_.)

Of this genus we have eight species in New Zealand.

PORINA DINODES, Meyr.

(_Porina dinodes_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxii. 206.)

(Plate XIII., fig. 8.)

This handsome species was discovered at Invercargill by Professor Hutton.

The expansion of the wings is 2¾ inches. The fore-wings are dark brown.
There is an irregular white mark with a brown centre at the base, several
white dots and crescentic marks near the middle, an oblique series of
double crescentic marks followed by a considerably fainter series near
the termen. The hind-wings are yellowish-brown; the cilia of all the
wings are white, barred with dark brown. _The antennæ of the male are
strongly bi-pectinated._

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

PORINA MAIRI, Buller.

(_Porina mairi_, Buller, Trans. N. Z. Inst. v. 279, pl. xvii., Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxii. 207.)

A single specimen of this fine species was discovered by Sir Walter Buller on the Ruahine Ranges, in the Wellington district, during the summer of 1867.

The expansion of the wings is about 5 inches. "Wings large, broad,
front-wings produced, ovate-triangular, pale dirty testaceous; six black
spots terminating veins on outer margin, and bounded by a lunated
marginal white band; a submarginal series of arrow-headed black spots,
and beyond these a series of rounded spots, the first four encircled with
white, the rest with pale brown; two broken, black discal lines filled in
with brown; a broad irregular band to below centre of wing, beyond cell,
and formed of three black lines with brown interspaces; a triangular
white spot below cell and a white patch terminating it and traversed by
two black crosses; two diverging black bars surrounded with white in
centre of cell and a third surrounded with dirty testaceous near base; a
large irregular patch of whitish-brown below end of cell, bounded on
internal area by three unequally formed patches which together almost
form the sides of a large triangle; two small spots near base; hind-wings
greyish, becoming browner towards outer margin and crossed by eight
interrupted black bars."--(Buller).

The type specimen of this species was unfortunately lost in the wreck of the barque 'Assaye' in 1890. I have copied the above from Sir Walter Buller's original paper, and it may be well to point out that his description proceeds from the termen to the base, being the _reverse_ order to that followed by me in all the other descriptions in this work.

The so-called "vegetable caterpillar" (infested with the _Sphæria_ fungus [_Cordiceps robertsii_]) is, I think, very probably the larva of this insect. It was formerly supposed to be the larva of _Hepialus virescens_; but I have pointed out elsewhere[68] that this is certainly erroneous, the larva of _H. virescens_ living in the stems of trees, and never going beneath the ground, even to pupate, whilst the "vegetable" larva is subterranean. The real point to be discovered is the precise species of _Lepidoptera_ this caterpillar would develop into, if not attacked by the fungus; but at present no definite information has been obtained on the subject.

{133}PORINA ENYSII, Butl.

(_Porina enysii_, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1877, 381, pi. xlii. 7. _Porina enysii_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxii. 207.)

(Plate XIII., fig. 9 [M], fig. 10 [F].)

This species appears to be confined to the North Island, where it is rather rare.