Genus 6.—HYDRIOMENA, Hb.

"Face with somewhat projecting or loose scales, or with conical tuft. Palpi rough-scaled. Antennæ in male ciliated, rarely dentate or naked. Abdomen not crested, or with crests on two basal segments only. Fore-wings with areole double. Hind-wings with 8 anastomosing with cell from near base to beyond middle. (See PlateII., fig. 32 head, figs. 33 and 34 neuration ofHydriomena deltoidata.)

"A very large genus, principally characteristic of temperate regions in both hemispheres.—(Meyrick.)

There are twelve New Zealand species.

HYDRIOMENA GOBIATA, Feld.

(Cidaria gobiata, Feld. cxxxi. 2.Phibalapteryx simulans, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 506.Phibalapteryx undulifera, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 506.Phibalapteryx anguligera, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 507.Phibalapteryx rivularis, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 507.Scotosia gobiata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 70.Cephalissa gobiata, ib. xviii. 184.)

(PlateVI., fig. 43 ♂, 44 ♀.)

This insect has occurred plentifully at Wanganui and Wellington in the North Island, and is generally distributed throughout the South Island.

The expansion of the wings is from 1 to 1¼ inches.All the wings vary from pale ochreous to rather dull yellowish brown, sometimes very slightly tinged with green. There is usually a large number of fine, slightly waved, oblique lines arranged on both pairs of wings, very like the markings in Venusia verriculata(see page 53), both insects evidently having acquired this style of colouring for similar protective purposes. In many specimens the whole of the anterior portion of the fore-wings, a small area at the base of the hind-wings, and a band near the termen are much paler in colour than the rest. There is usually a very oblique elongate pale area near the apex, and an irregular dark spot considerably below the apex. The outline of all the wings is more or less distinctly scalloped.

The larva (according to Mr. Purdie[27]) is about 1 inch in length, greyish-brown, with a rough prominent dorsal tubercle about the ninth segment. There are sometimes other smaller tubercles. It feeds on various species ofCoprosomain January, March, and May.

The perfect insect appears from October till March, and generally frequents rather open country where Manuka and Cabbage Tree Palms are abundant.

HYDRIOMENA PRIONOTA, Meyr.

(Arsinoe prionata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 73.Anachloris prionata, Meyr., ib. xviii. 184.)

(PlateVI., fig. 47.)

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

The expansion of the wings is rather under 1½ inches. The fore-wings are dull yellowish-brown, with many obscure, wavy, transverse, brown lines, which tend to form two ill-defined bands, one rather narrow near the base and the other much broader near the middle of the wing.The hind-wings are very pale yellowish-brown; there are a few obscure dark lines near the dorsum.The veins are distinctly dotted in black, and the outline of all the wings is deeply scalloped.

The perfect insect appears in January, but is not common.

HYDRIOMENA DELTOIDATA, Walk.

(Coremia deltoidata, Walk. 1321.Cidaria inclarata, Walk. 1411.Cidaria perductata, Walk. 1412.Cidaria congressata, Walk. 1412.Cidaria conversata, Walk. 1413.Cidaria descriptata, Walk. 1414.Cidaria bisignata, Walk. 1415.Cidaria aggregata, Walk. 1415.Cidaria congregata, Walk. 1415.Cidaria plagifurcata, Walk. 1416.Coremia pastinaria, Gn., E. M. M. v. 64.Cidaria inopiata, Feld. cxxxii. 3.Cidaria monoliata, Feld. cxxxii. 8.Cidaria perversata, Feld. cxxxii. 14, 24.Scotosia deltoidata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 70.Cephalissa deltoidata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xviii. 184.)

(PlateVII., figs. 1 to 9 varieties.)

This pretty insect is extremely abundant throughout the country.

The expansion of the wings varies from 1⅛ to 1⅜ inches. The fore-wings vary from brownish-black to dull orange-brown; there is a small darker area near the base, then two pale whitish wavy transverse lines, then a broad darker central band, often containing within it a still darker central band, bounded by two wavy black transverse lines; beyond the central band there are nearly always two or three pale brown or whitish, wavy, transverse lines, then an interrupted line just before the termen, and a short oblique whitish line below the apex; there is a black dot a little above the centre of the wing, anda white dot on the termen near the middle. The hind-wings are yellowish-brown, with several wavy, transverse lines near the dorsum; there is a series of fine crescentic black lines on the termen of both fore- and hind-wings.

This species is extremely variable, but may generally be recognised by a careful scrutiny of the above-named characters. One very striking variety occasionally met with has the central band of the fore-wing completely divided in the middle, which thus forms two dark patches, one on the costa, and one on the dorsum. (See PlateVII., figs. 7 and 8.) A further development of this variety, of which I have only seen one example, taken by Mr. Hawthorne at Springfield, Canterbury, and now in his collection, has only the costal patch present, the whole of the lower portions of the band being completely obliterated.[28](See PlateVII., fig. 9.) The minor varieties are too numerous to specify.

The larva feeds on grasses. When full-grown its length is about 1 inch. The colour is dark brown, with the skin very much wrinkled. It is sluggish in its habits, and lives through the winter, becoming full-grown about the end of September. During severe weather it generally seeks refuge from the elements amongst the stalks and roots of the rank herbage often surrounding stones or fallen logs.

The pupa is concealed in the earth.

The perfect insect appears early in January, and continues in the utmost profusion until the middle or end of March. It may often be seen resting with the wings folded backwards and forming together a triangle, whence the moth has probably derived its name ofdeltoidata. In the neighbourhood of Wellington I have observed that this insect has very much decreased in numbers during the last ten or fifteen years.

HYDRIOMENA HEMIZONA, Meyr.

(Hydriomena hemizona, Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1897, 385.)

(PlateVII., fig. 10.)

This insect has occurred at Terawhiti in the North Island, and at Mount Arthur in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings is about 1⅜ inches. The fore-wings are blackish-brown, darker towards the apex and termen;there is an obscure rust-red wavy band near the base, and another at three-fourths, considerably bowed towards the termen at the middle; there are also numerous wavy darker lines. The hind-wings are dull grey, and the termen is slightly scalloped.

This species may be distinguished from any of the varieties ofH. deltoidataby itsnarrower wings, and the absence of any distinct central band on the fore-wings.

The perfect insect appears in January. It is a scarce species.

HYDRIOMENA SUBOCHRARIA, Dbld.

(Aspilates (?) subochraria, Dbld., Dieff. N. Z. ii. 285.Camptogramma subochraria, Butl., Cat., pl. iii. 16.Camptogramma strangulata, Gn. x. 423.Camptogramma fuscinata, Gn., E. M. M. v. 92.Arsinoe subochraria, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 73. Anachloris subochraria, Meyr., ib. xviii. 184.)

(PlateVI., figs. 45 and 46 varieties.)

This species is fairly common and generally distributed throughout the country.

The expansion of the wings is about 1¼ inches.The fore-wings are bright ochreous-yellow; there is a brown dot a little above the middle,and a dark brown transverse band at about three-fourths; the termen is shaded with dark brown. The hind-wings are ochreous, with an obscure central transverse line.A variety (Hydriomena fuscinata, Gn.) often occurs in which the whole of the wings are more or less tinged with purplish-brown (PlateVI., fig. 46).

A variety (Hydriomena fuscinata, Gn.) often occurs in which the whole of the wings are more or less tinged with purplish-brown (PlateVI., fig. 46).

The perfect insect appears from November till April. It chiefly frequents tussock country and swampy situations. In the Wellington district it is extremely abundant inthe clearings at the foot of the Tararua Range. According to Mr. Meyrick the typical form is common in Tasmania and Victoria.

HYDRIOMENA TRIPHRAGMA, Meyr.

(Cidaria triphragma, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 74.)

"Male.—26-27 mm. (about 1 inch). Fore-wings moderate, termen strongly sinuate; pale dull greyish-purple; a very small darker basal patch, outer edge strongly convex, margined by a dark fuscous fascia, posteriorly whitish-edged; a dark fuscous fascia before one-third, irregularly outwards-curved, posteriorly suffused, anteriorly sharply defined and whitish-edged; a minute blackish discal dot; a dark fuscous fascia beyond middle, forming a strong angle in middle, upper and lower halves both inwards-curved, anteriorly suffused, posteriorly sharply defined and whitish-edged. Hind-wings moderate, termen somewhat irregular, projecting in middle; whitish-ochreous mixed with pale purplish; an angulated darker band before middle.

"A very distinct species, probably not variable.

"Blenheim; two specimens received by Mr. Fereday from Mr. Skellon."—(Meyrick).

I am unacquainted with this species, which Mr. Fereday stated he was unable to identify. I have therefore inserted Mr. Meyrick's description without alteration.

HYDRIOMENA RIXATA, Feld.

(Cidaria rixata, Feld. cxxxii. 1; Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 75.Coremia squalida, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 505.)

(PlateVII., fig. 11.)

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

The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. The fore-wings have a dull green patch near the base, with numerous dull brown and dull white wavy transverse lines;there is a very broad blackish-brown central band paler in the middle, but almost black at the edges; this band has a large rounded projection on its outer edge near the middle, and below this projection it is deeply indented; the remainder of the wing is dull yellowish-green, with several brown and white transverse lines; one of the white lines is more conspicuous than the rest and very wavy; there is a shaded oblique black mark from the apex. The hind-wings are very pale yellowish-brown; there are a few obscure brownish transverse lines near the dorsum, and a faint series of crescentic marks near the termen.

The perfect insect appears in December and January, and frequents the overhanging banks of streams in densely wooded ravines, where it often occurs in the utmost profusion.

HYDRIOMENA PURPURIFERA, Fereday.

(Cidaria purpurifera, Fereday, Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 119; Meyr., ib. 75.)

(PlateVII., fig. 12.)

This extremely pretty insect has been taken in the South Island at Mount Arthur, Mount Hutt, Castle Hill, Dunedin, and Lake Wakatipu.

The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. The fore-wings are rather bright green; there is a darker area near the base,a very broad purplish-brown central band, with a large square projection on the middle of its outer edge; above this projection there is a very conspicuous white mark, bordering the central band; the remainder of the wing is green; there is a wavy white line near the termen, and an oblique bluish-black mark near the apex. The hind-wings are pale brownish-yellow.

This species is closely allied toHydriomena rixata, but easily distinguished by its brighter green colouring, purplish central band with square projection, and broad white marking beyond the central band.

The perfect insect appears in December and January, and frequents forest at elevations of from 1,000 to 3,000 feet. It is found in drier situations than thepreceding species, and is not confined to forest streams. It is common in certain localities, but is not nearly so generally distributed asHydriomena rixata.

HYDRIOMENA SIMILATA, Walk.

(Cidaria similata, Walk. 1413.Cidaria timarata, Feld. cxxxii. 19.Cidaria similata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 76.)

(PlateVII., fig. 14.)

This beautiful species has occurred at Napier and Wellington in the North Island, and at Christchurch, Dunedin, Lake Wakatipu, and Invercargill in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings is 1¼ inches.The fore-wings are dark brown, with the veins and margins broadly shaded with bright green; there are numerous irregular wavy blackish streaks forming three ill-defined darker transverse bands; the first at the base; the second from one-fourth to about two-thirds, partially divided into two from the costa downwards; and the third near the termen outwardly edged with white. The termen itself is bordered first with green, and then with a series of fine black marks; the cilia are dark brown. The hind-wings are very pale reddish-brown, darker towards the dorsum, with numerous pale brown wavy transverse lines. There is a series of black crescentic marks on the termen, and the cilia are pale reddish-brown.This species is rather variable. The spaces between the darker bands on the fore-wings are usually green, but in some specimens this is partially or wholly replaced by pale yellowish-brown. The dark bands also vary considerably in width and distinctness, and in many specimens the central band is entirely divided by a conspicuous pale brown or green transverse space.The larva, according to Mr. Purdie, is about 1 inch long, cylindrical. Back a dull deep green; lateral stripe reddish-white, edged below with a darker colour; ventral side lighter green, with four parallel white or yellow lines close together, extending from the forelegs to the prolegs. Outer side of prolegs white. There are traces of a median dorsal stripe of brownish-red on the anal segments. Beaten fromCoprosma. Found in January. Mr. Purdie states that he is not quite certain as to the identification of the species, as the median belt of the fore-wings is much more distinctly defined, and the colour is a duller green than is usual inH. similata.

This species is rather variable. The spaces between the darker bands on the fore-wings are usually green, but in some specimens this is partially or wholly replaced by pale yellowish-brown. The dark bands also vary considerably in width and distinctness, and in many specimens the central band is entirely divided by a conspicuous pale brown or green transverse space.

The larva, according to Mr. Purdie, is about 1 inch long, cylindrical. Back a dull deep green; lateral stripe reddish-white, edged below with a darker colour; ventral side lighter green, with four parallel white or yellow lines close together, extending from the forelegs to the prolegs. Outer side of prolegs white. There are traces of a median dorsal stripe of brownish-red on the anal segments. Beaten fromCoprosma. Found in January. Mr. Purdie states that he is not quite certain as to the identification of the species, as the median belt of the fore-wings is much more distinctly defined, and the colour is a duller green than is usual inH. similata.

The perfect insect appears from November till March. It is generally found resting on moss-covered tree-trunks, where its colouring affords it a most efficient protection from enemies.

HYDRIOMENA CALLICHLORA, Butl.

(Cidaria callichlora, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 509; Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 76.)

(PlateVII., fig. 13.)

This beautiful insect has occurred at Wellington in the North Island, and at Christchurch and Invercargill in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch.The fore-wings are bright green, with three very distinct wavy black transverse lines; the first near the base, the second a little before the middle, and the third considerably beyond the middle; between these there is a number of fainter fine wavy lines. The hind-wings are whitish with several very faint wavy transverse lines; the cilia of all the wings are dull yellowish-brown.

The perfect insect appears in January, February, and March. Described and figured from a specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection.

HYDRIOMENA ARIDA, Butl.

(Melanthia arida, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 505.Cidaria chaotica, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 76.Cidaria arida, Meyr., ib. xvii. 64.)

(PlateVII., fig. 15.)

This species has occurred in the South Island at Akaroa, Mount Hutt, Arthur's Pass, and Dunedin.

The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. The fore-wings are dull grey; there is a fine yellowishtransverse line near the base,and a very broad central band with a prominent projection somewhat below the middle, almost touching the termen; there is a brown dot above the middle of the wing and numerous fine brown wavy lines in the central band; the veins are marked in white near the termen. The hind-wings are pale ochreous, with a few very faint transverse marks near the dorsum. The termen of the fore-wings is slightly bowed in the middle.

The perfect insect appears in January and February, and frequents forest, sometimes being found as high as 2,600 feet above the sea-level. Described and figured from a specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection.

HYDRIOMENA SIRIA, Meyr.

(Cephalissa siria, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 93.)

(PlateVI., fig. 48.)

This odd little species was discovered by Professor Hutton at Dunedin.

The expansion of the wings is ⅝ inch.The fore-wings are rich brown with two transverse bands of darker brown; the first near the base, rather narrow; the second near the middle, considerably broader, especially on the costa.The hind-wings are bright orange.The termen of the fore-wings is slightly excavated below the apex, and considerably bowed a little below the middle.

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

"Face smooth, flat. Antennæ in ♂ shortly ciliated. Palpi short, slender, loosely scaled. Fore-wings with areole simple. Hind-wings with vein 8 anastomosing with cell to beyond middle.

"A small genus containing a few species distributed throughout the northern hemisphere and one Australian."—(Meyrick.)

We have one species.

EUCHŒCA RUBROPUNCTARIA, Dbld.

(Ptychopoda rubropunctaria, Dbld., Dieff. N. Z. li. 287.Asthena visata, Gn. ix. 438.Asthena, Gn., E. M. M. v. 42.Asthena pulchraria, Butl., Cat. pl. iii. 18.Hippolyte rubropunctaria, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 60.Epicyme rubropunctaria, Meyr., ib. xviii. 184.)

(PlateVI., fig. 35.)

This little species is common and generally distributed throughout both the North and South Islands, and has also occurred at Stewart Island.

The expansion of the wings is about ⅞ inch.All the wings are pale ochreous, with numerous obscure reddish transverse lines.On the fore-wings there are four transverse series of black dots; the first near the base, the second a little before the middle, the third a little beyond the middle, and the fourth on the termen; between the second and third series of dots there is very frequentlyan elongate blackish patch, especially towards the dorsum. The hind-wings have three series of black dots; the first near the base, the second near the middle, and the third on the termen. The termen of both fore- and hind-wings slightly projects near the middle.

This species varies considerably in the extent of the blackish marking near the middle of the fore-wings, as well as in the colour and intensity of the reddish transverse lines.

The larva is thus described by Mr. Fereday:[29]"The caterpillar has ten legs, is cylindrical, rather stout, with the segmental divisions incised; its colour is pale dull green, sometimes suffused with pink, brown, purple, or dark green; the dorsal line is purplish-brown, suffused, the central line whitish; the spiracular line is whitish, broadly margined with purplish-brown; the segmental divisions are pale yellowish-brown."

The food isHaloragis alata, a common herbaceous plant growing in swampy situations. The pupa is enclosed in a slight earth-covered cocoon.

The perfect insect appears from September till March, and is sometimes common. It is generally found in wooded districts, but prefers rather open situations in the vicinity of streams, where its food-plant may often be seen. According to Mr. Meyrick,[30]this insect is common in New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania, and the Australian and New Zealand specimens are similar in appearance.

"Face smooth, flat. Antennæ in ♂ shortly ciliated. Palpi short, slender, loosely scaled. Fore-wings with areole double. Hind-wings with vein 8 anastomosing with cell to beyond middle.

(PlateII., figs. 30 and 31.)

"A genus of a few widely scattered species most numerous in the Australian Region."—(Meyrick.)

We have two species.

ASTHENA PULCHRARIA, Dbld.

(Acidalia pulchraria, Dbld., Dieff. N. Z. ii. 286.Chlorochroma plurilineata, Walk. 563, 676.Asthena ondinata, Gn. ix. 438, pl. xix. 4; Butl., Cat. pl. iii. 20.Cidaria ondinata, Feld. cxxviii. 17.Asthena pulchraria, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 69.)

(PlateVI., fig. 37 ♂, 38 ♀.)

This beautiful little insect has occurred at many localities throughout both the North and South Islands. It is probably a common species in most wooded districts.

The expansion of the wings is almost an inch.All the wings are very pale greenish-white with numerous faint green, wavy, transverse lines.The fore-wings have a more or less distinct brown band on the costal edge, and a conspicuous greenish central dot. The hind-wings often have a slight projection on the termen near the middle.

The perfect insect appears from October till May, and frequents dense forest undergrowth. It is chiefly attached to the Kawakawa (Piper excelsum), and may often be found resting with outspread wings on the under-surfaces of the leaves of this plant, where it is very inconspicuous. There are probably two or more broods during the summer.

On the 11th of May, 1892, I observed large numbers of this species flying over the Manuka bushes in the Wellington Botanical Gardens in brilliant moonlight. The night was very cold, but notwithstanding this the moths were most numerous and active. The appearance of this insect under such unusual conditions may have been quite accidental, as I have never seen a recurrence; but one is often somewhat unobservant in the winter, hence the record of this observation may be of use in directing the attention of others to the subject.

According to Mr. Meyrick this species is also found in Tasmania, and South-east Australia.

ASTHENA SCHISTARIA, Walk.

(Acidalia schistaria, Walk. 782.Asthena subpurpureata, Walk. 1588.Acidalia tuhuata, Feld. cxxviii. 5.Asthena schistaria, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 69.)

(PlateVI., figs. 39, 40 ♂, 41, 42 ♀ varieties.)

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

The expansion of the wings is nearly an inch.All the wings vary from very pale brown to rather dull purplish-brown; there are numerous jagged, darker, transverse lines forming several more or less distinct bands.The first of these bands extends from the base to about one-eighth; the second, composed of only two or three lines, is situated at about one-third; the third extends fromthree-fourths to about five-eighths; there are in addition, numerous very fine, wavy lines near the termen. The spaces between these bands are paler, and in some specimens the bands are very conspicuous, whilst in others they are hardly perceptible. One specimen in my collection (PlateVI., fig. 39) has a very broad chocolate-brown band across the middle of both pairs of wings, the remaining portions being unusually pale in colour. There is always a dark brown dot in the centre of each wing, and a series of very fine dots on the termen.The larva, which feeds on Manuka (Leptospermum), is very ornamental. Its general colour is light green, with black dorsal and lateral stripes, and a series of diagonal markings bordered with crimson; the legs and prolegs are also crimson, and the segments are divided by brilliant yellow rings, a white line extending down each side of the larva.

The larva, which feeds on Manuka (Leptospermum), is very ornamental. Its general colour is light green, with black dorsal and lateral stripes, and a series of diagonal markings bordered with crimson; the legs and prolegs are also crimson, and the segments are divided by brilliant yellow rings, a white line extending down each side of the larva.

This caterpillar is difficult to find, as it remains closely concealed amongst the dense Manuka foliage, from which it can be dislodged only by vigorous and continued beating. The larvæ allow themselves to fall a short distance, hanging suspended by a silken thread, which they rapidly ascend when the danger is past.

The pupa is enclosed in a slight cocoon about one inch below the surface of the earth.

The perfect insect appears from October till April. It is very common in most situations where its food-plant is found and, owing to its pale colour, is readily seen when flying in the evening twilight. Specimens may also be taken in the daytime resting with outspread wings on the trunks of trees and on fences, where they are much more easily detected than many other species.

Mr. Meyrick thinks that this insect will also be found in Australia.

"Face smooth. Antennæ in ♂ bi-pectinated, apex simple. Palpi loosely scaled. Fore-wings with areole simple. Hind-wings with vein 8 anastomosing with cell to beyond middle."—(Meyrick.) (PlateII., fig. 13, head ofV. verriculata; figs. 25 and 26, neuration ofV. undosata.)

We have three species represented in New Zealand.

VENUSIA VERRICULATA, Feld.

(Cidaria verriculata, Feld. cxxxi. 20.Panopæa verriculata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 62.Pancyma verriculata, ib. xviii. 184.)

(PlateVI., fig. 30 ♂, 31 ♀.)

This remarkable species has occurred at Wellington in the North Island, and in the South Island at Christchurch, Ashburton, Dunedin and West Plains.

The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches.All the wings are pale yellowish-brown, with many straight oblique parallel dull brown lines; on the fore-wings there are three lines broader and more isolated than the rest, running from the apex to the dorsum; on the hind-wings the lines near the middle are rather thicker than the others, and have a broad space on each side of them;all the lines are clearly marked on the abdomen, so that each line appears to be continuous from one side of the moth to the other.

The perfect insect appears from October till May, and frequents the Cabbage Tree Palm (Cordyline), on which its larva probably feeds. According to Mr. Fereday the moth always rests on the dead leaves of the plant, keeping its wings in such a position that the lines are continuous with the parallel veins of the dead leaf, which they precisely resemble in appearance. We have, I think, in this species a most instructive instance of special adaptation to surrounding conditions; and the action of natural selection, in preserving favourable variations of colour and habit, appears to be here unmistakably indicated. Had our investigations been confined to the examination of cabinet specimens only, we mighthave long remained in the dark as to the explanation of such an unusual type of wing-marking.

VENUSIA XANTHASPIS, Meyr.

(Hermione xanthaspis, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 61.Aulopola xanthaspis, Meyr., ib. xviii. 184.)

(PlateVI., fig. 32 ♂.)

This handsome insect has occurred in the South Island at Mount Arthur and at Lake Guyon.

The expansion of the wings is a little over 1 inch.The fore-wings are bright yellow; there is a broad pale reddish-brown band on the costa; a conspicuous oval dark brown spot above the middle, often touching the costal band; a double series of minute brown dots near the termen. The hind-wings are pale yellow, with a double series of minute brown dots parallel to the termen.

The perfect insect appears in January, February, and March. It is apparently a rare species. Mr. Fereday has six specimens taken at Lake Guyon, and I have two specimens captured on the Tableland of Mount Arthur, at an elevation of about 3,500 feet. These comprise, I believe, all the specimens at present taken.

VENUSIA UNDOSATA, Feld.

(Cidaria undosata, Feld. cxxviii. 2.Epiphryne undosata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 60.)

(PlateVI., fig. 33 ♂, 34 ♀.)

This neatly marked little insect has occurred at Napier and Palmerston in the North Island; and at Nelson, Mount Hutt, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Lake Wakatipu in the South Island.

The expansion of the wings is hardly an inch.All the wings are pale yellow with a variable number of fine jagged reddish-brown transverse lines, which are usually most distinct towards the termen.The fore-wings have a broad band of reddish-brown along the costal edge; a blackish dot above the middle just touching the costal band, and a small brown mark near the apex. The hind-wings have a minute black dot a little above the middle.

This species is rather variable: in some specimens the transverse lines are much broader, forming bands of reddish-brown; in others the whole of the wings are dull reddish-brown, except a small yellow area near the base; whilst others areentirely dull greyish-brown with the transverse lines very faint, intermediate varieties between all these forms also occurring.

The larva, according to Mr. Purdie,[31]is about ½ inch long, feeding on the Ribbonwood (Plagianthus betulinus). The ground colour is green, with the dorsal and lateral stripes white. The dorsal stripe is interlined with short black dashes, and there is a dark blotch about the ninth segment. The dorsal and lateral stripes may be margined with purplish-red. The under side is green. The larvæ were found in April.

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

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

We have five species of this genus in New Zealand.

ASAPHODES ABROGATA, Walk.

(Aspilates abrogata, Walk. 1075.Fidonia (?) servularia, Gn., E. M. M. v. 43.Thyone abrogata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 61.Asaphodes abrogata, Meyr., ib. xviii. 184.)

(PlateVII., fig. 21 ♂.)

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

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

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

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

ASAPHODES SIRIS, Hawth.

(Asaphodes siris, Hawth., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxix. 283.)

(PlateVII., fig. 16.)

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

The expansion of the wings is about ⅞ inch. The fore-wings are dull ochreous; there is a small curved brown patch near the base; then a pale band, followed by a very broad brown central band, paler in the middle; there is a very sharp projection on the outer edge of the central band, a conspicuous black dot in the centre of the wing, and a series of minute black dots on the termen. The hind-wings are pale ochreous, with a faint central transverse line.

The perfect insect appears in March.

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

ASAPHODES MEGASPILATA, Walk.

(Larentia megaspilata, Walk. 1198.Cidaria assata, Feld. cxxxi. 4.Cidaria nehata, Feld. cxxxi. 6.Harpalyce megaspilata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 63.Probolæa megaspilata, Meyr., ib. xviii. 184.)

(PlateVII., figs. 17, 18, and 19 ♂; figs. 19Aand 20 ♀, varieties.)

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

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

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

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