Genus 1.--TATOSOMA, Butl.
"Face smooth. Palpi long, straight, porrected, shortly rough-scaled,
terminal joint short. Antennæ in male simple, stout, gradually dilated
from base to near apex, apex attenuated. Abdomen in male very excessively
elongate. Hind-wings in male deeply excised near dorsum, dorsal lobe
folded into a long pocket, fringed with hairs. Fore-wings with vein 6
rising out of 9, 7 from or above angle of areole, 10 anastomosing
moderately with 9, 11 anastomosing moderately with 10, 12 free.
Hind-wings with veins 6 and 7 separate, 8 free, united with 7 before
transverse vein by an oblique bar.
"This singular genus is a remnant of a widely diffused, but now fragmentary
group, to which belong also _Lobophora_ (Europe), _Rhopalodes_ (South
America), _Sauris_ (Ceylon), and _Remodes_ (Borneo.) In all, the hind-wings
of the male are peculiarly modified, usually much diminished in size, and
with the dorsum formed into a distinct lobe, the object of which is
unknown. A similar structure is found only in one or two genera of
_Tortricina_. _Rhopalodes_ is the nearest genus to this, but vein 5 is said
to be obsolete, and the lobe does not form a pocket; in _Sauris_ the areole
is simple, and the antennæ thickly scaled; in _Remodes_ the areole is also
simple, the antennæ flattened and scaled, and the dorsum is furnished with
three superposed lobular folds, so that it represents the extreme of
development in this direction."--(Meyrick.)
It will be seen on reference to Plate II., figs. 22 and 23, which represent
the structure of the hind-wings of the male and female of _Tatosoma
agrionata_ respectively, that in the male veins 1 and 2 are absent, having
no doubt become absorbed during the formation of the characteristic sexual
lobe; vein 8 is connected with the margin of the cell by an oblique bar,
this being probably due to an extension of the wing in the costal region,
compensating for the loss in the dorsal region due to the above-mentioned
lobe. In the hind-wings of the female the normal neuration of the family is
almost preserved, the only peculiar feature consisting in the origin of
veins 6 and 7 from a point on the margin of the cell.
Of this remarkable genus we have three species, and I think it quite
possible that others may reward the industry of future collectors.
TATOSOMA LESTEVATA, Walk.
(_Cidaria lestevata_, Walk. 1416. _Sauris ranata_, Feld. cxxxi. 11.,
_Tatosoma lestevata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 67.)
(Plate VI., fig. 25 [M].)
This beautiful species has occurred at Wainuiomata, near Wellington, in the
North Island, and at Nelson and Christchurch, in the South Island.
The expansion of the wings is 1-3/8 inches. _The fore-wings are
bright-green; there are four wavy, black, transverse lines; the first
near the base, the second a little before the middle, the third
considerably beyond the middle, and the fourth near the termen_; the
terminal line is very faint towards the tornus, and it emits three or
four very sharp, longitudinal, black, tooth-like marks; all the
transverse lines are much stronger where they cross the principal veins.
The hind-wings are very pale yellowish-green.
The perfect insect appears in February. At present I believe the species is
represented by four specimens only--two in Mr. Fereday's collection and two
in my own.
{40}TATOSOMA AGRIONATA, Walk.
(_Cidaria agrionata_, Walk. 1417. _Cidaria tipulata_, ib. 1417. _Cidaria
inclinataria_, ib. 1418. _Cidaria transitaria_, ib. 1419. _Sauris
mistata_, Feld. cxxxi. 12. _Tatosoma transitaria_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z.
Inst. xvi. 68. _Tatosoma agrionata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvii. 64.)
(Plate VI., fig. 26 [M], 27 [F].)
This fine species has occurred commonly at Wellington in the North Island.
It is generally distributed in the South Island, and has also been found at
Stewart Island.
The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. _The fore-wings are
bright-green traversed by numerous black, wavy, transverse lines; these
black lines are grouped into four more or less distinct bands, the
outermost of which is interrupted at each of the veins_; there is a
conspicuous black dot in the middle of the wing, a number of small
triangular black marks near the termen, and a series of minute black dots
on the termen. The hind-wings are ochreous, tinged with green towards the
termen. In the female the abdomen is much shorter, and the hind-wings are
larger than in the male.
The perfect insect appears from December till April. It frequents dense
forests, and is generally found at rest on the trunks of trees. In these
situations the pattern of the fore-wings is extremely protective, the whole
insect bearing the closest possible resemblance to a patch of moss. This
species may also be taken at sugar, and sometimes at light, but I have
found that it can be obtained most plentifully by a careful scrutiny of the
tree-trunks in a favourable locality. As a rule I think that the males are
considerably commoner than the females. I have noticed them in the
proportion of about four to one.
TATOSOMA TIMORA, Meyr.
(_Tatosoma agrionata_, Meyr. (nec Walker), Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 68.
_Tatosoma timora_, Meyr., ib. xvii. 64.)
(Plate VI., fig. 28 [M], 29 [F].)
This rather sombre, though interesting insect, has occurred at Palmerston
and Wellington in the North Island, and at Christchurch and Akaroa in the
South Island.
The expansion of the wings is 1-3/8 inches. _All the wings are sparsely
covered with scales. The fore-wings of the male are dull reddish-brown,
with numerous obscure transverse dusky stripes; there are two rather
conspicuous blackish blotches on the costa_, a white dot in the middle of
the wing, a wavy, pale, transverse line near the termen, and a series of
black terminal dots; the veins are dotted in black. The hind-wings are
very small, dull grey, with the lobe large and conspicuous. _The female
is faintly tinged with green, the markings on the fore-wings are rather
indistinct_; the hind-wings are small, though much larger than those of
the male.
The perfect insect appears from November till May. It frequents densely
wooded districts, but is not a common species.
Genus 2.--PARADETIS, Meyr.
"Palpi short, arched, roughly-scaled beneath. Antennæ bipectinated.
Fore-wings with vein 6 from below 9, 7 from below angle of areole, 10
very shortly anastomosing with 9, 11 out of 10 considerably before angle
of areole, 12 free. Hind-wings with veins 6 and 7 stalked, 8 separate,
united to 7 before transverse vein by an oblique bar.
"This singular genus is of quite uncertain affinity, and stands at present
alone. The simple areole, and connecting bar of 7 and 8, can only have
arisen by modification of the normal type of this family, to which it must
be referred. It is also the only New Zealand genus except _Declana_ in
which the female has pectinated antennæ; but this character recurs in a few
exotic genera not otherwise allied."--(Meyrick.)
Plate II., figs. 27 and 28 represent the neuration of the male of
_Paradetis porphyrias_, vein 2 of the hind-wings being absent in that sex.
In the female, which is the sex from which Mr. Meyrick characterized the
genus, the vein is present as usual. Only one species is known.
{41}PARADETIS PORPHYRIAS, Meyr.
(_Parysatis porphyrias_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 58. _Paradetis
porphyrias_, Meyr., ib. xviii. 184.)
(Plate VI., fig. 36 [M].)
This interesting little insect has occurred in the South Island at Mount
Arthur, Castle Hill, the Otira Gorge, and Lake Wakatipu.
The expansion of the wings is about ¾ inch. _The fore-wings of the male
are deep purplish-brown_; there is a wavy, reddish, transverse line at
about one-third and another at about two-thirds; between these two lines
near the dorsum there are often four, more or less distinct, yellow dots;
there is an obscure orange mark at the origin of the first line and a
conspicuous mark at the origin of the second. _The hind-wings are deep
purplish-brown._ The cilia of all the wings are white. _The fore-wing has
the apex hooked and the termen deeply excavated above and below the
middle._ The female is very much paler; the lines are more distinct and
the veins are marked in brown.
The perfect insect appears in January. It frequents rather open spots in
the forest, and flies in a very busy manner close to the ground amongst the
numerous ferns and other plants, which are always abundant in such
situations. It is consequently very inconspicuous and sometimes difficult
to capture. Thus, no doubt, it is often overlooked, and perhaps is much
commoner than at present appears probable.
Genus 3.--CHLOROCLYSTIS, Hb.
"Face with short cone of scales. Palpi rough-scaled. Antennæ in male
shortly ciliated. Abdomen crested. Fore-wings with areole simple, vein 11
running into or anastomosing with 12. Hind-wings with vein 8 anastomosing
with cell from near base to beyond middle." (Plate II., figs. 19 and 20.)
"This genus is especially characteristic of New Zealand, and is also found
in South Asia, a few stragglers occurring in Europe and
elsewhere."--(Meyrick.)
We have twelve species, several of which are very beautiful.
CHLOROCLYSTIS PLINTHINA, Meyr.
(_Pasiphila plinthina_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 49.)
(Plate VI., fig. 8.)
This pretty species has occurred at Wellington.
The expansion of the wings is about ½ inch. All the wings are traversed
by numerous obscure, wavy, reddish-yellow lines; the fore-wings have a
dark shading near the base, _a very large white blotch in the middle_,
and a dark chocolate-brown patch near the apex. _The hind-wings have a
large shaded white patch in the middle_, a blackish dot near the base,
and a series of brownish crescentic marks on the termen; the cilia of all
the wings are pale brown barred with brownish-black. The termen of the
fore-wings is very oblique, of the hind-wings rather irregular.
Many specimens of this insect are strongly tinged with green, and the shape
and size of the white patches on the fore- and hind-wings are subject to
slight variations.
The perfect insect appears in November and December. It frequents
brushwood, where it may be occasionally taken at rest on tree-trunks but
more often dislodged from the foliage. It is not a very common species.
CHLOROCLYSTIS BILINEOLATA, Walk.
(_Eupithecia bilineolata_, Walk. 1246. _E. muscosata_, ib. 1246.
_Scotosia humerata_, ib. 1362. _Eupithecia semialbata_, ib. 1708. _E.
cidariaria_, Gn., Ent. Mo. Mag. v. 62. _Cidiaria aquosata_, Feld., pl.
cxxxi. 33. _Helastia charybdis_, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 503. _H. calida_,
ib. 504. _Pasiphila muscosata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. 50. _P.
bilineolata_, ib.)
(Plate VI., fig. 9 type, fig. 10 variety.)
This beautiful little species is common, and generally distributed
throughout the country.
{42}The expansion of the wings is ¾ inch. _The fore-wings are bright
green with numerous wavy darker lines._ There is a jagged transverse
black line near the base, two at about one-fourth, enclosing a rather
paler space; beyond this there are several rather irregular, fine black
marks, and an obscure white patch below the apex; the cilia are dull
green. The hind-wings are grey slightly tinged with reddish; the dorsum
and termen are shaded with green, and there is a number of curved black
lines on the dorsum; the cilia are dull greenish-grey. The termen of the
fore-wings is slightly bowed, and all the wings are finely scalloped and
sharply outlined in black.
A very distinct variety frequently occurs in which the entire ground colour
is _orange-yellow_. This variety can be artificially produced by exposing a
typical specimen to the fumes of bruised laurel leaves. Intermediate forms
may also be found, but are much scarcer than either the typical form or the
variety.
The larva (according to Mr. Purdie[26]) is about ½ inch long; colour
brownish, surface very rugged; body tapering somewhat towards the head. Two
pairs of small dorsal tubercles about the middle, the posterior pair being
larger; oblique lateral dark markings faintly seen on dark ground colour;
below lighter. Food-plants: _Aristotelia_, _Leptospermum ericoides_,
_Rubus_ (?), and _Muhlenbeckia_ (?). Found in December and January.
The perfect insect appears from September till May, and is often very
common. It rests on tree-trunks with outspread wings, in which position it
so closely resembles a patch of moss that it is extremely difficult to
detect, even when specially searched for.
CHLOROCLYSTIS ANTARCTICA, n. sp.
(Plate VI., fig. 20.)
This species was discovered by Mr. Philpott at West Plains, near
Invercargill.
The expansion of the wings is 7/8 inch. The fore-wings are rather dull
green; there is a reddish-brown patch near the base, followed by two,
slightly oblique, reddish bands; the central band is very broad, green,
traversed by numerous fine wavy lines; there is a broad reddish band on
the termen. The hind-wings are slaty-grey, tinged with pink towards the
termen and dorsum. The cilia of all the wings are pink barred with black.
Two other specimens kindly given to me by Mr. Philpott have the bands on
the fore-wings more or less brown in place of red, but are otherwise
identical.
This insect is evidently very closely allied to _C. bilineolata_, but its
larger size, longer wings, and barred cilia will, I think, distinguish it
from that species.
The perfect insect appears in November.
CHLOROCLYSTIS ARISTIAS, Meyr.
(_Chloroclystis aristias_, Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1897, 385.)
(Plate VI., fig. 21 [M], 22 [F].)
This beautiful insect was discovered on the Mount Arthur Tableland in
January, 1896, at an elevation of about 4,000 feet.
The expansion of the wings is 1-1/8 inches. _All the wings are very pale
greenish-grey._ The male has three distinct dark brownish bands near the
base, an irregular broad suffused band near the middle, becoming obsolete
before it reaches the dorsum, a dark patch at the apex, another patch on
the termen below the apex and another near the tornus. The hind-wings are
traversed by numerous, very fine, wavy blackish lines, becoming darker
towards the dorsum. In the female there are three wavy reddish-brown
bands on the costa of the fore-wings, becoming obsolete towards the
dorsum, then a wavy yellowish line, followed by two rust-red patches. The
hind-wings resemble those of the male. Both sexes have the veins dotted
with black, and the cilia of all the wings are grey barred with black.
{43}The perfect insect was found in a limestone valley at the foot of Mount
Peel, where it was fairly common.
CHLOROCLYSTIS NEREIS, Meyr.
(_Pasiphila nereis_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 51.)
(Plate VI., fig. 11 [M].)
This insect has occurred at Mount Arthur, Mount Hutt, and the Humboldt
Range, Lake Wakatipu, at elevations from 2,500 to 4,000 feet.
The expansion of the wings is nearly an inch. _All the wings are dusky
grey with numerous black and dull white, wavy transverse lines_; there is
often a somewhat paler area near the apex of the fore-wings, and the
termen of the hind-wings is slightly scalloped; the cilia are dull white
barred with dark greyish-black.
The perfect insect appears in January and February. It generally frequents
cliffs on mountain sides, resting with outspread wings on the dark rocky
surfaces. In these situations it is extremely difficult to detect, and the
protective value of its colouring is thus at once demonstrated.
CHLOROCLYSTIS DRYAS, Meyr.
(_Pasiphila dryas_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxiii. 97.)
(Plate VI., fig. 12 [M].)
This species has occurred at Wellington.
The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. _The fore-wings are dull
rosy-brown, traversed by numerous obscure blackish transverse lines,
somewhat concentrated towards the middle and forming an ill-defined
central band_; the termen is slightly shaded with blackish, and the veins
are marked with dotted lines. The hind-wings are grey, tinged with
rosy-brown; there are numerous very faint blackish transverse lines and
the veins are marked with blackish dots. The cilia of all the wings are
dark grey. The termen of the hind-wings is rather irregular.
The perfect insect appears in December and January, and is attracted by
light. I once took a specimen in July, but this may have been due to an
exceptionally mild winter.
CHLOROCLYSTIS SPHRAGITIS, Meyr.
(_Pasiphila sphragitis_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 51.)
(Plate VI., fig. 13 [M], 14 [F].)
This extremely variable insect has occurred at Wellington in the North
Island, and at Christchurch in the South Island.
The expansion of the wings of the male is 5/8 inch, of the female ¾ inch.
_The fore-wings are pale ochreous; there is a narrow darker area at the
base followed by a narrow oblique pale band_; then a broad central band,
formed of numerous oblique, wavy, brown, transverse lines, next, a rather
narrow curved pale band, followed by several small irregular patches on
the termen, sometimes forming a dark brown terminal band; all the
markings are much darker on the costa, and portions of the costa, termen,
and dorsum are frequently tinged with green. The hind-wings are pale
ochreous; there are numerous wavy, pale brown lines on the dorsum,
becoming obsolete towards the costa. The termen of all the wings is edged
with fine black crescents. The cilia are pale ochreous barred with dark
brown.
The perfect insect may be met with from September till February, but is
most abundant in the early spring. It is extremely common in the Wellington
Botanical Gardens, frequenting the forest gullies, where numerous specimens
may be easily dislodged from amongst the dense undergrowth. This moth rests
with expanded wings on the leaves and stems of shrubs, but is extremely
difficult to find in such situations, the colouring of the insect causing
it to closely resemble the droppings of birds.
{44}CHLOROCLYSTIS LICHENODES, Purd.
(_Pasiphila lichenodes_, Purdie, Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 70.)
(Plate VI., figs. 15 and 16, varieties.)
This extremely interesting species has occurred at Wellington in the North
Island, and at Dunedin in the South Island; it has also been found at
Stewart Island.
The expansion of the wings is about ¾ inch. The fore-wings are dull
green; _there is a large pale brown area near the base, divided by fine
black lines into three distinct patches_; the central portion of the wing
is mottled with black, pale brown, and dull green; _there is a very
broad, irregular band of chocolate-brown near the termen, outlined with
black towards the base and with white towards the termen, the white line
almost dividing the band into four or five patches_. The hind-wings are
dull greenish-brown; there are several irregular black and white
transverse lines and small patches of chocolate-brown, the markings being
more distinct towards the dorsum. The cilia of all the wings are pale
brown barred with dark brown.
I have observed that in many specimens of this species the ground colour is
entirely pale brown instead of green; the markings, however, are not
variable.
The perfect insect appears from November till February. It frequents
forests, resting with outspread wings on lichen-covered tree-trunks, where
its wonderfully perfect protective colouring may be seen to great
advantage. The remarkable brown patches on the wings have undoubtedly been
acquired for this protective purpose, and Mr. Purdie's name is certainly a
most appropriate one. It is not, I think, a common species.