(_Larentia mnesichola_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 56.)
(Plate VII., fig. 39 [M].)
This dull little species has occurred in the South Island on Mount Arthur,
at elevations of from 4,000 to 4,800 feet.
The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. _The fore-wings are pale
brownish-ochreous, and rather glossy; there is a series of minute black
dots at the base, a second series at about one-third, then a cloudy
curved band, slightly darker than the rest of the wing, followed by a
third series of minute black dots; a fourth series is situated slightly
before the termen._ The hind-wings are very pale brownish-ochreous.
The perfect insect appears in January. Mr. Meyrick states that it is rather
common.
XANTHORHOE PRÆFECTATA, Walk.
(_Acidalia præfectata_, Walk. 781. _Acidalia subtentaria_, Walk. 1610.
_Acidalia absconditaria_, Walk. 1611; Butl., Cat. pl. iii. 21. _Larentia
præfectata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 78.)
(Plate VII., fig. 30.)
This interesting species has occurred in the South Island at the Dun
Mountain, Mount Arthur, Christchurch, and Dunedin.
The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. _All the wings are pure
white_; the fore-wings have a minute grey dot above the middle, _a series
of extremely minute dots a little before the termen, and several rows of
very faint grey marks close to the termen_. The hind-wings have a row of
very obscure dots across the middle, and several rows of very faint grey
marks close to the termen. The face and collar are brown, and there is
sometimes an extremely faint brown tinge on the costal edge of the
fore-wings. The body is pure white.
The perfect insect appears in November, December, January, and February. I
do not think it is a very common species, and at present I have only
observed it on the Dun {61}Mountain near Nelson, at an elevation of about
2,700 feet above the sea-level. Here I took several specimens on the
flowers of an Alpine veronica in the dusk of evening, and saw several
others, which I was unable to capture. Mr. Meyrick has taken it on Mount
Arthur at an elevation of 4,500 feet, and Mr. Fereday states that it
frequents swampy places near Christchurch.
XANTHORHOE NEPHELIAS, Meyr.
(_Larentia nephelias_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 78.)
This species was discovered by Mr. Meyrick in the South Island at Arthur's
Pass, West Coast Road, and he has since taken it on Mount Arthur.
"_Male, female_.--The expansion of the wings is 32-34 mm. (about 1¼
inches). Fore-wings moderate, in female narrower and more elongate,
termen rounded; pale whitish-grey, slightly ochreous-tinged; an
indistinct suffusion of dark fuscous scales before middle; a small dark
fuscous discal dot; a rather irregular cloudy dark fuscous line beyond
middle, sinuate beneath costa, shortly angulated in middle; a very faint
stria beyond this; a terminal band composed of two rows of cloudy
partially confluent dark fuscous spots, separating on costa; cilia pale
whitish-grey. Hind-wings moderate, in female narrower, termen rounded;
ground colour as in fore-wings, with a few grey scales posteriorly.
"A remarkable-looking species.
"I took two fine specimens above Arthur's Pass (4,600 feet), in
January."--(Meyrick).
I am unacquainted with this species. It is evidently very conspicuous and
distinct.
XANTHORHOE CATAPHRACTA, Meyr.
(_Larentia cataphracta_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 79.)
(Plate VII., fig. 33 [M], 34 [F].)
This large and conspicuous species has occurred in the South Island at
Mount Arthur, Arthur's Pass, Lake Guyon, and Lake Wakatipu.
The expansion of the wings of the male is 1-5/8 inches, of the female 1½
inches. _The fore-wings are dull yellowish-brown, with numerous slightly
waved oblique black and white transverse bands; one very broad white band
is situated near the middle, and another at about three-fourths; there is
a broad longitudinal reddish-brown line on the costal edge, in which the
transverse lines almost disappear_; there is also a pale, somewhat
triangular, area at the apex. The hind-wings are very pale
greyish-ochreous. The cilia of all the wings are very pale ochreous. The
female is duller and paler than the male.
The perfect insect appears from December till March, and frequents grassy
slopes on the mountain sides, at elevations of from 3,000 to 4,000 feet. I
observed this insect in great abundance on the Humboldt Range at the head
of Lake Wakatipu, but have not found it at any of the other Alpine
localities I have visited, so I imagine that it is a rather local species.
XANTHORHOE CLARATA, Walk.
(_Larentia clarata_, Walk. 1197; Butl., Cat. pl. iii. 14. _Cideria
pyramaria_, Gn., E. M. M. v. 93. _Larentia clarata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z.
Inst. xvi. 79.)
(Plate VII., fig. 31 [M], 32 [F].)
This conspicuous species has occurred in the South Island at Lake Rotoiti,
Mount Arthur, Castle Hill, Mount Hutt, Dunedin, and Lake Wakatipu.
The expansion of the wings of the male is 1½ inches, of the female 1-3/8
inches.
The species differs from the preceding in the following respects: The
ground colour of the fore-wings is brighter, the markings are less
oblique and much more jagged; the large white central band is often
broken up into several distinct oval patches; the costal edge is very
slightly shaded with {62}brown, _and the transverse lines do not
disappear before reaching the costa_. The hind-wings are bright ochreous.
_The cilia of all the wings are white, strongly barred with
yellowish-brown_.
There is slight variation in the details of the markings, but the species
can always be immediately recognised.
The perfect insect appears in December, January, and February. It frequents
open grassy places at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 4,500 feet, and is
often extremely abundant in these situations.
XANTHORHOE COSMODORA, Meyr.
(_Larentia cosmodora_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 57.)
This species was discovered by Mr. Meyrick in the South Island on Mount
Arthur, at an elevation of 4,500 feet.
_Female_.--27 mm. (slightly over 1 inch). Head, palpi, antennæ, thorax,
abdomen, and legs whitish-ochreous, slightly brownish-tinged; abdomen
with a double dorsal series of dark fuscous dots. Fore-wings with costa
hardly perceptibly arched, termen slightly rounded, oblique;
whitish-ochreous, slightly yellowish-tinged; a curved irregular black
line rather near base, followed by a white line; median band rather
darker, tinged with yellowish-fuscous towards edges, margined with
dentate black lines and outside these with white, anterior from one-third
of costa to two-fifths of dorsum, rather curved, posterior from
two-thirds of costa to three-fourths of dorsum, somewhat prominent
beneath costa, and with a more distinct double prominence in middle; two
white dentate-edged spots within median band, first beneath costa,
containing small black discal dot, second on dorsum; a waved white
subterminal line; a fine dark fuscous terminal line interrupted into
numerous dots; cilia whitish-ochreous, with dark fuscous bars hardly
reaching base. Hind-wings whitish-ochreous, with faint darker
greyish-tinged lines; a median band of four more distinct cloudy grey
lines, first three straight, fourth well marked, rather dark fuscous,
waved, somewhat prominent in middle, beneath confluent with third; a
faint white subterminal line; cilia pale whitish-ochreous, with a faint
greyish line tending to form spots.
"Appears in January; one specimen. It is conceivable that this may be the
other sex of the following species, but they are very dissimilar, and I do
not at present think it probable."--(Meyrick.)
XANTHORHOE BRYOPIS, Meyr.
(_Larentia bryopis_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 57.)
Discovered by Mr. Meyrick in the South Island on Mount Arthur, 4,500 feet
above the sea-level.
"_Male_.--29-32 mm. (about 1¼ inches). Head, palpi, thorax, abdomen, and
legs pale greyish-ochreous, slightly greenish-tinged, irrorated with
blackish. Antennæ whitish, annulated with black. Fore-wings with costa
gently arched, termen somewhat rounded, rather oblique; pale
greyish-ochreous, tinged with olive-greenish, irrorated with
blackish-grey, tending to form waved transverse lines on basal area;
median band margined with dentate black lines and outside them with
white; anterior from one-third of costa to one-third of dorsum, curved,
posterior from beyond two-thirds of costa to three-fourths of dorsum,
somewhat indented above middle, with a moderate double prominence in
middle; three blackish-grey subdentate lines within median band, first
near and parallel to anterior edge, other two near and parallel to
posterior edge, first and second tending to be confluent below middle,
space between these more or less suffused with white, enclosing a small
black discal spot; an obscure dentate whitish subterminal line,
anteriorly margined with dark fuscous, preceded and followed by waved
fuscous lines; a terminal series of pairs of dark fuscous dots; cilia
ochreish-grey, whitish, barred with fuscous, and with a fuscous basal
line. Hind-wings ochreous-grey, with waved darker grey transverse lines,
except towards base; a dark grey discal dot before middle; posterior edge
of median band formed as in fore-wings, followed by an obscure whitish
line and somewhat paler band; terminal dots and cilia as in fore-wings,
but more obscure.
"Appears in January; not uncommon. Nearest allied to _X.
beata_."--(Meyrick.)
{63}XANTHORHOE BEATA, Butl.
(_Cidaria beata_, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1877, 397, pl. xliii. 6.
_Larentia beata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 79.)
(Plate VII., fig. 35 [M], 36 [F].)
This very beautiful species has occurred at Wellington in the North Island,
is common and generally distributed throughout the South Island, and has
also been found at Stewart Island.
The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. _The fore-wings are bright
green; there is a darker area at the base edged with a jagged white line;
then a paler band followed by a very broad darker green central band
edged with very jagged white lines, and containing several white patches
in the middle, one of which is situated close to the costa and encloses a
black dot; beyond this central band there is a paler area, then an
interrupted darker green band edged with white towards the termen_. There
is an oblique pale mark from the apex of the wing. The hind-wings are
very pale ochreous, sometimes slightly tinged with green; there are
several obscure rows of dusky spots.
The white markings included in the central band are rather variable.
The egg is smooth, oval, and pale green in colour.
The young larva is orange-brown, becoming greenish-brown soon after
emergence. The full-grown larva is dark brown above and pale brown
beneath, the two colours being sharply separated on the sides by a broken
white line. A series of V-shaped markings is situated on the back, each
mark enclosing a paler area. Several fine black wavy lines traverse the
darker portions of the larva, and a dark mark, edged with black beneath,
is situated on each segment just above the ventral surface.
The food-plant is watercress.
The pupa is enclosed in a frail cocoon on the surface of the ground.
The perfect insect appears from October till March, and frequents forest.
It is often dislodged from dense undergrowth during the daytime, and may be
found in the evening on the blossoms of the white rata. It is very much
commoner in some years than in others; but occasionally several seasons
will pass without our noticing a single specimen of this attractive insect.
The colouring is extremely protective when the moth is resting on
moss-covered tree trunks.
XANTHORHOE ADONIS, n. sp.
(Plate VII., fig. 49 [M].)
This extremely beautiful insect has occurred in the South Island at Castle
Hill, and at Lake Wakatipu.
The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. _The fore-wings are vivid green_;
there is a broad, wavy, black transverse line near the base; a somewhat
broken line at about one-third, much broader on the costa and edged with
white towards the base; _a very conspicuous broad black line at
two-thirds, shaded towards the base, and sharply edged with white towards
the termen_; between this line and the termen there are several black
marks, forming another extremely broken transverse line. _The hind-wings
are pale orange-brown, with a faint grey central band_.
The perfect insect appears in January. It frequents forests at elevations
of from 1,000 to 2,000 feet above the sea-level, but it is not common.
Mr. Meyrick regards this insect as identical with _Xanthorhoe beata_.
XANTHORHOE CHLORIAS, Meyr.
(_Larentia chlorias_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 80.)
This species was discovered in the South Island at Castle Hill, by Mr.
Meyrick.
"The expansion of the wings of the male is 30 mm. (about 1¼ inches).
Fore-wings moderate, termen hardly rounded; bright yellow; base of costa
dark fuscous-purple; a curved row of three very small dark purple-fuscous
spots about one-fourth, and another of four spots before middle, costal
spots larger; a {64}triangular purple blotch on costa before apex,
reaching half across wing, anteriorly margined by a strongly sinuate
bluish-black streak; a row of three dark purple-fuscous dots from apex of
this to dorsum, and a subterminal row of six similar dots; cilia yellow.
Hind-wings moderate, termen rounded; rather paler than fore-wings, with
two curved posterior rows of cloudy purple-fuscous dots.
"A very beautiful and conspicuous species.
"I took one fine specimen in a wooded gully near Castle Hill, at 3,100
feet, in January."--(Meyrick.)
XANTHORHOE ÆGROTA, Butl.
(_Selidosema ægrota_, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 499. _Larentia ægrota_, Meyr.,
Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 80.)
(Plate VII., fig. 37 [M].)
This rather inconspicuous species has occurred at Palmerston and Kaitoke in
the North Island; and at Christchurch, Dunedin, and Lake Wakatipu in the
South Island. It has also been taken at Stewart Island.
The expansion of the wings is about 1-1/8 inches. _The fore-wings are
dull ochreous-brown; there are several indistinct wavy blackish lines
near the base, a black dot above the middle, then three or four more
lines, followed by a cloudy shading on the termen._ The hind-wings are
pale ochreous-brown. _The cilia of all the wings are dull ochreous-brown
barred with black._
The perfect insect appears from November till March and is sometimes very
common. It usually frequents rather open situations in the neighbourhood of
forest, and I have often observed it amongst the bushes of "Wild Irishman"
(_Discaria toumatou._) It is extremely abundant on the banks of the River
Dart, at the head of Lake Wakatipu.
XANTHORHOE LUCIDATA, Walk.
(_Larentia lucidata_, Walk. 1200. _Coremia plurimata_, ib. 1321. _Panagra
venipunctata_, ib. 1666. _Larentia psamathodes_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z.
Inst. xvi. 81. _Larentia lucidata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvii. 64.)
(Plate VII., fig. 38 [M].)
This rather dull-coloured species has occurred at Napier, Palmerston, and
Wellington in the North Island, and at Dunedin in the South Island.
The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. _The fore-wings are dull
yellowish-brown; there are numerous fine, almost straight blackish lines
parallel to the termen, forming four more or less distinct transverse
bands_; the first at the base rather broad, the second a little before
the middle, the third beyond the middle, and the fourth just before the
termen; there is a black dot a little above the middle of the wing, and
the veins are marked with white dots between the transverse bands. The
hind-wings are pale brownish-ochreous; there are numerous, rather faint,
wavy, blackish, transverse lines, which are much more distinct near the
dorsum. There is a series of distinct black dots on the termen of both
fore- and hind-wings.
The perfect insect appears during the winter months from March till August.
It is rather a scarce species, but on mild evenings it is sometimes taken
at light.
XANTHORHOE HELIAS, Meyr.
(_Larentia helias_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 81.)
(Plate VII., fig. 40.)
Two specimens of this species have been taken at Dunedin in the South
Island.
The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. All the wings are pale ochreous;
the fore-wings have a slender brown transverse line at the base, then a
large loop-like marking from the costa, almost meeting a smaller,
similarly looped marking from the dorsum; next a broad irregular dark
brown band a little beyond the middle, considerably indented towards the
termen; this is followed by a rather narrow pale band, and then by a
narrow brown band, also indented towards the termen; there is a small
oblique brown mark below the apex, and a terminal series of black dots.
The hind-wings have several faint dusky transverse lines near the base, a
row of small spots near the {65}termen, and a terminal series of minute
black dots. The cilia of all the wings are reddish-ochreous.
The perfect insect appears in January.
Described and figured from a specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection.
XANTHORHOE PRASINIAS, Meyr.
(_Larentia prasinias_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 81.)
(Plate VII., fig. 41.)
This bright-looking species has occurred in the South Island at Mount
Arthur, Castle Hill, and Invercargill.
The expansion of the wings is 1-3/8 inches. _The fore-wings are bright
orange-yellow; there is a small brown area near the base, with the outer
edge indented; then a pale band followed by a very broad brown central
band, composed of wavy transverse lines, with irregular yellow spaces
between them_, the largest of these spaces containing a small black dot;
the outer edge of the central band is very wavy, and has several rather
prominent projections near the middle; beyond this are several rather
faint brownish lines; the cilia are yellow, barred with dark brown. The
hind-wings are pale ochreous, shaded with grey near the base, and with
yellow near the termen; the cilia are yellow, barred with brown.
The perfect insect appears in January, and frequents forest. It is found at
elevations of from 2,000 to 3,000 feet, but is not by any means a common
species.
XANTHORHOE CHIONOGRAMMA, Meyr.
(_Larentia chionogramma_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 82.)
(Plate VII., fig. 42 [M], 43 [F].)
This rather dull-looking species has occurred in the South Island at Mount
Arthur and Mount Hutt.
The expansion of the wings is about 1-1/8 inches. _The fore-wings are
rather dark greyish-brown; there are numerous indistinct wavy paler and
darker transverse lines near the base; a rather broad transverse brown
band towards the middle, shaded towards the base, and edged with an
interrupted jagged white line towards the termen_; beyond this there are
several broken darker and paler lines. The hind-wings are very pale
greyish-ochreous, clouded with grey near the base, and with several rows
of small cloudy grey spots near the termen. The female is paler than the
male and the markings are less distinct.
The perfect insect appears in December and January, and frequents wooded
valleys on the lower slopes of the mountains, at elevations of from 2,000
to 3,000 feet.
XANTHORHOE CAMELIAS, Meyr.
(_Larentia camelias_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 58.)
This species was discovered by Mr. Meyrick in the North Island at
Whangarei.
"The expansion of the wings of the male is 23 mm. (rather less than 1
inch). Head, antennæ, and thorax whitish-ochreous, greyish-tinged, with a
few dark fuscous scales. Palpi fuscous. Abdomen whitish-ochreous, with a
double dorsal series of dark fuscous dots. Legs whitish-ochreous,
irrorated with purple-reddish and dark fuscous. Fore-wings with costa
rather sinuate in middle, on anterior half gently, on posterior half very
strongly arched, termen moderately sinuate below apex, bowed in middle;
light greyish-ochreous, with numerous cloudy, waved, brown-grey
transverse lines, somewhat bent near costa; a black discal dot; margin of
basal patch and anterior edge of median band indicated by series of very
minute white dots, preceded and followed by black points; posterior edge
of median band marked by a darker line, followed by a fine white line
reduced on lower half to a series of points, subterminal line represented
by four cloudy blackish dots on upper half and another above tornus;
cilia greyish-ochreous (imperfect). Hind-wings fuscous-whitish; a median
band of four cloudy greyish lines, bent near costa; a cloudy grey spot
above tornus; cilia fuscous-whitish (imperfect.)
"Appears in December. Immediately recognisable by the peculiar form of
forewings."--(Meyrick.)
{66}XANTHORHOE FALCATA, Butl.
(_Larentia falcata_, Butl., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 58.)
A single specimen of this species is in the British Museum collection of
New Zealand Lepidoptera. Of this specimen Mr. Meyrick remarks as follows:--
"This appears to be a good species allied to _X. camelias_, but with the
costa of fore-wings less arched posteriorly, and posterior edge of median
band practically straight, not bent near costa; also much darker in general
colouring. I have not yet seen any specimen except the original type."
XANTHORHOE OBARATA, Feld.
(_Cidaria obarata_, Feld. cxxxii. 33. _Larentia obarata_, Meyr., Trans. N.
Z. Inst. xvi. 82.)
(Plate VII., fig. 45.)
This little species has occurred at Wellington in the North Island, and at
Christchurch and Mount Hutt in the South Island.
The expansion of the wings is barely 1 inch. _The fore-wings are pale
greyish-ochreous; there is an interrupted reddish-brown transverse band
near the base; two faint, interrupted, shaded blackish lines, one at
about one-third and the other at about two-thirds, enclosing between them
a large central area, which contains a very distinct black dot above the
middle, and several irregular shaded black marks; beyond this there is a
wavy reddish-brown band; the apex of the wing is somewhat projecting, and
the termen is considerably bowed._ The hind-wings are pale grey, with a
paler central band, and numerous faint, wavy, darker grey lines. _The
cilia of all the icings are white, banded with dark grey._
The perfect insect appears from November till January. Mr. Fereday states
that it is a plain-frequenting species, especially attached to gorse
hedges.[37]
Described and figured from a specimen kindly given to me by Mr. Fereday.
XANTHORHOE CHORICA, Meyr.
(_Larentia chorica_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 58.)
(Plate VII., fig. 44.)
A single specimen of this beautiful insect was taken at Akaroa by Mr.
Fereday.
The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. All the wings are pale ochreous.
The fore-wings have a short transverse black mark from the costa near the
base; a fine wavy white transverse line, followed by a wavy black band;
_the middle of the wing is white, marbled with very pale blue; beyond
this there is a broad black band wavy towards the termen, with a very
prominent rounded projection near the middle_; there are two
reddish-brown marks on the costa before the apex, a blackish patch on the
termen below the apex, and a row of terminal black dots; the apex is
slightly projecting, and the termen is strongly arched. The hind-wings
have several fine blackish transverse lines near the base; a broad shaded
band in the middle, and a terminal series of black dots.
The perfect insect appears in January.
Described and figured from the specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection.
XANTHORHOE SUBOBSCURATA, Walk.
(_Scotosia subobscurata_, Walk. 1358. _Larentia petropola_, Meyr., Trans.
N. Z. Inst. xvi. 82.)
This species has occurred in the South Island at the Otira Gorge.
"The expansion of the wings is 39 mm. (1½ inches). Fore-wings moderate,
termen rounded dark grey, densely irrorated with bluish-whitish; costa
broadly suffused with ochreous-whitish anteriorly; a very obscure curved
ochreous-whitish line towards base, anteriorly dark-margined; two obscure
curved subdentate adjacent whitish lines about one-third, followed by a
dark line; a blackish {67}discal dot; a very irregular dentate curved
dark grey line beyond middle, followed by two adjacent whitish lines; a
sharply dentate obscure whitish subterminal line, anteriorly
dark-margined. Hind-wings moderate, termen rounded; markings as in
fore-wings, but more obscure, paler and more suffused towards base.
"A fine species, with a peculiar bluish tinge.
"I took two specimens at rest on rock-faces in the Otira Gorge, at 1,800
feet, in January, and saw others."--(Meyrick.)
XANTHORHOE CINEREARIA, Dbld.
(_Cidaria (?) cinerearia_, Dbld., Dieff. N. Z. ii. 286. _Larentia (?)
invexata_, Walk. 1199; Butl., Cat., pl. iii. 11. _Larentia semisignata_,
Walk. 1200. _Larentia inoperata_, Walk. 1201. _Larentia diffusaria_,
Walk. 1201. _Larentia punctilineata_, Walk. 1202; Butl., Cat., pl. iii.
12. _Cidaria dissociata_, Walk. 1734. _Cidaria semilisata_, Walk. 1735.
_Larentia corcularia_, Gn., E. M. M. v. 61. _Larentia infantaria_, Gn.,
E. M. M. v. 62. _Helastia eupitheciaria_, Gn., E. M. M. v. 95. ? _Cidaria
sphæriata_, Feld. cxxxi. 14. _Larentia cinerearia_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z.
Inst. xvi. 83.)
(Plate VIII., figs. 2 and 2A, varieties.)
This species is extremely abundant, and generally distributed throughout
the country.
The expansion of the wings is from 5/8 inch to 1 inch. _The fore-wings
vary from pale to dark grey; there are generally four more or less
distinct blackish marks on the costa, forming the beginning of transverse
bands_; the rest of the wing is marbled with dark-grey or black, the
disposition of the markings varying exceedingly in different specimens.
The hind-wings are pale grey, with a black dot above the middle.
The variation existing in this species is very great, and is thus described
by Mr. Meyrick:[38] "Three main forms occur: one large, greyer, and more
uniform; a second of middle size whiter and generally strongly marked
sometimes bluish-tinged, only found in the hills; and a third small greyish
but ochreous-tinged, strongly marked; these are connected by scarcer
intermediate forms, and are, I believe, due to the direct effect of food
and situation.
"The larva feeds on lichens."
The perfect insect appears from October till March, and frequents a great
variety of situations. The colouring of the fore-wings is beautifully
adapted for protection on lichen-covered banks, rocks, or fences, where
specimens may often be found resting with closed wings during the daytime.
This species flies rather freely at evening dusk, and may then be taken
plentifully at sugar, blossoms or light. It is, however, a difficult matter
to procure specimens in really good condition for the cabinet, as the
insect is so extremely restless when confined in a box that if it is not
killed at once, it will speedily injure itself during its struggles to
escape. This moth is found at elevations ranging from the sea-level to
3,500 feet.
XANTHORHOE ANTHRACIAS, Meyr.
(_Larentia anthracias_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 84.)
This species has occurred in the South Island at Mount Hutt and Lake
Wakatipu.
"The expansion of the wings of the male is from 24-25 mm. (about 1 inch).
Fore-wings moderate, termen sinuate; dark fuscous, faintly striated, more
or less sprinkled with whitish; a curved blackish line near base,
posteriorly obscurely whitish-margined; a curved, obscure whitish fascia
at one-third, blackish margined and bisected by a blackish line; a
well-defined black discal dot; a white fascia, partially mixed with
fuscous, beyond middle, anteriorly strongly blackish-margined,
posteriorly more obscurely, and bisected by a blackish line, somewhat
irregular, moderately angulated in middle; {68}an obscure dentate
yellowish or whitish subterminal line; an interrupted black terminal
line. Hind-wings moderate, termen rounded; dark fuscous; two nearly
straight lines before middle, faintly darker; a faint paler or sometimes
whitish sinuate fascia beyond middle, margined and bisected with darker.
"Varies slightly in distinctness of pale markings.
"Mount Hutt and Lake Wakatipu (5,400 feet), on the open mountain sides, in
December and January; twelve specimens."--(Meyrick.)
XANTHORHOE BULBULATA, Gn.
(_Cidaria bulbulata_, Gn., E. M. M. v. 94. _Larentia bulbulata_, Meyr.,
Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 84.)
(Plate VIII., fig. 1.)
This species has occurred in the South Island at Kekerangu, Christchurch,
Castle Hill, and Dunedin.
The expansion of the wings is barely 1 inch. _The fore-wings are very
pale brownish-ochreous; there is a brown area near the base; a moderately
broad brown central band with a distinct projection near the middle; the
termen is broadly shaded with brown, with a wavy paler line in the middle
of the shading_; there are often several oval paler marks in the middle
of the central band, and pale brown spots and lines between the darker
brown markings. _The hind-wings are bright orange, with the cilia pale
brown._
The perfect insect appears from September till March, and frequents open,
grassy places, from the sea-level to elevations of from 2,000 to 3,000
feet.
Genus 12.--LYTHRIA, Hb.
"Face rough-haired or loosely scaled, antennæ in male bi-pectinated, apex
sometimes simple. Palpi with long rough hairs. Thorax roughly hairy
beneath. Fore-wings with areole simple. Hind-wings with vein 8
anastomosing with cell to beyond middle."--(Meyrick.) (Plate II., figs.
39 and 40, neuration of _L. chrysopeda_.)
We have two interesting little species in New Zealand. The genus also
occurs in Europe, and probably elsewhere.
LYTHRIA CHRYSOPEDA, Meyr.
(_Arcteuthes chrysopeda_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 48.)
(Plate VIII., fig. 33 [M], 34 [F].)
This bright-looking little species has been taken in the South Island at
Mount Arthur.
The expansion of the wings is about ¾ inch. _The fore-wings are very
dark, glossy brown; there is a pale yellowish transverse line near the
base, a broader, rather wavy orange-yellow line a little before the
middle, another still broader at about two-thirds, and an indistinct fine
line near the termen. The hind-wings are rich orange-brown, with three
broad, wavy, dark brown transverse bands; the termen is narrowly margined
with dark orange-brown._ The female is generally rather paler than the
male, very faintly marked specimens occasionally occurring.
The perfect insect appears in January and February. It frequents the
tussock openings in the forest on the Tableland of Mount Arthur, at
elevations of from 3,000 to 4,000 feet. In these situations it appears to
be fairly abundant, flying actively in the hottest sunshine.
LYTHRIA EUCLIDIATA, Gn.
(_Coremia euclidiata_, Gn. x. 420. _Coremia glyphicata_, ib. 420.
_Fidonia catapyrrha_, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 392, pl. xliii.
2. _Stratonice catapyrrha_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 64.
_Stratonice euclidiata_, ib. xvii. 63. _Arctesthes euclidiata_, ib.
xviii. 184. _Arcteuthes euclidiata_, ib. xx. 47.)
(Plate VIII., fig. 35 [M].)
This pretty little species has occurred in the South Island at Lake Rotoiti
near Nelson, Lake Guyon, Otira Gorge, Dunedin, and Mount Linton near
Invercargill.
{69}The expansion of the wings is ¾ inch. The fore-wings are dark
greyish-brown speckled with black and white; there is a curved black
transverse line near the base, followed by a white line, then two black
lines close together followed by another white line, then a broad black
line followed by a pale central band containing a well-marked central
dot, beyond this there are two angulated black lines, and a very
conspicuous white line; there is a broad black shading on the termen,
traversed by a rather obscure fine white line. The hind-wings are rather
narrow, yellowish-orange speckled with black near the base, there is a
strongly angulated black line near the middle, and an obscure blackish
band near the termen. _On the under side the fore-wings are yellow, with
two black transverse bands from the costa near the termen and a red mark
near the apex; the hind-wings are streaked with white and yellow, and
broadly bordered with red on the costa and termen; there are two very
broad black transverse bands._ The female is paler than the male, with
the dark markings rather narrower.
The perfect insect appears in February and March, and frequents open, sunny
places, at elevations of from 1,000 to 2,000 feet above the sea-level.
Genus 13.--DASYURIS, Gn.
"Face rough-haired or with projecting scales. Palpi moderate, porrected,
with long dense rough hairs. Antennæ in male shortly ciliated. Thorax and
coxæ densely hairy beneath. Posterior tibiæ with all spurs present.
Fore-wings with areole double. Hind-wings with vein 8 anastomosing with
cell from near base to beyond middle."--(Meyrick.) (Plate II., fig. 42,
neuration of fore-wing. Hind-wing as in _Xanthorhoe_.)
Of this genus we have four species in New Zealand.
DASYURIS ENYSII, Butl.
(_Fidonia enysii_, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 391, pl. xlii. 9.
_Statira homomorpha_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 91. _Statira
enysii_, ib. xvii. 65. _Stathmonyma enysii_, ib. xviii. 184.)
(Plate VIII., fig. 28.)
This species has occurred in the South Island on the Dun Mountain near
Nelson, and at Mount Hutt.
The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. The fore-wings are
greyish-brown, with numerous wavy blackish transverse lines; there is
usually a wavy yellowish transverse stripe near the base, and another
broader and more conspicuous stripe near the termen; the termen itself is
broadly shaded with dark brown. The hind-wings are orange-yellow; there
is a small dusky brown area near the base, then a faint straight
transverse line, followed by a slightly waved conspicuous dark brown
line; there is a very wavy broad dark brown line near the termen, and the
termen itself is narrowly edged with dark brown.
The perfect insect appears in January and February, and frequents stony
situations on the mountains, at elevations of from 2,500 to 4,000 feet. I
have taken numerous specimens on the "Mineral Belt," Dun Mountain, but have
not yet met with it elsewhere. This insect is probably often mistaken
during flight for _Notoreas brephos_, from which it may easily be
distinguished by its _larger size, paler colouring, and simple antennæ of
the male_.
DASYURIS ANCEPS, Butl.
(_Fidonia anceps_, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 392, pl. xliii. 3.
_Statira anceps_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 91. _Stathmonyma
anceps_, ib. xviii. 184.)
(Plate VIII., fig. 29.)
This species has been taken in the South Island at Mount Arthur, Castle
Hill, and Arthur's Pass.
The expansion of the wings is about 1-1/8 inches. _The fore-wings are
bluish-grey; there are four wavy dark grey transverse lines_, the three
lines nearest the base are double, and the line nearest the termen is
shaded towards the base. _The hind-wings are pale yellow_; there is a
small dusky area near the base, then a slightly curved grey line,
followed by two curved dark grey lines {70}close together; there is a
series of irregular blotches near the termen, and the termen itself is
broadly edged with black near the apex of the wing, and narrowly near the
tornus. The cilia of all the wings are bluish-grey, barred with dusky
black.
The perfect insect appears in January and February, and frequents bare
rocky situations on the mountains, at elevations of from 4,000 to 5,000
feet. On one occasion I met with this species very plentifully, though in
poor condition, on Mount Peel, near Mount Arthur; but subsequent visits
have led me to think that, as a rule, it is rather a scarce species. The
bluish-grey colouring of the fore-wings affords this moth a most efficient
protection from enemies, whilst resting on the rocky ground which it always
frequents.
Apart from special characters, the fainter colouring of this insect will at
once distinguish it from any of the numerous allied species.
DASYURIS PARTHENIATA, Gn.
(_Dasyuris partheniata_, Gn., E. M. M. v. 93; Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst.
xvi. 92.)
(Plate VIII., fig. 30 [M], 31 [F].)
This bright-looking species has occurred at Wellington in the North Island,
and at Mount Arthur and Mount Hutt in the South Island.
The expansion of the wings is about 1-1/8 inches. _The fore-wings are
bright orange-yellow; the base is speckled with black and dull green
scales; there is a rather indistinct band at about one-third; a broad
wavy dark brown band a little beyond the middle, with a projection
towards the termen, followed by a clear space and another broad irregular
dark transverse band_; the termen is broadly bordered with dark brown,
which is often almost continuous with the last-named transverse band.
_The hind-wings are bright orange; there is a large speckled area near
the base edged with a curved black line, followed by a clear space, and
an interrupted dark brown transverse line considerably beyond the
middle_; the termen is rather narrowly edged with a dark brown line, wavy
towards the base of the wing. The cilia of all the wings are yellow
barred with black.
The species varies considerably in the extent of the dark markings,
especially on the fore-wings.
The egg is oval and white, without sculpture.
The young larva, which is very attenuated, has sixteen legs. Its colour
is pale yellowish-brown above, and dull ochreous beneath. The food-plant
is unknown.
The perfect insect appears from October till March, and frequents open,
grassy situations. At Wellington, during October and November, it is common
on the cliffs close to the shores of Cook's Strait, flying very rapidly on
hot, sunny days, which renders its capture very difficult in such steep
situations. Mr. Fereday's specimens were obtained amongst the tussock grass
at the foot of Mount Hutt. The insect was also found plentifully on the
slopes of Mount Arthur, at an elevation of about 4,500 feet above the
sea-level, and also on the Tararua Range in the North Island.
DASYURIS HECTORI, Butl.
(_Euclidia hectori_, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 387, pl. xlii.
4. _Statira hectori_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 91. _Stathmonyma
hectori_, ib. xviii. 184.)
(Plate VIII., fig. 32.)
This very striking species has occurred in the South Island at Mount
Arthur, Mount Hutt, and Ben Lomond, Lake Wakatipu.
The expansion of the wings is 1½ inches. _All the wings are dark
greyish-black, speckled with bluish-grey scales._ The fore-wings have
five rather indistinct wavy darker transverse lines, and a very broad
darker shading near the termen; there is a fine white mark near the apex,
continued as an indistinct wavy line towards the tornus. The hind-wings
have three or four {71}indistinct darker transverse lines, and a very
broad terminal shading; there are two, more or less distinct, fine, wavy,
white lines, the first a little below the middle, and the second near the
termen; the cilia are dark grey barred with pale grey. _On the under side
all the wings are dark blackish-grey, traversed by six broad, wavy
whitish lines._
The perfect insect appears in December, January and February, and frequents
rocky crags on mountains, at elevations of from 4,700 to 5,700 feet above
the sea-level. It delights to rest on blackened rocks in the hottest
sunshine, but dashes away with the greatest rapidity on the approach of the
collector, so that it is generally rather difficult to capture.
Genus 14.--NOTOREAS, Meyr.
"Face roughly haired. Palpi moderate, second joint with long or very long
spreading hairs beneath, terminal joint moderate or rather long, often
concealed. Antennæ in male bi-pectinated. Thorax beneath more or less
strongly clothed with long hairs. Fore-wings with vein 6 rising out of 9,
7 almost from angle of areole, 10 anastomosing moderately with 9, 11
anastomosing moderately or very shortly with 10, 12 free. Hind-wings
normal."--(Meyrick.) (See Plate II., fig. 43, fore-wing of _Notoreas
brephos_.)
This interesting genus, of which we have no less than fifteen species,
comprises a number of gaily coloured little insects, chiefly inhabiting
mountain regions. All the species are day-fliers, and most of them only
appear during the hottest sunshine. Mr. Meyrick regards the genus
_Notoreas_ as most closely approaching to the ancestor of the family
_Hydriomenidæ_.
NOTOREAS INSIGNIS, Butl.
(_Aspilates insignis_, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 393, pl.
xliii. 1. _Pasithea insignis_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 85.
_Notoreas insignis_, ib. xviii. 184.)
(Plate VIII., fig. 3 [M].)
This very striking species has been taken in the South Island at Castle
Hill.
The expansion of the wings of the male is 1¼ inches, of the female 1
inch. _The fore-wings of the male are dull yellowish-brown; in the middle
of the wing there is an almost straight long white streak from the base
to about three-fourths; there is another straight white streak parallel
to the termen and almost touching the apex. The hind-wings are bright
ochreous speckled with brown near the base._ The female has the wings
rather narrower than the male, and the ground colour is paler.
The perfect insect appears in January. Mr. Fereday's specimens, which
formed the basis for the above figure and description, were captured on a
bare mountain side at an elevation of about 4,000 feet. Mr. Hawthorne has
directed my attention to the remarkable similarity existing between the
markings on the fore-wings of this species and those on _Xanthorhoe
stinaria_.
NOTOREAS ORPHNÆA, Meyr.
(_Pasithea orphnæa_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 85. _Notoreas orphnæa_,
ib. xviii. 184.)
This species was discovered by Mr. Meyrick in the South Island at Lake
Wakatipu.
The expansion of the wings of the female is from 28 to 30 mm. (about 1¼
inches). "Fore-wings moderate, termen rounded; dark fuscous, mixed with
yellowish and whitish, which tend to form alternate fasciæ; a discal dot
and numerous curved irregularly dentate blackish lines, varying in
strength and intensity; cilia barred with blackish and whitish.
Hind-wings moderate, termen rounded; dark fuscous; a blackish discal dot;
a cloudy whitish irroration forming a double curved fascia beyond middle,
and a dentate subterminal line; cilia as in fore-wings.
"Imitative in colour of the dark lichen-grown rocks.
{72}"I took three specimens almost on the summit of Ben Lomond, Lake
Wakatipu, at 5,600 feet, in January."--(Meyrick.)
NOTOREAS ISOLEUCA, Meyr.
(_Notoreas isoleuca_, Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1897, 386.)
(Plate VIII., fig. 27.)
This little species has been taken in the South Island on the Craigieburn
Range, near Castle Hill.
The expansion of the wings is about ¾ inch. _All the wings are very dark
blackish-brown; the fore-wings have five slender wavy white transverse
lines. The hind-wings have three white transverse lines_, the first near
the base, the second near the middle, and the third, which is very
slender and considerably broken, near the termen. _The cilia of all the
wings are white, barred with blackish-brown._
The perfect insect was captured in January, amongst a varied growth of
stunted Alpine vegetation, at an elevation of about 5,600 feet.
NOTOREAS MECHANITIS, Meyr.
(_Pasithea mechanitis_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 86. _Notoreas
mechanitis_, ib. xviii. 184.)
(Plate VIII., figs. 9, 10, 11, varieties.)
This insect has occurred in the South Island at Mount Arthur, Arthur's Pass
and Mount Hutt.
The expansion of the wings is about 7/8 inch. _All the wings are dark
brownish-black. The fore-wings have an almost straight transverse yellow
or white stripe near the base, edged with black towards the body; a
rather wavy stripe at about one-third, edged with black towards the
termen; then several irregular yellowish or white spots or marks,
followed by a very distinct white stripe, somewhat projecting towards the
termen near the middle; there is a broken fine yellow line near the
termen._ The hind-wings have a shaded white or yellow transverse line
near the base, another near the middle, a third, considerably finer and
often broken, near the termen. The cilia of all the wings are white
shaded with grey near the base, _but with no distinct bars_.
The perfect insect appears from January till March, and flies with great
activity in the hottest sunshine. It frequents grassy mountain sides at
elevations ranging from 3,000 to 4,500 feet above the sea-level, and in
these situations it is often very abundant.
NOTOREAS PARADELPHA, Meyr.
(_Pasithea paradelpha_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 86. _Notoreas
paradelpha_, ib. xviii. 184.)
(Plate VIII., figs. 12, 13, 14, varieties.)
In the South Island this insect has occurred on Mount Arthur, and on Ben
Lomond, Lake Wakatipu, at elevations of from 3,600 to 5,000 feet.
The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. The species is said to be
distinguished from the preceding "by the barred cilia, the absence of any
clear yellow colouring, the less prominent angulation of the post-median
line and the more elongate wings."[39] (Meyrick.)
The perfect insect appears in December, January and February. In habits it
exactly resembles _Notoreas mechanitis_.
NOTOREAS PERORNATA, Walk.
(_Fidonia perornata_, Walk. 1672. _Pasithea perornata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z.
Inst. xvi. 87. _Notoreas perornata_, ib. xviii. 184.)
(Plate VIII., figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, varieties.)
This very pretty insect has occurred at Palmerston and Wellington in the
North Island, and at Kekerangu, Mount Arthur, Lake Coleridge, Mount Hutt
and Lake Wakatipu, in the South Island.
{73}The expansion of the wings is about ¾ inch. _The fore-wings are dark
brownish-black, with five transverse white or orange-yellow lines, which
vary considerably both in width and colour in different specimens_; the
two basal lines are almost straight, the rest are wavy, the last but one
has, near the middle, a strong projection towards the termen. _The
hind-wings are bright orange, with three or four more or less broken
black transverse lines._ The termen is narrowly bordered with black; the
cilia of all the wings are white, more or less distinctly barred with
blackish-brown.
The perfect insect appears in February, March and April, flying very
actively in the hot afternoon sunshine. It is extremely abundant on the
coast hills in the neighbourhood of Wellington. It also occurs commonly at
Kekerangu, and is occasionally found on mountains as high as from 3,000 to
4,000 feet above the sea-level. I have observed that all the Wellington
specimens have the transverse lines on the fore-wings narrow and mostly
white; those from Mount Arthur broad and white, those from Kekerangu and
Lake Wakatipu broad and orange-yellow. The last-named forms approximate
most closely to some of the very yellow varieties of _Notoreas
paradelpha_.[40]
NOTOREAS STRATEGICA, Meyr.
(_Pasithea strategica_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 87. _Notoreas
strategica_, ib. xviii. 184.)
(Plate VIII., fig. 15.)
A single specimen of this conspicuous species was taken in the South Island
at Lake Guyon, by Mr. W. T. L. Travers.
The expansion of the wings is 1-3/8 inches. _The fore-wings are dull
yellowish-brown, becoming blackish-brown near the base; there are two
broad white transverse lines near the base, the outermost slightly
curved, then a dull orange shading, followed by a very broad, outwardly
bent, white transverse band, edged with black towards the base_; between
this band and the termen there is a fine wavy white transverse line. _The
hind-wings are dull yellowish-brown near the base, becoming blackish
towards the termen; there is a small cream-coloured area near the base,
then two rather broad, slightly irregular, cream-coloured bands, and a
rather fine wavy white line near the termen._ The cilia of all the wings
are white, barred with blackish-brown.
The perfect insect appears in January.
Described and figured from the type specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection.
NOTOREAS CALLICRENA, Meyr.
(_Pasithea callicrena_ Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 87. _Notoreas
callicrena_, ib. xviii. 184.)
(Plate VIII., fig. 16.)
A single specimen of this very handsome species was captured by Mr. Fereday
in the South Island, high on the mountains at the head of Lake Wakatipu.
The expansion of the wings is 1-3/8 inches. _The fore-wings are deep
orange-brown, shaded with black near the base and in the vicinity of the
three cream-coloured transverse bands; the first of these bands is
situated near the base, the second at about one-third, and the third,
which is rather wavy, at about two-thirds_; there is a fine wavy white
line close to the termen. _The hind-wings are dark grey, with two broad
cream-coloured bands, the first near the base and the second near the
middle_; there is a slender wavy line near the termen. The cilia of all
the wings are cream-coloured, barred with brownish-black.
The perfect insect appears in January, and evidently frequents high
mountains.
Described and figured from the type-specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection.
{74}NOTOREAS NIPHOCRENA, Meyr.
(_Pasithea niphocrena_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 88. _Notoreas
niphocrena_, ib. xviii. 184.)
This species was discovered by Mr. Meyrick in the South Island, at Arthur's
Pass, West Coast Road.
"The expansion of the wings of the female is from 24 to 25 mm. (1 inch).
Fore-wings moderate, termen rounded; rather dark fuscous, mixed and
obscurely striated with orange; a curved white subdentate line before
one-fourth, anteriorly blackish-margined; a similar white line beyond
one-fourth, posteriorly blackish-margined; space between these sometimes
suffused with orange; a slender irregularly dentate white fascia beyond
middle, rather strongly angulated in middle, anteriorly
blackish-margined, posteriorly closely followed by a dentate orange line;
a dentate orange line near termen, dilated on costa. Hind-wings moderate,
termen rounded; orange, lighter anteriorly; basal half dark fuscous mixed
with orange, its outer edge irregularly curved; a dentate subterminal
fascia and narrow terminal fascia dark fuscous, sometimes obscure.
"Possibly when the male is known this may prove to be a _Dasyuris_.
"I took two specimens on the mountain-side above Arthur's Pass at 4,500
feet, in January."--(Meyrick.)
NOTOREAS SIMPLEX, n. sp.
(Plate VIII., fig. 26.)
A single specimen of this species was captured on Mount Arthur in the South
Island.
The expansion of the wings is about 1-1/8 inches. _The fore-wings are
bright ochreous; there are four broad black transverse bands near the
base, edged with white, and separated from one another by yellow spaces
of almost equal width_; the outermost of these bands is situated a little
more than half-way between the base and termen; the last two lines become
obsolete before they reach the costa; there are no other markings, except
a black shading on the termen near the tornus, which is traversed by an
obscure jagged paler line; the cilia are white barred with black. The
hind-wings are bright orange-yellow, without markings; the cilia are
ochreous.
The perfect insect appears in January.
The type-specimen was taken on the mountain-side, at an elevation of about
4,000 feet.
NOTOREAS FEROX, Butl.
(_Fidonia ferox_, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 392, pl. xlii. 8.
_Pasithea ferox_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 88. _Notoreas ferox_,
ib. xviii. 184.)
(Plate VIII., fig. 17.)
Two specimens of this species were captured by Mr. J. D. Enys, at Castle
Hill in the South Island.
The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. The fore-wings are dull
brown, with numerous fine, wavy, dusky lines and a faint dot above the
middle. The hind-wings are orange-yellow, dotted with black near the
base; _there is a rather broad_ STRAIGHT _transverse black band near the
middle, followed by a much finer wavy line; there are three fine, wavy
lines parallel with the termen, and the termen itself is finely bordered
with black._
Described and figured from a specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection.
NOTOREAS ZOPYRA, Meyr.
(_Pasithea zopyra_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 89. _Notoreas zopyra_,
ib. xviii. 184.)
(Plate VIII., figs. 18 and 19, varieties.)
This bright-looking little species has occurred at Mount Arthur and at
Mount Hutt, in the South Island.
The expansion of the wings is about ¾ inch. The fore-wings are _dark
bluish-grey_, with numerous slender, wavy, blackish transverse lines, and
a distinct blackish dot above the middle. The hind-wings are _bright
orange_, speckled with grey near the base and dorsum; there are from two
to four very fine, wavy, broken, blackish, transverse lines, and the
termen is narrowly bordered with black.
{75}The perfect insect appears in January, frequenting shingle flats on the
mountain sides, at about 4,000 feet above the sea-level. It flies rapidly
in the hottest sunshine, and, when it alights on the stones, is extremely
difficult to find. The brilliant hind-wings, which are very conspicuous
when the moth is flying, quite disqualify the eye from detecting the
extremely obscure object, which the insect instantly becomes when resting
with its fore-wings alone exposed. This method of increasing the value of
protective tints by means of bright colours temporarily displayed was very
clearly described, I believe for the first time, by Lord Walsingham in his
address to the Fellows of the Entomological Society of London, in January,
1891. It is certainly well exemplified by this and several other species of
the genus _Notoreas_, and it will be at once noticed by the collector, how
extremely difficult it is to follow these active little moths, as they fly
with short and rapid flight over the grey rocks and stones, with which
their fore-wings so completely harmonize; the momentary glimpse obtained of
the brilliant hind-wings so completely deceives the eye, that there is much
more difficulty in marking the spot where the insect alights, than would
have been the case if the brilliant colour had never been displayed.
NOTOREAS VULCANICA, Meyr.
(_Pasithea vulcanica_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 89. _Notoreas
vulcanica_, ib. xviii. 184.)
(Plate VIII., fig. 24.)
This species has been taken in the North Island at Makotuku, and the Kaweka
Range, in the Hawkes Bay District.
The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. The fore-wings are _very dark
blackish-grey_; there is a rather narrow black transverse line near the
base, another at about one-third; then a small black dot, followed by a
wavy, rather broad, black band, and two cloudy wavy black transverse
lines near the termen. The hind-wings are _very dark orange; there is a
large black basal patch, then a broad black band joining the basal patch
near the dorsum; beyond this is a fine black line, then another broad
black line followed by a very fine wavy line of the orange ground colour;
the termen is very broadly margined with black_.
The perfect insect appears from January to March. Mr. Meyrick states that
he found it resting on the roads near Makotuku.
Described and figured from a specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection.
NOTOREAS BREPHOS, Walk.
(_Fidonia brephosata_, Walk. 1037; Butl., Cat. pl. iii. 14. _Larentia
catocalaria_, Gn., E. M. M. v. 62. _Fidonia brephos_, Feld. cxxix. 5.
_Pasithea brephos_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 89. _Notoreas
brephos_, ib. xviii. 184.)
(Plate VIII., figs. 20, 21, 22, and 23, varieties.)
This very pretty species is common, and generally distributed throughout
the country.
The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. The fore-wings are dark grey;
there is a wavy black line near the base, two similar lines enclosing a
very broad central area, with a black dot a little above the middle;
beyond this there is a more or less distinct wavy band of pale grey or
brown; there are several obscure wavy blackish lines near the termen. The
hind-wings are bright orange, dotted with grey near the base and dorsum,
with from two to four more or less distinct wavy black transverse lines,
generally rather narrow; the termen is moderately broadly bordered with
black.
This insect is extremely variable, and, so far as I can judge from an
extensive series, several of the varieties appear to indicate that both
_Notoreas zopyra_ and _N. vulcanica_ may ultimately have to be ranked as
varieties of _N. brephos_, but the evidence on this point is not yet
conclusive enough to render such a course at present desirable.
{76}The perfect insect appears from December to March. It is very active,
and is extremely fond of settling on roads or bare ground in the hot
sunshine, instantly darting away on the approach of an enemy. It is also
common on the mountains, and is often found at elevations of from 3,000 to
4,000 feet above the sea-level.
NOTOREAS OMICHLIAS, Meyr.
(_Pasithea omichlias_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 90. _Notoreas
omichlias_, ib. xviii. 184.)
(Plate VIII., fig. 25.)
Two specimens of this dull-looking little species were captured at Castle
Hill, by Mr. J. D. Enys.
The expansion of the wings is 7/8 inch. _All the wings are dark grey_;
the fore-wings have several obscure blackish marks near the base, _a dull
black spot on the costa at about one-third with a yellowish centre;
beyond this there are four similar spots forming a transverse band_, and
several more or less conspicuous wavy blackish lines near the termen. The
hind-wings have several obscure wavy blackish transverse lines near the
base and dorsum; the cilia are pale grey, obscurely barred with darker
grey.
The perfect insect was taken "high up" on the mountains, probably at an
elevation of about 5,000 feet.
This species is probably often overlooked through being mistaken for
_Xanthorhoe cinerearia_.
Genus 15.--SAMANA, Walk.
"Face loosely haired. Palpi long, straight, porrected, attenuated.
Antennæ in male dentate, ciliated (1). Fore-wings with vein 6 rising
below 9, 7 from below angle of areole, 10 anastomosing strongly with 9,
11 anastomosing strongly with 10, 12 free. Hind-wings
normal."--(Meyrick.)
Of this genus we have two species in New Zealand.
SAMANA FALCATELLA, Walk.
(_Samana falcatella_, Walk. xxvii. 197. _Panagra falcatella_, Meyr., Trans.
N. Z. Inst. xvi. 93. _Samana falcatella_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvii.
65.)
(Plate VIII., fig. 36.)
This unusual-looking species has occurred in the South Island, at Nelson
and at Dunedin.
The expansion of the wings is 1¼ inches. The fore-wings are very pale
ochreous, speckled with grey; _there is a very fine longitudinal black
streak from a little beyond the base to considerably before the middle,
slightly clouded above; an elongate dot above the middle; a very oblique
slightly curved black streak from near the apex to the middle of the
dorsum, edged with white towards the base, and clouded with brown towards
the termen_; the apex of the wing is very acute. The hind-wings are
white, with a black dot above the middle.
The perfect insect appears in February. It is apparently a rare species.
SAMANA ACUTATA, Butl.
(_Samana acutata_, Butl., P. Z. S. L. 1877, 401; Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst.
xvii. 67.)
The type-specimen of this species exists in the collection of the British
Museum. According to Mr. Meyrick, who made a cursory examination of it, the
species differs from _S. falcatella_ in the following respects:--
The first dark line runs from the dorsum near the base to below the costa
before the middle; the lower extremity of the second line is connected
with the tornus by an oblique streak.
{77}Family 2.--STERRHIDÆ.
"Face smooth. Tongue developed. Palpi shortly rough-scaled. Fore-wings
with vein 10 rising out of 9, 11 anastomosing or connected with 9.
Hind-wings with vein 5 fully developed, rising from middle of transverse
vein, parallel to 4, 8 very shortly anastomosing with upper margin of
cell near base, thence rapidly diverging."--(Meyrick.) (See Plate II.,
figs. 49 and 50.)
Although less numerous than the preceding, the family is pretty evenly
distributed throughout the world, but poorly represented in New Zealand. We
have only one genus, viz., LEPTOMERIS.
Genus 1.--LEPTOMERIS, Hb.
"Antennæ in male ciliated with fascicles. Posterior tibia in male dilated
without spurs, in female with all spurs present. Hind-wings with veins 6
and 7 sometimes stalked (variable in the same species)."--(Meyrick.) (See
Plate II., figs. 49 and 50.)
We have one species, which also occurs in Australia.
LEPTOMERIS RUBRARIA, Dbld.
(_Ptychopoda_ (?) _rubraria_, Dbld., Dieff. N. Z. ii. 286; Walk. 781.
_Fidonia_ (?) _acidaliaria_, Walk. 1037. _Acidalia figlinaria_, Gn. ix.
454, pl. xii. 8. _Acidalia rubraria_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 57.)
(Plate VIII., fig. 37 [M], 38 [F].)
This pretty little insect is very common, and generally distributed
throughout the country.
The expansion of the wings is about 7/8 inch. _The fore-wings are
reddish-ochreous with three dull brown wavy transverse lines_, the first
rather narrow at about one-fourth, the second slightly broader at about
one-half, the third much broader, and sometimes partially divided near
the costa; there is a black central dot, a series of rather large dull
brown spots near the termen, and a chain of minute black dots on the
termen. _The hind-wings are pinkish-ochreous; there is a dull brown wavy
transverse band near the base, then two close together a little beyond
one-half, a shading on the termen, and a very distinct series of minute
black terminal dots._ The cilia of all the wings are dull brown, mixed
with reddish-ochreous.
There is often considerable variation in the intensity of the colouring of
this insect, some specimens being much darker than others, but the markings
are very constant, and the species is thus always easily recognizable.
The eggs are yellowish-white, and very large for the size of the moth.
The young larva is brownish-purple with a dull white line on each side. The
food-plant is unknown.
The perfect insect appears in January, February and March. In the late
summer and autumn it frequents dried-up, weedy pastures, where it is often
extremely abundant. Straggling specimens, which have probably hibernated
during the winter, may also be taken in the early spring.
Mr. Meyrick states that this species occurs very commonly in New South
Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania, and that there is no difference between
Australian and New Zealand specimens.[41]
Family 3.--MONOCTENIADÆ.
"Hind-wings with vein 5 fully developed, parallel to 4, rising from about
or below middle of transverse vein, 8 free or anastomosing shortly near
base or seldom from near base to beyond {78}middle (then without areole
of fore-wings), approximated to upper margin of cell to middle or
beyond." (See Plate II., figs. 44 and 45.)
"Ovum subcylindrical, smooth. Larva more or less elongate, usually with
few hairs, prolegs on segments 7, 8, and sometimes 9 rudimentary or
absent. Pupa subterranean or in bark."--(Meyrick.)
According to Mr. Meyrick this is to be regarded as a decaying family. In
Australia it is still prominent, being represented there by nearly 100
known species.