Genus 1.--DICHROMODES, Gn.
"Face smooth. Palpi long, straight, porrected, roughly scaled above and
beneath. Antennæ in male pectinated on inner side only. Fore-wings with
vein 6 from a point with 9, 7 from angle of areole, 10 anastomosing
moderately with 9, 11 separate, approximated to 10 in middle, 12 free.
Hind-wings with veins 6 and 7 separate, 8 free, closely approximated to 7
from base to near transverse vein."--(Meyrick.) (See Plate II., figs. 44
and 45, neuration of _D. petrina_.)
There are three species belonging to this genus known in New Zealand.
DICHROMODES NIGRA, Butl.
(_Cacopsodos niger_, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc., Lond. 1877, 395, pl. xliii.
4. _Dichromodes nigra_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 60.)
(Plate VIII., fig. 40.)
This little insect has been taken at Nelson.
The expansion of the wings is 7/8 inch. _All the wings are dull black.
The fore-wings have a darker central area, bordered by two jagged pale
grey transverse lines_, the first at about one-third and the second at
about two-thirds; there is also a faint line near the termen. The
hind-wings have a very obscure dark central line.
The perfect insect appears in February. It occurs quite commonly on the
track to the Dun Mountain, near Nelson, frequenting openings in the birch
forest, where it may be captured at rest on bare ground in the hot
sunshine, at elevations of from 1,500 to 2,000 feet.
DICHROMODES GYPSOTIS, Meyr.
(_Cacopsodos niger_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 94 (nec Butl.).
_Dichromodes gypsotis_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 60.)
This insect was discovered by Mr. Meyrick at Lake Wakatipu in the South
Island.
The expansion of the wings of the female is 13 mm. (½ inch). "Fore-wings
rather narrow, costa sinuate, termen sinuate; white, slightly mixed with
grey; dorsum narrowly grey; a slender black fascia almost at base; a
slender black fascia at one-third, dentate inwards above middle, dilated
on costa; a slender black fascia beyond middle, sharply angulated in
middle, dilated on costa, connected below middle with preceding fascia by
a suffused bar; close beyond this a rather broad parallel grey fascia; an
indistinct grey subterminal line. Hind-wings moderate; termen rounded
dark grey."--(Meyrick.)
Taken in December, at an elevation of about 1,500 feet above the sea-level.
DICHROMODES PETRINA, Meyr.
(_Dichromodes petrina_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxiv. 216.)
(Plate VIII., fig. 39.)
This dull-looking little insect has occurred at Paikakariki and Wellington
in the North Island, and at Kekerangu in the South Island.
The expansion of the wings is ¾ inch. _The fore-wings are dull
greenish-grey; there is a {79}black, wavy, somewhat broken transverse
line at about one-third, and another at about two-thirds, enclosing a
slightly darker central band, with a black dot above middle_; there is
also a darker shading on the termen, and an obscure wavy paler line. _The
hind-wings are grey_, with an obscure wavy central line.
The perfect insect appears in January, February and March. It frequents
dry, open, sunny situations, generally alighting on paths or roads. It is
also attracted by light.
Genus 2.--THEOXENA, Meyr.
"Palpi moderate, triangularly scaled, porrected. Antennæ in male
bi-ciliated with long tufts of cilia (5). Fore-wings with vein 6 from
below 9, 7 from angle of areole, 10 out of 9 above 7, 11 anastomosing
shortly with 9, 12 free, closely approximated to 11 on areole. Hind-wings
with veins 6 and 7 from a point or short-stalked, 8 free, closely
approximated to 7 from base to near transverse vein."--(Meyrick.)
We have one species.
THEOXENA SCISSARIA, Gn.
(_Panagra scissaria_, Gn., E. M. M. v. 43. _Theoxena scissaria_, Meyr.,
Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 56.)
(Plate VIII., fig. 41.)
This delicate-looking species has occurred at Christchurch.
The expansion of the wings is 1 inch. _All the wings are white. The
fore-wings have a longitudinal, slightly curved black line, extending
from a little beyond the base, almost as far as the termen below the
apex_; above this line there is a black dot at about one-third; the apex
of the fore-wing is slightly hooked, and there is a row of minute black
dots on the termen of both fore- and hind-wings.
The perfect insect appears in January. According to Mr. Fereday it
frequents the plains near Christchurch, and towards the foot of Mount Hutt.
Described and figured from a specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection.
Family 4.--ORTHOSTIXIDÆ.
"Hind-wings with vein 5 fully developed, rising from about middle of
transverse vein, 8 connected with upper margin of cell by an oblique bar
towards base."--(Meyrick.) (See Plate II., figs. 46 and 47.)
This small family is represented in New Zealand by a single genus only. The
peculiar oblique bar connecting vein 8 with the cell towards base, combined
with the development of vein 5, distinguish it from all other families. If
there is any chance of confusion with those forms of _Hydriomenidæ_ in
which vein 8 is also connected by a bar (though in them the bar is placed
beyond and not before the middle of cell), the absence of the
characteristic areole of the _Hydriomenidæ_ will be a further test.
Genus 1.--EPIRRANTHIS, Hb.
"Face with appressed scales. Tongue developed. Palpi very short or
moderate, porrected or subascending, rough-scaled. Antennæ in male evenly
ciliated. Thorax rather hairy beneath. Femora glabrous; posterior tibiæ
with all spurs present. Fore-wings with vein 10 anastomosing with 9, 11
anastomosing with 12 and 10 before 9. Hind-wings with 6 and 7
separate."--(Meyrick.) (Plate II., figs. 46 and 47, neuration of
_Epirranthis alectoraria_; fig. 48, head of ditto.)
Represented in New Zealand by two species.
{80}EPIRRANTHIS ALECTORARIA, Walk.
(_Lyrcea alectoraria_, Walk. 259; Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 95.
_Aspilates_ (?) _primata_, Walk. 1076; Butl., Cat. pl. iii. 4. _Endropia
mixtaria_, Walk. 1506; Butl., Cat. pl. iii. 5. _Amilapis_ (?)
_acroiaria_, Feld. cxxiii. 6. _Lyrcea varians_, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii.
496. _Ploseria alectoraria_, Hdsn., Manual N. Z. Ent. 86.)
(Plate VIII., figs. 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, and 47, varieties; Plate III., fig.
24, larva.)
This species has occurred in tolerable abundance at many localities in both
the North and the South Islands. It is probably generally distributed
throughout the country.
The expansion of the wings is from 1 inch to 1½ inches. The wings range
in colour from pale yellow to dark orange-brown, dark reddish-brown, or
even dull brown, with innumerable intermediate tints. There is often a
central transverse line reaching from the costa of the fore-wing to the
dorsum of the hind-wing. Many of the varieties are speckled with darker
colour; others have irregular yellow patches, generally situated on the
fore-wings just below the apex and on the dorsum near the base; there are
often two white dots near the apex of the fore-wings.
Most of the varieties closely resemble the varied hues of fading leaves. In
many of the forms greyish speckled marks occur on various parts of the
wings, no doubt imitating the irregular patches of mould which are often
present on dead leaves. One very well-marked variety is bright yellow, with
the costa rosy and two large white-centred rosy spots arranged transversely
on each wing. (See Plate VIII., fig. 47.) All the specimens of this insect
are so extremely variable that it is almost impossible to adequately
describe the species. The apex of the fore-wing is always very acute; the
termen is bowed just below the apex, and is furnished with slight
indentations of variable depth. The termen of the hind-wing is also
furnished with variable indentations.
The egg is oval and much flattened above. When first laid it is pale
green in colour, but becomes dull olive-green as the embryo develops.
The young larva is _very pale green_, with the head brownish-yellow. At
this early stage its colouring already completely harmonises with that of
the under side of the leaves of its food-plants, _Pittosporum
eugenioides_ and _P. tenuifolium_.
The full-grown larva is very robust, and about 1 inch in length. Its
colour is pale green, with numerous yellow dots and a series of diagonal
yellow stripes on each segment; there is, in addition, a series of broad
crimson blotches on the back and a small crimson flap projecting from the
end of the terminal segment; the prolegs and spiracles are also crimson.
The remarkable shape and colouring of this caterpillar, in conjunction with
the peculiar attitude assumed when at rest, affords it complete protection,
causing it to resemble, in the closest possible manner, one of the buds of
its food-plant. These larvæ grow very slowly, and probably occupy three or
four months in attaining their full size. They are very sluggish in their
habits. The pupa is greenish-brown in colour. It is enclosed in a cocoon,
constructed of two or three leaves of the food-plant, fastened together
with silk. The insect remains in this condition for three weeks or a month.
The moth first appears about the end of October, and is met with until the
middle of March. It frequents forest, where it is occasionally dislodged
from amongst the undergrowth. It is also found in the evening on the
flowers of the white rata. It is, however, rather uncertain in its
appearance, being much commoner in some years than in others.
EPIRRANTHIS HEMIPTERARIA, Gn.
(_Hemerophila hemipteraria_, Gn. ix. 220, pl. vi. 2. _Xyridacina
hemipteraria_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 60. _Ploseria hemipteraria_,
Hdsn., Manual N. Z. Ent. 85.)
(Plate VIII., fig. 48 [M], 49 [F]; Plate III., fig. 19, larva.)
This remarkable-looking species has occurred in the North Island, at
Auckland and Wellington. At present it has not been observed in the South
Island.
{81}The expansion of the wings is from 1-3/8 to 1-5/8 inches. All the
wings are pale ochreous-brown, with a variable number of minute black
dots; there are four or five oblique, wavy brown transverse lines on both
fore- and hind-wings, the central and terminal lines being often slightly
darker than the others; there is always a black dot in the middle of the
fore-wing, and a shaded spot near the termen below the apex. The apex of
_the hind-wing is very pointed and projects downwards; the almost
straight termen has a series of prominent projections_.
This species varies much in the intensity of the markings, and in the
number of the black dots on both the fore- and hind-wings. The peculiar
outline of its hind-wings, however, distinguishes it from any other species
with which I am acquainted.
The larva feeds on veronicas in September and October.
Its length when full grown is about 1 inch. Some larvæ are green, with a
broad bluish dorsal line, and two fine yellow lateral lines. Others are
brown, with a dull yellow dorsal line.
During the daytime these caterpillars firmly clasp the stem of their
food-plant with their prolegs, and hold the rest of their body rigidly out
from the branch. In this position they are very inconspicuous, and may
readily be mistaken for young leaves or twigs. At night they become much
more active, and may then be seen walking about and feeding.
The pupa is rather robust, with a sharp spine at its extremity. Its colour
is pale olive-brown, with the wing-cases and sides of the abdomen pinkish.
It is not enclosed in any cocoon, but is merely concealed amongst the dead
leaves and rubbish around the stem of the veronica. The insect remains in
this state for less than a month, so that the protection of a cocoon would
appear to be unnecessary.
The moth appears in December and January. It usually frequents gardens and
other cultivated places, probably on account of the number of veronicas
that are often growing in such situations. It is also attracted by blossoms
and by light, but is not a common species. The colouring and wing-outline
of this moth cause it to very closely resemble a dead leaf, especially when
resting amongst foliage or on the ground. This insect may be occasionally
noticed abroad on mild evenings in the middle of winter; the females
probably hibernate and deposit their eggs early in the spring.
Family 5.--SELIDOSEMIDÆ.
"Hind-wings with vein 5 imperfect (not tubular) or obsolete, 6 and 7
usually separate, 8 usually obsoletely connected with upper margin of
cell near base, approximated to near middle." (See Plate II., figs. 51 to
64.)
"A very large family, equally common throughout all regions. It varies
considerably in superficial appearance, and is also remarkable for the
variability of structure of veins 10 and 11 of the fore-wings in many (not
all) species. Imago with body slender to rather stout; fore-wings broad to
rather elongate, triangular; posterior tibiæ of male often enlarged and
enclosing an expansible tuft of hairs. The structure termed the fovea is a
circular impression on the lower surface of the fore-wings above the dorsum
near the base, usually placed about the origin of the basal fork of 1_b_;
it is generally confined to the male, and is often sub-hyaline, sometimes
surmounted by a small thickened gland; it may possibly be a scent-producing
organ. It is strictly confined to that branch of which _Selidosema_ is the
type, but is not invariably present there.
"Ovum subcylindrical or elongate-ovate, more or less reticulated,
sometimes ribbed. Larva elongate, more or less slender, with few hairs,
without developed prolegs on segments 7, 8, and usually 9; often
remarkably like a twig of its food-plant. Pupa subterranean, or in a
slight cocoon above ground."--(Meyrick.)
{82}Of this extensive family we have nine genera represented in New
Zealand:
1. SELIDOSEMA.
2. HYBERNIA.
3. CHALASTRA.
4. SESTRA.
5. GONOPHYLLA.
6. DREPANODES.
7. AZELINA.
8. IPANA.
9. DECLANA.
Genus 1.--SELIDOSEMA, Hb.
"Face with appressed or shortly projecting scales. Tongue developed.
Antennæ in male bipectinated, towards apex simple. Palpi rough-scaled.
Thorax sometimes crested posteriorly, hairy beneath. Femora nearly
glabrous; posterior tibiæ in male dilated. Fore-wings in male with fovea;
vein 10 sometimes connected with 9, 11 sometimes out of 10 near base
only, or if separate, sometimes anastomosing with 12."--(Meyrick.) (Plate
II., figs. 59 and 60, neuration of _Selidosema dejectaria_.)
This genus is universally distributed and of considerable extent. We have
nine species in New Zealand.
SELIDOSEMA FENERATA, Feld.
(_Rhyparia fenerata_, Feld. cxxxi. 7. _Zylobara fenerata_, Butl., Cist.
Ent. ii. 498. Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 97.)
(Plate VIII., fig. 50 [M], 51 [F].)
This species is common, and generally distributed throughout the country.
The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. The fore-wings of the male
are _very pale_ ochreous-brown; there is a double jagged transverse line
near the base, a single jagged line a little before the middle, and a
double one a little beyond the middle; an almost continuous jagged line
near the termen. The hind-wings are very pale ochreous, almost white;
_their outline is peculiar; the dorsum is very short, the termen very
long, first oblique and then rounded with a small projection midway
between the apex and the tornus_. The female has the fore-wings pale
grey, and the hind-wings dull white; the markings resemble those of the
male, but the outline of the hind-wing is of the usual form.
This insect varies slightly in the depth of its colouring. It may be
distinguished from the allied species by the peculiar outline of the
hind-wings in the male, and by the pale grey colouring of the female.
The perfect insect appears from October till March and is very common. It
has a great liking for the faded fronds of tree-ferns, from which specimens
may often be dislodged. Both sexes are very abundant at various blossoms
during the evening, and are also attracted by light. The female is
sometimes observed in the winter months, and probably hibernates.
SELIDOSEMA RUDIATA, Walk.
(_Cidaria rudiata_, Walk. 1420. _Boarmia astrapia_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z.
Inst. xxii. 218. _Boarmia rudiata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxiii. 101.)
(Plate IX., fig. 1 [M], 2 [F].)
This species is fairly common in the neighbourhood of Wellington, and has
occurred at Dunedin, and at Stewart Island. It is probably generally
distributed throughout the country.
The expansion of the wings of the male is 1½ inches, of the female 1-5/8
inches. The fore-wings are _very pale ochreous-brown_; there are two
interrupted jagged transverse lines near the base; a single very
indistinct line in the middle; a double, nearly continuous jagged
transverse line beyond the middle; a double jagged line near the termen
completely interrupted in the middle; there is generally a dark patch on
the termen just below the apex of the wing. The hind-wings are very pale
ochreous. There is a series of black dots on the termen of both
fore-wings and hind-wings, and the termen of the hind-wing is slightly
indented.
This species varies a good deal in size; the specimens from Stewart Island
are {83}considerably larger and have more distinct markings, than those
found in the vicinity of Wellington.
The larva is cylindrical, of even thickness throughout, and almost uniform
dull greyish-brown in colour, occasionally with a series of small oblong
black marks on segments 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. It feeds on the young leaves and
buds of the ake ake (_Olearia traversii_). It is extremely difficult to
find as it almost exactly resembles a twig of its food-plant. It is full
grown about April.
The pupa is concealed in the earth.
The perfect insect appears from October till March. It seems to prefer
cultivated districts, and is generally observed at rest on garden fences or
tree-trunks. It also frequents flowers in the evening.
SELIDOSEMA SUAVIS, Butl.
(_Pseudocoremia suavis_, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 497. _Pachycnemia
usitata_, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 501. _Pseudocoremia lupinata_, Meyr.,
Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 98. _Boarmia suavis_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst.
xxiii. 101.)
(Plate IX., fig. 3 [M], 4 [F].)
This species is very common and generally distributed throughout the
country, and has occurred as far south as Stewart Island.
The expansion of the wings is 1¼ inches. The fore-wings of the male are
_dull yellowish-brown, speckled with black_; there are two curved
transverse lines near the base; a very obscure line near the middle,
darker on the costa; two doubly curved lines beyond the middle, slightly
darker on the dorsum; and two very faint jagged lines near the termen.
The hind-wings are pale ochreous, tinged with brown near the termen. The
female has narrower wings, shorter body, and is usually duller in colour
than the male.
This insect is rather variable, some specimens of both sexes being much
darker than others; but all the forms may usually be recognised by their
dull speckled colouring and absence of conspicuous markings.
The larva feeds on the white rata (_M. scandens_) and the tawa
(_Beilschmiedia tawa_).
Its length when full grown is about 1-1/8 inches. The upper surface is
dark reddish-brown with numerous blackish stripes and white markings,
which give it a very variegated appearance; the under side is pale green;
there are two small tubercles on the back of the eighth segment.
The pupa is concealed amongst refuse on the ground, the larva constructing
no cocoon before changing.
The perfect insect appears from October till April, and may often be
observed on mild days in the middle of winter. It is common in forest
districts, where it is usually seen resting on the tree-trunks, in which
situation its colouring must afford it efficient protection from many
enemies.
SELIDOSEMA HUMILLIMA, n. sp.
(Plate IX., fig. 5.)
This inconspicuous-looking insect has occurred at Wellington.
The expansion of the wings of the male is about 1-1/8 inches. _The
fore-wings are dull yellowish-brown; there are three short oblique dark
brown stripes on the costa, inclined very much towards the termen_; the
first of these stripes is distinctly double, and the second and third
partially so; there is an indistinct brown mark just below the apex,
several slender faint streaks on the veins near the middle of the wing,
and a very distinct brown shading on the dorsum. The hind-wings are very
pale ochreous.
This species may be readily distinguished from the other species of the
genus by its small size and by the obliquity of the costal stripes. In _S.
humillima_ the costal markings slope very rapidly from the base towards the
termen; in the {84}other allied species these markings are but slightly
inclined, and in some cases slope in the reverse direction.
The perfect insect appears from December till March. It frequents the
immediate neighbourhood of Wellington, but is not a common species. At
present I am only acquainted with the male insect.
SELIDOSEMA PRODUCTATA, Walk.
(_Larentia productata_, Walk. 1197 (?). _Selidosema pungata_, Feld.
cxxxi. 23. _Selidosema_ (?) _fragosata_, Feld. cxxxi. 29. _Zylobara
productata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 98.)
(Plate IX., figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 [M] varieties, 11, 12, 13, and 14 [F]
ditto; Plate III., fig. 22, larva.)
This species is very common, and generally distributed throughout both the
North and South Islands. It has also occurred at Stewart Island.
The expansion of the wings of the male is 1-3/8 inches, of the female 1-1/8
inches.
The fore-wings vary from pale yellowish-brown to rich chocolate-brown;
there are two curved transverse lines near the base, generally enclosing
a paler stripe between them; next a broad dark central area; then a wavy
paler transverse line, usually followed by a very much paler irregular
band, generally formed by two partially disconnected patches, one on the
costa and one on the dorsum; there is a jagged, whitish, transverse line
near the termen, _always broken in the middle_, and often shaded with
black towards the base of the wing. The hind-wings are ochreous, speckled
with brown towards the dorsum; there is usually a brown central dot.
This is an extremely variable insect. In some specimens there are very
extensive white patches on the wings, whilst in others the colouring is
almost uniform rich brown, and the characteristic markings can only be
detected with difficulty. It may, however, be distinguished from the allied
species by the _interrupted pale jagged transverse line near the termen and
by the absence of greenish colouring_.
The eggs are oval with the surface honeycombed; they are pale green in
colour.
The young larva, when first hatched, is much attenuated, light
reddish-brown with a broad pale lateral stripe, and a few bristles. The
full-grown larva measures about 1½ inches in length; it is rather slender
and has a large hump on the sixth segment. Its colour is dark
reddish-brown, mottled and striped with dull white and greenish.
It feeds on the white rata (_Metrosideros scandens_). During the day it
firmly grasps a stem of its food-plant with its prolegs, holding the rest
of its body out from the branch in a perfectly straight and rigid position.
When in this attitude it so exactly resembles a twig, that, even in the
case of captive specimens, it is often a matter of the greatest difficulty
to find a caterpillar amongst the branches. Several times I have even
caught hold of a larva, thinking it to be a twig, so perfect is the
resemblance. At night these larvæ become much more active, and by the aid
of a lantern they may then be seen busily walking about and feeding.
The pupa is enclosed in a slight cocoon about two inches below the surface
of the earth. The larvæ of the autumnal brood remain in this condition
during the winter, but in the case of the spring and summer broods the pupa
state only occupies a few weeks.
The moth appears from November till May. It is very common in forest
regions, and may be observed resting on the trunks of the trees, its pale
yellow hind-wings being completely concealed by the mottled brown
fore-wings. In this position the insect is almost invisible, and the
protection afforded by its colouring is at once apparent. In the autumn
evenings it is often very abundant at the blossoms of the white rata.
{85}SELIDOSEMA ARISTARCHA, Meyr.
(_Selidosema aristarcha_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxiv. 216.)
(Plate IX., fig. 17 [M], 18 [F]; Plate III., fig. 17, larva.)
Of this fine species only about a dozen specimens have hitherto been
captured, all of which have occurred in the immediate vicinity of
Wellington. It is consequently at present a rarity, but future collectors
will probably find the insect in many other parts of the country.
The expansion of the wings varies from 1¼ to 1½ inches. The fore-wings
are light ochreous-brown; there is a small white-edged brown spot near
the base; two oblique curved brown transverse lines enclosing between
them a white space towards the dorsum; a short stripe on the costa, near
the middle, edged with white towards the base of the wing; a doubly
curved transverse line beyond the middle, finely edged with white towards
the base of the wing; there is also a short white-edged brown stripe
extending from the apex of the wing to the last-named transverse line,
the two lines enclosing between them a small pale triangular area; there
are five short longitudinal brown lines running from the termen to the
outermost of the transverse lines, two of them being tipped with white
towards the base of the wing. The hind-wings are dull ochreous-brown,
with two very faint brown transverse lines towards the dorsum, and
several whitish spots and one brown spot near the tornus. The female is a
little darker in colour than the male.
This insect varies slightly in size.
The larva feeds on _Cyathea dealbata_ (tree-fern) in September. Its colour
is dull reddish-brown with an irregular brownish-black blotch on the side
of each segment, and a dark brown dorsal line. It is very sluggish in its
habits.
The pupa is concealed amongst moss, &c., on the surface of the ground, the
insect remaining in this state for about six weeks.
The moth appears from September till March, and frequents dense forests. It
has been dislodged from its food-plant in the daytime, and has also been
taken on the flowers of the white rata in the evening.
SELIDOSEMA MELINATA, Feld.
(_Numeria melinata_, Feld. cxxix. 9. _Pseudocoremia indistincta_, Butl.,
Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 394, pl. xliii. 8. _Pseudocoremia melinata_,
Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 99.)
(Plate IX., fig. 15 [M], 16 [F].)
This species is very common, and generally distributed throughout the
country.
The expansion of the wings of the male is 1¼ inches, of the female 1½
inches. The fore-wings are _dull greenish-grey_, with black markings;
there is a transverse line near the base; another near the middle,
followed by two broken irregular lines, then a broader, paler area
sometimes white, followed by a series of jagged pale markings shaded with
black. The hind-wings are ochreous mottled with pale brown near the
dorsum; there is a series of black dots on the termen of both fore- and
hind-wings.
This species is extremely variable, but may always be recognised by its
greenish tinge, and the absence of indentations on the termen of both fore-
and hind-wings.
The larva, according to Mr. Purdie, is about ¾ inch long; dull green with
darker longitudinal striations. It may be beaten from New Zealand broom
(_Carmichælia_) in February. There must be some other commoner food-plant,
as the moth is found in many localities where the New Zealand broom does
not occur.
The perfect insect appears from November till March, and is generally very
abundant in all wooded districts. It is also common in birch forests on the
mountain sides, where it may be taken at altitudes of from 3,000 to 4,000
feet above the sea-level. {86}In the lowlands I have observed as many as
half a dozen specimens on a single tree-trunk. Whilst resting in this
situation they are very inconspicuous, the colouring of the fore-wings
harmonizing perfectly with the insect's surroundings, and the pale-coloured
hind-wings being then entirely concealed by the upper pair. In connection
with this fact it is very interesting to notice that in all those cases
where the hind-wings are exposed to view during repose, they are
protectively coloured in a similar manner to the fore-wings. It will be
observed that the two following species of _Selidosema_ exhibit protective
colouring on both pairs of wings, these being invariably exposed when the
insects are at rest.