(_Boarmia dejectaria_, Walk. 394. _Boarmia attracta_, Walk. 394. _Boarmia
exprompta_, Walk. 395. _Tephrosia patularia_, Walk. 422; Butl., Cat., pl.
iii. 8. _Tephrosia scriptaria_, Walk. 422. _Scotosia erebinata_, Walk.
1358. _Scotosia stigmaticata_, Walk. 1359. _Scotosia lignosata_, Walk.
1361. _Gnophos pannularia_, Gn., E. M. M. v. 42. _Scotopteryx maoriata_,
Feld. cxxvi. 4. _Hemerophila_ (?) _sulpitiata_, Feld. cxxvi. 7.
_Hemerophila caprimulgata_, Feld. cxxvi. 12. _Boarmia dejectaria_, Meyr.,
Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 100.)
(Plate IX., figs. 19, 20, 21 and 22 [M] varieties, 23 and 24 [F] ditto;
Plate III., fig. 12, larva.)
This large insect is very common, and generally distributed throughout the
country.
The expansion of the wings is from 1½ to 2 inches. The fore-wings vary
from pale ochreous to very dark rich brown; there is an oblique
transverse line near the base, often enclosing a darker basal area; a
small dark brown spot in the middle of the wing surrounded by a ring; a
very oblique, wavy, transverse line beyond the middle, often double
towards the dorsum, and several irregular markings on the termen; there
is often a white spot on the middle of the termen, and a pale blotch on
the apex of the wing. The hind-wings resemble the fore-wings in colour;
there are two obscure transverse lines near the base; generally forming a
dark basal area; a wavy line near the middle, and a strongly shaded line
near the termen. The termen of both the wings is indented, the depth of
the indentations varying greatly in different specimens.
This insect is very variable, but its large size and _oblique transverse
lines_ suffice to distinguish it from any of the other allied species.
The larva feeds on a great variety of plants, mahoe (_Melicytus
ramiflorus_), white rata (_Metrosideros scandens_), _Solanum aviculare_,
fuchsia (_Fuchsia excorticata_), and _Pennantia corymbosa_ being amongst
the number. The caterpillar may often be recognised by a large hump, which
is situated on each side of the third segment. Its colouring appears to be
so entirely influenced by its surroundings that a description is
impossible. For instance, larvæ taken from the pale green foliage of the
mahoe resemble in colour the twigs of that plant; others captured feeding
on the white rata are dark reddish-brown, those from _Solanum aviculare_
are purplish slate-colour, whilst those from the fuchsia are pale
olive-green tinged with brown, like the sprouting twigs.
The pupa is enclosed in a slight cocoon situated about two inches below the
surface of the ground. Those larvæ which become full grown in the autumn
remain as pupæ during the winter, but the summer broods only remain in the
pupa state a few weeks.
The perfect insect appears from November till March. It has a great
partiality for resting with outspread wings on the walls of sheds and
outhouses, where it is frequently noticed by the most casual observer. It
is very common in most situations, and may be taken in large numbers at
sugar, light, or blossoms, during the whole of the summer. Its extreme
abundance and great variability, in both the larval and imago states, would
render it a good subject for a series of experiments, resembling those
conducted by Messrs. Poulton and Merrifield on several allied European
species.
{87}SELIDOSEMA PANAGRATA, Walk.
(_Scotosia panagrata_, Walk. 1360. _Angerona menanaria_, Walk. 1500.
_Epirrhanthis_ (?) _antipodaria_, Feld. cxxvi. 3. _Hyperythra desiccata_,
Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 495. _Hyperythra arenacea_, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii.
495. _Barsine panagrata_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 100.)
(Plate IX., figs. 25, 26, 27, and 28 [M] varieties, 29 and 30 [F] ditto.)
This species is very common, and generally distributed throughout the
country. It has occurred as far south as Stewart Island.
The expansion of the wings is from 1½ to 1¾ inches. The fore-wings of the
male vary from pale yellowish-white to rich brown or dark brownish-black;
there is a jagged transverse line near the base; a large black or white
spot in the middle of the wing; a doubly curved transverse line beyond
the middle, then a very jagged transverse line, followed by several paler
markings, and an obscure line parallel with the termen. The hind-wings
are paler in colour; there is a slightly curved transverse line near the
base; a jagged line near the middle, and a very faint line beyond the
middle. The termen of both fore- and hind-wings is slightly indented. The
female varies from pale ochreous to dark slate-colour; the markings
resemble those of the male, but the termen of the wings is more indented.
This species is so extremely variable that a more detailed description
would be useless; its numerous forms may, however, be at once recognised by
the _unbroken jagged transverse lines of both fore- and hind-wings_.
The larva is quite as variable as the perfect insect. When very young it is
bright green, with a conspicuous white dorsal line; as age advances the
caterpillar becomes dark olive-brown, sometimes striped with paler brown or
green, whilst many specimens retain the green colouring throughout the
whole of their lives. The favourite food-plant is the kawa-kawa (_Piper
excelsum_), which the larvæ voraciously devour, thus causing the riddled
appearance which the leaves of that plant almost invariably present. These
larvæ often select a forked twig to rest in, where they lie curled round,
with the head and tail close together. Other food-plants are _Aristotelia
racemosa_ and _Myrtus bullata_. Those caterpillars found on the latter
plant are strongly tinged with pink, and are consequently very
inconspicuous amongst the young shoots, where they generally feed. The
burrows of the larvæ of _Hepialus virescens_ are frequently utilised by the
caterpillars, which feed on the _Aristotelia_, as convenient retreats
during the winter. When full-grown these caterpillars descend to the ground
and construct loose cocoons of silk and earth on the under sides of fallen
leaves. The moth usually emerges in about a month's time, but the autumnal
larvæ either hibernate or remain in the pupa state throughout the winter.
The perfect insect appears from October till April. It frequents forest and
is extremely common. It also occurs in great abundance on the white rata
blossoms in the autumn, and specimens may be occasionally seen even in the
depth of winter.
Genus 2.--HYBERNIA, Latr.
"Face with appressed scales or short rough scales. Tongue developed or
weak. Antennæ in male bi-pectinated, pectinations sometimes short and
terminating in fascicles of cilia, apex simple. Palpi shortly
rough-scaled. Thorax with small triangular anterior crest, hairy beneath.
Femora glabrous; posterior tibiæ in male not dilated. Fore-wings in male
without fovea; vein 10 sometimes out of 9, sometimes anastomosing or
connected with 9, 11 sometimes out of 10, usually anastomosing with or
running into 12, rarely absent. Female semiapterous or
apterous."--(Meyrick.)
We have one species.
{88}HYBERNIA INDOCILIS, Walk.
(_Zermizinga indocilisaria_, Walk. 1530. _Hybernia boreophilaria_, Gn., E.
M. M. v. 61. _Hybernia indocilis_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 97.)
(Plate IX., fig. 31 [M], 32 [F].)
This species has occurred plentifully in the neighbourhood of Christchurch.
The expansion of the wings of the male is 1¼ inches, of the female ½
inch. _All the wings are pale grey, speckled with darker grey. The
fore-wings have four obscure wavy transverse lines_; the first near the
base, the second and third near the middle, rather close together, and
the fourth near the termen, much interrupted; there is a series of black
dots on the termen. The hind-wings have two very faint transverse lines,
and a series of black terminal dots; the termen of the hind-wings is
slightly scalloped. The cilia of all the wings are grey. _The female has
the wings extremely small and quite useless for flight_; in colour and
markings they resemble those of the male, except that the transverse
lines are black and sharply defined.
The perfect insect appears from July to January. Mr. R. W. Fereday states
that the male is found plentifully at rest on the bare ground, amongst
_Leptospermum_, and the female on the stems.
Described and figured from specimens kindly given to me by Mr. Fereday.
Genus 3.--CHALASTRA, Walk.
"Face with a slight cone of scales. Palpi rather long, porrected, roughly
scaled. Antennæ in male bi-pectinated. Fore-wings with vein 6 from below
9, 7 from below angle of areole, 10 very shortly touching 9, 11 free, 12
very shortly touching 11. Hind-wings normal."--(Meyrick.) (Plate II.,
figs. 51 and 52.)
This genus is represented by one species only.
I have made a very careful examination of several denuded specimens of
_Chalastra pelurgata_, and I find that in the fore-wings veins 9, 10, and
11 rise almost from a point. Vein 10 afterwards approaches closely to 9,
but does not actually touch it, and consequently does not form a true
areole. Vein 12 also appears to me to be free.
CHALASTRA PELURGATA, Walk.
(_Chalastra pelurgata_, Walk. 1430. _Itama cinerascens_, Feld. cxxxi. 1.
_Stratocleis streptophora_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 106.)
(Plate IX., figs. 33 and 34 [M] varieties, 35 and 36 [F] ditto; Plate III.,
fig. 21, larva.)
This species is very abundant in the neighbourhood of Wellington. It has
also occurred at Palmerston North, and is probably common throughout the
whole of the North Island. In the South Island it has been taken in the
Otira Gorge, and at Dunedin, Otara and Invercargill.
The expansion of the wings is about 1-3/8 inches. _The fore-wings of the
male vary from pale orange-brown to dull yellowish-brown_; there is a
doubly curved dark brown transverse line near the base; _a broad straight
line a little before the middle; a very strongly curved line a little
beyond the middle, and a less strongly curved line near the termen, often
composed of a series of triangular white dots edged with dark brown_; all
these lines are much stronger on the costa, and are sometimes almost
obliterated elsewhere. The hind-wings are pale yellow, with several
brown-edged white spots at the tornus, and an indistinct line parallel to
the termen. The apex of the fore-wing is considerably produced, and there
is a large rounded projection on the termen. The hind-wings have several
small projections on the termen. In the female the fore-wings are pale
yellow or orange, the transverse lines and white spots are usually more
conspicuous, and the projections on the termen of the fore- and
hind-wings larger.
This is a very variable insect, especially in the male, some specimens of
which sex are very much clouded and dappled with dark brown both on the
fore- and hind-wings. {89}Many of these darker forms might readily be taken
for distinct species, when compared with the pale orange-brown variety, but
a good series of specimens presents numerous intermediate forms which
completely connect these extreme varieties. The females also vary, but are
never as dark as the males.
The larva feeds on _Todea hymenophylloides_, a fern which grows in shady
places in the depths of the forest. The length of the caterpillar when full
grown is about 1¼ inches. It is very variable; some specimens are dull
brown, with a row of green or pale brown lunate spots down each side, and a
dark brown line down the back. Others are bright green, with a diagonal
reddish-brown stripe on the side of each segment; the segmental divisions
are reddish-brown, intersected by numerous very minute whitish lines.
The pupa is enclosed in a loose cocoon on the surface of the ground.
The perfect insect appears from November till March, and is very common in
forest regions. It may often be dislodged from the dead fronds surrounding
the stems of tree-ferns, and is also met with in great abundance towards
the end of summer on the blossoms of the white rata.
Genus 4.--SESTRA, Walk.
"Face smooth. Palpi short, rough-haired beneath, porrected. Antennæ in
male stout, serrate, shortly ciliated. Fore-wings with vein 6 from below
9, 7 from below angle of areole, 10 rising out of 9 above origin,
anastomosing again shortly with 9, 11 anastomosing shortly with 10, 12
anastomosing shortly with 11. Hind-wings normal."--(Meyrick.) (Plate II.,
fig. 53, neuration of fore-wing of _Sestra humeraria_.)
We have two species in New Zealand.
It will be seen that my figure of the neuration of _Sestra humeraria_ does
not precisely agree with Mr. Meyrick's description. The differences in the
results arrived at are probably due to the variability in structure of
veins 10, 11 (and 12), mentioned when dealing with the characters of the
entire family. Similar slight discrepancies also occur in connection with
the three following genera.
SESTRA HUMERARIA, Walk.
(_Macaria humeraria_, Walk. 940. _Lozogramma obtusaria_, ib. 985.
_Cidaria obtruncata_, ib. 1421. _Sestra fusiplagiata_, ib. 1751.
_Amastris encausta_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 105. _Sestra
humeraria_, ib. xviii. 184.)
(Plate X., figs. 1 and 2 varieties; Plate III., fig. 20, larva.)
This species is very common, and generally distributed throughout both the
North and the South Islands; it also occurs plentifully at Stewart Island.
The expansion of the wings is 1-3/8 inches. _The fore-wings are pale
plum-colour_; there is an indistinct, curved, brownish transverse line
near the base; _a straight dark brown line across the middle, and a
curved series of blackish dots beyond the middle_; the apex is pointed,
and the termen has a strong projection a little above the middle. The
hind-wings are ochreous, with a series of minute brownish dots across the
middle.
This is a variable species. The fore-wings are often much clouded with rich
brown, and in some specimens scarcely a trace of the original purplish
colour remains; the central straight transverse line is often absent, and
the other lines are frequently very indistinct, except on the costa; the
dots on the hind-wings are also often absent, and occasionally specimens
are met with in which all the wings are almost white.
The larva is rather elongate, dull yellowish-brown or greenish-brown;
there is a very broad dark brown dorsal line, and several wavy lateral
lines; the prolegs are black, the spiracles are also black; there is a
slight hump on the posterior edge of each of the last six segments, the
hump on the penultimate segment being considerably larger than the
others. The length of the caterpillar when full grown is about 1 inch.
{90}It feeds on _Pteris incisa_, a beautiful pale green fern, attaining a
height of four feet or more, and growing in open situations in the forest.
This fern is especially abundant on old decaying logs situated amongst
light brushwood. When disturbed these larvæ immediately drop to the ground
and coil themselves up. In this situation they are very inconspicuous, as
their colouring so closely resembles that of the faded fronds or stems of
the fern.
The pupa is buried in the earth about two inches below the surface, the
insect remaining in this state during the winter months.
The moth first appears about September, and continues in great abundance
until the end of March or beginning of April. It frequents forest, and is
noticed most commonly in the neighbourhood of its food-plant. There are
probably several broods in the course of a year.
SESTRA FLEXATA, Walk.
(_Cidaria flexata_, Walk. 1421.)
(Plate IX., fig. 37.)
This species has occasionally occurred in the neighbourhood of Wellington.
I have no records of its capture elsewhere, but expect it will be found to
be generally distributed.
The expansion of the wings is about 1¼ inches. _The fore-wings are bright
orange-red_; there is a very faint transverse line near the base, darker
on the costa; a dark red oblong mark on the costa near the middle; and a
faint transverse line beyond the middle, also darker on the costa. The
hind-wings are bright ochreous-yellow, with the cilia orange.
This insect varies considerably in the intensity of its colouring. It has
long been considered as merely a variety of _Sestra humeraria_, but as I
have not observed any intermediate forms, although the two insects
frequently occur together, I think it may be regarded for the present as a
distinct species.
The perfect insect appears from October till December, and is found in the
same localities as _S. humeraria_.
Genus 5.--GONOPHYLLA, Meyr.
"Face shortly rough-haired. Palpi moderate, arched, ascending, shortly
rough-scaled, terminal joint short. Antennæ in male rather stout,
pubescent. Coxæ and femora densely rough-haired beneath. Fore-wings with
vein 6 from below 9, 7 from below angle of areole, 10 shortly touching 9,
11 separate, 12 free. Hind-wings normal."--(Meyrick.) (Plate II., figs.
63 and 64, neuration of _Gonophylla nelsonaria_.)
Of this genus we have but one species.
GONOPHYLLA NELSONARIA, Feld.
(_Gonodontis_ (?) _nelsonaria_, Feld. cxxiii. 3. _Gonodontis felix_,
Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 389, pl. xlii. 10. _Phyllodoce
nelsonaria_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 104. _Gonophylla nelsonaria_,
ib. xviii. 184.)
(Plate X., figs. 3 and 4 [M] varieties, 5 and 6 [F] ditto.)
This handsome insect is common in the neighbourhood of Wellington. It has
also occurred at Nelson and Dunedin, and is possibly generally distributed
throughout the country.
The expansion of the wings is 1½ inches. The fore-wings of the male are
_rich reddish-brown, mottled with darker_; there are several small white
marks on the costa; a black dot in the middle of the wing, and _an almost
straight white transverse line beyond the middle_; outside this line the
wing is speckled with greyish-white. The hind-wings are pale
pinkish-brown; there is a black dot in the middle, and a curved blackish
transverse line a little beyond the middle, being a continuation of the
transverse line of the fore-wing; beyond this line, and on the dorsum,
there are generally several small blackish markings. The female has the
fore-wings {91}orange-red, speckled with darker; there is a doubly curved
transverse line near the base, and an almost straight transverse line
near the termen, both dark red; beyond the outer transverse line the wing
is shaded with dark brown. The hind-wings are pale reddish-orange, with a
curved blackish transverse line. In both sexes the apex of the fore-wing
is projecting, and there is a strong angular projection on the termen a
little before the middle; the termen of the hind-wing has several small
projections.
The variation of this insect is considerable, especially in the male. The
ground colour of the fore-wings often inclines to dull brown, or even dull
yellowish-brown; the light and dark mottling, and the greyish markings near
the termen are sometimes hardly visible; there is often a yellowish blotch
opposite the large angle in the termen of the fore-wing. The hind-wings
also are very variable in their colouring. All these varieties exist in the
female in a less pronounced degree.
The perfect insect appears during the first week in February, and is
generally over by the middle or end of March. The males are first noticed,
the females not appearing until about a fortnight later. I have never taken
this insect in the daytime, and in fact have never seen it except on the
blossoms of the white rata, where, on fine evenings, it is often very
abundant. As yet, however, Wellington is the only locality where I have met
with it.
Genus 6.--DREPANODES, Gn.
"Face with cone of scales. Palpi moderate, triangularly scaled,
porrected. Antennæ in male moderate, simple. Fore-wings with vein 6 from
below 9, 7 from below angle of areole, 10 very shortly touching 9, 11
rising out of 10 before angle of areole, 12 free. Hind-wings normal.
(Plate II., figs. 61 and 62 neuration of _Drepanodes muriferata_.)
A characteristic South American genus. The single New Zealand species is
very similar to some South American forms."--(Meyrick.)
DREPANODES MURIFERATA, Walk.
(_Gargaphia muriferata_, Walk. 1635. _Panagra ephyraria_, Walk. 1761. ?
_Zanclognatha_ (?) _cookaria_, Feld. cxxiii. 26. _Zanclognatha_ (?)
_haastiaria_, Feld. cxxiii. 32. _Drepanodes muriferata_, Meyr., Trans. N.
Z. Inst. xvi. 107.)
(Plate X., figs. 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 [M] varieties, 12 [F].)
This species is very abundant in the neighbourhood of Wellington. It has
also been taken at Taranaki, Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill and
Stewart Island, and is probably common and generally distributed throughout
the country.
The expansion of the wings is about 1½ inches. All the wings of the male
are yellowish-brown; there is a faint transverse line near the base, and
a conspicuous darker transverse line running from a little before the
apex of the fore-wing to the middle of the dorsum of the hind-wing; there
is also a dark spot in the centre of the fore-wing, often containing two
white dots. In the female, all the wings are slate-coloured; the
transverse lines are very faintly indicated, and the central dot of the
fore-wing is reddish-brown. The apex of the fore-wing in each sex is
conspicuously hooked, and the termen is bowed and sometimes has a very
slight angle in the middle.
Both sexes of this insect are very variable. In the male, the ground colour
ranges from dingy-brown to bright orange-brown; the transverse lines differ
much in intensity, and in some specimens the central area of the wings
enclosed by them is much darker than either the basal or the marginal
portions; occasionally there is a series of black markings between the
outer transverse line and the termen of the fore-wings, whilst the
transverse line itself is frequently edged with a band of paler
{92}colouring. The female also varies in the ground colour and in the
intensity of the transverse lines, which are sometimes marked by a few
black dots.
The larva, according to Mr. Purdie, is light grey, cylindrical, about 5/8
inch in length. It may be beaten in February from an undergrowth of
_Carpodetus_ and _Aristotelia_.
The perfect insect appears from November till March. It frequents dense
forest and is often very abundant. The colouring of the upper and under
surfaces of its wings, and the shape of the wings are both very protective,
giving the moth an exact resemblance to a dead leaf. When disturbed, the
insect adds to this deception by keeping its wings quite motionless and
rigidly extended, and allowing itself to fall through the air like a leaf.
The resemblance in this case to the inanimate object is very perfect, and
has no doubt enabled the moth to escape from many enemies. It is, in fact,
an extremely interesting example of the simultaneous development of
structure and instinct in a useful direction, through the agency of natural
selection.
This species is much attracted both by light and by blossoms.
Genus 7.--AZELINA, Gn.
"Face with some projecting hairs. Palpi rather long, obliquely ascending,
roughly scaled, attenuated. Antennæ in male thick, simple. Fore-wings
with vein 6 from below 9, 7 from below angle of areole, 10 very shortly
touching 9, 11 separate, 12 free. Hind-wings normal.
A genus of some extent, specially characteristic of South America. Guenée
made a separate genus (_Polygonia_) of the New Zealand species, but
without any point of distinction."--(Meyrick.) (Plate II., figs. 54 and
55, neuration of _Azelina gallaria_.)