8. _Porina dinodes_ [M] 132
9. " _enysii_ [M] 133
10. " " [F]
11. " _characterifera_ [M] 133
12. " _cervinata_ [M] 133
13. " _despecta_ [M] 134
14. " _umbraculata_ [M] 134
15. " _signata_ [M]
(Larva, Plate III., fig. 6.) 134
16. _Hepialus virescens_ [M]
(Larva, Plate III., fig. 23; Pupa, fig. 30.) 129
17. " " [F]
18. _Porina cervinata_ [F] variety 133
[Illustration: Plate XIII.]
Notes.
[1] This organ is termed the tongue by Mr. Meyrick. As many mandibulate
insects possess a true tongue, and the proboscis of the _Lepidoptera_
is not homologous with the tongue, but with the maxillæ, I think the
term is very misleading.
[2] For the examination of the wings taken from _dried_ specimens, I have
found that immersion in methylated spirits renders the veins visible
after _partial_ denudation with the camel's-hair brush. With recent
specimens, however, the scales can easily be _entirely_ removed.
[3] I have found considerable difficulty and uncertainty in examining the
neuration of undenuded specimens.
[4] Entom. xxvi. 220.
[5] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxii. 218.
[6] 'British Moths,' 31.
[7] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxii. 217.
[8] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxii. 216.
[9] Ibid.
[10] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 7.
[11] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 10.
[12] _Leucania aulacias_, Meyr., is distinguished by having grey cilia to
the hind-wings. The species was described from a single specimen taken
at Dunedin and now in Mr. Fereday's collection. I have carefully
examined this specimen, and find that the cilia, although considerably
injured, are distinctly grey. As, however, I think it undesirable to
characterize species so closely resembling each other from such meagre
material, I here regard it as a synonym of _Leucania arotis_.
[13] Report of American Department of Agriculture, 1881, p. 93.
[14] Mr. Philpott informs me that the larva of _M. paracausta_ closely
resembles that of _M. vitiosa_.
[15] This species has been recently named by Mr. Meyrick, but a description
of it has not yet been published.
[16] The accurate ascertainment of the positions of the veins near the
costa in this species is a matter of considerable difficulty owing to
the extremely dense tuft of hairs there situated.
[17] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 29.
[18] Newman's British Moths, 319.
[19] Meyrick, Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 33.
[20] Meyrick, Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 35.
[21] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 35.
[22] Meyrick, 'Handbook of British Lepidoptera,' 159.
[23] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xi. 300.
[24] Ib. xix. 38.
[25] Since this was written I find that Mr. Meyrick has created a new
genus, _Hyperaucha_, for the reception of this insect. See
'Transactions of the Entomological Society of London,' 1897, 383.
[26] N. Z. 'Journal of Science,' July, 1884.
[27] N. Z. 'Journal of Science,' July, 1884.
[28] A second specimen of this variety has since occurred in the
neighbourhood of Nelson.
[29] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 60.
[30] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 60.
[31] N. Z. 'Journal of Science,' July, 1884.
[32] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 60.
[33] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xviii. 208.
[34] Ib. xvi. 71.
[35] Ib.
[36] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 78.
[37] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 82.
[38] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 83.
[39] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 86.
[40] In connection with these three species of _Notoreas_ I should here
mention that I have a number of specimens in my collection which
appear to me to establish a complete transition between _N.
mechanitis_, _N. paradelpha_, and _N. perornata_. From a careful study
of these specimens I am led to believe that these three forms are
really only varieties of one very variable species. Mr. Meyrick does
not at present share this opinion, but I am disposed to think that
this is chiefly due to the comparatively limited number of specimens
he has had the opportunity of examining. In any case I do not regard
the question of the specific or varietal values of these, or indeed of
any other forms, as matters of great scientific importance, being, to
a great extent, merely matters of individual opinion.
[41] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 57.
[42] Mr. Meyrick now includes these three species in the genus
_Gonophylla_. (_See_ Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1897, 387.)
[43] 'Trans. N. Z. Inst.' xxii. 214.
[44] 'Catalogue of N. Z. Butterflies,' p. 21.
[45] 'Trans. N. Z. Inst.' x. 265.
[46] 'Cat. N. Z. Butterflies,' p. 22.
[47] 'Trans. N. Z. Institute,' x. 463.
[48] Ibid. xviii. 205.
[49] Since writing the above, I have been informed by Mr. Kingsley that one
male specimen of _A. bolina_ was taken at Wakapuaka, in 1896, and two
others reported as seen at Collingwood and Nelson in March, 1897. Mr.
A. P. Buller has also kindly informed me of the capture of a male
specimen in perfect condition, at Ohau, Manawatu district, in March,
1898.
[50] See notes by Mr. Stainton in the Ent. Mo. Mag., xxv. pp. 225, 268.
[51] 'British Butterflies and Moths,' p. 103.
[52] 'Entomologist,' xxii. 37.
[53] 'Trans. N. Z. Inst.' xxviii. 312.
[54] 'Trans. N. Z. Inst.' xv. 197.
[55] Ent. Mon. Mag. iv. p. 53.
[56] 'Trans. N. Z. Inst.' ix. 460; x. 252.
[57] 'Trans. N.Z. Inst.,' vol. x. 259.
[58] 'Catalogue of N. Z. Butterflies,' 22.
[59] 'Catalogue of New Zealand Butterflies,' 18, 23, Pl. II., fig. 1.
[60] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 550.
[61] Stainton's 'British Butterflies and Moths,' 103, Pl. II., fig. 1.
[62] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 550.
[63] Stainton's 'British Butterflies and Moths,' 106.
[64] Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 550.
[65] 'Catalogue of N.Z. Butterflies,' 17, 23. Pl. IV., figs. 3, 4.
[66] For further details on this subject see 'The Entomologist,' xiii. 245,
and xviii. 159.
[67] 'Trans. N. Z. Inst.' x. (1877), 262.
[68] 'Entomologist,' xviii. 36.
[69] Since writing the above I understand from Mr. Baunehr that he has met
with several specimens of this species in forest on the Dun Mountain,
Nelson, at an elevation of about 2,000 feet.