98 Transactions. 



were living harmoniously with, a later brood. The smaller ones seemed to 

 be in no way molested by their larger brethren. By stepping on the spines 

 it is possible to cut into the clump with a penknife with moderate ease, but 

 no comfort. When the larvae are in possession of a clump the outer spines 

 are matted together with " frass," and the interior root-crown is generally 

 completely eaten out to a depth of a few inches. Collecting on the slopes 

 of Mount Earnslaw, I came upon a clump of spear-grass in which the interior 

 burrow was full of water, but the five full-grown caterpillars inhabiting it 

 did not seem at all inconvenienced, but wallowed round in the mixture of 

 "frass" and water. 



Mr. Hudson gives a description of the larvae in his " New Zealand Moths 

 and Butterflies," p. 10. 



Leucania purdei. 



Various larvae, taken at different times, and generally distributed. 

 The larva is full grown about the end of October, and is then about 48 mm. 

 in length. 



General colour, ochreous with a pink flush. A double fuscous line 

 dorsally. a fuscous line from base of eye, marked with deep-fuscous marks 

 at each segment. A fuscous lateral line with distinct black dots at each 

 segment. Prolegs on segments 6 to 9. Pupa enclosed in slight cocoon. 

 Bather slim and long, with a well-developed spine. 



Emergences and captures of the moth have occurred from December 

 to March. 



This magnificent moth, with its beautiful orange-red colouring, must 

 be commoner than it is usually considered, as the clumps of Astelia on which 

 the larvae feed everywhere show traces of the insects' attacks. The cater- 

 pillar has a habit of cutting out portions of the leaf and then clinging in 

 the gap formed to feed, when, being of the same shade as the leaves, it is 

 extremely difficult to detect. It is a nocturnal feeder, retreating to the 

 interior of the clump during daylight. 



Art. XVI. — -Notes on the Entomology of Stewart Island. 

 By W. George Howes, F.E.S., F.L.S. 



[Read before the Otago Institute, 4th November, 1913.] 



The entomology of Stewart Island has so far been almost entirely neglected. 

 The following notes and records of captures should prove of interest, and 

 may lead to more extensive work in this promising and interesting field. 



Towards the end of February, 1913, I larded at Stewart Island, intent 

 on working as much ground as possible in the week at my disposal. 

 Unfortunately, weather-conditions were anything but pleasant, and the 

 bush was soaking from a deluge that had been almost unceasing for five 

 weeks. Insect-life had suffered severely ; even the ubiquitous sandflies, 

 whose swarming thousands generally extend the warmest of welcomes 

 to the unsuspecting visitor, were reduced to a few dispirited and dis- 

 heartened individuals. 



The evening of my arrival I tried the bush, protecting myself with an 

 oilskin ; but the heavy drizzle washed the " sugar " from the trees, aid 



