178 Transactions. — Zoology. 



A. fortinata. 



Not common. I have met with it in September, and have 

 taken a few examples from the flowers of the ragweed in 

 February and March. West Plains, Otara. 



Ipana leptomera. 



Fairly common at ragweed in March. I have also met 

 with it in October. West Plains. 



Declana floccosa. 



This beautiful moth is not uncommon. It may be taken all 

 the year round; "sugar," even in midwinter, will often attract 

 some splendid specimens. Many curious varieties of this 

 moth occur. I have examples of all the forms described in 

 Hudson's " New Zealand Moths and Butterflies," and have 

 also two or three varieties not there described. The first of 

 these has the veins of the fore wings prominently outlined in 

 black, and is a most striking variety, while another has the 

 fore wings crossed at about two-thirds by a thin line of bright 

 yellowish-red. There is also an interrupted red basal line 

 and an irregular series of reddish spots near the termen. 

 The thorax is also ornamented with two large reddish spots, 

 and a single spot is placed on the abdomen. 



D. hermione. 



Mr. Howes has a fine example of this species, taken at 

 Invercargill. 



Sesia tipuliformis . 



This introduced species is fairly common about currant- 

 bushes during the summer. West Plains. 



Sphinx convolvuh. 



I have a mutilated specimen of what is probably this 

 moth ; it was brought to me in March, 1893. A good example 

 was recently taken at Limestone Plains. 



Vanessa qonerilla. 



Towards the end of August the hybernated specimens of 

 this fine butterfly begin to appear, and during September and 

 October the insect is fairly common. A new brood appears 

 about midsummer, and specimens may be taken till the end 

 of March. I have met with it in mild seasons as late as the 

 end of April. Generally distributed. 



V. cardui. 



I think I have seen this butterfly at West Plains, and Mr. 

 Howes found it fairly common at Hastings. 



(V. itea.) 



Mr. Howes informs me that he saw a specimen of what 

 was probably this species at Hastings. 



