Philpott. — Catalogue of Southland Lepidoptera. 173 



Agrotis ypsilon. 



Not common. First appears early in October. A second 

 brood comes out late in February, and is most numerous 

 about the middle of April. I have taken it at "sugar" and 

 from flowers of ragweed. West Plains. 



Da sy podia selenophora. 



Mr. Howes informs me that a specimen of this fine moth 

 was taken in a fruiterer's shop in Invercargill, probably 

 brought down with fruit from the North. 



Bhapsa scotosialis. 



This is one of the earliest moths to appear in the evening. 

 During October and November numbers of them may be found 

 fluttering awkwardly round the edges of the bush. From 

 March to May "sugar" proves attractive, and a good series 

 can be obtained. The moth, however, must be carefully 

 handled, being very easily damaged. The variation chiefly 

 consists in light and dark forms, but there is also considerable 

 difference in point of size. West Plains. 



Tatosoma agrionata. 



Not common. September to March. May be found in 

 dense bush or in more open situations. In March the flowers 

 of the ragweed attract a fair number of specimens, and often 

 splendid examples may be taken from tree-trunks, in which 

 case the protective value of the insects' colouring is ex- 

 emplified, as the most exposed situations are often selected. 

 W T est Plains, Otara. 



T. timora. 



Rather commoner than agrionata. Appears about the 

 middle of October, and may be taken till the middle of May. 

 " Sugar" will attract this moth, and it is frequently found at 

 the blossoms of ragweed, white rata, and ivy. West Plains. 



Paradttis porphyrias. 



Extremely rare, but owing to its habit of flitting about 

 amongst low herbage it is possibly often overlooked. I have 

 met with but one specimen, taken on the 14th February, 

 1899. This specimen was taken during the day-time, from a 

 patch of ragweed. West Plains. 



Chloroclystis plinthina. 



Not common. I have taken examples at Waihopai about 

 the middle of November, and others in October and Decem- 

 ber at West Plains. The insect is subject to considerable 

 variation. The type form, with the white patch in the centre 

 of the fore wings, is, in this locality, much the rarest form. 

 Mr. Howes tells me that he met with the moth at Stewart 

 Island. 



