Hudson. — Entomology in New Zealand. 389 



good nights. I once knew a continuous fortnight; of good 

 nights. When the small Psychodce come in great numbers, 

 so as to blacken the windows and ceiling of the collecting- 

 room, it is almost an infallible sign that the moths are 

 coming in numbers." 



The open lowlands in New Zealand are not nearly so pro- 

 ductive in insect life as the forests. The original flora of 

 these localities is, however, undergoing rapid alteration, owing 

 to the extension of settlement, though the changes are not so 

 great as in those places where the complete clearing of ex- 

 tensive forests is proceeding. The tussock-covered plains in 

 many parts of the South Island remain practically in their 

 primitive condition, though the periodical burning of the 

 native grasses must destrov immense numbers of insects, and 

 will no doubt ultimately lead to the extinction of many species. 

 With the exception of a few conspicuous insects, such as 

 Argyrophenga antipodum, Ghrysophanus salu$tius, the larger 

 members of the genera Grambus and Leucania, the Lepid- 

 optera frequenting the lowland tussock plains are not of very 

 general interest. A number of typical species from these 

 localities is shown in the accompanying drawer. It should be 

 mentioned that the silver stripes on the underside of the hind 

 wings of A. antipodum, and the long white stripe or stripes 

 which form such a typical marking on the upper surface of 

 the fore wings in the species belonging to the genus Grambus, 

 are both protective to an astonishing degree. Although these 

 markings do not appear to resemble blades of grass when the 

 insect is examined by itself, yet when specimens are in situ 

 amongst the actual grass the protective value of the striped 

 colouring is very evident, and renders the discovery of the 

 specimens a most difficult matter. It is therefore probable 

 that the striped colouring produces the same general effect on 

 the eye as the varieties of light and shade which exist in a 

 tuft of grass growing under natural conditions. 



So efficient is the protection afforded by the colouring of 

 grass-feeding Lepidoptera that it is practically impossible to 

 collect amongst tussock-grass except in fine calm weather, 

 when the insects are either actually on the wing or easily 

 disturbed from the tussocks. I have a very lively recollection 

 of the difficulties experienced in finding even a few speci- 

 mens of very common insects amongst tussock-grass in bad 

 weather. On one occasion I was on a visit to the Mount 

 Arthur tableland, and we had experienced extremely wet and 

 stormy weather for some days, which prevented collecting of 

 any kind. Following this we had a day of very cold wind 

 with an overcast sky, and, being at last able to venture out- 

 side the door of the tent, we determined to search for insects 

 -amongst the tussocks, as there was absolutely nothing on the 



