92 Transactions. 



the earliest brunch of the family, and I propose to regard it as such on 

 this ground, since the structural characters are. such as to give no help 

 either for or against the theory. 



The generic characters given below are, for simplicity, drawn to apply 

 to New Zealand species only. 



1. ARCTIADAE. 



Vein 8 of hindwings anastomosing with upper margin of cell from base, 

 to near middle. 



A large cosmopolitan family, which is barely represented, whilst the 

 allied Syntomid, Nolid. and Lithosiad groups are entirely absent. 



1. Metacrias Meyr. 



Metacrias Meyr., Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., 1886, 749 : type, erichrysa 

 Meyr. 



Tongue obsolete. Antennae in $ bipectinated to apex. Palpi short, 

 hairy, concealed in long hairs of head. Thorax and femora densely hairy 

 beneath. Anterior tibiae with apical claw, posterior tibiae without median 

 spurs. Forewings with 7 and 8 out of 9, 10 sometimes connected with 

 9 above 7. Hindwings with 3, 4, 5 nearly approximated, 6 and 7 connate 

 or short-stalked. 8 anastomosing to £ of cell. Wings in ? rudimentary 

 or absent. 



This interesting endemic genus is of doubtful affinity, but appears to be 

 nearest to Ocnogyna, which is a genus of about a dozen species located 

 round the shores of the Mediterranean ; Hampson also assigns to it one 

 species from Peru. 



1. M. Hvttoni Butl., Cist. Ent,, 2, 487 ; Meyr., Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., 



1886. 750; Huds.. N.Z. Moths, 5, pi. 4. 6: Hamps.. Cat., 3. 468. 

 Lake Wakatipu. 



2. M. erichnjsa Meyr., Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W.. 1886. 749 : Huds.. N.Z. 



Moths. 4, pi. 4. 5 : Hamps., Cat., 3, 469. 



Mount Arthur ; 4.000 ft. Larva on Senecio. 



3. M. strategica Huds., Entom.. 1889, 53 : ib.. N.Z. Moths. 4, pi. 4, 4 ; 



Hamps. Cat.. 3, 468. 



Richardson Range; 3,000ft. 



2. Utetheisa Hiibn. 



Utetkeisa Hiibn., Verz., 168 (1823) ; type, omatrix Linn. Deiopeia 

 Steph., 111. Brit, Ent, Haust,, 2, 92 (1829) ; type, fulchella Linn. 

 Head smooth. Tongue developed. Antennae in <$ ciliated, with longer 

 setae at joints. Palpi moderate, ascending, with loosely appressed scales. 

 Thorax smooth beneath. Posterior tibiae with all spurs very short. Fore- 

 wings with 7 and 8 out of 9, 10 connected with 9. Hindwings with 3, 4, 

 5 rather approximated. 6 and 7 connate or short-stalked. 8 anastomosing 

 to middle of cell. 



A small cosmopolitan genus. 



1. U. pulchella Linn.. Syst, Nat., 1, 534 (1758) ; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst,, 

 22, 217 ; Huds.. N.Z. Moths, 3, pi. 4, 3. 



Wellington district, A recent immigrant, doubtfully established ; 

 occurs throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and South Pacific 

 islands. Larva on Myosotis, grasses, &c. 



