Philpott. — Notes and Descriptions of N.Z. Lepidoptera. 341 



annulated with white. Forewings moderate, costa rather strongly arched 

 basally, apex rounded, termen gently rounded, slightly oblique ; white, 

 markings black ; a broad basal band including a minute spot of white next 

 thorax, outer edge nearly straight to fold, thence produced along fold to an 

 acute point, from whence it returns inwardly oblique to dorsum ; an irregular 

 fascia from costa at J to fold before \, its apex turned inward along fold 

 and almost connecting with basal band, a strong inward tooth beneath 

 costa and a similar outward one at middle ; a strong fascia from costa at \ 

 to before tornus, having two prominent inward projections, the first beneath 

 costa and the second, which points obliquely downwards, at middle ; an 

 irregular spot on tornus at f ; a series of three spots, the central one twice 

 the size of the others, between central fascia and apex ; a small spot beneath 

 first costal spot, and a larger one, touching central fascia, beneath this ; a 

 broad inwardly-oblique fascia from apex, somewhat constricted and then 

 expanding as a triangular patch ; a series of terminal dots, becoming pro- 

 gressively larger towards tornus : cilia white. Hindwings grey clouded 

 with fuscous ; an indistinct discal spot : cilia light fuscous-grey, a broad 

 white bar beneath apex and an obscure dark basal line. 



Practically the only difference between /. acmonias and T. picarella 

 (Walk,) is the greater breadth of the transverse fasciae and other black 

 markings in the former. It is usually a larger insect, but the smallest 

 individuals are no greater in wing-expanse than the largest of picarella. 



November and December. Rather rare, but distributed throughout 

 the lowland forest country of the South Island. Several years ago this 

 species was sent by Mr. G. V. Hudson to Mr. E. Meyrick, who gave it the 

 MS. name of acmonias. He did not, however, publish a description, having 

 subsequently arrived at the conclusion that the form was not specifically 

 distinct from picarella (Walk.). I therefore adopt Mr. Meyrick's suggested 

 name, my experience of the insects having convinced me of their distinctness. 



TlNEIDAE. 



Taleporia cawthronella n. sp. 



cJ. 9 mm. Head and thorax ochreous-grey. Palpi whitish. Antennae 

 grey annulated with black, ciliations 3. Abdomen grey-fuscous. Legs grey- 

 whitish. Forewings, costa slightly arched, faintly sinuate, apex rounded, 

 termen strongly oblique ; whitish-grey, slightly ochreous and irrorated with 

 fuscous especially on basal f ; base of costa irregularly brownish-black to J ; 

 a rather large brownish-black spot on costa at j ; three smaller brownish- 

 black spots on costa on apical ^ ; an irregular transverse brownish-black 

 discal spot ; a series of small blackish-brown spots round termen : cilia 

 grey-whitish. Hindwings and cilia fuscous-grey. 



Maitai Valley, Nelson. A large number bred from larvae found on the 

 face of a gravelly cutting by the side of the Maitai River. Many hundreds 

 of the larvae were to be found at this one spot, but search in similar 

 situations in this and other valleys failed to result in the discovery of other 

 colonies. The larva inhabits a case constructed of the fragments of a species 

 of white lichen. The case is irregularly pyriform in shape, rough on the 

 surface, and, when containing a full-grown larva, about 6 mm. long by 

 3-5 mm. broad. It is a rather fragile shelter, being easily pulled to pieces. 

 In travelling, the head and thorax are projected from the case, and when 

 a foothold is secured the case is lifted clear of the surface and drawn forward. 



