44 Transactions. 



Art. X. — Notes on Lepidoptera collected by H. Hamilton in various 

 Localities in the Queenstown District, Otago, between November, 1907, 

 and March, 1908. 



By A. Hamilton. 



[Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, Sth December, 1908.] 



In November, 1907, my son, H. Hamilton, was employed on a survey 

 party of the New Zealand Geological Survey, under Professor Park, and 

 in the course of the survey he came across a considerable number of 

 Lepidoptera. The specimens secured were forwarded from time to time 

 to the Museum, Wellington, and were then relaxed and set. I now give a 

 list of about sixty of the species, as a contribution towards the informa- 

 tion which will be necessary before the general distribution of the New Zea- 

 land Lepidoptera is known with any approach to accuracy. It must be 

 remembered that owing to his duties my son could not devote any special 

 time to collecting, and therefore missed many good things. 



Nyctemera annulata, Gml. 



This very common insect was sent up at my request, in the hope that 

 some good varieties might occur, but beyond considerable variation in 

 size there was nothing remarkable. 



Metacrias huttoni. 



A fine series of fourteen specimens was taken early in the season in the 

 upper Arrow River bed, also in the Twelve-mile Creek, Macetown. 



Orthosia comma, Walk. 



Five specimens, from various localities. 



Orthosia immunis, Walk. 



Eight specimens, in very poor condition. 



Physetica cserulea, Gml. 



A very battered specimen. I have since obtained a specimen which, 

 when fresh, exhibited a most beautiful bluish-violet tint. 



Leucania moderata, Walk. 



A good series of this insect, which appears to be a southern species. 

 I have, however, taken specimens in Wellington this season. 



Leucania nullifera, Walk. 



The specimens taken of this fine insect were not in good condition. 

 They were taken round the tent at night. I took several at a lamp about 

 the same time at Waiouru, on the North Island Main Trunk line. 



Leucania purdii. 



I was ^delighted to receive a very typical specimen of this moth. At 

 present it is decidedly scarce. Mr. Hudson took a specimen, at sugar, in 

 the Kouteburn. 



