Watt. — Study of New Zealand Entomology. 



259 



This pupa has been described much fuller than is necessary, in order to- 

 show all the points that must be considered when studying pupae in general. 

 The following table of measurements is valuable and more luminous 

 than anv verbal description. The plan is that adopted by Tutt in his 

 " ; British Lepidoptera.'' In the pupa the length will vary slightly accord- 

 ing to the amount of extension of the free incisions. In the present table 

 the measurements are from a typical specimen with incisions slightly ex- 

 tended. 



Table of Measurements. 



Measurement at 



Length from 

 Front. 



Transverse 

 Diameter. 



Anterior-posterior 

 Diameter. 



Dehiscence. 



The maxillae-cases, leg-cases, and antenna-cases separate in one piece as 

 far as the end of the 1st legs. The headpiece and prothorax are separated 

 in one piece, and are liable to be lost. The eye-covers also appear to 

 separate and to be removed from between the proboscis and the antennae, 

 these latter standing out as a central and two lateral projections to the 

 appendage-cases piece. Dorsally there may be a slight central fracture of 

 the meso-thorax. 



The Imago. 



This has already been ably described by Meyrick (Trans. X.Z. Inst., xix, 

 p. 36), and by Mr. Hudson in his " New Zealand Moths and Butterflies," 

 p. 35, pi. vi, fig. 3. to which the reader is referred. 



Habits of Imago. 



The moth is both nocturnal and diurnal, and may frequently be seen 

 during the summer flying swiftly from flower to flower in the hot sunshine. 

 It is common from September till the beginning of June, and specimens 

 may be found during the winter months, provided the cold is not too severe. 



Distribution. 



Is common in the North Island, but appears to be rare in the southern 

 portions of the South Island, if not quite absent. Has been recorded from 

 Auckland, New Plymouth, Wanganui (March to June), Napier, Wellington, 

 Nelson, Blenheim, and Kamo. Also Australia, Pacific islands. India. 

 Madagascar, South Africa, southern Europe, southern England, and North 

 and South America. 



9* 



