Watt. — Study of Neu> Zealand Entomology. 271 



out of the surface of the leaves parallel to the fibres ; later, however, in their 

 5th stadium, they attack the edges, eating out great lumps, which, as the 

 leaves grow and begin to droop outwards, give to them a very notched 

 and serrated appearance. It is unfortunate that the larvae attack the 

 youngest leaves, for it is not till these grow up that the tree shows any sign 

 of the presence of caterpillars, and then it is nearly always too late to do 

 any good, unless there be a second or third brood, for the larvae will in all 

 probability have retreated to the mass of dead leaves hanging around the 

 tree, or among the rubbish on the ground, to pupate. On care full v pulling 

 apart the outer leaves of the inner spike one is almost certain to find numbers 

 of larvae in all stages of growth, the younger ones being generallv found 

 in groups. No sooner, however, are the leaves opened than the larvae 

 will immediately drop into the crevices, many being crushed to death when 

 the leaves resume their former position on being released. One would 

 think that in extremely wet weather many would stand a good chance of 

 being drowned in the water that collects round the base of the leaves, but 

 they may frequently be found wallowing in this, seemingly without the 

 slightest harm. Specimens in captivity invariably kept to the underside 

 of the leaves of the food plant, but in a state of nature they are frequently 

 to be found feeding fully exposed on the more mature leaves : here they 

 probably enjoy the warmth of the sun. Full-grown larvae are never to 

 be found in such exposed situations unless searching for a suitable place 

 in which to pupate. Throughout all the stadiums the larvae make use of 

 a silken thread. When disturbed they do not throw the head from side to 

 side or curl up, as most caterpillars, but either drop or hurriedly seek to 

 hide themselves in the spaces between the leaves. The young utilize the 

 thread for dropping from leaf to leaf in search of food. The silk is exceed- 

 ingly strong and elastic. Trees that have been badly infected will be found 

 to be almost destitute of the inner compact and succulent heart, while great 

 quantities of the coarse frass will be piled up around the base of the leaves. 

 The larvae during the last stadium have enormous appetites, and it is at 

 this period that most of the damage to the tree is done. Many appear to 

 suffer from a wasting disease ; they quit feeding, and the segments gradually 

 wither up till the head is out of all proportion to the rest of the bodv. Such 

 larvae invariably die. death in all probability being caused by Ichneumons 

 attacking vital internal organs. 



The Imago. — As has been recorded by Fereday and others, the moth 

 frequents the dead leaves hanging from the head of the tree, and invariably 

 sits across the leaf with wings fully spread, which accounts for the peculiar 

 markings of the upper and lower wings, these corresponding to similar 

 lines on the leaves. It is the underside of the dead leaves, where these 

 markings are most distinct, that forms the chief resting-place of the moths. 

 It is in this way that the species is wonderfully protected and almost in- 

 visible to an untrained eye. Flight is rather slow, and the moth is nocturnal. 

 Season. September to May. 



Food Plants. 

 Cabbage-tree (Cordyline australis; Maori, ti-kouka) ; Cordyline Banksii. 



Parasites. 

 Phorocera ncjaria : The larva of this large blue Dipteron is an internal 

 parasite, emerging to pupate when its host is in the pupa state. Syrphus 

 ropalvs Walk. : The larvae of this fly scour the cabbage-tree heads and 



