cxlvi 



FAUNA HAWAIIENSIS 



varieties are figured in Volume i. pi. 3. The most extreme varieties are found at the 

 same time and place, but it would appear that in some localities the species exhibits 

 a much smaller proportion of extreme aberrations than in others. It is extremely 

 abundant in the wet woods of the Hilo and Puna district, where L. iiiphadopa, compsias 

 and anthracias are found with it, but in much smaller numbers. There the caterpillars 

 are common on ferns, and the pupae in decayed wood or beneath moss. All of these 

 species are attracted by light and in some localities L. eitclidias appears at all hours, 

 but on the lower edge of the forest at Waialua on Oahu, we observed on several 

 occasions, that no more than a straggler or two were ever attracted until 11.30 p.m. or 

 later, when scores would arrive in quick succession, till hundreds in all were present. 

 No matter how favourable the earlier hours had been for the cajDture of other moths, 

 L. eticlidias never put in an appearance in numbers until near midnight, and striking 

 varieties were in small proportion to the more usual forms, certainly far less numerous 

 than in some of the wetter districts. All the species of this group are true forest insects 

 and most abundant in wet forests. During the daytime the moths hide amongst dead 

 leaves and are sometimes very numerous in the masses of dead fronds that remain 

 attached to tree-ferns. 



The remaining group of Leucania contains species very similar to the widely 

 spread L. iinipjincta which are less special in their habitats. L. amblycasis, even in dry 

 localities, is not infrequently found on the lowlands in company with L. imiptmcta. In 

 the forest region it is much attracted by the flowers of Metrosideriis, of which a small 

 tree may yield hundreds of examples of this moth. When disturbed they fall to the 

 ground and make no attempt to fly, being gorged with the copious nectar of the flowers. 

 The moth has great powers of flight and we have known it attracted to the lights of an 

 interisland steamer, when this was in midchannel. This and L. pyrt'hias in the larval 

 state feed on grasses, attacking imported species and sugar cane, but the natural food of 

 the latter species is more probably the common sedge Bamnea nieyeiiii, in the debris at 

 the roots of which Swezey has found it hiding. The caterpillars of this uniptmcta group 

 of Leucania are very different from those of the euclidias group. 



The endemic species of Agrotis are of diversified habits, some being true forest 

 insects, while others are to be found rather in the open country, whether this be at low 

 or high elevations in the mountains. A. microreas flies freely in the morning sunshine 

 over the low growth of Vacciniiivi, Cyathodes etc., which covers the ground in open, 

 upland forest-land of Hawaii. At certain seasons we have observed it on the wing in 

 great numbers, reminding us very strongly by its flight and appearance of the well- 

 known European Charaeas graminis. 



Some species are littoral or sublittoral and attached chiefly to dry sandy localities. 

 Agrotis cremata and photophila are notable examples. Others, such as A. arenivolans 

 and dislocata frequent the coastal districts, lowlands and lower mountain elevations and 

 then reappear above the forest-line or in extensive open places in the forest. A. dislocata 



