clxiv FAUNA HAWAIIENSIS 



It rests with the foreparts much elevated, and thereby has a very distinctive appearance, 

 quite unlike Stoeberhinus, some varieties of the female of which it much resembles in 

 superficial appearance. Gelechia gossypiella is of recent introduction, and quite injurious 

 to cotton-bolls. It first appeared in the grounds of the Department of Agriculture, and 

 was no doubt imported with cotton-seed. It is parasitized by the foreign Braconids, 

 Chelonus blackbtirni and Microdus haivaiicola. The tobacco pest, Phthoriniaea oper- 

 ciilella is also very numerous, and an earlier introduction, having been collected by 

 Blackburn. It is parasitized by the common Limnermni blackburni. 



Hodegia apatela, a flightless jumping insect with abbreviated wings, is only known 

 in the female sex, the male probably being fully winged. It was found in the wind-swept 

 open country near the summit of Haleakala, and one or two similar forms have been 

 seen on the open lower slopes of Molokai, below the forest region, a locality also 

 constantly swept by strong winds, Catainetnpsis decipiens is very common in the larval 

 state, infesting the leie [Frcycinetia) and sometimes injuring the shoots, but the moth 

 is not very often seen at large. The numerous species of Thyiropa are mostly feeders 

 on dead wood, some occurring in the driest localities, living in the stems of both native 

 and introduced plants, and one of them is common around Honolulu, feeding on the 

 dried droppings of cattle. The moths are, many of them, very readily attracted to 

 lights, and are very numerous in individuals. The caterpillars of some species, however, 

 feed on living shoots, and some live in decaying logs so wet and rotten that the water 

 can be squeezed from the wood. Some of the species are very variable, and in some 

 there is a striking sexual dimorphism. The caterpillars in some localities (especially 

 on the lowlands) are a favourite prey of the wasps of the genus Odynerus and 

 Pseudoptei'ocheilus, and in mountain districts they are eagerly sought for on the dead 

 branches of trees by various Drepanid birds, e.g. Heniignathus and Hetero7-hynchus. 

 We have also found them in the stomach of the little flycatchers of the genus 

 Chasiempis, which may be seen investigating fallen decayed tree-trunks in search of 

 this food. 



Oecophoridae. — Ethmia colonella, the solitary representative of the family, is 

 known to have been introduced. Its food-plant is the ' Kou ' {Cordia subcordatd), a 

 tree no doubt introduced by the natives themselves, who valued it highly. Since the 

 introduction of the Ethmia, this tree has been robbed of all its beauty ; many indeed have 

 been entirely destroyed, while others are either continually defoliated or have the foliage 

 so riddled by the attacks of the caterpillars as to be unworthy of preservation. The gaily- 

 coloured caterpillars seem to be remarkably free from the attacks of any natural enemies, 

 but sometimes the omnivorous ant Pheidole megacephala destroys numbers of them. 

 The moth itself is comparatively rarely seen, though it may be found resting on tree- 

 trunks and occasionally visits lights. 



