INTRODUCTION clxv 



HvpoNOMEUTiDAE (including Elachistidae and Plutellidae). — Several of the eight 

 described species of Batrachedra are known to be attached to ferns, on which the larvae 

 feed. Some of the species are very numerous in individuals and they may be swept or 

 disturbed from ferns in any number during the daytime. Both the wiry Gleichenia 

 and soft ferns are affected by the caterpillars. It is possible that all the Hawaiian 

 species are feeders on ferns. 



The habits of the three Hawaiian species of Agonisnius, an endemic genus, and two 

 of Elachista are at present unknown. Of Stagynatophora the three species, 6". incertu- 

 lel/a, S. honorariella and S. quadrifasciata, are no doubt introductions by man. The 

 latter is a common insect in some Honolulu gardens, and generally throughout the 

 islands, on the lowlands, being attached (as is 5. incertulelld) to Pandamcs odoratissimus, 

 and various cultivated species of this genus. The caterpillars feed internally in the 

 dead leaves and before pupation form a large oval case, which they usually drag inside, 

 between the upper and lower surface of the leaf, in which they have fed. The 

 dead leaves of the trees are often riddled with the holes, from which the cases have 

 been formed. These Pandanus-feeders would be very liable to have been carried 

 around from group to group of the Pacific by the natives in their migrations. 5". sordi- 

 della is doubtfully congeneric with the other species and its habits are not known. 

 Aphthonetiis with 29 species is endemic. The moths are common on tree-trunks or 

 hiding amongst the foliage of trees and ferns and are readily attracted by light. The 

 genus is connected with Neefysia, which contains 31 species, and probably has similar 

 habits, by Rhinomacirum (with two species), both these genera being also endemic. 

 Of the great endemic genus Hyposniocoma 177 species have been described, forming a 

 varied and probably heterogeneous assemblage of forms, with, evidently, a considerable 

 variety in habits. Many of the moths are extremely common, resting by day on rough 

 tree-trunks, from which some readily take flight on the approach of the collector. 

 Others are disturbed in quantities from amongst dead fern-fronds, or dry limbs of trees, 

 or from dense bushy trees or shrubs, especially certain varieties of the Ohia tree {Metro- 

 siderits). Many are readily attracted by lights. A group of yellow or orange-coloured 

 species are very conspicuous objects on the intermediate islands of Maui and Molokai. 

 Some of the species exhibit much variation in colour, and when series of individuals 

 have been collected from a great number of stations it is probable that the discrimina- 

 tion of the species will become a very difficult matter. Some of the caterpillars feed 

 in dead wood or bark of trees and are quite naked, while others form cases of silk 

 mixed with frass or ddbris. These cases exhibit much variety of form and appearance. 

 Some are acute and spiniform, while others are broadly oval ; some are dilated at each 

 extremity, or pointed at one end and broadly rounded at the other, others are dilated in 

 the middle. Some, found on lichen-covered trees, greatly resemble the surface on which 

 they rest. Of several species almost incredible numbers may be found attached to 

 rocks or bare vertical surfaces of decomposing lava, where the larvae no doubt feed on 



