I.— THE GABADBININA. 23 



during its flight, and thus eluding pursuit. It also takes wing with unusual rapidity. 



Specimens of this moth may constantly be observed at rest in various situations 



during the daytime, when the protective character of the colouring will be at once 



apparent, especially when the insect is partially concealed amongst grass. Mr. 



Meyrick informs us that this species is common in Tasmania and South-Eastern 

 Australia. 



MELANCHRA STEEOPASTIS, Meyr. 



[Mamestra sterojpastis, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 22.) 

 (Plate V., fig. 10 J, 11 <?.) 



This insect has occurred in the North Island at Napier. In the South Island it 

 has been taken at Blenheim and Christchurch, but does not seem to be a common 

 species anywhere. 



The expansion of the wings is from 1} to lh inches, fn general appearance it somewhat 

 resembles the preceding species, from which it may chiefly he distinguished by the absence of 

 the sharp white central line ami conspicuous tooth-like markings near the termen. There is itlsa 

 a minute white dot situated at the /miction of reins 3 and 4 of the f ore- wings. The hind-wings 

 are dark grey. 



The perfect insect appears from November till February. 



Described and figured from Mr. Fereday's specimens. 



MELANCHRA INFENSA. Walk. 

 (Orthosia infensa, Walk. 748. Mamestra arachnias, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 23. Mamestra infensa, 



Meyr., ib. xx. 45.) 

 (Plate V., fig. 12.) 



This species has occurred in the North Island at Napier, and in the South Island 

 at Blenheim. 



The expansion of the wings is about 11 inches. The fore-win^s are reddish-brown, slightly 

 speckled with dull white except on a suffused central streak from the base to about two-thirds; an 

 obscure, moderately broad white costal streak extends from the base to two-thirds, sharply defined 

 near the base only, and containing several very oblique ill-defined blackish marks ; the orbicular is 

 narrow oval, longitudinal, very finely margined with white and then with black ; the claviform 

 is obsolete ; the reniform is only indicated by two white dots, representing its lower angles ; the 

 transverse lines are very acutely dentate but hardly traceable ; the subterminal line is indicated 

 only by three very acute slender whitish-ochreous dentations — one below apex, two touching the 

 termen below the middle; the cilia are reddish-brown mixed with dull white. The hind-wings 

 are dark grey; the cilia arc dull white, with a faint grey line and tips white. The head, palpi, 

 and thorax are reddish-brown speckled with white ; the forehead with two black transverse lines; 

 and the collar with a slender white line ; thorax with strong anterior double tuft. Abdomen light 

 reddish-grey. 



Description compiled from that of Mr. Meyrick. Figured by Mr. W. B. Hudson from 

 a specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection. 



MELANCHRA OMOPLACA, Meyr. 



[Mamestra omoplaca, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 24.) 



(Plate V., fig. 13.) 



This species has occurred in the South Island at Lake Coleridge and Kakaia. 



The expansion of the wings is about L inches. The fore-wings are dark reddish-brown, there 



is a short black median streak from the base, margined above with ochreous-white ; the space 



between this and the costa is marked with suffused ochreous-whitish lines ; in one specimen 



