II.— THE NOTODONTINA. 83 



considerably larger and have more distinct markings, than those found in the vicinity 

 of Wellington. 



The larva is cylindrical, of even thickness throughout, and almost uniform dull 

 greyish-brown in colour, occasionally with a series of small oblong black marks on 

 segments 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. It feeds on the young leaves and buds of the ake ake 

 {Vivaria traversii). It is extremely difficult to find as it almost exactly resembles 

 a twig of its food-plant. It is full grown about April. 



The pupa is concealed in the earth. 



The perfect insect appears from October till March. It seems to prefer cultivated 

 districts, and is generally observed at rest on garden fences or tree-trunks. It also 

 frequents flowers in the evening. 



SELIDOSEMA SUAVIS, Butl. 



{Pseudocoremia swam, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 497. Pachycnemia mitata, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 501. 

 Pseudocoremia lupinata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 98. Boarmia suavis, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. 

 xxiii - 101.) (Plate IX., fig. 3 3 , 4 ? .) 



This species is very common and generally distributed throughout the country, 

 and lias occurred as far south as Stewart Island. 



The expansion of the wings is 1 j inches. The fore-wings of the male are dull yellowish-brown, 

 speckled with black; there are two curved transverse lines near the base; a very obscure line near 

 the middle, darker on the costa ; two doubly curved lines beyond the middle, slightly darker on 

 the dorsum; and two very faint jagged lines near the termen. The hind-wings are pale ochreous, 

 tinged with brown near the termen. The female has narrower wings, shorter body, and is usually 

 duller in colour than the male. 



This insect is rather variable, some specimens of both sexes being much darker 

 than others; but all the forms may usually be recognised by their dull speckled 

 colouring and absence of conspicuous markings. 



The larva feeds on the white rata (M. scandens) and the tawa (Beilschmiedia tawa). 



Its length when full grown is about lg inches. The upper surface is dark reddish-brown with 

 numerous blackish stripes and white markings, which give it a very variegated appearance; the 

 under side is pale green ; there are two small tubercles on the back of the eighth segment. 



The pupa is concealed amongst refuse on the ground, the larva constructing no 

 cocoon before changing. 



The perfect insect appears from October till April, and may often be observed 

 on mild days in the middle of winter. It is common in forest districts, where it is 

 usually seen resting on the tree-trunks, in which situation its colouring must afford 

 it efficient protection from many enemies. 



SELIDOSEMA HUMILLIMA, n. sp. 

 (Plate IX., fig. 5.) 

 This inconspicuous-looking insect has occurred at Wellington. 



The expansion of the wings of the male is about 1^ inches. The fore-wings are dull 

 yellowish-brown; there are three short oblique dark brown stripes on the costa, inclined very much 

 towards the termen ; the first of these stripes is distinctly double, and the second and third 

 partially so ; there is an indistinct brown mark just below the apex, several slender faint streaks 

 on the veins near the middle of the wing, and a very distinct brown shading on the dorsum. 

 The hind-wings are very pale ochreous. 



This species may be readily distinguished from the other species of the genus 

 by its small size and by the obliquity of the costal stripes. In S. humillima 

 the costal markings slope very rapidly from the base towards the termen ; in the 



