80 NEW ZEALAND MACBO-LEPIDOPTERA. 



EPIBEANTHIS ALECTORAEIA, Walk. 



(Lyrcea alectoraria, Walk. 259; Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 95. Aspilates (?) primata, Walk. 

 1076; Butl., Cat. pi. iii. 4. Endropia mixtaria, Walk. 1506; ButL, Cat. pi. iii. 5. Amilapis (?) acroiaria, Felcl. 

 cxxiii. 6. Lyrcea varians, ButL, Cist. Ent. ii. 196. Ploseria alectoraria, Hdsn., Manual N. Z. Ent. 86.) 

 (Plate VIII., figs. 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, and 47, varieties ; Plate III., fig. 24, larva.) 



This species has occurred in tolerable abundance at many localities in both the North 

 and the South Islands. It is probably generally distributed throughout the country. 



The expansion of the wings is from 1 inch to 1J inches. The wings range in colour from pale 

 yellow to dark orange-hrown, dark reddish-brown, or even dull brown, with innumerable intermediate 

 tints. There is often a central transverse line reaching from the costa of the fore-wing to the dorsum 

 of the hind-wing. Many of the varieties are speckled with darker colour; others have irregular 

 yellow patches, generally situated on the fore-wings just below the apex and on the dorsum near the 

 base ; there are often two white dots near the apex of the fore- wings. 



Most of the varieties closely resemble the varied hues of fading leaves. In many of 

 the forms greyish speckled marks occur on various parts of the wings, no doubt imitating 

 the irregular patches of mould which are often present on dead leaves. One very well- 

 marked variety is bright yellow, with the costa rosy and two large white-centred rosy spots 

 arranged transversely on each wing. (See Plate VIII., fig. 47.) All the specimens of 

 this insect are so extremely variable that it is almost impossible to adequately describe 

 the species. The apex of the fore-wing is always very acute ; the termen is bowed just 

 below the apex, and is furnished with slight indentations of variable depth. The termen 

 of the hind-wing is also furnished with variable indentations. 



The egg is oval and much flattened above. AVhen first laid it is pale green in colour, but 

 becomes dull olive-green as the embryo develops. 



The young larva is very pale green, with the head brownish -yellow. At this early stage its 

 colouring already completely harmonises with that of the under side of the leaves of its food-plants, 

 Pittosporum eugenioides and P. tenuifoUiim. 



The full-grown larva is very robust, and about 1 inch in length. Its colour is pale green, with 

 numerous yellow dots and a series of diagonal yellow stripes on each segment ; there is, in addition, 

 a series of broad crimson blotches on the back and a small crimson flap projecting from the end of the 

 terminal segment ; the prolegs and spiracles are also crimson. 



The remarkable shape and colouring of this caterpillar, in conjunction with the 

 peculiar attitude assumed when at rest, affords it complete protection, causing it to 

 resemble, in the closest possible manner, one of the buds of its food-plant. These larva' 

 grow very slowly, and probably occupy three or four months in attaining their full size. 

 They are very sluggish in their habits. The pupa is greenish-brown in colour. It is 

 enclosed in a cocoon, constructed of two or three leaves of the food-plant, fastened 

 together with silk. The insect remains in this condition for three weeks or a month. 

 The moth first appears about the end of October, and is met with until the middle of 

 March. It frequents forest, where it is occasionally dislodged from amongst the under- 

 growth. It is also found in the evening on the flowers of the white rata. It is, however, 

 rather uncertain in its appearance, being much commoner in some years than in others. 



EPIERANTHIS HEMIPTERAEIA, Gn. 



(Hemerophila hemipteraria, Gn. ix. 220, pi. vi. 2. Xyridacma hemipteraria, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. [nst. 

 xx. 60. Ploseria hemipteraria, Hdsn., Manual N. Z. Ent. 85.) 

 (Plate VIII., fig. 48 $ , 49 ? ; Plate III., fig. J9, larva.) 

 This remarkable-looking species has occurred in the North Island, at Auckland and 

 Wellington. At present it has not been observed in the South Island. 



