134 NEW ZEALAND M ACBO-LEPTDOPTEBA. 



hind-wings vary from pale greyish-brown to dull yellow. The cilia of all the wings are barred 

 with dark brown. 



This species is extremely variable. In many cases a large number of the spots 

 is wanting. Mr. Meyrick states that the northern specimens are more yellow-ochreous, 

 and more distinctly spotted than the southern ones. He adds that " the ochreous forms 

 are easily distinguished from other species by the numerous spots and the absence of 

 a continuous pale discal streak ; the fuscous forms are sometimes very similar in 

 colouring to P. despecta, but they are distinctly shorter-winged, and the compound 

 discal spots appear to be a good character." 



I have taken several specimens of what appears to be a variety of this species 

 on the Tableland of Mount Arthur. It is much paler than the typical form, the 

 markings much less distinct, and the central portions of the fore-wings very pale 

 yellow (see fig. 18). 



The moth appears in October. It is very much attracted by light. 



POEINA DESPECTA, Walk. 



(Hepialus despcctiis, Walk., Suppl. 594. Porina despecta, Meyr., Trans. N. X. Inst. xxii. 209.) 

 (Plate XIII., tig. 13 ?.) 



This species has occurred in the South Island, at Christchurch, the Otira River 

 and Lake Wakatipu. 



The expansion of the wings is from lh to If inches. The fore-wings are dull brown with 

 several irregular dull white markings near the centre of the wing. The hind-wings are also dull 

 brown. In general appearance it closely resembles the last-mentioned species /'. cervinata), but 

 may always he recognised by its longer and narrower wings, smaller body and antenna, and absence 

 of distinct markings near the terrnen. 



The perfect insect appears in January, and is usually taken at light. 



POEINA UMBKACULATA, Gn. 



(Pieltts umbraadatus, Gn., Ent. Mo. Mag. v. 1. Porina umbracidata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxii. 20'.).) 

 (Plate XIII., fig. 14 S .) 

 This species is probably common, and generally distributed throughout the 

 country. It has been taken at Palmerston, North Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, 

 Invercargill and Stewart Island. 



The expansion of the wings of the male is If inches, of the female '24 inches. The fore- 

 wings are dull yellowish-brown; in the centre there is a broad longitudinal blackish streak, 

 containing a conspicuous straight white stripe, occasionally broken into tiro or three very elongate 

 spots: there are often several black dots along the terrnen. The hind-wings are dull ochreous, 

 strongly tinged with pink towards the base. 



This species varies considerably in the depth of the ground colour, and in the 

 number of the black dots. A blackish shaded line, parallel to the terrnen, is also 

 frequently present. The species may, however, be at once recognised by the straight, 

 white, central stripe of the fore-wings. 



The perfect insect appears from October till January, and is generally captured 

 at light. 



POEINA SIGN AT A. Walk. 

 (Elhamma signata, Walk., Bomb. 1563. Porina mvcB-zealandia, Lb. 1573. Porina signata, Meyr., Trans. 



N. Z. Inst. xxii. 210.) 

 (Plate XIII. , fig. 15 3 ; Plate III., fig. 6 larva.) 

 Apparently an abundant species in the North Island, having been taken com- 



