I.— THE GABADBININA. 11 



This species varies slightly in the intensity of its markings and in the extent of the pale 

 dorsal area. 



The moth first appears about January and continues in .great abundance until 

 the middle or end of April, being one of the last of our Leucanias to disappear in 

 the autumn. It is extremely partial to the flowers of the white rata (Metrosideros 

 scandens), where, on warm, still evenings, it may be often met with in the utmost 

 profusion. It also comes freely to sugar, and is frequently attracted by light. 



LEUCANIA PROPRIA, Walk. 



(Leucania propria, Walk., Noct. iii. ; Gn., Ent. Mo. Mag. v. 2; Butl., Voy. Ereb., pi. ix. 4; Meyr., 



Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 9.) 



(Plate IV., fig. 13.) 



This insect has occurred in the South Island at Mount Arthur, Blenheim, and 



Mount Hutt. 



The expansion of the wings is I 1 inches. The fore-wings are pale ochreous ; there is a con- 

 spicuous longitudinal black streak in the middle of the wing, extending from the base to about 

 one-third, and a brand, dark brown longitudinal shading, slightly above the middle, from one-fourth 

 to the tennen ; the renifonn is rather small, dull grey, faintly edged with darker, the orbicular 

 and claviform are very indistinct or absent ; there is a transverse series of black dots on the veins 

 a little before the tennen, and another series on the termen ; the cilia are ochreous banded with 

 brown. The hind-wings are pale grey, with a terminal series of small black marks; the cilia are 

 ochreous. The head and thorax are pale reddish-brown, and the abdomen is ochreous. 

 This species varies slightly in the depth of its colouring. 



The perfect insect is met with from January till March. On the Mount Arthur 

 Tableland it occurred very commonly at about 3,800 feet above the sea-level. In this 

 locality it was freely attracted by light, and large numbers of specimens were captured 

 by the aid of a single candle, exhibited at the tent door during mild evenings. 



LEUCANIA ACONTISTI8, Meyr. 

 (Leucania acontistis, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 9.) 

 (Plate IV., fig. 14.) 

 A single specimen of this species was captured at Castle Hill by Mr. J. D. 

 Enys, and is now in Mr. Fereday's collection. 



The expansion of the wings is If inches. The fore-wings are dull ochreous; the veins are 

 slightly darker; there is a fine, black, doublij-curved, longitudinal streak /nan the base to about 

 one-third. The hind-wings are pale yellowish-grey. The cilia of all the wings are dull ochreous. 

 Described and figured from the specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection. 



LEUCANIA PHAULA, Meyr. 

 (Leucania phaula, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 10.) 

 (Plate IV., tig. 15.) 

 Two specimens of this insect, " bred from tussock grass," were found at 

 Christchurch.'"' 



The expansion of the wings is U inches. The fore-wings are dull ochreous, with the veins 

 obscurely indicated by black and white dots; there is a curve. 1 series of minute black dots near 

 the termen. The hind-wings are pale ochreous, clouded with grey towards the termen. The 

 cilia of all the wings are dull ochreous. This insect may be distinguished from Leucania unica 

 by its larger size, duller coloration, less oblique termen of fore-wings, and simple antenna? in 

 the male. 



The perfect insect appears in November. 



Described and figured from a specimen in Mr. Fereday's collection. 



* Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 10. 



