THE LEP1D0PTERA. 87 



inclined to think that the females hibernate and lay their 

 eggs early in the spring (Fig. 4). 



Family GEOMETRID^. 

 Sestra humeraria (Plate XL, fig. 5, 5a larva). 



This abundant species occurs in large numbers round 

 Wellington, amongst brushwood, whence it may be often 

 dislodged during the daytime, but is most readily procurable 

 in the evening. The larva (Fig. 5a), feeds on Pteris incisa, 

 a pale green fern, growing in many open spots in the forest 

 to a height of three or four feet. Its general colour is dull 

 brownish yellow, slightly darker on the back, and orna- 

 mented with a number of wavy yellow lines on each side. 

 The ventral surface and legs are green and the head is dark 

 brown ; the whole insect being covered with numerous 

 black dots and bristles. When disturbed these larvae 

 immediately drop to the ground, and coiling themselves up 

 like small snakes, become very inconspicuous. 



The pupa is buried in the earth about two inches below 

 the surface, the insect remaining in this state during the: 

 winter months. The moths generally emerge about October. 

 So far as my experience goes they are not subject to any 

 notable variations. The specimen drawn at Fig. 6 is re- 

 garded as a variety of this species by Mr. Meyrick, but I 

 myself believe it to be quite distinct, as among over a dozen 

 humeraria larvae reared in captivity, none of the imagines 

 had the slightest resemblance to Fig. 6, although the cater- 

 pillars were all taken within a few yards of the place where 

 such moths occurred. 



P^amily GeometriD/E. 



Selidosema dejectaria (Plate XI., fig. 8 $, 8a ?, 8b larva). 



An abundant and conspicuous species, occurring through- 

 out the summer, often noticed at rest on fences and trees 



