54 NEW ZEALAND NEUBOPTEBA. 



" Hab. As in the type form. I have examined two 

 examples. 



" VaV. OBLITERATUS VUV. 1WV. 



" In this form both whitish and dark markings have practically disap- 

 peared from the wings (the dark pterostigma always excepted), which are 

 nearly uniformly brownish-yellow (or rice verm), the posterior paler. But 

 on the anterior there is usually a faint trace of the pale markings (if 

 examined in a good light), and the excised apical margin is narrowly 

 darker with paler interspaces. 



"Hab. As in the type form. I have examined four 

 examples. In uniformity of coloration this form might 

 be likened to a very diminutive S. cit rimes." 



There is no doubt that these varieties all belong to 

 the same species, Mr. McLachlan also being of that 

 opinion. The forms above described represent extreme 

 and intermediate conditions, and in a long series can be 

 completely connected. 



" In the falcate wings, and the character of the 

 markings in the type form, there is some resemblance 

 to the North Indian Osmylus Langii, McLach., and 

 allied species of Osmylus from the same region." 



The early stages of this insect evidently closely 

 resemble those of S. incisus. ' I have bred two speci- 

 mens from small silken cocoons found under wet 

 stones, near the edge of one of the streams above 

 mentioned, and these cocoons were very similar to 

 those constructed by the larva of S. incisus. 



The perfect insect appears about the middle of 

 November, and is most abundant during the first 

 week in December. After that time it rapidly de- 

 creases in numbers. 



STENOSMYLUS LATIUSCULUS. 



Stenosmylus latiusculus, McLachlan, Ent. Mo. Mag., 

 ser. 2, vol. 5, p. 241 (1894). 



(Plate VIII. , fig. 1.) 



So far as is at present known, this is the rarest species 

 of Stenosmylus found in New Zealand, and is represented 

 in collections by only three specimens. Two of these are 

 in Mr. McLachlan's collection. One w T as taken at a 

 lighted window in the Otira Gorge and the other one at 

 Greymouth (?), both these localities being on the west 

 coast of the South Island. The third specimen is in my 

 collection and was captured on the banks of the Oronga- 



