56 NEW ZEALAND NEUBOPTEBA. 



DREPANEPTERYX INSTABILIS. 



Drepanepterijx instabilis, McLachlan, Journ. of 

 Entomology, vol. 2, p. 115, pi. 6, fig. 4 (1863). 



This pretty little insect has occurred at Palmerston 

 North and Wellington in the North Island, and at Nelson 

 and Otago in the South Island. It is not a very common 

 species, though apparently generally distributed. 



The expansion of the wings is from \ to ^ inch. " Reddish-fuscous ; 

 antennae pale greyish-ochreous, annulated with brown ; prothorax black at 

 the sides ; legs very pale greyish-ochreous. Anterior wings deeply excised 

 below the apex, greyish subhyaline, clouded and irrorated with greyish- 

 brown, forming transverse streaks on the costal margin ; six sectors radii, 

 ten gradate \einlets in the inner series, fourteen in the outer, the latter 

 deeply margined with blackish ; longitudinal veins dotted with greyish-brown. 

 Posterior wings whitish-hyaline, interruptedly margined with grey ; some of 

 the veins blackish. 



"A variety has both series of gradate veinlets in the anterior wings. 

 margined with blackish ; between them, on the costa, is a large subhyaline 

 space without markings, and a somewhat conspicuous black spot near 

 the base " (Hutton). 



This species is very variable in size, as well as in the 

 colouring of the wings. In some specimens they are 

 nearly transparent throughout, whilst in others they are 

 almost entirely brown, with a large transparent patch in 

 the middle of each. 



The larva of this insect probably feeds on aphides, but 

 has not yet been observed. The imago appears from 

 October till March. Single specimens are frequently 

 disturbed from amongst foliage, but I have never met with 

 the species in large numbers. It is very sluggish, and 

 when captured usually drops to the bottom of the net, or 

 rests quietly on the side. The wings are carried over the 

 back, forming, when closed together, an extremely acute 

 angle. 



DREPANEPTERYX HUMILIS. 



Drepan&pteryx humilis, McLachlan, Journ of Ento- 

 mology, vol. 2, p. 110, pi. 6, fig. 5 (1863). 



" Ochreous, slightly pilose ; antennas pale ochreous; eyes lurid. Pro- 

 and meso-thorax somewhat fuscous at the sides. Legs pale ochreous, tarsi 

 fuscescent. Anterior wings slightly excised at the apical margin, subhyaline, 

 clouded with greyish-ochreous, and with a few scattered black dots, most 

 numerous along the costal margin ; apical and inner margins narrowly fus- 

 cous, spotted with white ; longitudinal veins with fuscous points ; nine 

 veinlets in the inner gradate series, some of which are fuscous, thirteen in 

 the outer. Posterior wings hyaline, pterostigma ochreous. Length of the 

 body, 6 mm. ; expanse of the wings, 15 mm. 



" Locality. — Auckland and Otago. Found also in Queensland. 



