Philpott. — Protective Besemblance in N.Z. Moths. 213 



bell-birds (Anthornis) take them on the wing ; creepers (Mohua 

 and Finschia), warblers (Gerygone), and wrens (Xenicus) search 

 for them while at rest on the tree-trunks or branches ; while the 

 parrakeets {Cyanorhamphus) and kakas {Nestor) prey on the 

 larval forms of those species which inhabit decayed wood. It is 

 therefore not a matter for surprise that our Lepidoptera should 

 have developed the principle of protective colouring to such 

 an extent and to such perfection as is exhibited bv several 

 forms. 



Though I have dealt with the Lepidoptera only, I feel sure 

 that other groups of our insects would well repay study in this 

 direction ; the Coleoptera especially would yield some interest- 

 ing examples. 



Nyctemera annulata. 



This species is a very striking example of " warning colours." 

 The larvae and pupae are as conspicuous as the perfect insect, and 

 I know of no instance of either being eaten by birds or preyed 

 upon by other insects. It was at one time thought that a disease 

 which aftects cattle grazing in districts overrun by Senecio jaco- 

 hcea and its allies — the food plants of the larvae — had its origin 

 in the animals inadvertently eating the larva along with its food 

 plant. It is now known that the Senecio itself contains a poi- 

 sonous substance. Still, there can be no doubt of the nauseous. 

 if not poisonous, qualities of the insect. The larvae are avoided 

 by poultry, and if picked up with other food are at once rejected. 

 The moths may be often seen entangled in spiders' webs, but I 

 do not remember ever having seen one that had been attacked 

 by the spider. 



Metacrias strategica. 



This moth, in common mth erichrysa and huttoni, is pro- 

 bably also decked in " warning colours." If it were edible it 

 would fall an easy prey to birds, particularly when fluttering in 

 the grass in search of the apterous female. A hidden female 

 will soon attract dozens of males, and such a gathering would 

 form a fortunate chance for any passing insectivorous bird. 

 The females, which are covered with a thick coat of yellomsh 

 hair-scales, do not leave their pupal birthplaces under logs, &c., 

 and are therefore not in much need of protective colouring. 

 They are, however, very inconspicuous, and might easily be 

 passed over for a fragment of dry earth. They move about 

 very little, and this also would be in their favour if incon- 

 spicuousness were aimed at. It would be of great interest to 

 find one sex protected by " warning colours " and the other bv 



