218 Transactions. 



Selidosemidae. 



This family exhibits some of the most striking " dead leaf " 

 resemblances to be found. Foremost among these stands 

 Drepanodes muriferata. Mr. Hudson has observed that when 

 disturbed this insect accentuates its resemblance to a dead 

 leaf by keeping its wings extended and motionless, and allowing 

 itself to fall to the ground as a dry leaf falls. I have not had 

 much opportunity of observing muriferata, but can state that 

 similar tactics are often adopted by its ally Sestra humeraria — 

 in fact, one can never be quite certain until after close examina- 

 tion whether moth or falling leaf has been observed. In the 

 genus Epirranthis all stages of dead and decaying leaves are 

 represented, the irregular margins of the wings aiding the resem- 

 blance. The same remark apphes to Selidosetna panagrata and 

 dejectaria, but Sdidosema productata seems to be particularly 

 protected when resting on tree-trunks, its blotched black-and- 

 white colouring being eminently suitable to such trees as the 

 matai {Podocarpus spicata). Gonophyla azelina, though one of 

 the handsomest of New Zealand moths, is one of the most in- 

 conspicuous when at rest amongst the stems and dead leaves 

 ■of forest ferns, a position in which it is most often found. 



Pyralidina. 



Turning to the group Pyralidina, we find the members of the 

 .genus Craynbus admirably protected both in form and colour. 

 As a general rule the forewings are of some ochreous shade, 

 wath one or more longitudinal white lines. In repose the wings 

 are folded back upon the body, and the position assumed is 

 almost invariably in line with the stalks and linear leaves of the 

 rough herbage which these moths commonly frequent. Thus 

 when siriellus or simplex has been observed to alight in a patch 

 of tussock-grass, it often requires much patient search before 

 the moth can be discovered. The system of marking by longi- 

 tudinal lines is also continued in the smaller and darker forms, 

 such as (PthoneUus and corruptus, and is still in evidence in 

 Orocrambus. In Scoparia several forms are attached to tree- 

 trunks as resting - places ; the coloration of such forms as 

 philerga and submarginalis is well suited to such a situation. 

 Another section containing such forms as octophora, sabulosella, 

 and their allies frequents red tussock and vegetation of a like 

 character ; these, as might have been expected from their habitat, 

 are dull-gi-eyish ochreous forms. Yet another section has deve- 

 loped the linear arrangement of marking, as in Crambus, but here 

 the ground-colour is light and the lines dark. S. trivirgata is 

 a good example of this group, and the effect of the colour-arrange- 

 ment seems to be equally successful, trivirgata being a very 

 Abundant insect and widely distributed. 



