Art. VI. — Description of a Neiv Species of Perla (Stone-fly) in New Zealand. 

 By G. V. Hudson, F.E.S. 



[Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 1st May, 1912.] 



Leptoperla grandis n. sp. 



The expansion of tbe wings is 2 in. The antennae are shorter than the 

 forewings. The head and thorax are blackish-brown, the abdomen paler 

 brown. The forewings are pale greyish-brown, darker towards the base, 

 and very sparsely covered with clear dots ; the posterior veinleta are very 

 distinct, and marked with clearer lines. The hindwings are transparent, 

 with a chain of oblong grey marks on the costa between the veinlets. The 

 eggs are brownish-grey, banded with paler. The caudal setae are about 

 one-quarter the length of the abdomen, yellowish-brown. 



A single specimen of this very fine species, which is as large as 

 the well-known Stenoperla prasina, was discovered by Mrs. Hudson last 

 January amongst foliage on the banks of the Mangawhero River, near 

 Ohakune, Main Trunk line. Every effort was made to secure further 

 specimens, but without result. It is evidently a rare insect, and, as I am 

 unwilling to allow it to remain undescribed for an indefinite period, the 

 foregoing description has been prepared. It must, however, be regarded 

 as provisional only, and as soon as other specimens are available they will 

 be submitted to a specialist in the group, in order that the description may 

 be amplified if necessary, and the reference of the species to the genus 

 Leptoperla verified. 



