of the Australian PyralicUna. 329 



Distinguished from its nearest allies by the pectination 

 of the lower median of hind wings ; this character is, 

 however, much less marked than in the Cramhidce. 

 Besides the three New Zealand species (all endemic), I 

 have very little doubt that Scopula amitina, Butler (of 

 which S. cinerea, Butler, is clearly a mere variety), from 

 Chili, belongs to this genus ; I have seen the types, but 

 have not been able to examine their structure ; they 

 are, however, closely allied specifically to Mnesictena 

 marmarina and M. Jiavidalis. 



a. Fore wings with a clear white spot in disc. 



1. Hind wings with a distinct Une marmarina. 



2. ,, without „ mtata. 



b. Fore wings without white spots flavidaUs. 



M7iesictena marmarina, n. s. 

 ^^2, 20 — 28 mm. Head, palpi, antennse, and thorax varying 

 from ochreoiis to grey ; palpi externally suffiised with dark grey, 

 beneath white. Abdomen varying from yellowish to grey. Legs 

 ochreous-whitish, anterior pair suffused with grey. Fore wings 

 broadly triangular, costa moderately arched on posterior half, apex 

 obtuse, hind margin obliquely rounded ; yellowish ochreous, irro- 

 rated with grey, sometimes wholly suffused with grey; lines 

 slightly dentate, dark grey ; first from one-fifth of costa to one- 

 third of inner margin, obtusely bent in disc ; second from four- 

 fifths of costa to three-fourths of inner margin, externally margined 

 with paler, between two-thirds and four-fifths strongly curved 

 inwards to beneath discal spot ; a tolerably roimd white spot in 

 disc above middle, preceded and followed by subquadrate darker grey 

 shades ; apical half of costa pale, with four dark grey spots ; a row 

 of minute dark grey dots on hind margin ; cilia grey, tips ochreous- 

 whitish. Hind wings yellowish, iiTorated with grey, sometimes 

 mostly suffused with pale grey ; two small round dark fuscous 

 spots placed one obliquely above and before the other in disc ; a 

 dark grey Ime at three-fourths, sinuate inwards beneath costa, and 

 sending a curve inwards beneath discal spot ; a grey hind marginal 

 band, obsolete towards anal angle, broader and darker at apex ; 

 hind marginal dots and cilia as in fore wings. 



Near M. Jiavidalis, but larger and much greyer; 

 always distinguished by the clear white spot in disc. 



Palmerston,Christchurch, and Dunedin, NewZealand; 

 several specimens in December, January, and March. 



