LEPIDOPTERA 303 



Ophiusa pulcherritna, Lucas 



Mr Hudson states one specimen of this Queensland species was 

 obtained in 1904, at Titahi Bay near Wellington. 



Ophiusa melicerte, Drury 



A single specimen of this moth was taken in Mr Travers's green- 

 house in Wellington in 1870, and was described by Mr Fereday as 

 Catocala traversii. Since then it has been taken at Titahi Bay, 

 Wellington, at Waitomo, at Motueka and at Orepuki 1 . 



It is a common moth in Australia. 



Plusia oxygramma, Hubn. 



Mr Hudson calls this a well-established natural immigrant. 

 Several specimens were taken in the Thames district in 1906. Miss 

 Castles records it as occurring at the Waitakere in 1909, and at 

 Fielding in 1911. Mr Howes states that it is common throughout 

 the North Island, but that south of Christchurch only occasional 

 specimens are seen. 



Agrotis segetum, Schiff. Turnip Moth 



First recorded from Wanganui in the Agricultural Department 

 report for 1904. Mr W. W. Smith (April, 1919) says it is common 

 at New Plymouth. The caterpillars attack especially mangolds, turnips 

 and potatoes. They hide beneath the surface of the soil, and usually 

 attack the plants they infest at or just below the surface, and nearly 

 always at night. They also attack wheat and grass crops, and several 

 garden vegetables and flowers. The moth is now common everywhere. 



Family PYRALIDJE 

 Meliphora grisella, Fabr. Bee Moth 



Apparently introduced along with honey-bees, as the larva lives 

 in bee-hives. Mr W. W. Smith reports it as common in Taranaki. 

 He further states that when he arrived in South Canterbury in 1877, 

 this moth was common in the hives on the Upper Rangitata. Mr 

 Meyrick recorded a specimen from Nelson in 1877. 



Plodia inter punctella. Hub. Indian Meal Moth 

 First observed in 1912 by Mr Hudson; probably introduced in 

 figs, maize, etc. It feeds on raisins, currants, prunes and other dried 

 food-products. It was recorded again in 1914. Mr A. H. Cockayne 

 says it is common in the Gisborne district. 



1 In his paper on some rare species of Lepidoptera (Trans. N.Z. Inst. vol. xxxvn, 

 P- 333 ). Mr A. P. Duller mixes up two papers by Mr Fereday in vol. ix of the Trans. 

 NJZ. Inst. in a remarkable manner. 



