50 NEW ZEALAND ENTOMOLOGY. 



young ones will always be found greatly in excess of those 

 that are approaching maturity. 



When full-grown this insect is transformed into the 

 curious pupa shown at Fig. ib. It is furnished with a 

 large process on the back of the thorax which is attached 

 to the web and holds the pupa suspended in the middle of 

 the niche previously inhabited by the larva. The light is 

 emitted from the posterior segment of the pupa, but is 

 much fainter than in the larva, and a distinct organ 

 is not apparent. It is frequently suppressed for days 

 together. 



The perfect insect is drawn at Fig. i. It emits a strong 

 light from the posterior segment of the abdomen, about 

 half as bright as that emanating from a full grown larva. 

 It has been recently described by Mr. Skuse, of Sydney, as 

 Bolitophila luminosa. 



During the whole course of my observations 1 on this 

 insect, extending over five years, I have only succeeded in 

 bringing two specimens to maturity, and both of the^e 

 were females. 



The uses of the light and the web to the larva are at 

 present quite unknown to me, as well as its food, which, 

 however, possibly consists of fungi. It should also be men- 

 tioned that the larvae are found in the greatest abundance 

 in mining tunnels, many feet below the surface of the 

 earth, as well as in caves. 



Family 

 Cloniophora subfasciata (Plate V., fig. 3, 3a larva). 



Tolerably common in damp gullies during summer and 

 autumn. The larva (Fig. 3a) inhabits decayed henau logs, 



1 For an extended account of these observations see " Transactions 

 of the New Zealand Institute," vol. xxiii. (1890). 



