68 NE VV ZEALAND ENTOMOLOG Y. 



Family 

 Chrysophanus salnstius (Plate VI II., fig. 3 ? , 3a?, 3b larva), 



This is the commonest of our Butterflies, and is found in 

 great abundance throughout both islands from November 

 till April. It is double brooded, and is consequently most 

 abundant in the early summer and in the autumn, few of 

 these merry little insects being seen at midsummer. The 

 most forward individuals of the second brood usually 

 emerge about the middle of March, but the butterflies are 

 very irregular in their appearance at this season. The 

 young larva (Fig. 3b) is much thickened anteriorly, the 

 head being concealed from above by the large thoracic 

 segments. Its colour is pale green, with a pair of long, 

 erect bristles on each segment, a large number of shorter 

 ones being situated on the ventral surface, and behind the 

 head. After the second moult, a brilliant crimson dorsal 

 line is noticeable, but beyond this I have no record, as 

 my larvae unfortunately died just after completing their 

 third moult. Up to this time they had fed but sparingly 

 on the dock, eating minute holes in the leaves and clinging 

 to them with great firmness. It is much to be regretted 

 that their subsequent history could not be followed, espe- 

 cially as I only succeeded in obtaining the eggs on this 

 one occasion, although I frequently kept females in capti- 

 vity with this object. Three other species of Chrysophanus 

 occur in New Zealand, viz., C. feredayi, common round 

 Nelson, and chiefly distinguished by the olive-green under- 

 surface of its hind-wings ; C. enysii, which is occasionally 

 met with amongst forest, and may be at once known by its 

 broad black markings and pale yellow colour ; and C. bolden- 

 arum, a little insect uniting the " Coppers " with the " Blue 

 Butterflies," and found in great abundance in certain river 

 beds and shingly places. The western side of Lake 



