88 GUIDE TO THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. 



is found in Tasmania. The EesperiidcB, a family of butterflies 

 which is remarkable for having the chrysalis enclosed in a 

 slight cocoon, or secured by many silken threads, is represented 

 by a large number of species. 



Moths are exceedingly numerous. The Sphmgidoe, or Hawk- 

 moths — the species of which are remarkable for their large size 

 and powerful flight — are represented by about 40 species, many 

 of thcdi flnely coloured. Of these Hemaris Tiylas, Linn., one 

 of the " clear-wing "Hawk-moths, and various species of ilt/acro- 

 glossa, or Humming-bird Moths, are perhaps the most remarkable. 

 J/efaviimas australasicp, Don., Ccequosa triangularis, Don., 

 Chcerocampa erotus, Cr., and the widely distributed Protoparce 

 convolvuli, Linn., are abundant in the neighbourhood of Sydney. 

 The family Hepialidce contains some exceedingly fine species, 

 including the beautiful Charagice, a group of moths which pass 

 their larval condition, and undergo their transformations in 

 cylindrical burrows which they make in the stems or branches of 

 trees. Closely allied to the CharagicH is the magnificent Giant 

 Swift-moth, or " bent-wing," Zelotypia Stacyi, Sc, which is found 

 in the Hunter River district. Female specimens of this moth 

 sometimes measure as much as 10 inches across the wings. Those 

 who wish to know more of these remarkable lignivorous moths 

 should consult the late Mr. Scott's valuable paper on the subject, 

 in the 2nd vol. of the N. S. Wales Entomological Society's 

 Transactions, and Mr. Olliff's account of the habits of the larva, 

 published in the Proceedings of the Linnean Society of N. S. 

 Wales for 1887. The other great divisions of moths — the Bomhy- 

 cina (including the Silk-moths), the Noctuina (Night-moths), and 

 the Geometrina (Loopers) are well represented. 



The Micro-Lepidoptera abound. The Oecophoridce alone, a family 

 which is wonderfully prolific in Australia, are estimated at more 

 than 2,000 species, of which a considerable number are found in 

 and about Sydney. One of the largest and most beautiful genera 

 of the Micros is Cryptopliasa, a group containing conspicuous 

 species, of which several are found near Sydney. The larvae live 

 in burrows in the stems of young Banksice and various shrubs, 

 from which they emerge at night for the purpose of feeding on the 

 leaves of the plant. 



