40 NEW ZEALAND MACRO-LEPIDOPTERA. 



TATOSOMA AGBIONATA, Walk. 



(Cidaria agrionata, Walk. 1417. Cidaria tipulata, ib. 1417. Cidaria inclinataria, ib. 1418. Cidaria 

 transitaria, ib. 1419. Sanrts mistata, Feld. cxxxi. 12. Tatosoma transitaria, Moyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. 

 xvi. 68. Tatosoma agrionata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvii. 64.) 



(Plate VI., fig. 26 <? , 27 2.) 



This fine species has occurred commonly at Wellington in the North Island. It 

 is generally distributed in the South Island, and has also been found at Stewart Island. 



The expansion of the wings is about 1J inches. The fore-wings are bright-green traversed by 

 numerous black, wamj, transverse lines ; these black lines are grouped into four more or less distinct 

 bands, the outermost of which is interrupted at each of the veins ; there is a conspicuous black dot in 

 the middle of the wing, a number of small triangular black marks near the term en, and a series of 

 minute black dots on the termen. The hind-wings are ochreous, tinged with green towards the 

 termen. In the female the abdomen is much shorter, and the hind-wings are larger than in the male. 



The perfect insect appears from December till April. It frequents dense forests, 

 and is generally found at rest on the trunks of trees. In these situations the pattern 

 of the fore-wings is extremely protective, the whole insect bearing the closest possible 

 resemblance to a patch of moss. This species may also be taken at sugar, and some- 

 times at light, but I have found that it can be obtained most plentifully by a careful 

 scrutiny of the tree-trunks in a favourable locality. As a rule I think that the males 

 are considerably commoner than the females. I have noticed them in the proportion 

 of about four to one. 



TATOSOMA TIMOEA, Meyr. 



(Tatosoma agrionata, Meyr. (nee Walker), Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 68. Tatosoma timora, Meyr., ib. xvii. 64.) 



(Plate VI., fig. 28 $ , 29 ? .) 



This rather sombre, though interesting insect, has occurred at Palmerston and 

 Wellington in the North Island, and at Christchurch and Akaroa in the South Island. 



The expansion of the wings is If inches. All the wings are sparsely covered with scales. The 

 fore-wings of the male are dull reddish-brown, with numerous obscure transverse dusky stripes ; there are 

 two rather conspicuous blackish blotches on the costa, a white dot in the middle of the wing, a wavy, 

 pale, transverse line near the termen, and a series of black terminal dots ; the veins are dotted in black. 

 The hind-wings are very small, dull grey, with the lobe large and conspicuous. The female is faintly 

 tinged with green, the markings on the fore-wings are rather indistinct; the hind-wings are small, 

 though much larger than those of the male. 



The perfect insect appears from November till May. It frequents densely wooded 

 districts, but is not a common species. 



Genus 2. PARADETIS, Meyr. 



" Palpi short, arched, roughly-scaled beneath. Antennas bipectinated. Fore-wings with vein 6 

 from below 9, 7 from below angle of areole, 10 very shortly anastomosing with 9, 11 out of 10 con- 

 siderably before angle of areole, 12 free. Hind-wings with veins 6 and 7 stalked, 8 separate, united 

 to 7 before transverse vein by an oblique bar. 



" This singular genus is of quite uncertain affinity, and stands at present alone. 

 The simple areole, and connecting bar of 7 and 8, can only have arisen by modifi- 

 cation of the normal type of this family, to which it must be referred. It is also the 

 only New Zealand genus except Declana in which the female has pectinated antennae ; 

 but this character recurs in a few exotic genera not otherwise allied." (Meyrick.) 



Plate II., figs. 27 and 28 represent the neuration of the male of Paradetis porpliijrias, 

 vein 2 of the hind-wings being absent in that sex. In the female, which is the sex from 

 which Mr. Meyrick characterized the genus, the vein is present as usual. Only one 

 species is known. 



