II. THE NOTODONTINA. 67 



discal dot ; a very irregular dentate curved dark grey line beyond middle, followed by two adjacent 

 whitish lines ; a sharply dentate obscure whitish subterminal line, anteriorly dark-margined. Hind- 

 wings moderate, termen rounded ; markings as in fore-wings, but more obscure, paler and more 

 suffused towards base. 



"A fine species, with a peculiar bluish tinge. 



"I took two specimens at rest on rock-faces in the Otira Gorge, at 1,800 feet, in 

 January, and saw others." (Meyrick.) 



XANTHOKHOE CINEKEAEIA, Dbld. 



(Cidaria (?) cinerearia, Dbld., Dieff. N. Z. ii. 286. Larentia (?) inrcxata, Walk. 1199; Butl., Cat., 

 pi. iii. 11. Larentia semisignata, Walk. 1200. Larentia inoperata, Walk. 1201. Larentia diffusaria 

 Walk. 1201. Larentia punctilineata, Walk. 1202 ; Butl., Cat., pi. iii. 12. Cidaria dissociata, Walk. 1734. 

 Cidaria semilisata, Walk. 1735. Larentia corcularia, Gn., E. M. M. v. 61. Larentia infantaria, Gn., 

 B. M. M. v. 62. Hclastia eupitheciaria, Gn., E. M. M. v. 95. ? Cidaria sphasriata, Peld. cxxxi. 14. 

 Larentia cinerearia, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 83.) . 



(Plate VIII., figs. 2 and 2A, varieties.) 



This species is extremely abundant, and generally distributed throughout the 

 country. 



The expansion of the wings is from f inch to 1 inch. The fore-wings vary from pale to dark 

 grey ; there are generally four more or less distinct blackish marks on the costa, forming the beginning 

 of transverse bands ; the rest of the wing is marbled with dark-grey or black, the disposition of the 

 markings varying exceedingly in different specimens. The hind-wings are pale grey, with a black dot 

 above the middle. 



The variation existing in this species is very great, and is thus described by Mr. 

 Meyrick : * " Three main forms occur : one large, greyer, and more uniform ; a second 

 of middle size whiter and generally strongly marked sometimes bluish-tinged, only 

 found in the hills ; and a third small greyish but ochreous- tinged, strongly marked ; 

 these are connected by scarcer intermediate forms, and are, I believe, due to the direct 

 effect of food and situation. 



" The larva feeds on lichens." 



The perfect insect appears from October till March, and frequents a great variety 

 of situations. The colouring of the fore-wings is beautifully adapted for protection 

 on lichen-covered banks, rocks, or fences, where specimens may often be found resting 

 with closed wings during the daytime. This species flies rather freely at evening dusk, 

 and may then be taken plentifully at sugar, blossoms or light. It is, however, a difficult 

 matter to procure specimens in really good condition for the cabinet, as the insect is 

 so extremely restless when confined in a box that if it is not killed at once, it will 

 speedily injure itself during its struggles to escape. This moth is found at elevations 

 ranging from the sea-level to 3,500 feet. 



XANTHOKHOE ANTHEACIAS, Meyr. 



(Larentia anthracias, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 84.) 



This species has occurred in the South Island at Mount Hutt and Lake Wakatipu. 

 " The expansion of the wings of the male is from 24-25 mm. (about 1 inch). Fore-wings 

 moderate, termen sinuate ; dark fuscous, faintly striated, more or less sprinkled with whitish ; a 

 curved blackish line near base, posteriorly obscurely whitish-margined ; a curved, obscure whitish fascia 

 at one-third, blackish margined and bisected by a blackish line ; a well-defined black discal dot ; a white 

 fascia, partially mixed with fuscous, beyond middle, anteriorly strongly blackish-margined, posteriorly 

 more obscurely, and bisected by a blackish line, somewhat irregular, moderately angulated in middle ; 



* Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 83. 



