86 NEW ZEALAND MACRO-LEPIDOPTEEA. 



In the lowlands I have observed as many as half a dozen specimens on a single tree- 

 trunk. Whilst resting in this situation they are very inconspicuous, the colouring of 

 the fore-wings harmonizing perfectly with the insect's surroundings, and the pale- 

 coloured hind-wings being then entirely concealed by the upper pair. In connection 

 with this fact it is very interesting to notice that in all those cases where the hind- 

 wings are exposed to view during repose, they are protectively coloured in a similar 

 manner to the fore-wings. It will be observed that the two following species of 

 Selidosema exhibit protective colouring on both pairs of wings, these being invariably 

 exposed when the insects are at rest. 



SELIDOSEMA DEJECTARIA. 



(Boannia dejectaria, Walk. 394. Boarmia attracta, Walk. 394. Boarmia exprompta, Walk. 395. 

 Tephrosia patularia, Walk. 422 ; But!., Cat., pi. iii. 8. Tephrosia scriptaria, Walk. 422. Scotosia erebinata, 

 Walk. 1358. Scotosia stigmaticata, Walk. 1359. Scotosia lignosata, Walk. 1361. Gnophos pannularia, 

 Gn., E. M. M. v. 42. Scotoptcryx maoriata, Feld. cxxvi. 4. Hcincrophila (?) sulpitiata, Feld. cxxvi. 7. 

 Hemcrophila caprimulgata, Feld. cxxvi. 12. Boarmia dejectaria, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 100.) 

 (Plate IX., figs. 19, 20, 21 and 22 $ varieties, 23 and 24 ? ditto ; Hate III., fig. 12, larva.) 

 This large insect is very common, and generally distributed throughout the 

 country. 



The expansion of the wings is from \\ to 2 inches. The fore-wings vary from pale ochreous to 

 very dark rich brown ; there is an oblique transverse line near the base, often enclosing a darker basal 

 area ; a small dark brown spot in the middle of the wing surrounded by a ring ; a very oblique, wavy, 

 transverse line beyond the middle, often double towards the dorsum, and several irregular markings 

 on the termen ; there is often a white spot on the middle of the tennen, and a pale blotch on the 

 apex of the wing. The hind- wings resemble the fore-wings in colour ; there are two obscure trans- 

 verse lines near the base ; generally forming a dark basal area ; a wavy line near the middle, and a 

 strongly shaded line near the termen. The termen of both the wings is indented, the depth of the 

 indentations varying greatly in different specimens. 



This insect is very variable, but its large size and oblique transverse lines suffice 

 to distinguish it from any of the other allied species. 



The larva feeds on a great variety of plants, mahoe (Melicytus ramiflorus), white rata 

 (Metrosideros scandens), Solanum aviciilare, fuchsia (Fuchsia excorticata) , and Pennantia 

 corymbosa being amongst the number. The caterpillar may often be recognised . by a 

 large hump, which is situated on each side of the third segment. Its colouring appears 

 to be so entirely influenced by its surroundings that a description is impossible. For 

 instance, larvae taken from the pale green foliage of the mahoe resemble in colour the 

 twigs of that plant ; others captured feeding on the white rata are dark reddish-brown, 

 those from Solanum aviciilare are purplish slate-colour, whilst those from the fuchsia 

 are pale olive-green tinged with brown, like the sprouting twigs. 



The pupa is enclosed in a slight cocoon situated about two inches below the surface 

 of the ground. Those larvae which become full grown in the autumn remain as pupa? 

 during the winter, but the summer broods only remain in the pupa state a few weeks. 



The perfect insect appears from November till March. It has a great partiality 

 for resting with outspread wings on the walls of sheds and outhouses, where it is 

 frequently noticed by the most casual observer. It is very common in most situations, 

 and may be taken in large numbers at sugar, light, or blossoms, during the whole of 

 the summer. Its extreme abundance and great variability, in both the larval and imago 

 states, would render it a good subject for a series of experiments, resembling those 

 conducted by Messrs. Poulton and Merrineld on several allied European species. 



