II. THE NOTODONTINA. 87 



SELIDOSEMA PANAGBATA, Walk. 



(Scotosia panagratd, Walk. 1360. Angerona menanaria, Walk. 1500. Epirrhanthis (?) antipodaria, 

 Feld. cxxvi. 3. Hyperythra desiccata, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 495. Hyperythra arenacea, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 

 495. Barsine panagrata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xvi. 100.) 



(Plate IX., figs. 25, 26, 27, and 28 $ varieties, 29 and 30 S> ditto.) 



This species is very common, and generally distributed throughout the country. 

 It has occurred as far south as Stewart Island. 



The expansion of the wings is from \\ to If inches. The fore-wings of the male vary from pale 

 yellowish-white to rich brown or dark brownish-black ; there is a jagged transverse line near the base ; 

 a large black or white spot in the middle of the wing ; a doubly curved transverse line beyond the 

 middle, then a very jagged transverse line, followed by several paler markings, and an obscure line 

 parallel with the termen. The hind-wings are paler in colour ; there is a slightly curved transverse 

 line near the base ; a jagged line near the middle, and a very faint line beyond the middle. The 

 termen of both fore- and hind-wings is slightly indented. The female varies from pale ochreous to 

 dark slate-colour ; the markings resemble those of the male, but the termen of the wings is more 

 indented. 



This species is so extremely variable that a more detailed description would be 

 useless ; its numerous forms may, however, be at once recognised by the unbroken 

 jagged transverse lines of both fore- and hind-wings. 



The larva is quite as variable as the perfect insect. When very young it is bright 

 green, with a conspicuous white dorsal line ; as age advances the caterpillar becomes 

 dark olive-brown, sometimes striped with paler brown or green, whilst many specimens 

 retain the green colouring throughout the whole of their lives. The favourite food- 

 plant is the kawa-kawa (Pinter excelsiim), which the larvae voraciously devour, 

 thus causing the riddled appearance which the leaves of that plant almost 

 invariably present. These larvae often select a forked twig to rest in, where they lie 

 curled round, with the head and tail close together. Other food-plants are Aristotelia 

 racemosa and Myrtits bullata. Those caterpillars found on the latter plant are strongly 

 tinged with pink, and are consequently very inconspicuous amongst the young shoots, 

 where they generally feed. The burrows of the larvae of Hepialus virescens are frequently 

 utilised by the caterpillars, which feed on the Aristotelia, as convenient retreats during 

 the winter. When full-grown these caterpillars descend to the ground and construct 

 loose cocoons of silk and earth on the under sides of fallen leaves. The moth usually 

 emerges in about a month's time, but the autumnal larvae either hibernate or remain 

 in the pupa state throughout the winter. 



The perfect insect appears from October till April. It frequents forest and is 

 extremely common. It also occurs in great abundance on the white rata blossoms in 

 the autumn, and specimens may be occasionally seen even in the depth of winter. 



Genus 2. HYBEKNIA, Latr. 



" Face with appressed scales or short rough scales. Tongue developed or weak. Antennae in male 

 bi-pectinated, pectinations sometimes short and terminating in fascicles of cilia, apex simple. Palpi 

 shortly rough-scaled. Thorax with small triangular anterior crest, hairy beneath. Femora glabrous ; 

 posterior tibiae in male not dilated. Fore-wings in male without fovea ; vein 10 sometimes out of 9, 

 sometimes anastomosing or connected with 9, 11 sometimes out of 10, usually anastomosing with 

 or running into 12, rarely absent. Female semiapterous or apterous." (Meyrick.) 

 We have one species. 



