128 NEW ZEALAND MACRO-LEPIDOPTERA. 



for a future work. It may, however, again be mentioned that the last-named family 

 contains amongst its New Zealand representatives Palceomicra clialcoplianes, a species 

 which more closely approximates in structure to a Neuropterous insect than does any 

 other member of the Lepidoptera. This insect is consequently regarded by Mr. Meyrick 

 as the most ancient species of the order yet known. The survival of Palceomicra in New 

 Zealand is quite in accord with the existence of such forms as Apteryx and Dinornis 

 amongst the birds, the tuatara lizard (Kplienodon) amongst reptiles, and Peripatus 

 amongst Myriapoda, archaic forms which have been preserved in this country through 

 its long isolation from continental areas, and the resulting absence of more recent 

 competing forms. 



Family 1. HEPIALID^E. 



"Head rough. Ocelli absent. Tongue obsolete. Maxillary palpi obsolete. Tibise without 

 spurs. Fore-wings with all main veins and costa connected by bars near base, 16 furcate, forked 

 parting vein strong." (Plate I., figs. 22, 23, 24, 28, 29.) 



" By no means an extensive family, yet of universal distribution. It stands more 

 conspicuously isolated than any other group of Lepidoptera, for althoxigh it is without 

 doubt a terminal development from the Micropterygida; (that is one from which no 

 existing family has originated), the gap between them is considerable ; exotic genera, 

 whilst differing in various details, are remarkably uniform in the more important 

 peculiarities of structure, and do not at all tend to bridge the gap. The relatively 

 large size of the Hepialid.ce- (of which some species exceed six inches in expanse of 

 wing) may be attributed to the larval habits, which render these insects independent 

 of the seasons or fluctuations of food-supply, thus removing the check which ordinarily 

 limits growth. The modified type of neuration may have resulted directly from the 

 increase of size, involving a great strengthening of the main veins beneath the costa 

 to support the weight. As a consequence of this strengthening, the flight of the 

 larger species is very powerful, and to this, combined with a choice of larval food, 

 which is often rather indiscriminate, may perhaps be ascribed the wide range of the 

 group, rather than to its antiquity. It is probably of Indo-Malayan origin, and must 

 have existed in that region long enough to acquire fixity of type before its dispersal, 

 which, geologically speaking, may not have been exceedingly remote." (Meyrick.) 



There are two genera represented in New Zealand 



1. HEPIALUS. 2. POEINA. 



Genus 1. HEPIALUS, F. 



" Antennae ^ to , in male lamellate or simple. Palpi short, drooping, hairy. Posterior 

 tibian usually densely rough-haired, in male sometimes with long projecting tuft above. Fore- 

 wings with vein 7 from angle, 8 remote, 9 and 10 stalked. Hind-wings as fore-wings, 8 seldom 

 connate or stalked with 7." (Plate I., figs. 22 and 23, neuration of Hepialus virescens, 24 head 

 of ditto.) 



"A genus of universal distribution, but not very numerous in species. Ovum 

 spheroidal, smooth. Larva elongate, active. Pupa with segmental whorls of spines, 

 enabling it to move actively before emergence." (Meyrick.) 



Represented by one species only the largest moth we have in New Zealand. 



