IX. THE MICROPTERYGINA. 135 



.monly at Napier, Palmerston and Wellington. I suspect it occurs in the South 

 Island also, but I have no records of its capture there. 



The expansion of the wings is from 2 to 2J inches. The fore-wings are dark brownish- 

 ochreous, becoming dull white near the middle and on the termen ; there is a shaded central, 

 longitudinal, blackish band containing several ichitc spots, forming an irregular stripe in the 

 middle of the wing ; there are also many irregular markings with dull white centres, chiefly 

 situated near the veins, and often arranged in two or three rows parallel to the termen. All 

 the markings are very variable, but the insect may be at once known by the irregular central 

 white stripe. When alive the entire colouring is always strongly tinged with pink. 



I have often found a large subterranean caterpillar, that I believe to be the 

 larva of this insect ; but as I have never succeeded in rearing a specimen, I cannot 

 assign it to this species with absolute certainty. 



The length of this larva when full grown is nearly 3 inches. Its colour is dirty white, 

 becoming darker on the back. The head is dark brown, very rough and horny ; the three first 

 segments are also horny on the dorsal surface. The rest of the body is very much softer, and 

 is furnished with several horny tubercles, each of which emits a long bristle. 



This larva is very lively when disturbed. It usually disgorges a large quantity 

 of black juice from the mouth, biting meantime, in order no doubt to frighten its 

 enemies. It feeds on the roots of various grasses. 



The perfect insect appears in January, February and March, and is often 

 extremely abundant at light. 



