Entomology.] SUBANTARCTIC ISLANDS OF NEW ZEALAND. 63 



Apart, therefore, from the two possibilities already mentioned, the occurrence of 

 the insect on the island can only be explained by the existence of a former land 

 connection with the mainland of New Zealand, at a period not sufficiently remote 

 to have allowed any changes to have taken place in the specific characters of the 

 insect. 



Scoparia sabulosella. (p. 72.) 



Three specimens of this extremely common New Zealand species were taken on 

 Enderby Island, amongst European grasses. It is variable in colour, as in New 

 Zealand. The larva feeds on mosses. 



Although the Enderby Settlement was originally established by colonists from 

 Australia, it is nevertheless possible that this species may have been introduced 

 by man, as it is constantly found in fields and other cultivated places in New Zealand, 

 and the eggs or perfect insects might readily be transported amongst agricultural 

 produce. There is no record of Scoparia sabulosella having been found in Australia. 



Scoparia halopis. (p. 72.) 



This species occurred at Norman's Inlet and Enderby Island. A total of six 

 specimens were secured, and one was bred from a pupa taken home to New Zea- 

 land. (Plate II, fig. 3.) 



Scoparia psammitis(?). 



One specimen only, which is probably correctly identified as Scoparia psammitis, 

 a locally abundant New Zealand species, commonest in the southern districts. 



Musotima nitidalis. 



One large specimen was taken at Carnley Harbour, and one small one at 

 Enderby Island. These belong to the rather pale form which occurs principally in 

 the southern parts of New Zealand, and is also found abundantly in New South 

 Wales and Victoria. In New Zealand the insect is attached to Pteris incisa; in 

 Australia to Adiantum, and perhaps other ferns. It is a common species in both 

 countries. 



Of course, it is just possible that the species was introduced from Australia into 

 Enderby Island at the time of the Enderby Settlement, and that it was subsequently 

 blown across to Auckland Island. It is, however, much more likely that the species 

 has inhabited the islands, in an unchanged condition, ever since the time of their 

 separation from the mainland of New Zealand. 



Platyptilia aeolodes. (p. 73.) 



Two specimens of this interesting plume-moth were captured in the forest at 

 Camley Harbour. It also occurs in New Zealand and at the Chatham Islands. 

 (Plate II, fig. 14.) 



Pyrgotis plagiatana. (p. 73.) 



This was by far the commonest lepidopteron on Auckland Island, and occurred 

 abundantly amongst clumps of Aspidium vestitum in the forest at Carnley Harbour 

 and Norman's Inlet. The species was extremely variable, and mostly rather larger 

 than ordinary New Zealand specimens. One small specimen of a typical female 

 belonging to the variety luciplagana was, however, taken. (Plate II, figs. 4-7, 

 varieties.) 



