Mzvnick.—On New Zealand Micro-Lepidoptera. 71 
Although of universal distribution, this genus is little developed except 
in temperate latitudes, hardly occurring in the tropics except at a consider- 
able elevation. Over thirty European species are known, and scattered forms 
are found in most other regions. Australia possesses at present sixteen, 
which number will be considerably increased, especially from the Tasmanian 
mountains. In comparison with these the development of the genus in 
New Zealand is extraordinary, forty-two species being here given, and it is 
unquestionable that the actual number is much larger, as each mountain 
seems to possess peculiar species. Scoparia is in fact the largest genus of 
Lepidoptera in New Zealand. 
Notwithstanding the extent of the genus, I can find no structural 
characters for subdividing it into groups. The palpi vary in length, and 
the antennz present some differences, being generally rough above, but 
sometimes pubescent, or serrate at joints, with the ciliations of variable 
length, but these points are simply specific. Veins 4 and 5 of the hind- 
wings are either from a point or stalked, but both forms often occur in the 
same species. Roughly, the first 27 species belong to the same group as 
the European forms, being always of comparatively small size, with the 
typical markings well developed, whilst the remainder constitute a more 
specially New Zealand group, usually of larger size, aud more crambideous 
appearance, with the normal markings often obsolete, the palpi longer and 
hindwings broader; but there is no definite distinction. 
The larvæ, so far as known, feed universally on mosses. 
In the following descriptions the length of the labial palpi is stated in 
terms of the breadth of the eye, and the length of the antennal ciliations in 
terms of the breadth of the stalk ; the breadth of the hindwings in terms of 
the breadth of the forewings. Typically, the markings consist of three 
transverse lines and three discal spots—viz., (1) the first line, at about $, 
usually oblique and somewhat curved, more or less indented in middle ; 
(2) the orbicular spot, usually round, shortly beyond first line above 
middle; (8) the claviform spot, usually linear, similarly placed below 
middle; (4) the reniform spot, usually 8-shaped, in disk beyond and above 
middle; (5) the second line, at about $, tolerably parallel to hindmargin, ` 
usually somewhat curved, generally sinuate inwards below costa and above 
inner margin; (6) the subterminal line, placed between second line and 
hindmargin, curved inwards in middle, often interrupted. 
Owing to the obscure colouring of all the species, and their great general 
similarity, it is extremely difficult to construct an accurate tabulation, but 
the following is an attempt which may be of some t en use ;— 
la. Forewings wholly blackish = .. 9. anthracias, 
E 
” 
not blackish. 
2a. Basal third of forewings deep reddish-ochreous, 
