PnuiLPorT.—Notes and Descriptions of N.Z. Lepidoptera. 663 
Notes and Descriptions of New Zealand Lepidoptera. 
By ALFRED PnuiLPOTT, Assistant Entomologist, Cawthron Institute. 
[Read before the Nelson Philosophical Society, 10th October, 1923 ; received by Editor, 
18th October, 1923 ; issued separately, 28th August, 1924.) 
As the present paper describes several obscure species, it has been thought 
advisable to figure not only the male genital structures of the new species, 
but also those of some closely related forms. The characters of the lepi- 
dopterous genitalia have not been previously used to any extent in the 
iscrimination of species in New Zealand; it may be useful, therefore, to 
the apical portion, of the abdomen, and to soften and clear the parts. 
This is a very simple process and takes but little time. If the abdomen 
i it wi ually 
(upper part of the tegumen); the -most desirable aspects will vary with 
the genus or family to which the species under consideration belongs. 
NOCTUIDAE. 
Melanchra furtiva n. sp. (Fig. 1, B.) 
32. 36—40 тт. Head whitish mixed with ferruginous. Palpi ferru- 
ginous sprinkled with white, terminal segment ochreous. Antennae, stalk 
Legs and under-parts ochreous-white densely mixed with pinkish. Fore- 
wings moderately dilated, costa almost straight, apex obtuse, termen 
obliquely rounded; pale pinkish-brown; markings blackish-ferruginous 
veins strewn with white and dark scales; а submedian basal streak, slightly 
