Meyeick. — On S r ew 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 antennae 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. Eoughly, 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, and more crambideous 

 appearance, with the normal markings often obsolete, the palpi longer and 

 hindwings broader ; but there is no definite distinction. 



The larvae, 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 ; (3) 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 practical use ; — 

 la. Forewings wholly blackish . . . . . . . . 2. anthraciai, 



lb. ,, not blackish. 



2a. Basal third of forewings deep reddish-ochreousi 



