1918.] 61 



DESCEIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES OP LEPIDOPTERA FROM 



NEW ZEALAND. 

 BY G. Y. HUDSON, F.E.S. 



The following descriptions relate to new species of Lepidoptera 

 vvhicli have recently come under my notice from various localities in the 

 Dominion. Some of them are very, distinct forms and of more than 

 ordinary interest. 



NOCTUIDAE. 



Aletia empyrea, n. sp. 



This large and handsome species was discovered by Mr. Cliarles E. 

 Clarke in. the Routeburn Valley at the head of Lake Wakatipu, at an 

 altitude of about 2500 ft. above the sea-level. It has also occurred at 

 Queenstown. 



The expansion of the wings is about 2 inche.«;. The tore wings of the male 

 are rather bright bluish-grey with blackish markings ; the basal line is distinct, 

 strouglv dentate ; the first line has four strong projections : the claviforni is 

 verv narrow, blackish-edged and pale centred ; the orbicular is large, trjipe- 

 zoidal-ovate whitish ; a conspicuous blackish triangular spot is situated be- 

 tween the orbicular and the reniform, the reniform itself being very indistinct ; 

 the second line is strongly dentate and bent outwards above the middle; there 

 is a series of faint blackish triaiiiiulav marks on the subterminal area, and the 

 veins are irregularly marked in blackish. The hind wings are pale grey with 

 a dark ^rey lunule and two cloudy-grey bands. The female is considerably 

 paler than the male and the markings are much less distinct. 



The perfect insect appears in December. 



Described from specimens kindly lent to me by Mr. Clarke. 



GrEOMETETDAE. 



Xanthorhoe pseudostinaria, n. sp. 



A single specimen of this very distinctly-marked insect was taken at 

 Otira on the west coast of the South Island. 



The expansion of the wings is Ig inches. The fore wings are rather broad 

 with the apex very slightly projecting and the termen slightly bowed ; cream- 

 coloured vnth bright brown markings ; there is a narrow line along the costa ; a 

 faint slightly curved line on the inner edge of the median band ; a small blackish 

 discal dot; a straight, ohlique, very strongli/- marked line from near the apex to 

 the dorsum at |, and a very fiiint wavy subterminal line ; a dark brown terminal 

 line is situated below the apex, where the cilia are also dnrk .brown. The hind 

 loings are cream-coloured luith a conspicuous brown line across the middle and 

 ver}' faint traces of one basal and two subterminal lines. Except as above 

 indicated the cilia of all the wings are cream-coloured. 



The perfect insect appears in December and frequents forest. 



