238 Transactions. — Zoology. 



Description of caterpillar : (Looper.) Back green, slightly tinged with 

 yelloAV ; iinder-surface green, with white spots ; a clear white stripe from 

 head to tail on each side ; six minute black spots along this line, with a 

 small black hair springing from the centre of each ; white longitudinal 

 stripes down the back, with small white papillse enclosed by a ring of green. 



Length, one inch. 



Feeds on scarlet Geranium, the introduced nettle, etc. 



Spins a slight web, always on the under surface of a leaf. 



Chrysalis : Under-surface and sides, light green ; back, marked with ir- 

 regular dark blotches. 



The presence of the chrysalis is always betrayed by the crumpled form 

 of the leaf under which it conceals itself. Eemains in the pupa state for 

 five weeks. 



Magpie Moth. (Nyctmcra annulata.) 



This familiar moth occurs plentifully during the summer months in all 

 parts of the colony. It often rises to a great height in the air, although its 

 general flght is weak and feeble. The house-sparrow, strange to say, does 

 not wage war against this moth or its caterpillar (probably from their hav- 

 ing a bitter taste) ; so it appears to increase and multiply every year, while 

 many of the other common moths are becoming extinct. Professor Hutton 

 describes the larva and pupa of this moth in" Trans. N.Z. Inst.," Vol. IX., 

 p. 335. There are I believe, two broods in the year, and the caterpillar 

 feeds on groundsel, Irish ivy, and other particular plants. The moth appears 

 in October and lasts till April. 



Dwarf Magpie Moth. 



I believe this moth inhabits only the Auckland district, as I have never 

 met with it anywhere else. The markings on its wings very closely resem- 

 ble those of Nyctmera annulata, but the bands on the body are white instead 

 of yellow. The antennge are not feathered. Frequents grass and flower- 

 beds. Appears in February. 



Rare Tiger Moth (Fidona ? crephosata.) 



This little moth is met with on the mountain-tops and table-lands in 

 the Patea and Taupo districts, about two or three thousand feet above the 

 level of the sea. It is by no means plentiful, and is very difficult to catch 

 owing to its fitful and jerky flight. It may be mentioned that this moth 

 does not habitually frequent herbage, but seems to prefer the dry and bare 

 ground of tbe mountain paths, rising before the traveller, and alighting a 

 few yards ahead, only to be again disturbed by his advancing footsteps. In 

 1877 my father obtained several specimens in the above localities, and these 

 are now in my collection. In the following year, towards the end of March, 

 I captured one in Wellington. This was resting on a shrub of white EscaU 

 Ionia in fuU flower, 



