xc . A2ypendix. 



A Catalogue of the Neuroi3terous Insects of New Zealand ; with Notes and 

 Descri2}tions of new Forms, By Robert M'Lachlan, F.L.S. 

 [Eeprinted from Ann. and Mag. JST.H., July, 1873.]* 

 It has been represented to me that the entomologists of New Zealand are 

 greatly in need of classified lists of the insects of that colony, and that any 

 contribution in this way would be welcome. Acting upon this suggestion, 

 I have drawn up a catalogue of the New Zealand Neuroptera (in the Linnean 

 sense). The task has not been difficult ; for, including three new species here 

 described, the total number of insects of the order at present known to inhabit 

 the colony barely exceeds forty-five species ; and some of these are yet 

 doubtful, pending further information. Nearly half of them ai-e Trichoptera, 

 which division appears to be the best represented ; or it may be that they are 

 best known only because a friend, knowing my penchant for these insects, has 

 collected them more assiduously. 



Owing to the proximity of New Zealand to the Austi'alian continent, and 

 to the fact that some few species are common to both, it may not be uninter- 

 esting to give a brief comparative sketch of the various Neuropterous families 

 as regards their numerical strength in the two districts, so far as present 

 knowledge will permit. The physical conditions of Australia and New Zealand 

 are so different that a considerable discrepancy might naturally be expected ; 

 but, owing to its ramified water system and comparative freedom from drought, 

 the advantage ought to be on the side of the latter. Let us see, then, how 

 this idea is afiected by the apparent facts, I will commence with the Odonata 

 (Dragonflies). In Australia all the tribes (excepting Calopterygina) are 

 tolerably abundant. From New Zealand I know of only eight species ; the 

 great tribe Libellulina is wholly absent ; the Corduliina are represented by 

 three species of Australian facies ; the ^schnina by one Australian species ; 

 the Gomphina by one {Uroj)etala), a magnificent insect of an Australian 

 group ; the Calopterygina are absent, but are almost so in Australia ; of the 

 Agrionina there are only three species. Of other Pseudo-Neuroptei'a the 

 Termitidte, Ephemeridte, and Perlidse have a few representatives in both ; the 

 Psocidse are not known from New Zealand, and but few have been noticed in 

 Australia ; but this is probably owing to their minute size. Among the 

 Planipennia, New Zealand and Australia have each a species of Sialidse 

 (Chauliodes) ; the former has only one ant-lion (Myrmeleontidse), though they 

 are common in the latter ; Ascalaphidse appear to be wanting in the formei', 

 and tolerably well re])resented in the latter ; and the same remai'k will apply 

 to Chrysopidse and Mantispidte. Australia has one species of Nemopteridse 



* Printed at the suggestion of the Philosophical Institute of Canterljxii-y. See Report 

 of Cant. Phil. Inst, for 1873, presented 5th iifov., 1873, in Proceedings (post). — En. 



