Mafichester Memoirs, Vol. xlii. (1898), No. 1. 3 



This undoubtedly marks a gratifying increase of 

 knowledge since 1881 ; but I am certain that, if the islands 

 were to be again explored by a naturalist of the calibre 

 of Mr. Helms, the list might easily be doubled, particularly 

 if unworked localities were investigated. 



It is more than probable that many of the species are 

 very local in their distribution, as is the case with 

 Lepidoptera and Coleoptera. On this point the following 

 remarks of Mr. E. Meyrick (Proc. Entoin. Soc. 1883, p. 29) 

 throw some light on the peculiarities of the New Zealand 

 Insect Fauna. " The islands were composed partly of 

 bare mountain ranges, partly of low-lying forest. The 

 mountains, although very bleak and shelterless, had an 

 extensive and varied fauna, fresh species of insects 

 occurring on every mountain visited ; the genus Crambus, 

 for example, was represented by a variety of species, for 

 which there seemed to be no special reason. On the other 

 hand, the forests, which comprised a remarkable number 

 of trees and shrubs apparently well suited for food, were 

 strangely deficient in insects, and further, the same species 

 occurred nearly throughout the islands. It appeared, in 

 fact, that a vast number of situations suitable for insects 

 was not utilised. This was the case with the Lepidoptera 

 and Coleoptera and probably with other insects." The 

 parasitic species are probably not very numerous, their 

 places being taken by the parasitic Diptera. At present 

 the Diptera slightly exceed the Hymenoptera in number 

 of species. 



As regards the aflfinities of the New Zealand species 

 the relationship to Australia is not very great. It is 

 indicated on the one hand by the presence of the 

 Australian genera Lauiprocolletes, Dasycolletes, Leioproctiis 

 and Rhagigaster ; and by species common alike to the 

 Islands and to Australia or Tasmania. These species are 

 LeioproctiLs iniitatus Sm. found in Australia, Lainprocolletes 



