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flic Waikato, is the Prionoplns reticularis White, a goat-chafer swarm- 
ing at night. This, when full grown, is l‘/ 2 inch long. A much 
larger giant, however, and at the same time the oddest one of 
the New Zealand insects is among the Orthopterm the Weta of the 
natives (Deinacrida heteracantlmj. It lives in rotten wood and under 
the bark of trees, and the length of a large full grown specimen 
from the ends of its hind-legs to the tips of its feelers is 14 inches, 
the body measuring 2 ‘/ 2 inches; but despite its hideous looks it is 
perfectly harmless. 
The butterflies are distinguished neither by size nor by rich- 
ness of colours. Night-butterflies are more frequent than day-butter- 
flies; and among the former it is especially the family of moths, 
which is most extensively represented both as to the number of 
species and that of individuals. Among the few day-butterflies, 
which most easily strike the eye of the traveller, there are no 
strange forms; but some few Europeans, such as our “painted 
lady”. Very common was in Auckland Leptosoma annulatum Bod. 
Libellce (dragon-flies), — although their species are comparatively 
few, — nevertheless exist in large numbers in the swamps and 
stagnant waters about Auckland. Of the three known species of 
Cicadm I observed one frequently in Auckland ; it was met with in 
every street; everywhere it was heard chirping its shrill notes, even 
while sitting in the dust of the street , where it was often scared up 
by passers-by together with a small beetle (Cicendetta tuberculataj. 
Every traveller, that spends but a few days on the coasts of 
New Zealand, has ample chance to become acquainted with the 
troublesome insects of New Zealand in the shape of two small blood- 
suckers, the stinging gnats, vulgo mosquitoes ( Culex ), which in the 
damp forest fall upon the unsuspecting wanderer in swarms of count- 
less myriads; and a small midge, vulgo sand-fly (Simulium), which 
lives chiefly on river-banks and on the sea-beach, and stings most 
unmercifully. The flea was probably imported by Europeans; the 
natives, therefore, call it the Pakeha-nohinohi 7 the little stranger. 
I will moreover make special mention of an insect most offensive 
because of its noisome smell, In Sydney already I met with a 
