20 
NATURE STUDY NOTES 
to capture good specimens for indoor examination. 
It is, therefore, necessary to make observations in 
the school garden, choosing a sunny day in summer. 
THE PAINTED LADY BUTTERFLY 
DESCRIPTION—One of the prettiest of New 
Zealand butterflies, but not so large as the Red 
Admiral. Body, medium brown colour. Wings, 
same colour as body, with lighter shades near 
attachment; very dark brown patches near the tips 
of the two upper wings; black patches on the light 
brown parts and white patches on the dark brown 
parts. 
NOTES—It has keener sight and more rapid 
flight than the Red Admiral, thus making it more 
difficult to observe at close quarters. Entomological 
name is “Pyrameis Gonerilla.” 
THE DAY-FLYING MOTH 
DESCRIPTION—Also called the “Ragwort 
Moth.” Because of its large size and appearance, 
it is frequently miscalled a butterfly. Wings, black 
and white with dark brown shades near attachment 
to the body. Body, black, with golden bars, parallel 
to the head. Antennae, like two strands of a small 
feather. (See illustration, p. 13.) 
< 
CYCLE—Female moth lays her eggs usually at 
the base of the stem of a ragwort plant. The cater¬ 
pillar which emerges from the egg is covered with 
tufts of short black hairs, and usually has the same 
golden bars on its body as the moth. It is frequently 
called by scholars “the woolly bear" caterpillar. 
