


76 IX.—THE 
brown dot; the reniform and orbicular are large and distinci, 
outlined first with ochreous, and then interruptedly with dark 
brown; the second line is very distinct, strongly dentate, curved, 
from # of the costa to } of the dorsum; there is a subterminal 
series of minute V-shaped brown marks and the veins are 
clearly marked in grey, especially towards the termen, The 
hind-wings are pale brownish-ochreous with two faint shaded 
transverse lines. 
The perfect insect appears in December and frequents 
forest. It is a very rare species. 
Described and figured from specimens kindly lent to 
me by Mr. C. E. Clarke. 
MELANCHRA DISTRACTA. 
(Melanchra distracta, Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., lv., 202.) 
This very obscure species has been taken at Whaka- 
papa, Mount Ruapehu, at an elevation of about 4,000 feet 
above sea level. 
The expansion of the wings is, about 14 inches. The fore- 
wings are “grey suffusedly irrorated white; veins marked with 
interrupted blackish lines; first and second lines double, waved- 
dentate, blackish-grey, rather curved, second very strongly near 
costa; median shade rather curved, grey, on costa forming an 
oblique blackish streak; orbicular little marked, large, round, 
grey-whitish centred with grey suffusion, reniform trapezoidal, 
white, interior filled with whitish-grey, anterior edge sub-convex, 
posterior concave; subterminal line indicated by an inwards- 
oblique streak of dark fuscous suffusion from costa towards 
apex and a similar somewhat interrupted streak from termen 
beneath apex to dorsum before tornus, terminal area round 
these suffused whitish; black terminal interneural dots or marks: 
cilia grey slightly sprinkled white. Hind-wings light fuscous, 
posterior half suffused rather dark rey; cilia fuscous tips 
whitish mixed.” 
I am unable to point out any clear distinctive char- 
acters by which this species can be distinguished. 
The perfect insect appears in January. 
Sub-family 4.—CARADRINIDES. 
Eyes glabrous without marginal cilia; tibiae not spinose. 
Genus 16.—BITYLA, Walk. 
Face without prominence. Antennae in male ciliated. 
Thorax clothed with hair without crests. Abdomen without 
crests. 
This genus, which is apparently endemic, contains 
three species. 
BITYLA DEFIGURATA. 
(Xylina defigurata, Walk., Cat., xxxiii. 756. Bityla thoracica, ib. 
869. Bityla defigurata, Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst. xix. 31.) 
(Plate X., fig. 12 9.) 
This very dull-looking insect seems to be generally 
distributed throughout both North and South Islands 
although nowhere very abundant. 
The expansion of the wings is slightly over 14 inches. The 
fore-wings are uniform dull brassy-brown and very glossy; the 
first and second lines are faintly indicated by dark marks. The 
hind-wings are dark grey, also glossy. 

NOCTUIDAE. 
The perfect insect appears from September till May, 
and is attracted by sugar and light. 
Worn hybernating specimens may frequently be found 
during the winter, under loose flakes of bark, or in ere- 
vices of trees. 
BITYLA SERICEHEA. 
(Bityla sericea, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 387, pl. xlii. 
12; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst. xix. 31.) 
(Plate rxXca ig ete) 
This rather striking insect has occurred at Thames 
and Wellington in the North Island, and at Christchurch, 
Lake Guyon and Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, in the 
South Island. 
The expansion of the wings is about 13 inches. The fore- 
wings are very dark greyish-black, darker near the termen, and 
very glossy; there are several isolated white scales towards the 
base of the wing, and a very obscure transverse line at about 
three-fourths; the cilia are cream colour and very conspicuous. 
The hind-wings are dark grey and glossy; the cilia are pale 
grey, very broadly tipped with cream colour. 
The perfect insect appears from February till May, 
and is attracted by light. It is a rather scarce species. 
BITYLA PALLIDA. 
(Orthosia pallida, Huds., Trans. N.Z. Inst., xxxvii. 355; Bitylu 
pallida, Hamps., Cat., vii. 42, pl. cix. 6.) 
(Plate 2a; fig. 110) 74%) 
This species was discovered by Mr. H. W. Simmonds 
near Napier. 
The expansion of the wings is nearly 14 inches. The fore- 
wings are pale cream-colour; there are three very obscure, wavy, 
grey transverse lines; one near the base, another at about 4 and 
a third at about #; the central area is slightly clouded with 
brown and the reniform indicated by a brownish mark. The 
hind-wings are almost white slightly shaded with grey near the 
termen. The head and thorax are cream-colour and the abdomen 
whitish-ochreous. 
The perfect’ insect appears in April. 
Genus 17—ARIATHISA, Walk. 
Face without prominence. Antennae in male ciliated. 
Thorax clothed chiefly with scales, with small posterior 
double crest. Abdomen without crests. 
A rather extensive characteristically Australian genus. 
The single New Zealand species is apparently endemie, but. 
extremely close to Australian forms. 
ARIATHISA COMMA. 
(Mamestra comma, Walk., Cat., ix. 239; Butl., Voy. Ereb., pl. ix., 
6. Graphiphora implexa, Walk., Cat., x. 405. Hadena 
plusiata, ib., xxxiii. 742; Nitocris bicomma, Gn., Ent. Mon. 
Mag. v., 4. Orthosia comma, Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst. xix. 
30.) 
(Plate -X., fig. 19 4; 20 9.) 
This species is common and generally distributed 
throughout the country, and oceurs on Stewart’ Island and 
in the Chatham Islands. ; 
