






78 IX.—THE NOCTUIDAE. 
tinct series of whitish marks on the second line, and a terminal 
series of black dots. The hind-wings are grey. 
The larva is stated to be purplish-brown with paler 
dorsal and subdorsal lines, the latter being blackish-edged 
beneath ; the sides are more ochreous. It feeds on flowers 
of thyme, in cultivated places, its natural foodplant being 
unknown.* 
The perfect insect appears in March, and may be 
taken at sugar on the outskirts of forest. It is a very 
local insect in this country. Elsewhere it is widely dis- 
tributed, being found in the Kermedee Islands and 
throughout Europe, Asia and Australia. 
HYPENODES ANTICLINA. 
(Hypenodes anticlina, Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1901, 566; 
Rhapsa octias, Huds., N.Z. Moths, 37, pl. vi. 7.) 
(Plate X., fig. 16 9.) 
This interesting little species has occurred in the 
North Island at Waimarino, Erua, Ohakune, Taihape, and 
in the neighbourhood of Wellington. In the South Island 
it has oceurred at Nelson. 
The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. The fore-wings 
which have the costa straight, and the termen with a large, 
rounded projection slightly above the middle are pale brown; 
there is a small dark brown patch on the costa at the base, 
the first line is distinct, very strongly waved; a very broad, 
oblique, blackish-brown, oblong patch is situated on the costa at 
about one-third; the reniform is very large, indented towards 
the termen, where it is outlined in dark brown; there is a very 
fine jagged transverse line from beneath the reniform to the 
dorsum; a large irregular patch of dark brownish-black just 
before the apex, an obscure subterminal line and a series of 
minute, dark brown terminal marks. The hind-wings are dull 
whitish-grey; there is a faint blackish discal dot, a wavy line 
a little below the middle, and a terminal series of small dark 
marks. The antennae are filiform in both sexes. 
The perfect insect appears in October, November and 
December. It frequents dense forest ravines, and is 
generally disturbed from amongst dead leaves or old fern 
fronds. It is usually a searce species, but appears to be 
much commoner in some years than in others. 
Genus 21—CATADA, Walk. 
Antennae in ¢ ciliated. Palpi very long, curved, ascend- 
ing, second joint thickened with rough projecting scales, term- 
inal joint long, with loosely appressed scales, pointed, Thorax 
and abdomen without crests. Tibiae smooth-scaled. Neuration 
normal (5 of hind-wings parallel). 
An Indo-Malayan genus of some extent, of which one 
species has occurred in New Zealand. 
CATADA LIGNICOLARIA. 
(Hemerophila lignicolaria, Walk., Cat. xxxv., 1579; Catada 
impropria, Meyr., (nec Walk.) Trans. N.Z. Inst., xlix. 246.) 
(Plate X., fig. 18 @.) 
A few specimens of this very distinct species were 
eaptured, by Mr. E. C. Sherlock, at Thames about the 

*Meyrick, Handbook of British Lepidoptera. 
year 1904. It was rediscovered in January, 1925, by 
Colonel Tait, at Tutukaka, Whangarei, and has been taken 
in the same locality by Mr. E. S. West. It has also 
occurred at Waiuku, and at Leigh, near Auckland. 
The expansion of the wings is 13 inches. All the wings 
are dull pinkish-ochreous, with the margins strongly scalloped; 
there are numerous interrupted faint, wavy, oblique, blackish 
transverse lines, those bordering the basal patch median band 
and subterminal area being the most distinct; there is a black- 
ish blotch on the fore-wings beyond and below the dise; two 
blotches on the dorsum of the hind-wings and a row of terminal 
black dots on all the wings. 
The perfect insect appears from November till Jan- 
uary. It is very retiring in its habits, resting in the dark- 
est place with outspread wings. Dr. Turner, who kindly 
identified a New Zealand specimen forwarded to him by 
Mr. Philpott, states that the species is at present known 
only from Tasmania, where it appears to be generally dis- 
tributed. 
Sub-family 6—CaTocaLipEs, 
Vein 8 of hind-wings shortly anastomosing with cell near 
base, thence diverging, vein 5 well developed; veins 3, 4 and 5 
approximated at base; middle and sometimes posterior tibiae 
spinose. 
Genus 22.—OPHIUSA, Ochs. 
Antennae in male ciliated. Palpi moderately long, ascend- 
ing, second joint thickened with dense appressed scales, terminal 
joint moderate, somewhat pointed. Thorax clothed with scales 
and hair, without crest. Abdomen without crest. 
An extensive genus of general distribution, but prin- 
cipally tropical. Two species have occurred in New Zea- 
land. 
OPHIUSA MELICERTE. 
(Ophiusa melicerte, Drury, Ill. Exot. Ins., 1, 46, pl. xxiii. 1; 
Catocala traversii, Fer., Trans. N.Z. Inst., ix. 457, pl. xvii; 
Achaea melicerte, Meyr., ib. xix. 37.) 
(Plate X., fig. 8 9.) 
This large and conspicuous Australian species has 
occurred in New Zealand at various times, its appearance 
being apparently independent of artificial introduction. 
It has been found near Whangarei, at Titahi Bay on the 
northern shore of Cook Strait, at Wellington, and at 
Nelson. 
The expansion of the wings is 24 inches. The fore-wings 
are pale yellowish-brown; the first line is fine, darker brown, 
slightly outwards-curved; the second line very strongly out- 
wards-curved, irregularly shaded with brown towards the base; 
there is a subterminal rusty-yellow band, broadest towards the 
apex; a narrow, dark brown terminal band and a series of 
blackish terminal dots. The hind-wings are blackish-brown, 
paler towards the base; there is a broad white band near the 
middle, faintly tinged with lilac and three large white blotches 
on the termen. 
The perfect insect appears about February. 
It is widely distributed in Asia, Africa and Australia. 
