VUI—THE ARCTIADAL. 43 
CHAPTER VIII. 
THE ARCTIADAE. 
This interesting family, which is principally distin- 
tinguished by vein 8 of the hind-wings anastomosing with 
the upper margin of the cell from the base to near the 
middle (Plate C. figs. 1-5), includes many well-known and 
beautiful EKuropean species popularly known as ‘‘ Tiger 
moths’? and ‘‘Footmen.’’ It is, however, very poorly 
represented in New Zealand by only six species, as against 
about thirty-one in Britain, forty in Europe, and upwards 
of one hundred and sixty-one in the Palacarctic Region. 
These six species belong to four genera. 
1. METACcRIAS. 2. CELAMA. 3. UTETHEISA. 
4. NYCTPMERA. 
Genus 1—METACRIAS, Meyr. 
Tongue obsolete. Antennae in male bipectinated to apex. 
Palpi short, hairy, concealed in long hairs of head. Thorax and 
femora densely hairy beneath. Anterior tibiae with apical claw, 
posterior tibiae without median spurs. Fore-wings with veins 7 
and 8 out of 9, 10 sometimes connected with 9 above 7. Hind- 
wings with 3, 4 and 5 nearly approximated, 6 and 7 connate, or 
short stalked, 8 anastomosing to 4 of cell. Wings in female rudi- 
mentary, or absent. (Plaie C., figs. 1, 2 Neuration of Metacrias 
erichrysd.) 
This interesting endemic genus is of doubtful affinity, 
but appears to be nearest to Ocnogyna, which is a genus 
of about a dozen species located round the shores of the 
Mediterranean ; Hampson also assigns to it one species from 
Peru. It is represented in New Zealand by three species, 
and it is possible that others may yet be discovered in 
remote unexplored mountainous regions. So far as is yet 
known, these three species are confined to the South 
Island, but a hairy larva, presumably referable to this 
genus, has been found on the Tararua Range, in the North 
Island. An-attempt to rear the perfect insect proved 
unsuccessful 
METACRIAS HUTTONI. 
(Phaos huttoni, Butl., Cist. Ent., ii., 487; Metacrias huttoni, 
Meyr., Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W. 1886, 750; Trans. N.Z. Inst., xxii., 
216; Hamps. Cat., iii., 468.) 
(Plate VI., fig. L @.) 
This interesting species, which was discovered by 
Captain Hutton, has occurred commonly on Mount Earns- 
law, at the head of Lake Wakatipu, on the Remarkables, 
and on Vanguard Peak, near Macetown. 
The expansion of the wings of the male is 14 inches. The 
fore-wings are black; there is an oblique crimson line near the 
base, two broad longitudinal cream-coloured lines above and 
below the middle, and a double transverse series of oblong cream- 
coloured spots near the termen. The hind-wings are pale ochre- 
ous, with a black crescent-shaped spot near the middle, and a 
broad black band almost! touching the termen except a little 
before the tornus. The female is apterous. 
The larva, which feeds on mountain grasses, is about 
one inch in length; very hairy, the hairs on the terminal 
segments being the longest; its general colour is black; the 
shorter hairs are reddish-ochreous-brown, the longer and 
more numerous hairs black; there is a row of shining blue 
warts round each segment, except the second. It feeds 
fully exposed to view in the hottest sunshine, and when so 
engaged has a handsome iridescent appearance. It does 
not change into a pupa in the autumn, but evidently 
passes the winter as a hybernating larva. 
The perfect insect appears from December till March. 
It is found on high grassy country between 4000 and 
5000 feet above the sea-level. It flies with great rapidity 
in the hottest sunshine. The form occurring on the 
Remarkables is much larger, but otherwise identical. 
METACRIAS. ERICHRYSA. 
(Metacrias erichrysa, Meyr., Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., 1886, 
749; Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxii., 216; Hamps., Cat., iii., 469.) 
(Plate Vi; figs 12°34.) 
This fine insect, which is the largest species of the 
genus at present known, was discovered by Mr. Meyrick 
on Mount Arthur, near Nelson, in January, 1886. Since 
that time a good many specimens have been secured by 
other collectors in the same locality, and in December, 
1919, Mr. C. E. Clarke found this species commonly on 
McKinnon Pass, near Lake Te Anau. 
The expansion of the wings is fully 13 inches. All the wings 
are orange yellow with black markings. The fore-wings have a 
broad longitudinal streak from base to middle of disc; an elon- 
gate spot! on transverse vein; beyond this the veins are marked 
in black; there is a black subterminal line and terminal margin. 
The hind-wings have a large black discal spot; a broad, irregular 
terminal band and tornal spot. 
There is considerable variation in the width of the black 
markings, especially on the fore-wings, which are sometimes 
much suffused with black. The female, which was bred by Mr. 
Meyrick, is stated to be wholly whitish-ochreous with the wings 
minute and aborted and the legs short, stout and well developed. 
The larva is black clothed with long black hairs, those 
covering segmental divisions brownish-ochreous. It feeds 
on Senecio bellidioides. 
The pupa is enclosed in a slight cocoon. 

