

Hi) 


90 X.—THE GEOMETRIDAE. 
and the termen is almost regular. The antennae are simple in 
both sexes. 
There is great variation both in ground colour and 
markings. In some specimens the whole of the discal area 
of the fore-wings is clouded with blackish-grey; in others 
the dorsal half of the dise is pale green, whilst in others 
the whole of the dise is creamy-white. 
The larva, which feeds on the blossoms of the bush- 
lawyer (Rubus australis), rangiora (Brachyglottis re- 
panda), and probably many other native flowers, is about 
4 inch in length, rather stout, slightly tapering at each 
end, with the segmental divisions distinct and the surface 
of the skin strongly wrinkled transversely ; very pale green, 
whitish, or greyish-green, with a brown dorsal line, and two 
more or less conspicuous brown diagonal dorsal marks on 
segments 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9; a blackish dorsal stripe on last 
two segments; an irregular whitish lateral ridge with 
several pinkish spots situated thereon. The larva is of 
sluggish habit, feeding amongst the blossoms, where it is 
very inconspicuous. It is very variable both in colour and 
markings. 
The pupa is very short and stout, and is concealed in 
a loose cocoon amongst the refuse of the blossoms. 
The perfect insect appears almost the whole year 
through, and is often met with in the middle or late winter, 
It is fairly common in wooded localities, and is sometimes 
attracted by light. 
Section B. antennae in male with long fasciculate cilia- 
tions. F 
CHLOROCLYSTIS SANDYCIAS. 
(Chloroclystis sandycias, Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1905, 
219; Chloroclystis plinthina, Huds., N.Z. Moths, 41, pl. vi., 8.) 
(Plate XI., figs. 11-13 varieties. Plate I., figs. 37, 38 larvae.) 
This very pretty and variable little species is common 
in certain restricted spots near Wellington. It has also 
oceurred at Christchurch, Otira and in the Invereargill 
district. ; 
The expansion of the wings is slightly under ? inch. The 
basal area of the fore-wings is pale brown traversed by several 
blackish-brown lines; the median band is usually pale green or 
pale ochreous, often with a large pure white blotch which then 
covers most of the disc; the outer area is bright chocolate-brown, 
very broad at the apex but rapidly tapering towards the tornus; 
there is the usual wavy, pale subterminal line. The hind-wings 
are pale cream-coloured tinged with pinkish-brown, or green, on 
the dorsum and termen; there are several pale wavy transverse 
lines, much stronger on the dorsum. There is a series of minute 
terminal marks and the cilia of all the wings are pinkish-brown 
barred with black. 
This species may be recognised by its small size; the 
rich reddish or brown subterminal marking broadest at the 
apex, and the pale green, ochreous, or snow white discal 
patch. CC. plinthina, which somewhat resembles it, may 
be at once distinguished by its much longer palpi and paler 
colouring. 
The larva, which feeds on the blossoms of Coprosma 
areolata and C. rotundifolia, is also very variable. Its 
length when full-grown is about 3 inch; the head is very 
small, pale ochreous; the body very stout tapering towards 
the head, dull greyish-green, or rich purple, many inter- 
mediate forms occurring; there is a conspicuous, elongate, 
triangular, blackish mark behind the head extending to the 
fifth segment; V-shaped marks are situated on segments 
6, 7 and 8, which are humped; the remaining segments are 
paler with faint irregular lines on the sides; there are 
numerous minute ring-shaped makings over the entire 
insect. This larva is very active, and clings tightly to 
the twigs of its foodplant which it closely resembles, its 
general colour pattern making it look like a roughened 
twig. The young caterpillars are first observed early in 
October, and are nearly all full-grown by the end of the 
month, the life of the larva thus practically synchronizing 
with the flowering period of both of its foodplants. 
The pupa is enclosed in a small cocoon constructed of 
silk and refuse amongst the twigs of the foodplant. 
The perfect insect appears in December, and is some- 
times very common amongst wind-swept scrub on hills, 
where there is an abundant growth of Coprosma areolata 
and C. rotundifolia. 
CHLOROCLYSTIS RIVALIS. 
(Chloroclystis rivalis, Philp. Trans. N.Z. Inst., xlviii., 421.) 
(Plate XV., fig. 18 @ from Mount Ruapehu.) 
This very dark-looking little species was discovered by 
Mr. C. C. Fenwick on Bold Peak, at the head of Lake 
Wakatipu. It has also been taken in the Routeburn 
Valley, and on the Hunter Mountains, at an elevation of 
about 3,250 feet above the sea-level, as well as on Mounts 
EKegmont and Ruapehu in the North Island. 
The expansion of the wings is about # inch. In the 
general character of its markings this species closely resembles 
Chloroclystis sandycias but is very much darker in both fore- 
and hind-wings. 
Specimens from Mount Egmont and Mount Ruapehu 
are smaller and darker than those from the south, but 
beyond this there does not appear to be any important 
variation. 
The perfect insect appears in December and January, 
and may be looked for amongst sub-alpine serub. 
CHLOROCLYSTIS PLINTHINA. 
(Pasiphila plinthina, Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., xx., 49.) 
(Plates X17) fig S10 ae) 
This very faintly-marked species has occurred at Wel- 
lington, Invereargill and Stewart Island. 
The expansion of the wings is about 3 inch. The palpi are 
fully as long as the thorax. All the wings are whitish, some- 
times very slightly tinged with green; the fore-wings have an 
indistinct brownish basal patch; a row of blackish dots on the 
veins at about one-third and another curved row at two-thirds 
representing the edges of the median band; there are faint dif- 
fused reddish patches on the termen below the apex, and above 
the tornus. The hind-wings have a conspicuous blackish discal 
dot and wavy reddish subterminal line. The cilia of all the 
wings are dull whitish, faintly barred with blackish. 
