X—THE GEOMETRIDAE. o1 
The perfect insect has been taken in May, July and 
August. It seems to be a rare species, but as it appears 
during the winter months is probably often overlooked. 
This insect is nearest to Chloroclystis. sandycias with which 
it has been confused. It may, however, be immediately 
known by its long palpi, and very indistinct markings. 
CHLOROCLYSTIS MELOCHLORA,. 
(Chloroclystis melochlora, Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., xliii., 58.) 
(Plate XI., fig. 14 @.) 
A few specimens of this very vivid green species have 
occurred at Otira, on Bold Peak and around Glenorchy, 
Lake Wakatipu. 
The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. The fore-wings 
are rather pale green with greenish-black transverse markings; 
there is a well-defined line at the base followed by a paler curved 
band; the median band is strongly curved oblique, with its outer 
edge slightly angulated, its central portions are paler containing 
a distinct black discal spot; there is a series of greenish-black 
blotches on the subterminal area, and the cilia are green with 
blackish bars. The hind-wings are whitish-ochreous, broadly, 
clouded with pale green on the dorsum and termen; there are 
numerous blackish-green transverse markings on the dorsum 
faintly produced about half way across the wing; there is a 
terminal series of black marks and the cilia are pale green 
barred with black. 
In some specimens the veins of the fore-wings are 
broadly marked in bright yellow except where they are 
crossed by the blackish transverse lines. 
The perfect insect appears in December and January 
and frequents forests. 
CHLOROCLYSTIS MUSCOSATA. 
(Hupithecia muscosata, Walk., Cat. xxv. 1246; Pasiphila muscos- 
ata, Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., xx. 50; H. cidariaria, Gn., Ent., 
Mo. Mag., v., 62; Ciduria aquosata, Feld., pl. cxxwxii., 38; 
Chloroclystis bilineolata, Huds., N.Z. Moths, pl. vi., 9, 10.) 
(Plate XI., fig. 15 9; Plate L., fig. 44 larva.) 
This beautiful little species is fairly common at Auck- 
land, and in the Wellington District in the North Island. 
In the South Island it has occurred at Nelson, Christchurch 
and Invercargill. It is also found on Stewart Island. 
The expansion of the wings is # inch. The fore-wings are 
bright green with numerous wavy darker lines. There is a jagged 
transverse black line near the base, two at about one-fourth, 
enclosing a rather paler space; beyond this there is an indistinct 
broad darker median band edged with several rather irregular, 
fine black marks, and an obscure white patch below the apex. 
The hind-wings are grey slightly tinged with reddish; the dor- 
sum and termen are shaded with green, and there is a number 
of curved black lines on the dorsum; the cilia of all the wings 
are dull greenish-grey barred with blackish. The termen of the 
fore-wings is slightly bowed, and all the wings are finely scal- 
loped and sharply outlined in black. 
A very distinct variety frequently occurs in which 
the entire ground colour is orange-yellow. This variety 
can be artificially produced by exposing a typical specimen 
to the fumes of bruised laurel leaves. Intermediate forms 
may also be found, but are much seareer than either the 
typical form or the variety. 
The larva, which feeds on the leaves of Miihlenbeckia 
and on the flowers of Myrtus bullata, in January, is about 
~ inch in length, considerably attenuated towards the head, 
with the segments strongly indented and the surface much 
wrinkled; its general colour is brown, or purplish-brown, 
with rich dark brown markings; there are humps on seg- 
ments 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, the largest) on segment 8, each 
being much accentuated by a dark brown border; both 
extremities of the larva are clouded with dark brown, and 
there is a series) of dark brown, or dark greenish-brown 
diagonal stripes. 
This larva, which varies considerably both in colour 
and markings, imitates in general appearance the withered 
flower-heads of its foodplants. It often rests with the 
body twisted and sways from side to side whilst walking. 
The pupa is enclosed in a very loose cocoon on the 
surface of the ground. 
The perfect insect appears from September till May, 
and is sometimes fairly common. It rests on tree-trunks 
with outspread wings, in which position it so closely 
resembles a patch of moss that it is extremely difficult to 
detect, even when specially searched for. 
The other green species (Chloroclystis melochlora, C. 
pumcea, C. paralodes, C. semochlora and C. bilineolata) 
with which the present imsect might be confused are 
stouter and more robust-looking forms. C. muscosata is, 
in fact, a decidedly fragile-looking insect. 
CHLOROCLYSTIS PUNICEA. 
(Chloroclystis punicea, Philp., Trans. N.Z. Inst., liv., 148.) 
(Plate XLVIII, fig. 12 9.) 
This fine insect has oceurred at Kaitoke in the North 
Island. In the South Island it has been taken at Wai- 
tati, near Dunedin, and at’ Rowallan, Waiau, Southland. 
The expansion of the wings is slightly over 1 inch. The 
fore-wings of the male are bright green more or less speckled 
with blackish; duller and greyer in, the female; the basal patch 
and subbasal areas are pinkish and are traversed by two dentate 
black lines; the inner portion of the median band is whitish (in 
the female) the outer portion vivid green; its outer edge, which 
is twice incurved on upper half, is finely but interruptedly mar- 
gined with black; beyond the median band the ground colour 
becomes greyish pink; there is a jagged clear green subterminal 
line and the termen is marked with an almost continuous black 
line. The hind-wings are whitish, faintly clouded with pink 
and green along dorsum and termen; there is a black discal dot 
and numerous wavy broken blackish transverse lines clearly 
defined towards dorsum. All the cilia are yellowish-green barred 
with black. 
Generally speaking the male is much greener in its 
colouring than the female, but both sexes are characterized 
by the prevalence of pinkish suffusion. 
The perfect insect appears in November and Decem- 
ber, and may be looked for in forest or scrub. 
Described and figured from a specimen kindly given 
to me by Mr. C. E. Clarke. 

