it 


140 X.—VHE GEOMETRIDAE. 
fluminea, is figured on Plate XLVIIL, fig. 26. Intermediate 
forms, between this and the varieties of S. productata 
depicted on Plate XVI., are in my collection. 
SELIDOSEMA MODICA. 
(Selidosema modica, Philp., Trans. N.Z. Inst. liii., 339.) 
The original specimens of this insect were captured 
by Mr. E. 8. Gourlay on the Lyttelton Hills, near Christ- 
church, and other collectors have since taken it in the same 
locality. 
It is distinguished from Selidosema productata by its dark 
brownish-grey fore-wings with very indistinct markings. The 
hind-wings are also very heavily peppered with grey. The anten- 
nal pectinations are stated to be shorter than in S. productata. 
The perfect insect appears in February and March. 
It is evidently extremely local. 
SELIDOSEMA INDISTINCTA. 
(Pseudocorenia indistincta, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, 
594, pl. xliii, 8; Pseudocoremia melinata, Meyr. (nec. 
Feld.), Trans. N.Z. Inst. xvi., 99; Selidosema melinata, 
Huds, N.Z. Moths; 35 plo ix, 15 4. 16 o>) 
(Plate XViL7 fiss Des, 2) Oe Plates, few 5 larva) 
This species is very common, and generally distributed 
throughout the country. 
The expansion of the wings is about i} inches. The fore- 
wings of the male are dull greenish-grey, with black and white 
markings; there is a blackish transverse line near the base; 
another near the middle, followed by a very broken irregular 
line then a broader, pale area usually composed of a number 
of confluent white blotches, followed by a series of cloudy black 
marks, and a very wavy pale subterminal line. The hind-wings 
are ochreous mottled with pale brown near the dorsum; there 
is a series of black dots on the termen of both fore- and hind- 
wings. The fore-wings of the female are dull brown, faintly 
tinged with green; all the markings are very indistinct, and 
there are no clear white patches as in the male. 
This insect is rather variable, but apart from the next 
species, may be recognised by its greenish tinge, and the 
absence of indentations on the termen of both fore- and 
hind-wings. Near Dunedin a variety occurs in which the 
whole of the space between the first and second lines is 
suffused with brownish-black. 
The larva, which feeds on Astelia and Mihlenbeckia, 
is about 1 inch in length, considerably flattened and rapidly 
tapering at the posterior extremity; brownish-green on the 
back and pale green underneath; there is a very con- 
spicuous slightly waved brown lateral line and two faint — 
interrupted brownish-green dorsal lines; the head is 
yellowish-brown dappled with darker brown, and the spir- 
acles are white with fine black rings; the prolegs are very 
small. 
This larva is very sluggish in its habits, seldom walk- 
ing. When feeding on the Astelia it lives between the large 
leaves of that plant, its flattened shape enabling it to safely 
retreat to the bases of the leaves where it is secure from 
all enemies. 
The perfect insect appears from November till March, 
and is generally very abundant in all wooded districts. It 
is also common in beech forests on the mountain sides, 
where it may be taken at altitudes of from 3,000 to 4,000 
feet above the sea-level. In the lowlands I have observed as 
many as half a dozen specimens on a single moss-covered 
tree-trunk. Whilst resting in this situation they are very 
inconspicuous, the colouring of the fore-wings harmonising 
perfectly with the insect’s surroundings, and the pale- 
coloured hind-wings being then entirely concealed by the 
upper pair. In connection with this fact it is very interest- 
ing to notice that in all those cases where the hind-wings 
are exposed to view during repose, they are protectively 
coloured in a similar manner to the fore-wings. It will be 
observed that Selidosema dejectarra and S. panagrata 
exhibit protective colouring on both pairs of wings, these 
being invariably exposed when those insects are at rest. 
SELIDOSEMA LACTIFLUA. 
(Selidosema lactiflua, Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst. xliv., 117.) 
(Plate XVL., fig. 27 ¢@, 28 9.) 
This fine species occurs fairly commonly in the Route- 
burn Valley beyond the head of Lake Wakatipu, and has 
also been taken near Dunedin. 
The expansion of the wings is almost 14 inches. Although 
somewhat larger, the male in this species is extremely similar 
to the same sex in S. indistincta; the apex of the fore-wing of 
the present insect is, however, slightly more acute and the white 
markings more diffused. In the female of S. lactifiua the ground 
colour of the fore-wings is a peculiar opalescent grey, quite dif- 
ferent to the female of S. indistincta, and the markings, which 
are blackish-green are very much more distinct. 
The perfect insect appears in February, and is found 
in forest. It is evidently very local. 
SELIDOSEMA TERRENA. 
(Selidosemu terrend, Philp., Trans. N.Z. Inst. xlvii., 196.) 
(Plate XVI., fig. 34 ¢@.) 
This very large and rather striking species was dis- 
covered by Mr. H. Hamilton on Bold Peak, at the head of 
Lake Wakatipu. It has also occurred at Lake Harris and 
on Mount Cleughearn, Hunter Range, at an altitude of 
about 3,000 feet. 
The expansion of the wings of the male is 1g inches. The 
fore-wings, which have the termen very slightly waved and 
oblique, are very pale brownish-ochreous, rather densely speckled 
and marked with brownish-black; the first line is double, slightly 
outwards curved and interrupted; there is a very broken line 
near the middle of the wing, followed by a conspicuous black 
discal dot; the second line is indistinct, almost straight; the sub- 
terminal line consists of several detached spots. The hind-wings 
are white, clouded with very pale brownish-ochreous towards 
lermen, faintly speckled with darker grey, and with indistinct 
discal spot and terminal dots. All the cilia are pale brownish- 
ochreous barred with blackish. 
The perfect insect appears from December till Feb- 
ruary, and may be looked for near the upper edge of sub- 
alpine forests in the far south. 
Deseribed and figured from a specimen in Mr. Oliver’s 
collection. 

