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144 X.—THE GEOMETRIDAE. 
second lines are obscure, dentate and much interrupted; the 
subterminal line is double, strongly waved, with a very pro- 
nounced sinuation below the apex; the inner subterminal line 
is much more strongly marked below costa and on veins 5, 2 
and 1; there is a series of conspicuous terminal dots. The hind- 
wings are very broad, with the termen hardly waved, pale grey- 
ish-ochreous, strongly clouded with grey on the terminal third; 
there are several indistinct dots near the middle of the termen. 
The cilia of all the wings are greyish-ochreous. 
This species is evidently very closely allied to Seli- 
dosema rudiata, of which it may possibly prove to be an 
extreme form, although I hardly think this likely. It differs 
from all the varieties of S. ruwdiata in its broader wings, less 
oblique termen and greyish colouring. 
The perfect insect) appears in January, and may be 
looked for in forest at about 2,500 feet above sea-level. 
SELIDOSEMA FENERATA. 
(Rhyparia fenerata, Feld., Reis. Nov. pl. exxxi., 7; Zylobara 
fenerata, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii, 498. Meyr., Trans. N.Z. 
iakshny Beak, Lie) 
(Plate XVII., fig. 13 @, 14 @; Plate II., fig. 24 larva.) 
This species is common, and generally distributed 
throughout the country, except in the extreme south where 
its place seems to be taken by Selidosema argentaria. 
The expansion of the wings is about 14 inches. The fore- 
wings of the male are very pale ochreous-brown; there is a 
double jagged transverse line near the base, a single jagged line 
a little before the middle, a double one a little beyond the middle 
and an almost continuous jagged subterminal line. The hind- 
wings are very pale ochreous, almost white; their outline is 
peculiar; the dorsum is very short, the termen very long, first 
oblique and then rounded with a small projection midway 
between the apex and the tornus. The female has the fore-wings 
pale grey, and the hind-wings dull white; the markings resemble 
those of the male, but the outline of the hind-wing is of the 
usual form with a rounded projection in the middle of the 
termen. 
This insect varies slightly in the depth of its colouring. 
With the single exception of S. argentaria, it may be imme- 
diately distinguished from the allied species by the peculiar 
outline of the hind-wings in the male, and by the pale grey 
colouring of the female. 
The larva, which feeds on rimu (Dacrydium cupres- 
sinum), and Cupressus macrocarpa, during the late summer 
and autumn, is very handsome. Its length when full-grown 
is about 1 inch. The general colour is vivid green, with 
shining white markings. There is a broad white lateral 
line, with an interrupted yellowish line above it; a series 
of large erescentic marks down the back, with a white dash 
m the middle of each; two interrupted subventral white 
lines; the spiracles are black and the head green, with a 
rusty-brown mark on each side; the segmental divisions 
are yellowish. This larva is very inconspicuous amongst 
the foliage of both foodplants and its colouring is evidently 
protective. 
The pupa is concealed about 1 inch below the surface 
of the earth. 
The perfect insect appears from October till April, 
and is often very common, especially in gardens. In forest 
districts it has a great liking for the faded fronds of tree- 
ferns, from which specimens may often be dislodged. 
Both sexes are very abundant at various blossoms during 
the evening, and are also attracted by hght. The female 
is occasionally observed in winter and probably hybernates. 
SELIDOSEMA ARGENTARIA. 
(Selidosema argentaria, Philp., Trans. N.Z. Inst. xlv., 77.) 
(Plate XVII., fig. 11 @, 12 9.) 
This species has oeeurred at Christchurch, Dunedin, 
Wyndham, Invereargill, Wallacetown and Tuturau, and is 
probably generally distributed throughout Southland. 
The expansion of the wings is slightly over 14 inches. It is 
extremely closely allied to Selidosema fenerata, from which it 
differs in the following respects:—The peculiar outline of the 
hind-wings of the male is not so pronounced, being less oblong 
and the dorsum being rounded instead of angular; the colowr of 
the fore-wings of the male is pale grey slightly darker than in 
the female. In addition the female has shorter and broader fore- 
wings, and both sexes in S. argentaria are slightly smaller than 
in NS. fenerata. 
The perfect insect appears from December till May, 
and is most abundant in the autumn on the flowers of 
Senecio jacobaea. It must’ be regarded as the southern 
representative of S. fenerata, and may, perhaps, ultimately 
prove to be merely a local race of that species. 
T am indebted to Mr. Philpott for specimens. 
SELIDOSEMA OMBRODES. 
(Selidosema onbrodes, Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1902, 275.) 
(Plate XLIV., fig. 6 @.) 
This sombre-looking species 1s very common on the 
Chatham Islands. 
The expansion of the wings is about 14 inches. The fore- 
wings are dull yellowish- brown darker towards the base; there 
is a very strongly bowed blackish line at about 4; an elongate 
discal dot beyond the middle; a slightly curved transverse line 
at about 3, and an indistinct warmer brown subterminal band 
and tornal blotch. The hind-wings are greyish-ochreous slightly 
tinged with brown towards the termen. 
This species is perhaps nearest’ to S. productata but 
larger and more sombre and distinguished from it and all 
similar New Zealand species by the grey hind-wings, the 
very long antennal pectinations of the male are also notice- 
able. 
Described and figured from a specimen kindly given 
to me by Mr. Meyrick. 
SELIDOSEMA PANAGRATA. 
(Scotosia panagrata, Walk., Cat. xxv., 1860; Angerona menanaria, 
Walk., Cat. xxvi., 1500; Hpirrhanthis (?): antipodaria, 
Feld., Reis. Nov. pl. exxvi., 3; Hyperythra desiccata, Butl., 
Cist. Ent. ii., 495; Hyperythra arenacea, Butl., Cist. Hnt. 
ii, 495; Barsine panagrata, Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst. xvi., 
100.) 
(Plate XVII., figs. 20, 22 @ varieties; 21, 23 9 ditto; Plate II., 
fig. 25 larva.) 
This extremely variable species is very common, and 
generally distributed throughout the country. It has also 
occurred at Stewart Island. 
