
156 . AI—THE PYRALIDAE. 
SPOROPHYLA OENOSPORA. 
(Crocydopora oenospora, Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 
1897, 388.) 
(Plates Lx, Hevea). 
This species has occurred at Ida Valley, Pembroke 
(Lake Wanaka), Alexandra and Ben Lomond (lake Waka- 
tipu). It seems to be rather local. 
The expansion of the wings is slightly under 3 inch. The 
fore-wings are elongate, narrow, with the termen very oblique, 
dull brown, more or less clouded with grey and often tinged 
with reddish-brown near the middle; the first line is black, very 
broad, oblique, only reaching half way from dorsum to costa; 
the reniform is obscure, dull white; the second line is broad 
and black on the costa, indefinitely edged with dull white to- 
wards the termen, and not reaching dorsum. The hind-wings 
are dark brown. The cilia of all the wings are brown. 
The female is usually much greyer than the male with the 
markings less definite. Both sexes are rather variable, some 
specimens being considerably darker and browner than others. 
The perfect insect appears from November till April, 
and usually frequents rather open situations. 
Genus 2.—CROCYDOPORA, Meyr. 
Tongue developed. Antennae in ¢ ciliated, with large tuft 
of scales in a sinuation at base. Labial palpi long, stout, densely 
sealed, porrected, terminal joint short, obtuse. Maxillary palpi 
rudimentary. Fore-wings with 4 absent, 8 and 9 stalked. Hind- 
wings with 2 almost from angle, 4 absent, 3 and 5 stalked, 6 
and 7 stalked, 8 closely approximated to cell and anterior por- 
tion of 7. 
Includes only the following species, which is doubtless 
of Australian origin, and probably recently introduced 
into New Zealand. 
CROCYDOPORA CINIGHRELLA. 
(Nephopteryx cinigerella, Walk., Cat. xxxv., 1719; N. stenopter- 
ella, Meyr., “ Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W.,” 1878, 200; Trans. 
ENG Zin Str) XoKee wile) 
(Plate XIX., fig. 2.) 
This rather inconspicuous insect has occurred at 
Whangarei, Lake Taupo and at Nelson. 
The expansion of the wings is Slightly over } inch. The 
fore-wings are dark grey, slightly speckled with dull white, with 
very indistinct markings; the first line is rather oblique pre- 
ceded on the dorsum by «a rather large dull reddish-grey spot: 
there are two blackish marks placed transversely on the disc of 
the wing beyond the middle, followed by very faint traces of the 
second line and several very obscure blackish marks near the 
termen. The hind-wings are greyish-ochreous. 
The perfect insect appears in December, January and 
February. It is very local and seems to be taken only at 
light. In 1887 Mr. Meyrick wrote of this insect as follows: 
‘‘ This species is very common in East and South Austra- 
lia, frequenting dry, usually sandy, places, and coming 
freely to lamps. I have long been familiar with it there, 
but never took it in New Zealand until the summer of 1885- 
1886, nor have I seen it in other collections; it is therefore 
possible that it may be a recent accidental introduction ; if 
so, it will probably be found soon to become more common 
and generally distributed. But in any case it is to be con- 
sidered as a strictly Australian insect, which has inecident- 
ally found its way to this country.’”* 
Genus 3.—PLODIA, Guen. 
Face with conical projection of scales. Antennae in male 
shortly ciliated. Labial palpi moderately long, porrected with 
appressed scales, terminal joint rather short, pointed. Maxillary 
palpi short filiform. Fore-wings in male with costal fold beneath 
enclosing hair pencil; veins 2 and 3 sometimes stalked, 5 absent, 
9 absent. Hind-wings with cell nearly reaching 4, veins 3 and 4 
connate, 7 anastomosing with 8 to beyond middle. 
The single species is a wide-ranging domestic insect 
whose true home is possibly America. 
PLODIA INTERPUNCTELLA. 
(Plodia interpunctella, Hub., Meyr., Handbook Brit. Lepid. 372.) 
(Plate XLV., fig. 7 9.) 
This distinetly-marked species has occurred at Well- 
ington, and, owing to its domestic habits, will no doubt 
shortly establish itself throughout the country. 
The expansion of the wings is slightly over 4 inch. The 
fore-wings are rusty-brown speckled with blackish with the basal 
area Wholly whitish-ochreous; the first and second lines are 
obscurely lead coloured and there is a rusty-ochreous discal spot. 
The hind-wings are very pale greyish-ochreous. 
The larva is yellow-whitish with a darker dorsal line 
and the head and plate of segment 2 dark reddish-brown. 
It feeds on maize, figs, seeds, ete. 
The perfect insect appears during the summer months, 
and may sometimes be found plentifully in corn-bins. It 
has been artificially spread by man throughout Europe, 
North America and Australia. 
Genus 4+—EPHESTIA, Guen. 
Face smooth. Antennae in male shortly ciliated. Labial 
palpi moderately long, curved, ascending, with appressed scales, 
terminal joint moderate, pointed. Maxillary palpi moderate, fili- 
form. Forewings in male sometimes with costal fold beneath 
towards base, enclosing hair-pencil; vein 5 absent, 9 absent. 
Hind-wings: cell not reaching 4, veins 3 and 4 connate or 
stalked, 5 absent, 7 anastomosing with 8 to beyond middle. 
The species of this genus are few in number, but 
owing to their domestic habits, have been so promiscuously 
distributed through man’s ageney, that it is now uncertain 
from what country they were originally derived; it seems, 
however, not improbable that the majority are Asiatic. 
Imago with fore-wings narrow, costa gently arched. 
Only one species has been detected in New Zealand. 
EPHESTIA KUEHNIELLA. 
(Ephestia kuwehniella, Zell.; Meyr., Handbook Brit. Lep., 574.) 
(Plate XLIV., fig. 13 9.) 
This introduced pest was first detected in New Zea- 
land by Mr. Philpott, who states that it is now established 
in the flour-mills throughout Otago. 

* Trans. IN-Zae lOSteek Xcetzs 

i mane i ee 
