“| 
XI.—THE 
is usually much in evidence where these insects are found. 
The larvae feed in moss during the winter and early spring. 
We have no less than seventeen species in New Zealand. 
One species is confined to the North Island, two to the 
South Island, and fourteen common to both islands. 
DIPTYCHOPHORA MICRODORA. 
(Diptychophora microdorda, Meyr., Trans. Hnt. Soc. Lond., 1905, 
227.) 
(Plate: Sux, fie. 2007) 
At present this little species has been taken in the 
neighbourhood of Wellington, on Mount Arthur at an ele- 
vation of about 3,000 feet, and im the Buller Valley. 
The expansion of the wings is just under 4 inch. The fore- 
wings are very dark purplish-brown, speckled with grey, with 
strong, bronzy reflections, especially near the termen;, there are 
three golden yellow marks on the costa at 4; a larger golden 
yellow mark on the 'dorsum at +; two minute golden yellow 
triangular spots on the costa at about ? and a larger, similar 
mark, on the dorsum at #, these two sets of markings being con- 
nected by an obscure transverse line; there is a black discal spot 
containing two minute yellow dots, a few very faint yellowish 
markings near the termen, and a small yellow mark near the apex. 
The cilia are purplish-brown with two very obscure whitish bars 
below the apex. The hind-wings are purplish-grey with the cilia 
grey. 
This species is closely allied to D. pyrsophanes, but 
may be readily distinguished by its smaller size, bright 
yellow markings and absence of the broad white bars on 
the cilia of the fore-wings. 
The larva, which feeds on dry moss on fallen logs, is 
very slender, dull brownish-green; the head and second seg- 
ment are horny, shining brownish-black; there is a double 
series of obscure tubereles on each segment, each tubercle 
emitting a black bristle. : 
The perfect insect appears from the end of November 
until the middle of January, and frequents forest. Hith- 
erto it has been but rarely met with. 
DIPTYCHOPHORA PYRSOPHANES. 
(Diptychophora pyrsophanes, Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., xv., 11.) 
(Plate XIX., fig. 11.) 
This distinct little species is common and generally 
distributed throughout the country. It is extremely abun- 
dant at Otira, and has also been found on Stewart Island. 
The expansion of the wings is about § inch. The fore-wings 
are deep purplish-brown, with strong bronzy reflections; there is 
an obscure wavy transverse line at about + ending in a small 
somewhat triangular yellowish spot on the dorsum; the second 
transverse line starts from a larger triangular yellow spot on 
the costa beyond ?, thence it is very obscure until nearing the 
dorsum where it ends in two unequal yellow spots; there is a 
small white or pale yellow spot near the apex; the cilia are rich 
bronzy brown with two! very broad bars of creamy white; there 
is an obscure black spot above and beyond the middle of the 
wing. The hind-wings are dark grey with faint purplish reflec- 
tions; the cilia are also grey. 
In South Island specimens the general colouring is 
usually of a somewhat paler and more slaty hue, and the 
PYRALIDAE. 173 
yellow markings are slightly smaller. The species also var- 
ies slightly in the depth of the ground colour, which is 
sometimes much paler, also in the extent and number of 
the smaller yellow markings, these variations often oceur- 
ring indifferently in specimens from all localities. 
The perfect insect appears from the end of November 
until the end of February. It is often very common in 
openings in the forest, especially in damp, sunny situa- 
tions. Owing to its dark colouring and mazy flight it is 
very difficult to see when on the wing and no doubt often 
escapes detection. Hence it is probably a much commoner 
insect than it appears to be. 
DIPTYCHOPHORA CHRYSOCHYTA. 
(Diptychophora chrysochyta, Meyr., Trans, N.Z. Inst., Vip edie) 
(Plate XIX., fig. 10 4.) 
This insect, which is one of the smallest species, of the 
genus, is generally distributed throughout the country. 
The expansion of the wings is barely 4 inch. The fore- 
wings are pale brown with several indistinct darker brown trans- 
verse markings and a broad pale yellow central band; there is 
a rather small white spot slightly above the middle of the wing, 
becoming leaden metallic towards the costa; two elongate hori- 
zontal leaden metallic stripes between the central spot and the 
termen, followed by a curved transverse metallic line; there are 
three conspicuous black dots on the termen. The hind-wings 
and abdomen are pale grey. 
There is considerable variation in the depth of the 
ground colouring, and the central band is rarely pale 
brown instead of yellow. 
The perfect insect appears in December and January, 
and frequents open forest and brushwood. It is rather a 
searee species. 
DIPTYCHOPHORA INTERRUPTA. 
(Crambus interruptus, Feld., Reise der Novara, pl. cxxxv., ‘15; 
Diptychophora astrosema, Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., xv., 13: 
Diptychophora interrupta, ib. xvii., 130.) 
(Plate XIX., fig. 13 @.) 
This species has oceurred at Pipiriki (Wanganui 
River), Wainuiomata (Wellington), Nelson, Mount Arthur, 
at about 3,600 feet, Buller River, Christchurch, Akaroa, 
Arthur’s Pass, Lake Wanaka, Ida Valley and Lake Waka- 
tipu, but is nowhere an abundant insect. 
The expansion of the wings is almost # inch. The fore- 
wings are pale brown; there is a large, triangular, white patch 
at the base, reaching as far as the first transverse line; a very 
large irregular but somewhat crescentic white mark near the 
middle; this spot is bounded.towards the termen by the second 
transverse line, which is very strongly curved; there is a pale 
yellow patch just above the central white’ spot, four dull, leaden 
metallic horizontal stripes between the central spot and the ter- 
men, and three irregular pale yellow spots near the termen; 
there are three black dots on the termen before the tornus. The 
hind-wings are very pale brownish-yellow, finely edged with 
brown near the apex. 
The perfect insect appears in December and January. 
It frequents shrubby places, generally in river valleys or in 
mountain ravines. 

