

It differs from P. falcatalis in the following respects: 
It is smaller and darker; the termen of the second digit of 
the fore-wings is prominently angulated (in P. falcatalis the mar- 
gin is somewhat bent but not angulated); the principal dorsal 
scale tuft of the hind-wings is situated hardly beyond the middle, 
whereas in P. falcatalis it is much broader and placed consider- 
ably beyond the middle. 
This species varies slightly in size and in the intensity 
of the markings. 
The larva, which is about 2 inch long, has the anterior 
segments stout, gradually tapering posteriorly. Its general 
colour is dull green, with a series of red patches on the 
back forming an irregular dorsal band; there are two nar- 
row white lines on each side of this and a series of small 
warts on each segment, every wart bearing a tuft of stout 
bristles. The foodplant is apparently Juncus tenwis, a com- 
mon plant in all swampy situations. 
The pupa, which is suspended by the tail, is pale dull 
green with blackish mottling on the limbs; the back is 
pinkish-green; there are two large hooked projections on 
the mid-back. The length is shehtly over 4 inch. 
The perfect insect appears from November till Febru- 
ary. It usually frequents grassy places near forest or 
serub, and flies with considerable rapidity when disturbed. 
It is sometimes met with in the middle of winter. 
PLATYPTILIA HELIASTIS. 
(Platyptilia heliastis, Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., xvii., 129.) 
(Plate XXIII., fig. 138 9.) 
This species has occurred at Mount Arthur (Nelson), 
Castle Hill, Humboldt Range and Mount Earnslaw, Lake - 
Wakatipu, at elevations ranging from 2,500 to 4,000 feet 
above the sea-level. 
The expansion of the wings is about { inch. The fore-wings 
are bright orange brown with a dark brown dot just before and 
below the cleft; the cilia are dark reddish-brown. The hind-wings 
and cilia are pale reddish-grey; the dorsal margin of the third 
plume is fringed with coarse brown scales, from the base to 3. 
This species may be immediately recognised by the 
absence of the dark brown costal triangle and other mark- 
ings. 
The perfect insect appears in January, and frequents 
mountains. It is usually found amongst sub-alpine vero- 
nicas, which often grow in profusion on mountain slopes at 
elevations of about 3,500 feet, and in such localities it is 
sometimes fairly common. When resting in the usual ‘‘ T- 
like ’’ position on the veronica stem, the wings exactly 
resemble, in shape and colour, two dead leaves diverging 
from the stem. 
PLATYPTILIA DEPRIVATALIS. 
(Platyptilia deprivatalis, Walk. Brit. Mus. Cat. xxx., 946; Platyp- 
tilia hadsti, Feld. Reis. Nov., pl. exl., 58; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. 
Inst.,. xvii., 128; P. deprivatalis, ib., xxxix., 1135) 
(Plate XXIII., fig. 2 ¢.) 
This very beautiful and distinct species has occurred 
on the Mount Arthur Tableland at an elevation of about 
XIII.—THE PTEROPHORIDAE. 

4,200 feet, on Ben Lomond Lake Wakatipu, and at 
Invercargill near the sea-level. - 
The expansion of the wings is about ? inch. The fore-wings 
are very pale yellowish-white with black markings; there is a 
more or less distinct series of black marks on the costa, from the 
base to 2, often obscured by a brown shading; a large triangular 
black spot at 2 with a pointed apex reaching beyond the middle 
of the wing; an oblong spot on the costal edge of the first plume 
and a brownish mark at the apex; a curved blackish-brown mark 
in the middle of the second plume and a sharp black terminal 
line; a few irregular black marks and brown dots on the dorsum 
before the cleft. The hind-wings are dark brownish-grey with 
purple reflections; there is a small tuft of dense scales in the 
cilia on the middle of the dorsum of the third digit. The legs 
and body are pale yellowish-white with the joints marked in 
black. 
The perfect insect appears from October till May. Gen- 
erally speaking it seems to be a rare and local species, 
though common in the extreme south, where it has been 
taken in'some numbers on the flowers of the ragwort (Sene- 
cio). The peculiar colouring of this species has, I am fully 
eonvineed, been specially acquired for protective purposes 
whilst frequenting the common branching grey lichen 
(Usnea barbata), which grows very freely on tree trunks, 
especially in elevated or damp localities. When the inseet 
is resting on this plant, with its hind-wings hidden beneath 
the extended fore-wings, its concealment is almost perfect, 
the eclearly-marked black and white fore-wings, body and 
legs fitting in with the general appearance of the Usnea in 
a most remarkable and interesting manner. 
PLATYPTILIA CAMPSIPTHRA. 
(Platyptilia campsiptera, Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxxix. 112.) 
(Plate XXIII., fig. 15 9.) 
This interesting little species was, discovered on the 
Humboldt Range, Lake Wakatipu, at an elevation of 3,600 
feet. It has since been found on Ben Lomond. 
ve The expansion of the wings is slightly under % inch. The 
fore-wings have the cleft from about ?, the upper digit is narrow 
with the apex pointed, the lower broader expanding towards the 
termen; very pale yellow; there are a few minute brown marks 
on the costa near the base, a triangular pateh just above the 
cleft and a smaller one just beyond the cleft; the cilia are whit- 
ish-ochreous with a few brown scales on the lower angle of the 
first digit and on the upper angle and termen of the second digit; 
there is a conspicuous black scale-tooth on the dorsum at about 
3. The hind-wings have the first cleft rather broad, reaching to 
about 4; pale pinkish-brown; the cilia are white, tinged with 
brownish-red, with a few dark brown scales at the lower angle of 
the first digit and on the termen of the third digit. 
The perfect insect appears from October till January, 
and frequents rough alpine vegetation on the mountain 
side, just above the limit of forest trees. When alive and 
resting with outspread wings the second digit of the fore- 
wings is held almost at right’ angles pointing downwards 
from the first digit. This remarkable characteristic appears 
to be unique, but there is no doubt as to the accuracy of the 
observation. 
























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