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with ferns from New Zealand. The foodplant is, however, 
considered native in both countries. 
Described and figured from a specimen in the Fereday 
collection. 
Genus 2.—VANICELA, Walk. 
Antennae in @ with long ciliations, basal joint dilated to 
form an eyecap. Anterior legs thickened with scales. Hind-wings 
with vein 4 present. (Plate H., fig. 14, 15, 16 neuration and head 
of Vanicela disjunctella; fig. 17 base of antenna showing eye- 
cap.) 
There is one species in New Zealand and three others 
in Eastern Australia. 
VANICELA DISJUNCTELLA. 
(Vanicela disjunctella, Walk., Cat. xxx., 1039; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. 
Inst. xxi., 166.) 
(Plate XXXII., fig. 28 ¢@.) 
This very interesting and remarkable species appears 
to be fairly common and generally distributed throughout 
the North Island. Except in the Nelson district, it has 
not been observed in the South Island. 
The expansion of the wings is slightly under § inch. The 
fore-wings are very narrow, clear white slightly tinged with 
yellow; there is a broad bronzy black streak along the dorsum 
distinctly notched at about + and 4; a brown dot is situated be- 
yond # and several blackish scales at the apex. The hind-wings 
and all the cilia are grey. The head, palpi and antennae are 
white. The thorax is white with its posterior half bronzy-black. 
The heavily-scaled tibiae and tarsi of the fore-legs and the con- 
spicuous eye-cap in the large basal joint of the antennae, already 
noticed under the generic description, are very remarkable and 
will at once distinguish this species from any other known in 
New Zealand. 
The perfect insect appears from January till March, 
and frequents dense forests, where it is sometimes fairly 
common. It is especially characteristic of late summer and 
autumn, and may be found in the finest condition as late 
as the end of March. On several occasions I have taken 
worn specimens in the early spring, which seems to indi- 
cate that the insect passes the winter in the imago state. 
When at rest, this species places the fore-legs in front; the 
palpi forwards with the tips touching and together forming 
a semi-circle; the wings, intermediate- and hind-legs are 
closely appressed to the body, the tarsi being slightly 
turned outwards, and the antennae placed backwards along 
the sides. 
Genus 3—STATHMOPODA, Stt. 
Antennae in @ with long ciliations. Hind-wings with vein 
4 present. (Plate H., figs. 7, 8, 9, mneuration and head of 
Stathmopoda caninora.) 
A large genus, especially characteristic of the Indian 
and Australian regions. There are twelve species in New 
Zealand, some of which are, perhaps, of doubtful status. 
Of these three are confined to the North Island; two to 
the South Island, and seven common to both islands. The 
position assumed in repose by the hind-lees of the interest- 
ing little insects included in this genus is remarkable and 
is thus graphically deseribed by Stainton, who, when he 
XVIJ—THE 



















TINEIDAE. 
founded the genus, regarded it as one of its most essential 
characters: ‘‘The hind-legs instead of being allowed to re- 
main in what we should call their natural position, are 
doubled under and stuck out side-ways, projecting nearly 
at right angles on each side between the anterior and mid- 
dle legs. The moth then walks on all-fours, with its gaily- 
coloured hind-legs stuck out side-ways for show; if it 
should feel that it wants a little extra leg-power to over- 
come some obstacle, down comes first one hind-leg and then 
the other, and it walks a few steps on all-sixes, but directly 
the obstacle is surmounted the hind-legs relapse into what 
is really their natural position.’’* 
STATHMOPODA CAMINORA. 
(Stathmopoda caminora, Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., xxii., 219.) 
(Plate XXXII, fig. 18 ¢@.) 
This very pretty and variable species has occurred at 
Auckland, Palmerston North, Wellington, Lyttelton and 
Invereargill. It is probably common and generally distri- 
buted throughout the country. 
The expansion of the wings is slightly over 4 inch. The 
forewings have a very broad leaden-grey costal streak, some- 
times nearly covering the entire wing; the dorsal and terminal 
margins are pale yellow; there ‘is a_ reddish - orange 
patch at the base; an oblique reddish - orange stripe on 
the dorsum at about 4 and another at about 4 sometimes con- 
tinued as a faint cloudy shading as far as the apex. The 
antennae, head, thorax and legs are pale ochreous; there is 
often a pale reddish-orange shading on the top of the head and 
on the shoulders. The hind-wings and all the cilia are grey. 
The perfect insect appears from October till Decem- 
ber, frequenting forests, and, in the Wellington district, 
is often very abundant. It nearly always holds its hind- 
legs in the position described as characteristic of the genus. 
STATHMOPODA DISTINCTA. 
(Stathmopoda distincta, Philp., Trans. N.Z. Inst., liv., 152.) 
(Plate X=XEXil, fie: 19) 59.) 
This very bright-looking little species was discovered 
by Mr. Philpott on the Dun Mountain near Nelson at an 
elevation of about 3,000 feet. It has also occurred at Otira. 
The expansion of the wings is slightly over 4 inch. The 
fore-wings are bright yellow; there is an inwardly-oblique bright 
brown bar from the costa at about 4; from this point the costa 
is broadly margined with brown to about 3, thence the whole 
wing is more or less clouded with bright brown. The hind-wings 
and cilia are pale ochreous-yellow. 
The perfect insect appears in December and January. 
Described and figured from a specimen submitted by 
Mr. Philpott. 
STATHMOPODA ARISTODOXA. 
(Stathmopoda aristodoxa, Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., lvi., 416.) 
CPlatem tile fies laeai) 
This fine species has oceurred in Gollan’s Valley, near 
Wellington. 
The expansion of the wings is slightly under § inch. The 
fore-wings are very elongate, acutely pointed; dull greyish- 
bronze, with leaden-metallic reflections; there are three large 

*Natural History of the Tineina, xii., 42. 

