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rich dark brown, slightly paler towards the base; there are two 
short pale coloured longitudinal marks at the tornus. 
Considerable variation exists in size as well as in the 
general colouring, which is much darker and richer in 
some specimens than in others. The very pale individuals 
occasionally met with may possibly be faded specimens, 
although in other respects they appear to be in good con- 
dition.. Generally speaking, the female is larger and paler 
than the male. 
The larva feeds on the young shoots of Hrechtites 
prenanthoides, drawing the tops of the plant together and 
forming silken galleries amongst the leaves. It also feeds 
on wharangi (Brachyglottis repanda), but when living on 
this plant it shelters itself under a silken curtain on the 
upper surface of the large flat leaves, eating the fleshy 
portions only. It is somewhat stout, slightly tapering at 
each end. The head, and first segment are pale brown and 
horny; the rest of the body being pale greenish-ochreous. 
Each segment is provided with eight black warts arranged 
in two rows consisting of two and six respectively. Each 
of these warts gives rise to a small black bristle. The 
length of the larva when full-grown is about 4 inch. 
The pupa is enclosed in a dense white cocoon amongst 
the withered leaves of the foodplant. 
The perfect insecti is double-brooded, first appearing 
from September till November, and then from February 
till April. Stragglers are, however, occasionally met with 
between these times and are evidently early or late indi- 
viduals. It is sometimes fairly common, and is fond of 
resting on leaves and basking in the sunshine. Whilst thus 
engaged the fore-wings are placed backwards, somewhat 
puckered and slightly elevated; the hind-wings are almost 
hidden, and the antennae extended; a somewhat rectangu- 
lar open space is left behind the thorax owing to the shape 
and position of the wings. When flying this insect has a 
peculiar fussy manner, and in this respect closely resem- 
bles some of its European congeners. 
A very large variety of this species, almost 3 inch in 
expanse of wings, is often found in mountainous districts 
and was described as a distinct species under the name of 
Simaethis zomeuta. Specimens of intermediate size, how- 
ever, often occur which completely connect S. zomeuta 
with the ordinary form of S. combinatana. 
SIMAETHIS COLPOTA. 
(Simaethis colpota, Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., xliii., 67.) 
(Plate XL., fig. 14 9.) 
This species was discovered at Invercargill by Mr. 
Philpott. 
The expansion of the wings is about 4 inch. It is very 
like Simaethis combinatana but is a much duller-looking insect; 
the scattered whitish scales are not distinctly tinged wtih blue 
as in that species, and there is a very elongate linear discal 
mark followed by an irregular, strongly outwards-curved, trans- 
verse line. 
The perfect insect appears from December till March, 
and is stated to be rather rare. 

TINEIDAE. 
Described and figured from a specimen in Mr, Phil- 
pott’s collection. 
SIMAETHIS IOCHONDRA. 
(Simaethis iochondra, Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., xliii., 77.) 
(Plate: XXXII fis sia 2 oO.) 
This very distinct though dull-coloured species was 
first discovered in the North Island on Mount Holdsworth, 
Tararua Range, and has since occurred in the South 
Island on the Mount Arthur Tableland. 
The expansion of the wings of the male is nearly 3 inch, 
of the female slightly over 3 inch. In the male the fore-wings, 
which have the costa rather arched and the apex obtuse, are 
dull blackish-brown, considerably paler near the middle; the 
basal area is faintly dotted with purplish-white scales; there is 
a faint whitish line, strongly angulated outwards from about % 
of the costa to % of the dorsum and a narrow band of rusty 
brown on the termen. The hind-wings are ovate-triangular; 
brownish-black. In the female the fore-wings are more oblong 
with the costa less arched and the apex acute, dark yellowish- 
brown; there is a large blackish patch on the costa near the 
middle; a strongly angulated transverse line extends from the 
outer edge of this patch to the middle of the dorsum; beyond 
this line the entire wing has faint purplish reflections; there is 
a narrow blackish sub-terminal line double near the apex and a 
bright rusty-red band on the termen. The hind-wings, which 
have the apex rather pointed, are dark greyish-brown. 
The perfect insect has been observed in February, 
and frequents open spaces on mountains, near the termin- 
ation of the forest, at elevations of about 3,000 feet above 
the sea-level. It flies rapidly in the hottest sunshine, and 
is apparently a rare and local species. 
SIMAETHIS SYMBOLABFA. 
(Simaethis symbolaea, Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., xx., 85.) 
(Blater cies hee lease) 
This rather broad-winged species has occurred com- 
monly on Arthur’s Pass at an elevation of about 3,000 
feet above the sea-level. 
The expansion of the wings is 4+ inch. The antennae are 
black very strongly ringed with white. The fore-wings are 
bronzy-brown with violet-tinged white markings; there is an 
irregular basal patch followed by two very jagged irregular 
bands of scattered whitish scales; beyond this there is a clear 
white discal spot with a white bar above it on the costa and 
below it on the dorsum; a patch of whitish scales on the costa 
before the apex, along the termen from the apex almost to the 
tornus and on the dorsum before the tornus. The hind-wings 
are dark brown, paler towards the base; there is a fine line of 
seattered white scales from the tornus to the dise at 3. The 
head and thorax are dark brown thickly speckled with violet- 
tinged white scales. 
The perfect insect appears in January, and frequents 
veronicas and.other sub-alpine vegetation. 
SIMAETHIS MINISTRA. 
(Simaethis ministra, Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., xliv., 121.) 
(Plate XXXIII., fig. 30 9.) 
This neat-looking little species was discovered on 
Mount Holdsworth at an elevation of about 4,000 feet 
above the sea-level. 
