


AVIT—THE 
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lop) 
This species varies slightly in the general depth of the 
ground colour and also in the intensity of the markings, 
but is always easily recognised. 
The pupa is enclosed in an elongate, white, silken- 
cocoon, but beyond this nothing is known of the life-history 
of this species. 
The perfect insect appears in January. It seldom takes 
wing, but may be found resting on the stems of the Nikau 
Palms where its colouring is highly protective, as many as 
half a dozen specimens being often found on a single tree. 
When resting the wings are tightly closed over the back, 
forming an elongate steep roof; the fore- and intermediate 
legs are exposed and the antennae placed loosely backwards 
outside the wings. This insect always stands on the tree- 
trunk with its head pointing towards the ground. 
Genus 4—PROTOSYNAEMA, Meyr. 
Antennae thickened with scales towards base, basal joint 
without pecten. Fore-wings with 7 and 8 separate. Hind-wings 
with 3 and 4 remote. (Plate H., figs. 36, 37, 38 neuration and 
head of Protosyndema steropucha.) 
We have three species of this interesting endemic 
genus. 
PROTOSYNAEMA STEROPUCHA. 
(Protosynaema steropucha, Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., xviii, 174.) 
(Plate XXXIV., fig. 2 @; Plate III., figs. 19, 20 larvae; 
fig. 21 pupa.) 
This very unusual-looking species is generally com- 
mon in the Wellington district. It has also occurred at 
Auckland, Hamilton, Mount Egmont, Christchurch and 
Invereargill. 
The expansion of the wings is 4 inch. The dntennae are 
heavily clothed with masses of black scales giving them a very 
thickened appearance except at the tips, which are yellowish- 
white. The fore-wings are elongate-oblong with the costa 
strongly arched at the base and the termen slightly oblique; 
very dark blackish-brown more or less clouded with grey towards 
the dorsum; there is a strongly curved blackish line from the 
costa near the base, to the disc near the middle and a blackish 
bar on the dorsum near the tornus, both these markings being 
thickly powdered with coppery-metallic scales; two black dots 
surrounded by coppery metallic seales are also Situated at the 
tornus. The hind-wings are dark blackish-brown with bronzy 
reflections. 
There is much variation in the depth of the ecolour- 
2, some specimens being very much paler than others. 
In these pale forms the usually very obseure darker 
markings are much more distinct. 
The larva, which feeds on grasses, is about five-six- 
teenths of an inch in length, elongate, much attenuated 
posteriorly, pale brown or green, much paler beneath 
with three or four darker lines on each side and a 
straight, pale, broad dorsal line. There are numerous 
transverse wrinkles, and a number of isolated:black bris- 
tles on the larva. The head is pale yellowish with four 
of the most conspicuous lateral brownish lines continued 
thereon. The larva spins an irregular web amongst the 
grass, is very active, and wriggles to and fro along the 
leaves. 
ing 
TINEIDAE, 
The pupa is slightly over 4+ inch in length; rather 
elongate with a very large and rugged cremaster; pale 
ochreous with the head and extremity slightly darker; 
there are two greyish-brown streaks on the wing-cases; a 
row of large black spots down the back and a similar row 
on each side, one spot being placed on each segment. The 
cremaster is horny, brownish-black, with blunt extremity 
and side process, both being furnished with several 
crooked bristles. The cocoon is constructed of fine white 
silk. It is attached to any firm object, is elliptical, very 
pointed at each end. The silk is thin and the black spots 
on the back and sides of the pupa can clearly be seen 
within the cocoon, the outline of the pupa being dimly 
visible. The whole appearance of the cocoon and the 
enclosed pupa is strongly suggestive of a large adherent 
grass seed and this is probably the object aimed at. 
The perfect insect appears from September till April, 
so that there are apparently at least two broods in each 
season. It is sluggish in habit, seldom flying, but is usu- 
ally seen walking or resting on leaves with its remark- 
able antennae fully displayed. The specimens oceasion- 
ally observed in September and October are probably 
individuals belonging to the autumnal brood, which 
have remained in the pupa state during the winter. When 
in repose the wings are closed on each side of the body, 
forming a steep roof, the insect standing on all its legs, 
which are held close to the body. The thickened antennae 
are projected directly in front of the head, with the tips 
slightly divergent. In this position the insect has a con- 
siderable resemblance to a weevil (notably Rhadinosomus 
acuminatus), the thickened portions of the antennae 
forming the rostrum and the divergent tips the antennae 
of the weevil. 
PROTOSYNAEMA QUAESTUOSA., 
(Protosynaema quaestuosa, Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., lv., 205.) 
(Plate -L., fig. 138 @; Plate XXXIV., fig. 3 4 variety.) 
This species has occurred at Kaeo, north of Auck- 
land, Gollan’s Valley near Wellington, on Mount Arthur, 
and on the lower slopes of Mount Aurum, near Lake 
Wakatipu, at an elevation of about 3,000 feet above the 
sea-level. 
The expansion of the wings is about 4 inch., The fore- 
wings are elongate-oblong with the costa slightly arched and 
the termen slightly oblique, very deep purplish-brown or deep 
yellowish-brown; there is a longitudinal creamy-white streak 
along the fold (sometimes absent), a very oblique purple-metallic 
bar from the costa at the base to the fold at about 4; another 
curved bar near the middle reaching } across the wing; three 
almost confluent black-edged pink metallic blotches from dise¢ 
to tornus and a terminal series of similar blotches. The hind- 
wings are grey, much darker towards the termen. The antennae 
are thickened with grey scales from the base considerably be- 
yond 4. 
Closely related to P. steropucha but distinguished by 
the naked apical portion of antennae, and rounded out- 
line of terminal cilia of fore-wings. The scale-thickening 
of antennae is less strong and less extensive than in 
