XVIUI—THE 
covered with yellow and black bristles. In many specimens the 
ventral surface and connecting membrane between the horny 
plates is pale purple. 
The precise duration of the larval stage in Hepialus 
virescens has not yet been determined. It is certainly 
longer than three years, and probably extends to at least 
five years, or even more. This is clearly demonstrated by 
observations on marked trees over a lengthy period. 
The last act performed by the caterpillar, prior to 
undergoing its transformation, is the cosntruction of the 
above-described silken lid at the top of its vertical burrow. 
This done, the tseect retreats to the bottom, its posterior 
segment resting on the termination of the gallery. In the 
course of a few days the skin is east off and worked down- 
wards to the bottom of the burrow, underneath the last 
segment of the pupa. The pupa state appears to be gen- 
erally assumed about the beginning of August and lasts 
about three months. 
This pupa varies from 2 to 24 inches in length. It is 
elongate cylindrical and pale ochreous in colour, with the articu- 
lations reddish-brown. The head and dorsal portion of the 
thorax are dark brown and much harder than the rest of the 
body. On the dorsal surface of the abdomen there are twelve 
horny ridges armed with minute hooklets, the ridges below each 
articulation being much stouter than those above. On the ven- 
tral surface there are only five such ridges, two being situated 
on the penultimate segment, and one on each of the three pre- 
eeding segments, 
As development progresses in the pupa it becomes 
darker in colour, especially on the wing-cases, where, in 
some female specimens, the future black markings of the 
moth are quite discernible as long as two months before 
emergence. Other specimens remain pale in colour until 
within a fortnight or three weeks of the appearance of the 
imago, when the green colouring of the wings suddenly 
becomes visible through their semi-transparent envelopes. 
When about to emerge the pupa works its way up the 
vertical tunnel by means of the above-mentioned hooklets, 
forces open the lid, and wriggles along the horizontal bur- 
row until it reaches the air. Its anterior portions then 
break open and the moth crawls out and expands its wings 
in the ordinary way, resting on the trunk of the tree, until 
they are of sufficient strength and hardness for flight. 
The perfect insect appears early in September ,and 
continues until the middle or end of November. Although 
it must be common, it is rarely seen; specimens are conse- 
quently best obtained in the pupa state and reared in cap- 
tivity. The easiest way to find the pupa is to pass a straw 
or thin flexible stick, into the horizontal burrow, and 
move it about until it touches the lid. The collector is at 
once apprised of this circumstance by a distinct hollow 
sound, produced by the straw when it comes in contact 
with the lid, which acts like a miniature drum. If no 
such sound is heard after moving the straw into every 
possible position, it may be assumed either that the insect 
has left the burrow, or that it is inhabited by a larva. 
When, however, a pupa is actually discovered, a section 
of the tree-trunk should be eut out, extending from about 
HEPIALIDAE. 309 
two inches above the horizontal burrow to about one foot 
below it, and the log, thus obtained, taken home. Should 
a number of pupae be found in one tree the whole trunk 
may then be taken, if practicable, and kept in a well-lighted 
room or a conservatory, until the enclosed insects emerge. 
The specimens usually come out of the pupa at about five 
or six o’clock in the evening, and if intended for the cab- 
inet should be killed before dark, as they very soon injure 
themselves when flying. 
The best time of year to obtain the pupa of this insect 
is during September and the first fortnight in October, as 
most of the specimens are then in that condition. If see- 
tions are cut out of the tree too long before the moths 
emerge, the contained insect may fail to come out, owing 
to the shrinkage of the wood. On this account it is advis- 
able to keep the logs damp. Apart from the indications 
above described, burrows containing larvae may often be 
known by the fresh pellets of excrement which are present 
near the opening. The vacated burrows frequently have 
the remains of the old pupa shell at the entrance, and gen- 
erally look gnarled and weather-worn. These indications 
are useful as guides to the collector before exploring the 
burrow with a straw in the manner above described. 
This insect is much attracted by light, and in conse- 
quence often enters shop-windows and houses. In fact 
nearly all the captured specimens are so taken, the moth 
being rarely found in its native forests. This is no doubt 
largely due to its very perfect protective colouring which, 
notwithstanding its large size, causes it to be almost in- 
visible, when resting on the branch of a tree. On several 
occasions I have discovered specimens at rest in the forest, 
and on leaving them have always had considerable difficulty 
in again finding them. 
The large expansible tuft of long reddish-brown hairs 
ion the tibia of the hind-leg of both sexes is probably a 
scent organ, but I have not been able to detect any definite 
perfume by stirring the tuft, even in freshly-killed speei- 
mens. 
This species is not exempt fram the attacks of insectiv- 
orous birds as we may occasionally see its large green wings 
lying on the ground, where they are very conspicuous. 
Genus 2.—PORINA, Walk. 
Antennae one-quarter-two-fifths, in male bi-pectinated, or 
more or less shortly bi-dentate. Palpi moderate, porrected, basal 
joint rough-haired, second joint rough-haired or almost smooth, 
terminal joint smooth, sometimes subclavate. Posterior tibiae 
densely rough-haired. Fore-wings with vein 7 from angle of cell, 
8 and 9 out of 10, rising from upper margin much before angle. 
Hind-wings as in fore-wings. (Plate B., figs. 28 and 29 neuration 
of Porina signata; fig. 30 head of ditto.) 
The nineteen New Zealand species comprised in this 
very interesting, but difficult genus, are nearly all large 
and richly-coloured insects, and many of them must be 
ranked amongst the most handsome of our native Lepidop- 
tera. It is probable that the larvae of most, if not all the 
species, are subject to the ravages of the Sphaeria fungus, 

