Art. XV.—Notes on the Life-history of some New Zealand Moths, By W. George Howes, F.E.S., F.L.S. [Read before the Otago Institute, 4th November, 1913.] Morrisonia merope. Larva taken in the Woodhaugh Gardens, Dunedin, on the 16th March, 1912. A single specimen taken, crawling on the trunk of a ribbonwood-tree (Plagianthus). Length, about 40 mm.; probably full-fed, being “deep” (about 8 mm.) for its length. The caterpillar was of robust appearance. General colour, dull olive-green, marked with black. Face with horny plate, marked with small black dots. A dorsal line of ochreous dots of fair size, a series of lateral oblique lines and small dots. Spiracles plainly indicated by black dots. Underside pale ochreous. Prolegs on segments 6, 7, 8, 9, the pair on the last segment well marked with a black patch over rear. The larva pupated after a few days, probably being slightly hurried by want of suitable food. The moth emerged on the 9th June, 1912. The seven imagos I have taken were taken at “sugar” in December, January, and March, so that the time of emergence of this specimen does not seem quite natural. Declana egregia. Larvae taken at Half-moon Bay, Stewart Island, in March, 1913, feeding on Panax. As mentioned in accompanying paper, “Notes in the Entomology of Stewart Island,” the larvae were in abundance—so numerous that they had stripped the stems of all foliage, and were reduced to gnawing buds and terminals. The larvae varied considerably in size from full-grown specimens slightly over an inch in length to small fry of about a quarter of an inch. The peculiar shape of the larvae is well described by Mr. Hudson in his description of that of Declana atronivea; in fact, the description is so exact that it answers equally well for egregia, the only noticeable point being that the egregia caterpillars had all a pink tinge. The colouring and shape were strongly protective, especially so when the caterpillar held by the anal claspers and stretched its body out from the trunk. Unfortunately, the caterpillars (most of which were sent to the Dominion Museum) did not survive. I had the good fortune to obtain one fine specimen, which emerged on the 18th March, 1913. Leucania nullifera. Larvae generally distributed. Hudson, in “New Zealand Moths and Butterflies,” says the larvae of this moth live in the spear-grass, “a single one in each clump.” In several localities I have cut out the clumps of Aciphylla, and on each occasion found the caterpillars gregarious. At Riversdale, on the Waimea Plains, one clump had quite a number of individuals feeding within it, and they varied considerably in size. The larger larvae were from 2 in. to 2½ in., while the smaller were from ¾ in. to 1 in. Apparently last year's full-grown caterpillars

were living harmoniously with a later brood. The smaller ones seemed to be in no way molested by their larger brethren. By stepping on the spines it is possible to cut into the clump with a penknife with moderate ease, but no comfort. When the larvae are in possession of a clump the outer spines are matted together with “frass,” and the interior root-crown is generally completely eaten out to a depth of a few inches. Collecting on the slopes of Mount Earnslaw, I came upon a clump of spear-grass in which the interior burrow was full of water, but the five full-grown caterpillars inhabiting it did not seem at all inconvenienced, but wallowed round in the mixture of “frass” and water. Mr. Hudson gives a description of the larvae in his “New Zealand Moths and Butterflies,” p. 10. Leucania purdei. Various larvae, taken at different times, and generally distributed. The larva is full grown about the end of October, and is then about 48 mm. in length. General colour, ochreous with a pink flush. A double fuscous line dorsally, a fuscous line from base of eye, marked with deep-fuscous marks at each segment. A fuscous lateral line with distinct black dots at each segment. Prolegs on segments 6 to 9. Pupa enclosed in slight cocoon. Rather slim and long, with a well-developed spine. Emergences and captures of the moth have occurred from December to March. This magnificent moth, with its beautiful orange-red colouring, must be commoner than it is usually considered, as the clumps of Astelia on which the larvae feed everywhere show traces of the insects' attacks. The caterpillar has a habit of cutting out portions of the leaf and then clinging in the gap formed to feed, when, being of the same shade as the leaves, it is extremely difficult to detect. It is a nocturnal feeder, retreating to the interior of the clump during daylight.