New Zealand Moths and Butterflies (Macro-Lepidoptera)Hudson, G. V. (George Vernon)
Science
New Zealand Moths and Butterflies (Macro-Lepidoptera)
Hudson, G. V. (George Vernon)
Lepidoptera -- New Zealand
(Plate VIII., fig. 37 [M], 38 [F].)
This pretty little insect is very common, and generally distributed
throughout the country.
The expansion of the wings is about 7/8 inch. _The fore-wings are
reddish-ochreous with three dull brown wavy transverse lines_, the first
rather narrow at about one-fourth, the second slightly broader at about
one-half, the third much broader, and sometimes partially divided near
the costa; there is a black central dot, a series of rather large dull
brown spots near the termen, and a chain of minute black dots on the
termen. _The hind-wings are pinkish-ochreous; there is a dull brown wavy
transverse band near the base, then two close together a little beyond
one-half, a shading on the termen, and a very distinct series of minute
black terminal dots._ The cilia of all the wings are dull brown, mixed
with reddish-ochreous.
There is often considerable variation in the intensity of the colouring of
this insect, some specimens being much darker than others, but the markings
are very constant, and the species is thus always easily recognizable.
The eggs are yellowish-white, and very large for the size of the moth.
The young larva is brownish-purple with a dull white line on each side. The
food-plant is unknown.
The perfect insect appears in January, February and March. In the late
summer and autumn it frequents dried-up, weedy pastures, where it is often
extremely abundant. Straggling specimens, which have probably hibernated
during the winter, may also be taken in the early spring.
Mr. Meyrick states that this species occurs very commonly in New South
Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania, and that there is no difference between
Australian and New Zealand specimens.[41]
Family 3.--MONOCTENIADÆ.
"Hind-wings with vein 5 fully developed, parallel to 4, rising from about
or below middle of transverse vein, 8 free or anastomosing shortly near
base or seldom from near base to beyond {78}middle (then without areole
of fore-wings), approximated to upper margin of cell to middle or
beyond." (See Plate II., figs. 44 and 45.)
"Ovum subcylindrical, smooth. Larva more or less elongate, usually with
few hairs, prolegs on segments 7, 8, and sometimes 9 rudimentary or
absent. Pupa subterranean or in bark."--(Meyrick.)
According to Mr. Meyrick this is to be regarded as a decaying family. In
Australia it is still prominent, being represented there by nearly 100
known species.
We have two genera represented in this country--
1. DICHROMODES. 2. THEOXENA.
Genus 1.--DICHROMODES, Gn.
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