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
This insect is usually observed at rest on fences and tree-trunks, where
its grey mottled colouring causes it to closely resemble a patch of lichen.
{98}DECLANA JUNCTILINEA, Feld.
(Plate X., fig. 37 [M], 38 [F].)
This species has occurred occasionally in the Wellington Botanical Gardens.
It is no doubt found elsewhere, but I cannot give any other localities with
certainty.
The expansion of the wings of the male is 1¼ inches, of the female 1-3/8
inches. The fore-wings of the male are pale yellowish-brown, with two
indistinct, irregular, transverse darker lines near the base, a
conspicuous curved line a little beyond the middle, followed by a
blackish patch; _there is a series of very fine parallel oblique brown
stripes on the costa_, and several series of curved, blackish marks near
the termen, and on the central portions of the wing. The fore-wings of
the female are much greyer, with a conspicuous, irregular, white streak
from the apex towards the dorsum, the central portions of the wing are
white, and, with the exception of the fine, oblique costal stripes, the
other markings of the male are usually absent. The hind-wings of both
sexes are dull ochreous. The strongly pectinated antennæ of the male, and
the oblique costal markings of both sexes, will at once distinguish this
species from any of the varieties of _Declana floccosa_.
This moth varies in the intensity of the markings, which in some specimens
are very indistinct.
The perfect insect appears from November till March. It is generally
captured on blossoms in the evening.
DECLANA HERMIONE, n. sp.
(Plate X., fig. 36.)
A single specimen of this very handsome insect was captured at Khandallah
near Wellington.
The expansion of the wings is 1¼ inches. _The fore-wings are bright
purplish-brown, clouded with silvery-white towards the middle and on the
termen_; there is a very fine oblique chocolate-brown mark at the base, a
broad broken transverse band at about one-eighth; a fine curved
transverse line at about three-fourths, shaded towards the termen; there
are four wavy brown marks on the termen inclining obliquely upwards
towards the costa; the termen itself is narrowly edged with
chocolate-brown. The cilia are silvery mixed with brown; the termen is
very strongly bowed. The hind-wings are grey, shaded with purplish-grey
towards the termen; the cilia are grey.
The type specimen was captured at sugar in November.
DECLANA GRISEATA, n. sp.
(Plate X., fig. 32 [F].)
This species has occurred at Wellington in the North Island, and at Lake
Wakatipu in the South Island.
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