"A dominant family in temperate regions, especially in the northern hemisphere, the species being very numerous and often occurring in great plenty; within the tropics, however, their place is largely taken by the _Plusiadæ_. The structure is in most particulars remarkably uniform, the neuration and palpi being practically identical throughout the family. The markings are usually very similar, and the colouring dull and adapted to conceal insects which are accustomed to hide amongst dead leaves or refuse; hence this family is not one of the easiest or most attractive to study. The species are the most truly nocturnal of all the Lepidoptera; few are readily obtainable by day, but at night they are found in abundance at flowers or sugar. Imago with fore-wings usually elongate, body relatively stout, and densely scaled. It may be noted as an established conclusion that antennal pectinations, if not extending to the apex of the antennæ, are in this family seldom sufficient to mark generic distinction. "Ovum spherical, more or less distinctly ribbed, and reticulated. Larva usually with few hairs, often nocturnal, sometimes subterranean; often very polyphagous. Pupa usually subterranean."--(Meyrick.) The family is represented in New Zealand by the following twelve genera:-- { 1. MISELIA. Sub-family 1.--POLIADES { 2. ORTHOSIA. { 3. XANTHIA. { 4. PHYSETICA. { 5. LEUCANIA. Sub-family 2.--MELANCHRIDES { 6. ICHNEUTICA. { 7. MELANCHRA. { 8. ERANA. { 9. BITYLA. {6} Sub-family 3.--CARADRINIDES { 10. AGROTIS. { 11. HELIOTHIS. { 12. COSMODES. Sub-family 1.--_POLIADES_. "Eyes naked, ciliated (_i.e._, furnished with a marginal row of long cilia curving over them)."--(Meyrick.) Genus 1.--MISELIA, Steph. "Antennæ in male filiform, moderately ciliated. Thorax with anterior angles projecting, somewhat crested. Abdomen not crested."--(Meyrick.) We have at present but one New Zealand species. MISELIA PESSOTA, Meyr. (_Miselia pessota_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 29.) (Plate V., fig. 26.) This little species has occurred at Wellington in the North Island, and at Lake Coleridge and Rakaia in the South Island.