The expansion of the wings is 1¼ inches. The fore-wings are dark chocolate-brown; there are several very obscure marks near the base, the orbicular and claviform spots are almost invisible, the reniform is pale brown with a minute dot above and below it towards the termen, followed by a pale, darker-margined, transverse line. The hind-wings are dull brownish-grey, with the cilia paler. The female is rather darker in colour than the male. This is a very obscurely marked insect, closely allied to the next species, from which it can only be distinguished with difficulty. _Its somewhat smaller size and the two minute white dots on the reniform stigma appear to be the most definite characteristics._ The perfect insect appears in May and June. Described and figured from specimens in Mr. Fereday's collection. MELANCHRA VITIOSA, Butl. (_Apamea vitiosa_, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1877, 384, pl. xlii. 3. _Mamestra ochthistis_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xix. 20. _Mamestra vitiosa_, Meyr. Trans. N. Z. Inst., xx. 45.) (Plate IV., fig. 42; Plate III., fig. 16, larva.) This is a scarce species in the neighbourhood of Wellington. In Christchurch it is very common. The expansion of the wings is 1-3/8 inches. In general colouration it closely resembles the preceding insect, but is considerably paler, with the markings much more distinct. There are no clear white dots above or below the reniform stigma, the orbicular is obliquely oval and rather conspicuous, and the claviform is strongly margined with black. The larva is rather robust, very pale green above with numerous white lines and dots; dark green beneath with yellow dots. In the light part there is a triangle of black spots on each segment. The young larva has a strong pink lateral line, but in mature specimens this line is confined to the anterior and posterior segments only. Length when full grown about 1¼ inches. This caterpillar feeds on _Melicope simplex_, and when amongst the foliage of its food-plant it is extremely hard to detect, owing to its protective colouring and sluggish habits. The larva is full grown about October. The pupa is enclosed in a light cocoon on the surface of the ground. The perfect insect appears from November till April. {21}MELANCHRA DIATMETA, Meyr.[15] (Plate V., fig. 5.) This species has occurred at Wellington.