George Vernon Hudson

“ Sometimes the whole larva has a pinkish-brown tinge, and there are often two or three rows of pale spots. In fact the full-grown caterpillar is very variable in its colouring. These larvæ hibernate during the winter months, often secreting themselves in the burrows which have been made in the stems of the mahoe by various species of wood-boring insects. They come abroad about the end of August, and are full grown early in October. The pupa state is spent in the earth. ”

“ It is full grown in the autumn.
The pupa is concealed in the earth, the insect remaining in this condition until the following summer.
The moth appears in January and February. It often flies by day, and may then be seen disporting itself amongst the flowers of the Scotch thistle. Its larva may also be found feeding on these flowers.
This insect is practically cosmopolitan; it has occurred in the following countries: Australia, Samoa, India, Ceylon, Madagascar, Africa, Europe, North and South America. [17]
Genus 12.—COSMODES, Gn. ”

“ 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 is seldom found in the daytime, but at night it is extremely abundant in densely wooded situations. It flies in a very stealthy manner, and may soon be recognised on the wing by this feature alone. ”

“ N. Z. Inst. xix. 10.↑ Leucania aulacias, Meyr., is distinguished by having grey cilia to the hind-wings. The species was described from a single specimen taken at Dunedin and now in Mr. Fereday's collection. I have carefully examined this specimen, and find that the cilia, although considerably injured, are distinctly grey. As, however, I think it undesirable to characterize species so closely resembling each other from such meagre material, I here regard it as a synonym of Leucania arotis.↑ Report of American Department of Agriculture, 1881, p. ”

“ Antennæ in male filiform, shortly ciliated. Thorax with strong transverse anterior and posterior crests. Abdomen strongly crested towards base. Hind-wings with veins 6 and 7 short-stalked."— (Meyrick.) We have only one species in New Zealand. ”