The full-grown larva is very robust, and about 1 inch in length. Its colour is pale green, with numerous yellow dots and a series of diagonal yellow stripes on each segment; there is, in addition, a series of broad crimson blotches on the back and a small crimson flap projecting from the end of the terminal segment; the prolegs and spiracles are also crimson.
The remarkable shape and colouring of this caterpillar, in conjunction with the peculiar attitude assumed when at rest, affords it complete protection, causing it to resemble, in the closest possible manner, one of the buds of its food-plant. These larvæ grow very slowly, and probably occupy three or four months in attaining their full size. They are very sluggish in their habits. The pupa is greenish-brown in colour. It is enclosed in a cocoon, constructed of two or three leaves of the food-plant, fastened together with silk. The insect remains in this condition for three weeks or a month. The moth first appears about the end of October, and is met with until the middle of March. It frequents forest, where it is occasionally dislodged from amongst the undergrowth. It is also found in the evening on the flowers of the white rata. It is, however, rather uncertain in its appearance, being much commoner in some years than in others.
EPIRRANTHIS HEMIPTERARIA, Gn.
(Hemerophila hemipteraria, Gn. ix. 220, pl. vi. 2. Xyridacina hemipteraria, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 60. Ploseria hemipteraria, Hdsn., Manual N. Z. Ent. 85.)
(Plate [VIII]., fig. 48 ♂, 49 ♀; Plate [III]., fig. 19, larva.)
This remarkable-looking species has occurred in the North Island, at Auckland and Wellington. At present it has not been observed in the South Island.
The expansion of the wings is from 1⅜ to 1⅝ inches. All the wings are pale ochreous-brown, with a variable number of minute black dots; there are four or five oblique, wavy brown transverse lines on both fore- and hind-wings, the central and terminal lines being often slightly darker than the others; there is always a black dot in the middle of the fore-wing, and a shaded spot near the termen below the apex. The apex of the hind-wing is very pointed and projects downwards; the almost straight termen has a series of prominent projections.
This species varies much in the intensity of the markings, and in the number of the black dots on both the fore- and hind-wings. The peculiar outline of its hind-wings, however, distinguishes it from any other species with which I am acquainted.
The larva feeds on veronicas in September and October.
Its length when full grown is about 1 inch. Some larvæ are green, with a broad bluish dorsal line, and two fine yellow lateral lines. Others are brown, with a dull yellow dorsal line.