The perfect insect appears in January, February and March. From its large size and brilliant colouring it is easily recognised. Although rare in New Zealand, it is very common in Australia. It also occurs in Java, New Guinea and the Loyalty Islands. A smaller representative is found in Samoa (Anosia otaheitæ, Feld.), which is probably only a variety of this species.
The figures and descriptions of this insect are taken from Australian specimens, which were kindly forwarded to me by the late Mr. Olliff.
Genus 2.—VANESSA.
Eyes hairy. Club of antennæ abrupt. Fore-wings with vein 10 separate. Hind-wings with transverse vein present.
"A moderate genus, principally characteristic of the Northern Hemisphere. Larva with six or seven rows of bristly spines. Pupa with angular prominences, often with golden metallic spots."—Meyrick.
Of this very beautiful and interesting genus we have three species in New Zealand.
VANESSA GONERILLA, Fabr.
(Papilio gonerilla, Fabricius, Syst. Ent. p. 498, n. 237 (1775); Donovan, Ins. New Holland, pl. 25, fig. 2 (1805). Vanessa gonerilla, White in Taylor's New Zealand, pl. 2, fig. 1 (1855).)
(Plate [XII]., fig. 5, 6 under side; Plate [III]., figs. 1 and 2 larvæ, 31 and 32 pupæ.)
This handsome insect is the most familiar of New Zealand butterflies. It is very common and generally distributed throughout the country.