Family 3.—LYCÆNIDÆ.
"Anterior legs developed, but tarsi of ♂ more or less abbreviated, or with one or both claws absent; posterior tibiæ without middle spurs. Fore-wings with vein 7 absent, 8 and 9 stalked or coincident. Hind-wings without præcostal spur." (Plate [I]., figs. 15, 16, neuration of Chrysophanus salustius.)
"The family is large and very generally distributed. The species are of moderate size or more often rather small, usually blue, dark brown, or coppery-orange in colouring, often with series of small black pale-ringed spots on lower surface.
"Ovum flattened—spherical or subcylindrical, reticulated and sometimes ribbed, seldom smooth. Larva stout, with few hairs. Pupa attached by tail and a central belt of silk, or sometimes unattached or subterranean."—(Meyrick.)
We have two genera represented in New Zealand, viz.:—
1. [Chrysophanus]. 2. [Lycæna].
Genus 1.—CHRYSOPHANUS, Hb.
"Eyes glabrous. Club of antennæ elongate. Fore-wings with vein 6 separate, 8 and 9 stalked." (Plate [I]., figs. 15 and 16 neuration of C. salustius).
"An extensive and nearly cosmopolitan genus. Larva short, stout, attenuated at extremities, with short hairs. Pupa attached by the tail and central belt of silk, or sometimes unattached on the ground."—(Meyrick.)
There are three New Zealand species.