The moth appears in October. It is very much attracted by light.
PORINA DESPECTA, Walk.
(Hepialus despectus, Walk., Suppl. 594. Porina despecta, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxii. 209.)
(Plate [XIII]., fig. 13 ♀.)
This species has occurred in the South Island, at Christchurch, the Otira River and Lake Wakatipu.
The expansion of the wings is from 1½ to 1¾ inches. The fore-wings are dull brown with several irregular dull white markings near the centre of the wing. The hind-wings are also dull brown. In general appearance it closely resembles the last-mentioned species (P. cervinata), but may always be recognised by its longer and narrower wings, smaller body and antennæ, and absence of distinct markings near the termen.
The perfect insect appears in January, and is usually taken at light.
PORINA UMBRACULATA, Gn.
(Pielus umbraculatus, Gn., Ent. Mo. Mag. v. 1. Porina umbraculata, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xxii. 209.)
(Plate [XIII]., fig. 14 ♂.)