Page:Transactions NZ Institute Volume 15.djvu/34

Nearest to T. impletella, Walk., and T. longipalpella, Meyr., and somewhat intermediate between these two species, but not capable of confusion with them or any other; the black markings towards base are a sufficient distinction.

I have only met with this species in one place on the grassy volcanic hills near Christchurch, where it was sufficiently common in March.

Antennæ of male shortly ciliated. Labial palpi long, attenuated. Forewings broad, surface with tufts of raised scales; with 12 veins, 8 and 9 stalked. Hindwings with 8 veins, 4 and 5 stalked, 6 widely remote at origin from 7, 7 and 8 stalked, cell closed.

Nearly allied to Thinasotia, from which it can only be distinguished by the tufts of scales on the forewings, though in superficial appearance and habit very dissimilar; in these respects it approaches Diptychophora, but differs considerably in venation. The larva probably feeds on moss or lichens. The genus is probably confined to New Zealand; I have only one species.

Male, female.—17–18½ mm. Head light greyish-ochreous, mixed with white on crown, with a white stripe along anterior margin of eyes. Maxillary palpi pale greyish-ochreous, with a dark fuscous band, apex white. Labial palpi pale greyish-ochreous, mixed on side with dark fuscous, and above and internally with white. Antennæ pale greyish-ochreous. Thorax pale ochreous mixed with dark fuscous, and on back with white. Abdomen ochreous-whitish, suffused with ochreous-fuscous except at apex of segments. Legs dark ochreous-fuscous, middle and posterior tibiæ banded with ochreous-whitish, all tarsi with ochreous-whitish rings at apex of joints. Forewings broad, triangular, costa at first straight, slightly sinuate in middle, strongly arched towards apex, apex obtuse, hindmargin sinuate above and again below middle, moderately oblique; dull ochreous-fuscous, with scattered black scales; veins on basal half of wing marked by white lines; some whitish scales towards basal third of costa; a short suffused white streak along costa beyond middle; a very inwardly oblique white line from costa at ⅜ to submedian fold near base, obliterated on veins, only distinct at extremities; a straight double white line from middle of costa to before middle of inner margin; a blackish 8-shaped mark in disc beyond middle, upper half containing a spot of ground-colour, lower half a clear white spot; a ridge-like tuft of raised scales below middle of disc; a strongly outwards-curved double white line from ¾ of costa to ¾ of inner margin, inner edge