Page:Transactions NZ Institute Volume 15.djvu/51

base externally brownish-ochreous. Labial palpi long, white, externally greyish-ochreous, more fuscous towards apex. Antennæ dark fuscous. Thorax light ochreous, with a more or less distinct suffused white central longitudinal stripe, sometimes obsolete. Abdomen ochreous-whitish, more ochreous towards base, apex white. Anterior and middle legs whitish-ochreous, suffused beneath with dark fuscous; posterior legs whitish. Forewings moderate, in female narrow, costa moderately arched, less strongly in female, slightly sinuate in middle, apex acute, in female rather produced, hindmargin rather strongly oblique, slightly rounded; pale ochreous; a very slender white streak from base close beneath costa to apex, on posterior half broader and more suffused, in female broader and extending to costa; veins towards hindmargin between median streak and costa more or less suffused with white, more strongly in female; a rather narrow central longitudinal white streak from base to hindmargin, rather attenuated towards base, very slightly curved towards hindmargin; sometimes a slender white streak along vein 1 towards anal angle; in female, veins somewhat suffused with white towards hindmargin beneath median streak; a very slender white streak along inner margin from base to beyond middle, posteriorly suffused: cilia shining white. Hindwings very pale whitish-grey, in female white, hindmargin faintly ochreous-tinged; cilia white.

Differs from all the allied species by the clear pale ochreous ground-colour; the white markings (except the central streak) are more suffused, the cilia clear white, and the hindwings paler, being quite white in female. In this and the allied species the central streak appears dark-margined in part, but the effect is illusory, and due to the presence of deep folds.

Very common round Christchurch in November, December, February and March, seemingly attached to the tussock-grass.

Female.—26–80 mm. Head white, sides of crown dark brown. Maxillary palpi white, towards base externally brown. Labial palpi moderate, white, externally brown. Antennæ dark fuscous. Thorax dark ochreous-brown, on sides posteriorly paler and whitish-tinged, with a broad white central longitudinal stripe. Abdomen ochreous-whitish. Anterior and middle legs whitish-ochreous, beneath suffused with dark fuscous; posterior legs whitish. Forewings moderate, somewhat dilated, costa moderately arched, apex acute, hindmargin nearly straight, moderately oblique; dark brown, becoming ochreous towards the inner and hindmargins; a narrow silvery-white costal streak from base to apex, attenuated on basal half, posteriorly suffused, extreme costal edge sometimes brown about ⅔; a moderate nearly straight