Page:Transactions NZ Institute Volume 15.djvu/78

pale whitish-ochreous to reddish-ochreous, sometimes finely strigulated posteriorly with dark fuscous; sometimes wholly suffused, except towards costa, with smoky-grey or light greenish-grey; costal edge orange-yellow or ochreous-orange; basal patch represented by a large triangular dark fuscous, dark reddish-fuscous, or sometimes dull green blotch, varying from very sharply defined to wholly obsolete, base near and parallel to inner margin, anterior side near and parallel to costa, posterior side outwardly oblique, anterior angle resting on base of wing, posterior angle connected with inner margin, apex confluent with central fascia; central fascia moderate or rather narrow, nearly evenly broad, margins slightly irregular, running from before middle of costa to ⅔ of inner margin, blackish-fuscous or dark reddish-fuscous, sharply defined throughout, or partially or wholly obsolete except anterior edge towards inner margin: cilia whitish-ochreous, with an ochreous-orange basal line, tips becoming dark fuscous round apex. Hind-wings whitish, slightly tinged with greyish towards base and with reddish-ochreous posteriorly, spotted with grey; in male with a pencil of long whitish hairs at base of costa; cilia white.

A handsome and exceedingly variable species, very distinct from any other. The pencil of hairs in the male is similar to that of Pros. aspistana, but I attach no generic importance to this character.

An autumnal insect, occurring commonly at Porter's Pass, Lake Guyon, South Rakaia, and Christchurch, in March and April.

Minor, alis ant. dilute ochreis, area basali, fascia obliqua inferius dilatata, trianguloque costæ posticæ parvo ochreo-fuscis; post. M. albido-griseis, F. albis.

Male, female.—14–17 mm. Head and thorax pale ochreous; palpi moderate. Forewings moderate, in female more elongate and narrower, costa moderately arched, hindmargin slightly sinuate, oblique, in female more oblique; pale ochreous, with a few scattered blackish scales; basal patch ochreous-fuscous, rather ill-defined, especially in female, outer edge from ⅕ of costa to ¼ of inner margin, angulated above middle; central fascia ochreous-fuscous, from before middle of costa to anal angle, narrow towards costa, lower ⅔ rather dilated, margins slightly irregular, generally with a blackish dot on posterior margin below middle; a rather small triangular ochreous-fuscous spot on costa midway between central fascia and apex; sometimes a small ill-defined ochreous-fuscous spot on middle of hind-margin; markings in female usually more reddish-ochreous and less well-defined: cilia whitish-ochreous. Hindwings whitish-grey, in female often whitish; cilia whitish, with a faint grey basal line.