"Variable only in the degree of the brownish suffusion; in the markings of the fore-wings it agrees almost exactly with some forms of _A. megaspilata_, but, apart from structure, may be always known by the whitish hind-wings and rather larger size.
"Dunedin; ten specimens sent to Mr. Fereday by Capt. Hutton."--(Meyrick.)
I have only seen one specimen of this insect, in Mr. Fereday's collection, and it appeared to me to be identical with the somewhat variable female of _A. megaspilata_.
"Face with somewhat projecting scales or conical tuft. Antennæ in male bi-pectinated, apex usually simple. Palpi rough-scaled. Fore-wings with areole double. Hind-wings with vein 8 anastomosing with cell to beyond middle."--(Meyrick.) (See Plate II., figs. 37 and 38.)
{ 57}This interesting genus is relatively far more numerous in New Zealand than elsewhere, its place in other regions being largely taken by _Hydriomena_. We have no less than thirty-one known species, and many others will no doubt be ultimately discovered, especially in the mountainous districts of the west coast of the South Island.
(_Epyaxa limonodes_, Meyr., Trans. N. Z. Inst. xx. 54.)
This species has occurred at Wellington and at Cape Terawhiti in the North Island.
The expansion of the wings is about 1 inch. _The fore-wings of the male are dull olive-green with numerous, rather obscure, wavy brownish transverse lines; these lines are all more distinct near the costa; there are two transverse rows of white dots near the base, a very broken line of white dots at about three-fourths, one of the dots forming a crescentic mark above the middle_; beyond this line the colour is often paler, especially towards the apex, but inside this line there is often a considerably darker patch; there is a very distinct blackish patch just below the apex. The apex of the wing slightly projects, and the termen is arched. The hind-wings are very pale greenish-ochreous; there is an obscure dusky transverse line in the middle. _The female has the fore-wings much browner; there are several additional rows of white dots and two conspicuous white spots above the middle._
The species is rather variable. In many specimens the dorsal half of the fore-wing is much paler than the costal half.