BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 542, 24 June 1909, Page 3

BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS

OEMS OF THE COLLECTION. ' AT THE DOMINION: MUSEUM., Now Zealand is not by any means rich in; butterflies. Only 17 or .18 species have been found in tho Dominion, and these ineludo two or three which are visitors': from other countries. Tho native species of moths are, however, much more numerous, and are being added to almost daily by collectors. Most of tho spccies of Now Zealand butterflies and somo of the moths aro represented in tho lino collection on view yesterday and to-day at tho Dominion Museum. The Curator. (Mr. A. Hamilton) kindly pointed out to a representative of this journal some of the most interesting features of tho collection, and commented upon them 1 in terms not too scientific for the lay mind. One, caso contains a good: series of a remarkable littlo butterfly, which is found at high altitudes. It is. of a very deep black' with minute white .spots on the upper wings.- These creatures, .when'at'large, are .ssaii ■ flying'..rapidly, over tho shingles of Alpine slopes, in the sunshine, butwhen the sun is hidden they conceal themselves in crevices of tho rocks. One species which is largely represented in tho -. collection very much .resembles the English Meadow Brown, and is very plentiful in the South Island, but the Cook Strait seems to have ; been an impassablo barrier against its spreading to. tho North Island. . The. Red Admiral, which is common .in'both islands, and is very, handsome, with, its contrast of scarlet and black, is, of course, well represented. . The next three. species, itea, cardui, and vellida, are remarkable for the irregularity of their appearance, being very plentiful in ( some seasons and then being unseen for long periods. The little cockle, butterflies which are abundant in both -islands, and the blues 6f two or three .kinds .'come next as. one moves along the cases. . There are long rows of moths, tho first group consisting of the tiger moths, which do not look liko moths at all, being littlo, fat things without wings.. Close by are some of the pictula, aptly named from their pretty pink lower wings, and one specimen each of tho rare and handsomo grandiosa and beata. The well-named exquisata, beautiful in their pale greeri and black, aro represented by two specimens.! Tho females of another spetsi.es, which is very common in Wellington and elsewhere, have on their under-sido curious brush-like'tufts, supposed to bo connected with the sense organs. Among many others, all of which have their own special types of beauty; the fine set of hepialus virescens per-' haps ■ most readily attract attention. They are of largo size, and tho females aro tho larger'"sex. ; These are brown and green, and aro harmoniously, marked. Tho niales aire of a singularly beautiful green. shading into white. The. specimens include a number Of variations, as is. tho case with many of the other;spccies shown,, and all are very skilfully arranged so as' to show how one variety shades off with another, and how two jnotlis or butterflies, which do not. strongly, .resemble each other, cither in colour or markings, may be bf the same species. ■' 'This feature of the and its inclusive char- ' acter makes it of specinl'value and interest to collectors.: Tlie specimens will bo again exposed to view to-day, but afterwards they will be kept in a cabinet ,away. from . tho light, and only shown on application to tho director (Mr. A. Hamilton), -v