Rare Tiger Moth (Fidona? crephosata.)

This little moth is met with on the mountain-tops and table-lands in the Patea and Taupo districts, about two or three thousand feet above the level of the sea. It is by no means plentiful, and is very difficult to catch owing to its fitful and jerky flight. It may be mentioned that this moth does not habitually frequent herbage, but seems to prefer the dry and bare ground of the mountain paths, rising before the traveller, and alighting a few yards ahead, only to be again disturbed by his advancing footsteps. In 1877 my father obtained several specimens in the above localities, and these are now in my collection. In the following year, towards the end of March, I captured one in Wellington. This was resting on a shrub of white Escallonia in full flower.