Art.. XXVII.—On the Occurrence of Junonia vellida and Deopeia pulchella in New Zealand.

Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 19, 1886, Page 201

Art.. XXVII.—On the Occurrence of Junonia vellida and Deopeia pulchella in New Zealand. By G. V. Hudson. [Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 18th February, 1887.] Plate VIc. During the present summer a new butterfly has appeared in the Wellington District, which I have every reason to believe has not previously been met with in New Zealand. On December 26th, while collecting on the sea-beach near Paremata, I noticed a large butterfly, which I at first thought was Vanessa cardui, but on capturing the insect was surprised to find it quite distinct. By careful searching I procured four more specimens, one of which I forwarded to Mr. Olliff, of Sydney, for identification, who has kindly informed me that it is Junonia vellida, a very common Australian insect. Since that time I have taken two more specimens at Wainuiomata, and the insect is very abundant at Paikakariki, where I saw a great number last week, but was unable to take any owing to their great timidity, and the rough nature of the ground. I think there can be little doubt that this insect is a true native of New Zealand, which has been previously overlooked, as it is quite impossible that so many specimens could have been accidentally introduced by artificial means. I have also to announce the capture of Deopeia pulchella at Wainuiomata, another welcome addition to our fauna. It is a very wide-spread species, but this is, I think, the first specimen which has been taken in New Zealand. The beautiful Painted Lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui), has also been more abundant this year than I have known it since my arrival in 1881.