G80 JOURNA L, BOMBA Y NA TURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE INSECT. 

 A. Pyrausta machoeralis — 



4. Moth. — The type is described in Hampson's Moths, Vol. IV., 

 r. 433. It is there noted that the hind wing has a erenulate postrnedial 

 line, bent outwards between veins 5 and 3, along which it is retracted. 

 In the large number of specimens examined by me I have been unable 

 to trace this line. Fig. I. represents the type as commonly found in 

 these forests. 



5. Egg.— The eggs are small, round, greenish, gelatinous bodies 

 which are usually laid singly on the backs of the young teak leaves 

 close to a rib or small vein. 



6. Larva. — The mature larva is elongate, its length (in decimals 

 of an inch) varying from 0*83 to 0'98 and its mid-diameter from 0*08 

 to 0*11. Segments are 14 in number including the head. Segments 

 2, 3 and 4 each carry a pair of true legs, and segments 7, 8, 9, 10 and 

 14 each carry a pair of prolegs. Colour of mature larva is sap-green 

 above and pale below with two yellow dorsal lines, these lines being 

 sometimes tinted with reddish-purple. Between these lines on each 

 segment, from the 5th to the 12th inclusive, are four yellow spots 

 bearing dark-purple marks. On the 3rd and 4th segments only two 

 such marks are conspicuous, while the 2nd has none, it being spotted 

 with minute black specks. On each side, below the yellow dorsal lines, 

 are light-coloured lateral marks tipped with purple, these being more 

 or less indistinct, except on segments 3 and 4, where they are con- 

 spicuous. The dorsal marks are generally crescent-shaped, the lateral 

 marks being on a line with the first pair of dorsal marks on each 

 segment. Head is yellow, and a few erect hairs are scattered over each 

 segment. Fig. II. shows the mature larva, seen from above. On 

 emerging from the egg, the larva measures ^th of an inch in length 

 and is active from the first. Its colour is then a dirty-white, which 

 gradually changes to pale-greeu. The purple markings are usually 

 not distinct until the larva is 5 or 6 days old, its colour then being 

 bright sap-green above and yellow below. The construction of 

 the cocoon usually occupies one day, and pupation takes place inside 

 the cocoon, two days after the larva has stopped feeding. During the 

 hibernating stage, however, the larva remains in the cocoon for 22 

 weeks, after which period pupation takes place as usual. Just before 

 each change of skin the larva becomes torpid and contracts in 



