LIST OF LEPIDOPTERA. 133 



indeed are so much alike, that it is difficult to distinguish them. When, 

 however, they have moulted for the last time, the merest tyro cannot con- 

 found them, as there is little or no similarity. Chaonia moreover, is generally 

 at least three weeks earlier in its appearance than its congener, and they are 

 not likely very often to be beaten together. When full-fed the yellow dorsal 

 stripes become almost invisible. I have bred the perfect insect five times 

 from the larvae, May 14th. and 16th., 1853, and April 8th., 17th., and 21st., 

 1856. The pupa w T ere kept in the house.' It is a delicate insect to rear 

 in the larva state. I have once or twice killed it by giving it the young 

 sucker leaves of the oak; cholera soon ensued, and death speedily followed. 

 I have found as a rule that larva? should never be fed upon the rank sucker 

 leaves of the tree upon which they feed. It invariably disagrees with them. 



65. N. dodoncea. — Very plentiful in the pupa state. The larva, which is 

 very subject to the attacks of a large black ichneumon, is full-fed about the 

 end of July. Those which are occasionally found in August rarely produce 

 the perfect insect, being almost invariably stung. The imago varies much in 

 the intensity of colouring, according to locality. The first specimens I ever 

 found were taken in Gloucestershire, and were much darker and more richly 

 coloured than those taken subsequently in Suffolk. Indeed all the insects 

 taken in the former county excelled in depth and richness of colouring. This 

 was noticeable in the pretty O. coryli, where the dull grey ground colour 

 usually seen in that insect was replaced by a creamy yellow. Two of these 

 specimens were exhibited at a meeting of the Entomological Society. The 

 male of dodoncea is a strong and active flier. The larva feeds, I think, 

 exclusively on oak. 



N.B. — I take both larva? and pupa? but sparingly of this insect. (B ) 

 I have but rarely beaten the larva? of this insect, and when I have it has 

 invariably been stung. The pupa is far from uncommon in Suffolk under oak, 

 but local. In this neighbourhood it is decidedly rare- It is fond of getting 

 into the little ledges and nooks at the foot of the stem, where is only just 

 enough soil or moss to cover it. "The early bird gets the first worm," and 

 if the collector does not go and look for the pupa? at the end of September 

 and the beginning of October, he will find that he has generally been forestalled 

 by mice, titmice, nuthatches, and other insect-hunters. The larva? when full- 

 fed may always be distinguished by the bright orange-red stripe on the side. 

 The larva? of the three last-named species feed exclusively on oak, and there 

 is, I believe, no question that they are only single-brooded. (C.) 



66. D. ceruleocephala. — Extremely abundant in the larva state. I presume 

 the eggs are laid in autumn, and pass the winter in that state, as I have 

 never met with the hybernating larva. I have been told that they are can- 

 nibals, but I have not noticed it myself, though I have had as many as 

 forty in one cage. Possibly they may devour other caterpillars, but I have 

 not exposed them to the temptation. They have powerful jaws, and the cage 

 must be covered with something stronger than gauze, as they are very rest- 

 less, and soon eat through it. I have never once seen the insect on the 

 wing. The pupa may sometimes be found in August and September, under 

 loose bark on old hawthorns, crab-apples, etc. 



VOL. VIII. t 



