110 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, 



molt, and only a shiny botton remains, which has a black rim. 

 After the third molt the larva changes to light brown on sides 

 and darker above, beneath rosy. * 



Of nine full grown larvae the smallest measured 1.50 inches, 

 the largest 1.68 inches. The color is of a uniform chocolate with 

 a smooth surface, rosy beneath; legs tipped with black, two large 

 black eye-spots, one on each side of head, which is large in com- 

 parison to body. The larva is stout and cylindrical; they feed 

 from thirty-five to thirty-seven days on EpiJobium. Pupation is 

 on top of ground, among leaves, making an attempt at a light 

 cocoon similar to the manner of Hemaris thysbe and diffinis. 



The newly-made pupa is from seven-eighths to one inch long, 

 stout, with prominent head of ochre yellow, which changes to 

 chestnut in some and blackish brown in others. The cremaster 

 is short and stout, with seven terminal hooks; in some, nine; in 

 others, which are barbed, a silk thread attaches the hooks to the 

 leaf cocoon. The habits of the larvae are peculiar; they feed 

 mostly at night, hiding on the under side of the leaf by day with 

 head thrown to the right side of body; they are very restless 

 when young, but soon become quiet after they have once settled 

 on their food; they require a great deal of care, and need plenty 

 of good air, and will not thrive in the glass jar, but will do well 

 on the food put in water with a fine gauze-net over it in a shady 

 place. 



In the next paper I will attempt to describe the earlier stages 

 of Smerinthus cerisyi. 



o 



ELEMENTARY ENTOMOLOGY. 



LEPIDOPTERA. 



The eggs of butterflies and moths are very carefully laid by 

 the female insect on the appropriate plant on which the young- 

 caterpillars are destined to feed. They are unerring botanists in 

 this respect, and never make a mistake, although they sometimes 

 deposit eggs on plants the leaves or stems of which mingle with 

 those on which the larvae are to feed, and to which they soon find 

 their way. The eggs are secured to the plants by a kind of glue 

 or cement, which soon dries on exposure to the air, and is neces- 

 sarily insoluble in water. They are laid singly or in varying 



