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NOTE ON THE LARVA OF S03IABBACHYS, A GENUS 



OE MOTHS. 



By K. JORDAN, Ph.D. 



THE position of the North African genus Somabraclys Kirby (1892) is still 

 uncertain. In the Catnlogui' of Standinger and Rebel tlie genus is placed 

 in the South American family Meyulopi/giduf. Its affinities are indeed with the 

 more generalised type of moth, as represented by the Megalopijgidae, Limacodidae, 

 and Xi/gapnidae. A good account of the life-history oi Somahraclujs was published 

 in l^OVl by Chretien.* Tlie larva, though in general appearance uncommonly like 

 a Zygaenid larva, has several characters which distinguish it sharply from the 

 caterj)illars of the families mentioned. Mr. Rothschild and myself observed the 

 larva in several places in Northern Algeria, and found it (juite common in 

 the hills above Blida. Besides the lateral grooves studded with large scales, 

 already described by Chretien, we were much struck with auotlier organ which 

 that able lepidopterist does not mention, and which we had not previously found 

 in any other kind of caterpillar. On the upper wall of the anus, and ordinarily 

 concealed from view, there is a kind of fork or rake with three or four tines. 



Fiu. A. 



Fig. B. 



as shown in figs, a and b. This rake is black-brown. It lies flat on the upper 

 wall of the anus, or rather on the lower side of the broad lobe which covers the 

 anus from above, and its tines are directed backwards. 



All the specimens which we examined had either three or four tines, this 

 variability being observed in specimens found together. The tines are, apparently 

 always, practically of e(|ual length. They vary in shaju', inasniU('li as some are 



• Ann. Hoc. Kill. Fraiu-c \j. jnl. t. S C1SSI9). 



