THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 137 



NEW HISTORIES IN PAPAIPEMA (HYDROECIA). 



BY HENRY BIRD, RYE, N. V. 

 (Continued from Vol. XXX\', p. 94.) 



Just how far patient endeavours may go unrewarded without a 

 complete despair attending, is often well brought out in entomological 

 studies. The quest of such boring larvae as the Noctuid genus Papaipei7ia 

 possess, gives us a good trial oftentimes, since their hidden whereabouts 

 within some unexpected root or stem frequently leads one a merry chase 

 indeed. Knowing, however, that a certain species has been apprehended 

 in the moth state at a given locality, in the not too remote past, there is a 

 reasonable assurance that somewhere here, in some unknovvn food-plant 

 or underground root, there lurks the desired larva, no doubt in the goodly 

 company of many others of its kind. To know this food-plant and to 

 learn this habit are the questions which confront the seeker in Gortynid 

 lore, and it is surprising how long we may look, and, for a fact, overlook 

 such a species, the while a most critical search goes on for its apprehen- 

 sion. Many years since an imago of Papaipema circumliicens was taken 

 at Rye, and for the last decade an unremitting search has been made for a 

 discovery of its larva. But fortune smiles at last, though the final meeting 

 is so unexpected and commonplace withal, that it savours more of care- 

 lessness than of success. 



A slight resume touching this species may now be admissible, since 

 the literature has but few references to it. Prof J. B. Smith, in a revision 

 of the genus (1897), first accords to it specific rank. The few examples 

 in collections at that time, together with several other species, stood in an 

 aggregation under the ruiila label. His differentiation is based on well- 

 detected grounds, and the larva, now that it has come to light, aids still 

 further the individuality. A few other citations of catalogue or locality 

 reference are all else that pertain to the species. 



The imago shows some slight colour variation, the one bred locally 

 being that in which the tone is dull red-brown, the ordinary spots large 

 and pure white ; a very noticeable white scale is situated at the base of 

 the primary, this the more so as the basal area is concolorous and barely 

 defined. In the other direction specimens become redder, or the lower 

 median field of primaries may be strongly sprinkled with yellowish scales, 

 giving a powdered effect. Its early history was unknown. 



In July, 1904, the few accessible Hop-vines in the locality were 

 examined for the borings of Gortyna imvianis, this well-known species 



April, 1907 



