THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 269 



NEW HISTORIES AND SPECIES IN PAPAIPEMA (HYDRCECIA). 



BY HENRY BIRD, RYE, N. Y. 



(Continued from Vol. XXXIX, p. 141.) 



The quest of unknown larval histories in Papaipema caused a trip to 

 extend over the Alleghanies in 1905, as that elusive Noctuid, P. furcata. 

 Smith, had been reported in several mature examples from the Pittsburg 

 district, and we found a subtle enticement in the direction of possible 

 clues. An offer of hospitalities by the genial F. A. Merrick in order to 

 explore the New Brighton section, from whence so much that is good and 

 rare obtains, met with a hearty acceptance. So, one happy July day, we 

 were introduced to the beautiful woodland glades of Western Pennsylvania 

 that are favourite haunts of our host. The rich soil of the valleys 

 supports a luxuriant flora, and the new varieties of plant-life gave a 

 welcome opportunity for examining unfamiliar forms suitable for the boring 

 of Papaipema larvpe. A very few minutes afield sufficed to disclose an 

 unknown desideratum, and its abundant occurrence in a plant never 

 before examined soon made it apparent that another preferred food-plant 

 can be added to the already extensive list. Of course, it was hoped that 

 the newly-found larva might prove to be the diQs\vQ6. furcata, though there 

 was no surprise ultimately when this did not occur, nor was there disap- 

 pointment that we never met with it in this or the succeeding year's 

 search. To go out and pick up in five minutes the desired larva of a 

 species, whose life-history is unknown, in no way accords with previous 

 experience, and there was only an added zest upon each failure, as to 

 whether we will meet it in five years or ten. This new food-plant which 

 has furnished an unknown larva is Podophyllum peltatum, commonly 

 known as May-apple or Mandrake. It is widely common in rich woods 

 in the east, but through a proximity to the seaboard it had never been 

 noticed at Rye. The absence of the plant here is the excuse for over- 

 looking what appears to be a very prevalent Papaipema species. The 

 plant is of a noxious character, shunned by cattle, and sends up from a 

 running rootstock large five- to seven fingered leaves, borne singly upon 

 fleshy stems. Its foliage seems very free from any insect ravages, being, 

 in fact, poisonous ; the root has drastic medicinal properties, while an 

 anomaly is shown in the edible fruit. One other good thing to its credit 

 is the sheltering of a Papaipema species. 



About forty half-grown larvaj were transported to the home colony, 

 from which four imagoes appeared. The following year the larvae seemed 

 less numerous, yet Mr. Merrick secured a number of the moths, 



August, 1907 



