THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 159 



becomes more distinct as the stage advances. The skin below this, to the 

 wide creamy-while stigmatal bind, is rich brown with a purplish tinge. 

 .Spiracles black. Below stigmatal band the colour is seal-brown, dotted 

 with white ; the venter is slightly pruinose. In some specimens the dis- 

 tinct stigmatal band is edged within with pale (but bright) yellow. Dorsal, 

 sub-dorsal and lateral stripes distinct, but broken in places. 



Stage VI. — Length, 30 mm. Head 3.2 mm. wide; markings much 

 heavier than in Stage V. The larvae in this stage are much the same as 

 in Stage V. The stripes above the spiracles have become less distinct. 

 In some- specimens the lateral stripe is almost obliterated. The stigmatal 

 band is now not clear, as in former stages, but is blotched, particularly in 

 the centre, with the same brownish colour of the skin of the body. In 

 some specimens almost the whole of the stigmatal band bears these 

 blotches. Spiracles black. Tubercles minute and inconspicuous. Body 

 colour same as in last stage, below stigmatal band with a distinct purplish 

 sheen. Thoracic feet pale brown ; prolegs concolorous with venter. 



Length of mature larva 42 mm. at rest, when extended 47 mm. 



On June 2 the first larva to burrow entered the earth, and others 

 followed soon afterwards. The oval earthen cocoon made by the larva is 

 similar to that made by many other noctuid larvae ; no silk could be 

 detected. 



Pupa. — Length, 18 mm, width at widest part 6 mm., dark chestnut 

 brown, shining: abdominal segments roughly pitted on anterior half; 

 spiracles black. Cremaster blackish, rough, terminating in two long, 

 excurved, stout spines, on either side of each of which there is a short 

 thick spine, and in front of these latter two other spines, all, also, excurved; 

 all the spines dark reddish brown. 



The moths (7) emerged in a cool cellar during the latter half of 

 March, and early in April of the following year. The specimens are 

 remarkably alike in appearance, the general colour of the primaries of all 

 being bluish-gray. They vary in expanse from 40 mm. to 44 mm. The 

 moth is well illustrated in Hampson's Catalogue of the Lepidoptera 

 Phalsense in the British Museum, Vol. V, pi. xc, fig. 24. 



Food-plant. — The larvae were oftered apple, willow, poplar and birch, 

 but only ate willow and poplar, preferring the former. Latterly they were 

 reared to maturity on willow. 



