130 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



profit. In one locality examined it was estimated the moles had eaten 

 seventy-five per cent, of the pup?e, but to appreciate their skill fully one 

 should see a place where they have been at work. It would almost seem 

 unnecessary for any ichneumon enemies to infest this species to keep it 

 in check, but there are a good percentage notwithstanding. Fifteen pupae 

 out of probably three hundred plants examined last summer, produced 

 five hymenopterous parasites, so that at this rate one-third the number 

 passing all other casualties are still doomed. No wonder that piirpuri- 

 fascia is rarely seen ! 



The description of the imago (Trans. Am. Ent. Soc, I., 341) is 

 admirably drawn. Had Mr. Grote been familiar with its early history, he 

 might have hesitated before applying a new name, or at least would 

 have made a change in the synonymy relative to Gortyna leucostigma, 

 Harris. As his opinions changed he cited leucostigvia under cataphracta, 

 rutila and Harrisii. Harris describes the entire life history of leucostigma 

 (Ins. Inj. to Veg., 440), and in the sense of a superficial description it 

 tallies with purpurifascia in description of larva and moth, date of 

 emergence, and food plant, so as to leave scarcely a questionable doubt 

 but that the two are identical. Leucostigma has priority, but will have to 

 fall from being a preoccupied name in the European fauna. All this 

 may seem of little importance with us, as it can make no change in the 

 lists, but to the student it is essential to know just what the early writers 

 had before them when describing. 



This is shown in that so able an authority as Mr. Grote must have 

 repeatedly puzzled over the matter in making so many changes of 

 synonymy. 



Mature larva : Length, 1.3 to 1.5 inches ; very cylindrical, flesh- 

 colour, no stripes or mottlings. Head and shield concolorous, testaceous, 

 shining. Shield edged on side with black. There are a number of shiny 

 black dots, placed as in the preceding species, but are a trifle more 

 conspicuous by reason of the lighter ground colour. Anal shield promi- 

 nent, black. Spiracles black, as is an accompanying row of dots. 

 Pupates from Aug. 15 to 21 ; emerges, Sept. 10 to 24. 



Pupa : Length, .8 inch ; active, shiny, light brown. Becomes 

 darker at hatching time, and the white spots on primaries, typical of 

 Hydrcecia, may be plainly seen through the pupa shell. Moderate spur 

 at anal extremity. Under a glass this spur is seen to be made up of two 

 separate projections. Tapers posteriorly rather more than in preceding 

 species. 



