52 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



emergence of the adult, was within a few hours of seven days, and in ilie 

 other case the time was a few hours over eight days An observation 

 by Mr. Mally on the actual time passed in the pupa shows that a larva 

 descending into the ground at 5:00 p. m. had formed the cocoon by 5:00 

 p. m. the next day, and was still in the larval state the second day. The 

 exact length of time required in the different stages has not been 

 determined, but the entire cycle is complete in about three weeks, thus 

 making probably six generations in a year. 



During the summer of 1899, commencing June 6, a series of breed- 

 ing experiments was carried on, out of doors, with plants grown in 

 breeding cages, upon which each generation was colonized. During 

 May purslane plants were transplanted from the insectary to the garden, 

 with a view of thus attracting the earliest appearing adults. On June 5 

 larvae were noticed in abundance, not only in these trap plants, but also 

 in larger plants growing promiscuously in favored spots, one very 

 small individual being observed in an adjoining garden on a very young 

 plant, these larvae clearly representing the earliest generation of the sea- 

 son. The trap plants were covered immediately with a breeding cage, 

 and on June 15 a number of adults, all females, were observed in the 

 cage. Nine of these females were transferred to cage No. 2, upon plants 

 that had been brought from the insectary, and in which no larvae were 

 working. Two males and two additional females were captured in the 

 held, and also placed in this cage, which then contained in all eleven 

 females and two males. One of these females was observed to oviposit 

 in the leaves. On June 22 the very young larv:v were first observed 

 beginning to feed in the leaves. July 5 the first adult, a female, was 

 observed, evidently having just emerged. It is an interesting fact that 

 though this female was just drying her wings, several males were 

 observed hovering about the cage in vain effort to effect an entrance. 

 July 7 three females and ten males from the cage were placed in cage 

 No. 3, provided with plants obtained from the same source as the preced- 

 ing. July 14 quite a number of larva? were observed in this cage work- 

 ing in the leaves. July 28 adults were observed. On the 29th three 

 females and six males were placed in cage No. 4. August 16 two males 

 were observed in this cage. .\s these males marked the generation, 

 three females and one male were taken from cage No. 3 and placed in 

 cage No. 5. On September 5 one female was observed in this cage, and 

 determines the fifth generation, but up to September 15 it had been ini- 



