THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 231 



Head is shining russet, showing the black oblique side line j width .12 

 inch. Thoracic shield rather exceeds the head in width, very noticeable. 

 Anal plate is not large for this group. Tubercles moderate, and being 

 dark or blackish, are easily definable. On seventh abdominal joint IV. is 

 low down as is customary with larvae not strictly root-feeders. Full-fed 

 examples attain a length ot 2 inches. Duration of stage, thirteen days, 

 with the one specimen noted. Although Cicida is unquestionably the 

 preferred food plant in this locality, note has been made of an odd 

 specimen found in Ruiiiex, and it has been found boring Cosmos in Mary- 

 land. 



The pupa is robust for the group ; colour a dark shining chestnut. 

 Viewed dorsally, a slight constriction is seen at the base of the wing- 

 covers. Between the segments the shell is minutely pitted. The usual 

 delineations of head, legs, etc., are ordinary. Length one inch ; duration 

 of period about twenty days. 



Hydroecia cerussata., Grt. 



For a number of years past the knowledge of early history and food 

 plant of this species had been a coveted bit of information. Like the 

 good things that are said to come to those who patiently wait, this finally 

 came our way, and quite extended observations were made of the last two 

 larval stages as well as the subsequent transformations. 



The species had been taken at light years ago, but seemed only 

 periodic in appearance and altogether to be classed as a rarity. Last 

 season was certainly not an "otTyear" with them, as there were a great 

 abundance of larvte, but ihey unfortunately left their burrows for 

 pupation. This habit, shared with the preceding and some others, is a 

 serious drawback to the collector and may merit investigation. 



Can we call this a departure from the usual habit of the group — that 

 of changing in their burrows, or is it only the retention of the more normal 

 hereditary condition — that of a transformation in the ground? The 

 roaming period so noticeable in full-fed larvae immediately before the 

 pupal change begins, must with Hydroicia be limited, for the season is 

 drawing to a close and quick transformations are imperative. We may 

 assume they become early influenced by the lethargy of the approaching 

 change, and if this comes on so quickly that they succumb to its influence' 

 before the roaming tendency predominates, it is only natural that the 

 galleries, as being the first place at hand, should serve as sufticiently safe 



