280 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



wild parsnip, an impecimiosa larva was very unexpectedly forced upon 

 our notice. That the parsnip stocks might the more easily be examined, 

 for they were growing amidst a thick and tangled undergrowth, the stems 

 were pulled up roots and all and were then split open carefully so as not 

 to injure or lose the enclosed larva. By some chance a small weed was 

 caught in the hand and came up by the roots along with the parsnip. 

 Imagine the surprise when seeing at the base of this weed, which proves 

 to be some kind of Aster, a large exit aperture, clearly the work of an 

 Hydnvcia, and inside a larva entirely new and quite ready for pupation. 

 What it would prove was of course not known at the time, but it was gladly 

 welcomed as extending an acquaintance to one more species. Later, 

 several pupje were secured, enough, presumably, to establish the identity 

 of the species, the intention being that more complete observations be 

 reserved for another year. Luckily one of ihe lot emerged very early, and 

 knowing the species to be of such unusual occurrence, we deemed it well 

 worth while giving up some time to further searches for more. Five hours 

 spent the following day in a favourite resort brought ninety-seven pupse to 

 light, quite ready to give up the imagoes, having the wing-cases dark 

 coloured by reason of the partly-formed organs within. Such a windfall 

 was certainly very pleasing of itself, yet it could not but convey the 

 unflattering conviction that with the supposedly careful work in former 

 years this species had unquestionably existed all the while in a locality 

 constantly examined and yearly giving up a goodly number of other 

 species. Such an occurrence is but another point in the evidence that 

 goes to show more depends on knowing where, than how, to look. 



The food-plant is Aster iimbellatus. and work is carried on mainly in 

 the root, although the lower part of the stem is also tunnelled. Procedure 

 is as usual, perhaps the strongest individual characteristic bemg the very 

 large and irregular opening made for the moth's escape. This is situated 

 an inch or so above the ground level, the stalk being often eaten half off 

 through to the epidermis, and would surely fall were it not that it grows in 

 such dense clusters the spreading branches of one plant help to support 

 others. The epidermis, of tissue paper consistency, soon becomes dried 

 and black, and as there are generally a number of perforations about the 

 edge, it often shrinks, tears away at some point, then hanging as a hinged 

 lid. There is not, however, any such accuracy of workmanship as is 

 displayed by necopina in this act. Situated so conveniently, we might 

 imagine these pupa' to be greatly exposed to the attacks of skunks and 



