124 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST 



It seemed clear that so distinctive a species must have remote 

 haunts and be restricted to a more southern range, else collectors 

 would have cognizance of it long ago. Believing this second 

 capture had bred at Lakehurst, since the habits of this group 

 controvert an assumption of migration, to which the appearance 

 of many late-flying, southern Noctuids is often assigned, led the 

 writer to make an extended search for its larva in the pine barren 

 flora of Lakehurst, in 1911. 



The results were negative, and subsequent studies of lists 

 of more southern flora, gave little intimation what particular plant 

 was likely to shelter the stenocelis larval tunnel in its stem or root. 



The larger perennials,, with which we are wont to associate 

 these borers, are strikingly absent from pine barrens, and we finally 

 conceived the notion it must bore some fern. 



On July 28, 1912, we again invaded the Lakehurst region, 

 with the idea of investigating the unfamiliar ferns, and in a half 

 hour's time had discovered the desideratum. Some orange- 

 coloured frass, similar, yet a little different from that thrown out 

 by inqiiaesita when in the root of Onoclea, was noticed about the 

 stipes of Woodwardia virginica, and gave intimation that this was 

 the species of which we were in search. Upon uncovering the 

 larva, which was working in the long running rootstock, we be- 

 came more certain of the determination, as it transpires the tu- 

 bercles on joint eleven accords with the unique departure shown 

 in inquaesita, except that it is more pronounced. Confirmation 

 of the matter occurs on September 13, following, when the first 

 beautiful male moth appears. 



The life cycle clearly follows the usual course, the hibernated 

 ova placed in September hatch forth about the first week of June. 

 The normal larval period will likely cover sixty to sixty-five days, 

 and the pupal condition lasts about thirty days. 



The newly emerged larva enters the stipe near the base and 

 works down to the running rootstock, where it finds an ample 

 opportunity to mine an extended burrow. Communication with 

 the original entrance is discontinued after a while, and more con- 

 venient openings for disposing the frass are made as the tunnel 

 progresses. An Hemiteles parasite, which hibernated in its 



