18G2.] 1()8 



Ceroplatus. 



Reaumur's, Bosc's, Dufour's, and Wahlberg's observatious on these lar- 

 vae, prove that their habits have much analogy with those of the two 

 preceding genera. They live on the underside of the pileus of tree- 

 fungi, where they spin a transparent tent. The larva leaves this tent 

 before transforming, and spins a cocoon for the pupa somewhere in the 

 vicinity. The cocoon, like that of many Mijcetophilidse^ is truncate at 

 one end, and, according to Wahlberg, closed with a lid. 



Dufour, in speaking of the larva, mentions a pair of large eye.s. What 

 he took for them was probably nothing but the rudimentary antennae, like 

 those of MycctophlJa and Sciara, already described. In all respects, the 

 structure of the mouth seems to be like that of the other larvae of the fam- 

 ily, except two tubes, used for spinning, and inserted one on each side, be- 

 tween the root of the mandibles and the maxillae (see above, Underlip) . 

 An interesting observation is that of Wahlberg, on the phosphorescence 

 of the larvae, and, in a still higher degree, of the pupa; the latter shine 

 through the cocoon as through a lantern. 



As Bosc's observation was made on an American species, Ceroplatus 

 carbanarms Bosc, from Carolina, we may reproduce here what he says 

 about it (extracted from the article Ceroplatus in Diet, elassiquc <rhis- 

 foire 7iaturelle, Vol. III., p. 403. 1823.) " This larva is vermiform 

 " white, slimy, with a black head, distinct segments,* and tuberculiform 

 " organs of progression. It lives on a species of Boletus, very like i?. 

 " unicolor BuUiard, and is gregarious. It appears in June, and completes 

 "its growth in August; then it is about 2 J inches long, and about \ of 

 " an inch in diameter. During the whole period of this growth, but es- 

 " pecially towards its close, these larvae spin in common a loose web of a 

 " shining white, in the tissue of which they abscond when disturbed. 

 " They are so delicate that a mere touch crushes them. When left dry, 

 " they soon perish. About the time of their transformation they spin a 

 " cocoon, which is more dense than their web, although loose enough to 

 " allow the pupa to be seen through it." 



Sci.^R.\. 



The localities where the larvae are found are indicated above, and some 

 more statements will be found below, under the head of the references. 

 They are whitish, sometimes yellowish and more slender, and their skin is 



* The statement of distinct segments does not seem to agree with Dufour's descrip- 

 tinn and figure of the leech-like appearance of the larva. 



