RY R. .r. TtLLYARt). 351 



all likfly is tht- catcrpilljirs of the small Pyralid moths which 

 inhabit the caM's and rocks so almndantly. These caterpillars 

 are nut known for certain, but it is supposed that they ai-e 

 nocturnal, and feed upon the patches of lichen on the rocks. As 

 will be seen from the figure in Plate wiii., fig..")2, the larva of 

 Sp)'nn(i/)/iori'//a might easily pass unnoticed amongst such cater- 

 pillars. It is ]irobal)le that its great activity and protective 

 colouration enable it to discover the colonies, or hiding-places, of 

 the Pvralid hir\;e, and to dwell with them without causing 

 them any alarm. I'liev ccjuld then be attacked and eaten at 

 leisure. The mouth-parts of the larva^ are very peculiar, adapted 

 for sucking, but the mandibles are neither elongated, as in 

 Ounii/lidce,, nor cur\etl, as in Chrysopidce and Unnn'obiidte. 



The young larva, when hatched, has the head, prothorax, and 

 legs cream-coloured, except for the black eye-spots, ami a touch of 

 pale brown on the head and neck. The metathorax and the e\en 

 segnu'nts of the abdomen, from the second to the eighth, are 

 dee]»l\' shade*! n\ ith br(.)wii, each carrying two, very large, lateral 

 blotches, and a smaller, central, dorsal patch. The mesothorax 

 and the odd segments of the abdomen, from the first U) the 

 seventh, are cream coloured, with a small, central, dorsal patch 

 of brown. The ninth abdominal segment, carrying the anal 

 clasper, is pure cieam-coloured. 



The figure in Plate xviii., fig.32, shows the larva after being 

 fixed and mounted. In actual life, however, when at rest, it is 

 considerably more elongated, and, m hen tra\elling quickly akmg, 

 it extends itself to a great length. 



The mouth-parts (Plate x\iii.. fig. 3."]) are rather peculiar. 

 The matidibles (md) are broad at the base, about as long as the 

 head, and taj)ering to a point, the inner margin being strongly 

 curved. They ai-e strongly grooved beneath, the maxilke fitting 

 into the grooves. The nia.cUlti' {niXt) resemble the mandibles, 

 but are less strongly chitinised, narrower at the base, and grooved 

 on tlu! upper surface. iiie comljine<i maxilla an<I mandible 

 form a sucking tube who.se lumen is very nearly straight, except 

 at the base. I here are no maxillary palpi. The labiid 2J(d24{ip.)\- ~^,^-^ 



L I B R A ft 



