A Classification of Lejndopferous Larvae. 225 



first stage is for the purpose of giving to tlie little larvfe a very 

 rapid method of progression, enabling them to quickly disperse and 

 find the food of which they have immediate need. 



The second method of modification of the feet is illustrated by 

 the Drepanidae. It consists in the abortion of the last pair of feet 

 with an enormous hypertrophy of the anal plate as shown by Dr. 

 Packard,^ resulting in the production of a new means of defense. 



The third modification consists of the lengthening of the last pair 

 of feet and their conversion into repellant organs by a peculiar 

 development of the extensile part of the end of the foot, whereby it 

 becomes a long eversible flagellum. All stages in this process are 

 illustrated among the Notodontidse. Here again we may note that 

 in the genus Macrurocan^pa, the modification of the feet reaches its 

 greatest development in the first larval stage, where they are longer 

 than the body of the larva, again a special adaption to the fearful 

 struggle to which these newly born larvae are subjected. 



We now^ pass to the second group in which the tubercles are 

 many haired. This probably includes all the remaining families of 

 the Macrolepidoptera. In some, however, modification has pro- 

 gressed so far that the tubercles are entirely lost, and, in the absence 

 of generalized- genera, it is impossible to be certain from which type 

 thev were derived. The Lithosiida^ show the bes'lnninor of the 

 modification in that several of the tubercles bear two hairs. Then 

 follows a series of families in which the tubercles are converted into 

 warts. The hairs are at first simple or finely cleft ; but in the higher 

 families, especially in the Phaegopterinae, Lymantriidae, and'-Enchro- 

 miidae, they are developed into various brushes, tufts, and plumes. 

 This is the highest degree of specialization in this line, and is 

 accompanied by an irregular reduction of the warts. In the genus 

 Nola of the Lithosiidae we have an extreme of unequal reduction, 

 similar to that in the Lycaenidae, and accompanied with the loss of 

 the anterior pair of abdominal feet. 



Family Noctuidae. 

 Achatodes zeae Harris. 



I have examined a larva prepai-ed by Mr. Wm. Beutenmiiller. 

 The tubercles are surrounded by large black areas : i anteriorly, 

 ii posteriorly, iii lateral, a minute spot before the spiracle, iv behind 

 and at base of spiracle, v anteriorly, and vi posteriorly subventral. 



1 Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., XXIV, 484. 



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