Zoology. 1 NATURAL HISTORY OF VICTORIA. {Insects. 



others), and the first segment having a raised yellow band across the back with a 

 tubercle at each end, all set with very long stiif, rough, stinging bristles, the anterior 

 and posterior ends have most of the black stinging bristles, and they are mixed with 

 long white hairs there and over the legs; legs, head, and last segment and two 

 raised bands between the legs, yellow. Pupa rich reddish chocolate brown ; about 

 2 inches long and 8 lines wide, terminated with a bunch of short bristles at 

 posterior end. Cocoon about 4 inches long, and 1 inch wide, fusiform, longi- 

 tudinally furrowed, of dull brownish-white tough silk, set with the stinging hairs of 

 the larva. 



References. — Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., v. 1, p. 122; = Saturnia Laplacei, 

 Feisthamel Voy. de la Favorite, t. 8, 9; = Festra affabricata, Wallengren Eugenies 

 Resa Omkring Jorden. 



Of all the Bombyces, or full-bodied Moths, this is the most 

 striking from its great size and brilliant colouring. The Victorian 

 specimens are a little smaller and duller than those of New South 

 Wales, where it is eveii more abundant than with us. 



The larvae feed on the leaves of different so-called Gum-trees, 

 or species of Eucalyptus, particularly young ones of 10 to 15 feet 

 high, and not on the very large ones as a rule. They are common 

 from October to the end of the year, reaching their adult length 

 and assuming the pupa state towards the end of December, weaving 

 the large, tough, silk cocoon in crevices of the bark or under the 

 loose bark of Gum-trees. The stinging spines or bristles with 

 which the larva is covered pierce the skin of the hands very readily, 

 producing a very unpleasant irritation, and it weaves them into the 

 outer surface of the cocoon at the end of its larval life, continuing 

 this offensive and defensive provision to the cocoon for the pupa 

 stage. 



The perfect insect or imago comes out in March and April. 



In Victoria this fine insect is chiefly found in Gippsland, where 

 so many other New South Wales animals seem to extend south 

 along the ranges ; it is common at Mordialloc and Brighton, near 

 Melbourne, but Mr. Kershaw informs me that it has not occurred 

 to him when collecting in any of the northern and western parts 

 of the colony. 



Explanation of FicnKEs. 

 Plate 1S)7. — Fig. 1, male, natural size. Fig. la, bipectiuatc antenna;, magnified. Fig. 2, 

 female, natur.al size. Fig. 2a, bipectinate antcnu.-e, maguitied. Fig. ;{, larva;, natural size, side 

 view. Fig. 3a, hind segments of larva;, viewed from above. Fig. 3i, head and anterior 

 segments, viewed from above. Fig. 4, pupa, natural size. Fig. 5, cocoon, natural size. 



Frederick McCoy. 

 [ 360 ] 



