Description of Lepidoplerous Larvce. 369 



with the dense green of tlie foliage upon which it feeds. It is the only 

 member of the family upon which I have observed any parasitic attacks. 

 In a few cases, I have found the eggs of a species of ichneumon on the 

 dorsal surface of the specimens, but, having removed them, I was un- 

 able to find that they had perforated the larvse with the exception of a 

 single example, which refused food and died. These larvse are easily 

 reared, though a few will die during the moulting season. It is difficult to 

 reconcile the theory of jlrotective mimicry, with cases such as this. 

 The larva is so conspicuous, both from its magnificent colors, and from 

 their contrast with the dark green of the leaves, that the keen eye of 

 an enemy would easily detect it. But its resemblance to flowers in the 

 foliage may serve the theorists for an argument. The imago is in my 

 possession, from the broods of previous years, so that I am able so iden- 

 tify the species beyond a doubt. 



Number ^six. Larva of Empretia dimulea Clemens. Larva con- 

 vex above and at the sides as far as the lateral keels; below this flat- 

 tened, with a narower keel extending around the posterior ex- 

 tremity. Thoracic segments expanding suddenly from the head back- 

 ward, and bearing upon the fourth a pair of densely spinulose tubercles, 

 between which is a light green oval spot. A similar pair of tubercles 

 ornaments the tenth segment, below and behind which, are two light yel- 

 low irregularly oval spots. Color of head and thoracic segments cho- 

 colate brown, as are the metathoracic tubercles, and the pair on the tenth 

 segment, together with an irregular space at their base. Between the 

 two pairs of tubercles, and extending down the sides to the lateral keel, 

 the color is light green, bordered with white, except a large, oval spot, 

 in the center of the dorsal surface, ^\hich is chocolate brown, ringed 

 with white. The green space hardly reaches the base of the thoracic 

 spines, but extends laterally below and back of the pair on the tenth 

 segment, terminating on each side with a velvety tuft of brown hairs, 

 which are separated from a pair of similar tufts, close together 

 on the posterior center of the keel, by two short, densely spinulose 

 tubercles. Lateral keels ornamented with six tufts of lighter, stift" 

 hairs, on each side. Thoracic segments bearing four large tubercles and 

 four small ones, in front of, and below the large pair. Under surface, 

 dirty white or brown. Head and mouth parts brown, and concealed 

 under an enormous hood. Thoracic legs white and minute. Length, 

 y\ inch. Breadth at fourth segment, ^ inch exclusive of tubercles. 

 Sept 2, to Oct. 1, 1875. Many specimens. General feeder. 



Remarks. This beautiful insect, of which I have reared maiiy 

 specimens, seems to partake of the characters which Dr. Packard gives 

 both to Endea Monitor Packard, and Empretia divmlea Clemens. 



