250 INSECTS ABROAD. 



illustration, one deeply curved line running through both wings, 

 and gaining for the insect the specific name of contorta. The 

 base of the abdomen is black, and the tip red. It is rather 

 pretty below, the colour being black, and the legs clothed with 

 long crimson down. 



This is a native of Australia, and all the insects of the genus, 

 which is a very large one, are Australian. Most of them are 

 brightly coloured, and all have a light tip to their tails. As a 



it' 



Fig. 383. — Agarista contorta. 

 ( Black and yellow.) 



rule, the Agaristas are black and yellow, but there are excep- 

 tions, such as Agarista agricola, which is black, with spots of 

 emerald-green, yellow, blue, and scarlet. 



Of the genus Alypia only two species are known, both of 

 them belonging to North America. 



The generic name is Greek, signifying " harmlessness ;" but its 

 application to the insect is not very easy to see unless it refers 

 to the larva. The colour of this insect, like that of the pre- 

 ceding, is very simple, being entirely yellow and black. The 

 former colour is deeper on the upper than on the lower wings, 



