856 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol. xxvii. 



Stage V. — Head, 2 and 2.05 mm. All as before, but brig-hter after 

 the moult, thoug-h soon becoming as dull as before. Sette white, stiff, 

 thick, subcapitate. Head pale brown, dull, subpruniose, with black 

 reticulations and bands. 



The larvfe had but five stages. The}^ are concealed ground feeders, 

 eating- any low plant, mostly by night. The paUern of coloration and 

 habits as well are identical with those of Maniestra laudabiUsGnQn^Q.^'' 



MAMESTRA COMIS Grote. 



Six hundred and sixty-five specimens, June 16, 25, July 19, 27, 31, 

 August 3, 5, 6, 7, 12, 16, 17. The larva greatly resembles that of 

 oUvacea Morrison. I did not notice any difi'erences while they were 

 alive, but the inflated comis are pinker than the ollvacea similaily pre- 

 pared, while the relative distinctness of the markings is somewhat 

 different, giving the impression that we have to do with distinct 

 species. 



Egg. — Two-thirds spherical, base not strongly flattened, more or 

 less irregularly compressed; vertex roughened l)y the ends of the 

 ribs; ribs about 10, diminishing by alternation, angularl}' undulate, 

 the sides pitted ])y the hollows, the reticulations indistinct. The ribs 

 end in a circle where the surface is radially grooved; micropj^le 

 elevated, with a circle of pyriform cells. Pale yellow; diameter, 

 0.75 mm. 



Stage I. — Whitish, the head large; cervical shield, anal plate, and 

 large tubercles black. Setse long, curved, bulbous tipped. Feet of 

 joints 7 and 8 very short; the body is robust, joint 12 scarcely 

 enlarged. 



Stage 11. — Head shining black; width, 0.5 mm. Body moderate, 

 equal, a little flattened, sordid green, shaded with brown, leaving dor- 

 sal, subdorsal, lateral, and broad substigmatal pale lines. Tubercles 

 small, black, a little elevated; setse coarse, black, subcapitate. 



Stage III. — Head, 0.85 mm. As in the next stage. 



Stage IV. — Head, 1.3 mm. The description of the corresponding- 

 stage of ollvacea may be repeated for this. 



Stage Y. — Head, 2.1 mm. As in the previous stage, but brighter 

 after the moult. The dorsal shaded diamond-shaped markings are 

 distinct. The description of ollvacea will appl}- with the exceptions 

 noted above. 



MAMESTRA ILLAUDABILIS Grote. 



Nine specimens, June 25, July 2, 20, 21 (Bear Lake), 20, 31, August 

 3, 6. This has been referred as a local variation of the Eastern lau- 

 dahllu Guenee, but I am disposed to consider it a true species. It is 

 constantly smaller than laudahlUs and more darkly colored. The 



"See Can. Ent., XXXV, 1903, p. 273. 



