84 U.S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 2 56 



than 10 larvae. Naked pupae are formed within the lai-val cells. The 

 eggs are laid singly or two or three together on the segments; in cages 

 they were usually deposited on the cloth and wire, and rarely on the 

 plant. 



Metapleura was reared in cages in North America over a period of 

 two years. Although moths emerged practically throughout the year, 

 there appeared to be three overlapping generations, with the crest of 

 modi emergence occurring in April, July, and September, respectively. 

 In 1927 moths emerged in die following numbers: 



The life cycle occupied an average of about 40 days in May and 

 June, 50 days in July and August, and 63 days in July to September. 

 At Sherwood, Queensland, the life cycle was completed in 90 days 

 during the period December to March. An incubation period of 10 

 days was recorded in North America in September. The moths ovi- 

 posited freely; for example, 28 females laid a total of 2300 eggs, an 

 average of 82 per individual. 



AEROTYPIA Walsingham 

 Aerotypia pleurotella Walsingham 



The distribution embraces the Central Plateau of Mexico from the 

 northern border of the State of San Luis Potosi as far south as Tehuacan. 

 Larvae have been observed in numbers in the neighborhood of Mexico 

 City, at Morelia, State of Michoacan, and at Aguascalientes. The 

 known food plants are the tree pears, Opuntia tomentosa, 0. streptaca?itha, 

 0. lasiacantha, 0. robusta, and the shrub pear, 0. cantabrigiensis. Probably 

 all Platyopuntias within its range of distribution would be subject to 

 attack. 



The slender moths have a wing expanse of 1.50 inches. The palpi are 

 upturned and pointed. The forewings are silver-white with a brown 

 outer margin and a longitudinal central brown stripe. The hindwings 

 are light brown. 



