Sept.-Dec, 1920.] WaTSON : MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 229 



full grown larvae on a large bushy plant of Asclcpias tubcrosa. Num- 

 ber one was resting on the underside of a leaf. Number two was 

 eating the flowers of a small cluster which projected horizontally 

 from the inflorescence. The larva held on to the main stalk just 

 below the flowers with its fourth and anal pairs of prolegs and was 

 able to reach the flowers. It assumed a horizontal position but with 

 the anterior segments arched backward and partly downward. Num- 

 ber three, on another stalk, was chewing the stem just beneath the 

 flower cluster. Number four was feeding on the flowers of still 

 another cluster. It held on to the stalk in the same manner as num- 

 ber two, with its anterior segments arched backward and downward. 

 The flower cluster upon which this larva was feeding was hanging 

 down ; the peduncle had been chewed partly through, a very wide 

 V-shaped portion of the stalk having been eaten out. A number of 

 other flower-heads on various plants of A. tubcrosa were observed 

 hanging downward with their stems partly cut through. 



Do the larvae cut the stems so as to assume a comfortable position 

 when feeding, i.e., to bring the food within easy reach, or does the 

 attitude when feeding on the cut flower-heads offer some protection ? 

 As the larvae when feeding as described above were directly beneath 

 the inflorescence, they were somewhat sheltered from the sun. 



I have not noticed any published notes of archippns larvae in the 

 last instar feeding on milkweed flowers, although young larvae have 

 been recorded as so feeding and eggs have also been found among 

 the flowers. As a matter of fact. I have a number of times found 

 both eggs and young larvre on the buds and flowers of various species 

 of Asclcpias. 



Early and late records for the imago : one specimen seen flying 

 near the Amer. Mas. Nat. Hist., on October 2, 1916; a second speci- 

 men was observed at the same place, flying during a light shower, 

 on April 2t^, 1917. 



Neonympha phocion iFahricius). 



[One fresh individual ca])lurcd at Richland, Atlantic Co., N. J., 

 July 17, 191 7.] 



Euphydryas phaeton (Drury). 



[Common at Cape May Court House, N. J., July 16, 1917.] 



