March, igoi.] SeIFERT : LiFE-HlSTORY OF PLATYSENTA VIDENS. 15 



bility of the green ground-color, especially on the first five segments 

 and the two last ones, is due to the transparency of the skin and the 

 momentary condition of the intestines. A clear white dorsal line 

 starts from the anterior edge of first segment and reaches to edge of 

 anal shield. In the middle of the space between dorsal line and stig- 

 mata, from anterior edge of first to tenth segments where it becomes 

 untraceable, runs a fine subdorsal white line ; equidistant from the 

 subdorsal line and stigmata extends a fine white lateral line to edge 

 of anal shield, also commencing from anterior edge of first segment. 

 A broad, prominent white stigmatal band extends to anal legs. Setae 

 small, arising from very minute points arranged in the usual noctuid 

 manner. (Dyar, Classific. of Lepidopt. Larvae.) Head very pale 

 tan-colored, flat, shiny, with a few bristles ; from vertex ; diverging 

 from the summit, run two olive-brown or olive-green stripes, includ- 

 ing the whitish clypeus, ending near the upper lip, another similar 

 stripe (subdorsal) terminates near the mandibles and a 3d (lateral) 

 one, wedge-shaped, reaches the base of the antenna. 



Stage ///. — The larvae reach a length of 8-9 mm., width of head 

 0.75 mm., and width of 5th and 6th segment i.o mm., tapering 

 slightly towards head and last segment. The second pair of abdom- 

 inal legs more developed than the first pair. When resting stretched 

 out the larva uses the second pair, holding them vertically while the 

 other normally developed ones are turned sideways, yet often they 

 rest in geometrid-like manner. The larvse still suspend themselves 

 when disturbed on silken threads and twist almost in a knot. 



Head very pale yellowish brown, striped as before but more pro- 

 nounced. The lower wedge-shaped stripe, including the bow of 

 blackish ocelli, becomes partly broken up by white mottlings. Buccal 

 region whitish, appearing as a continuation of the white stigmatal 

 band. Ground color, band and lines practically as before, the sub- 

 dorsal line reaching nth segment, where it gradually vanishes. 



Stage IV. — The larva attains an average length of 15 mm., width of 

 middle of body 2.0 mm., width of head i.o mm. The looper-like 

 gait is almost entirely abandoned, and as the two first pairs of abdom- 

 inal legs are not as well developed as the hinder ones, these latter are 

 spread slightly sideways to give the first two pairs a hold on the leaf. 

 Disturbed they do not drop themselves any more on silken threads or 

 curl up knot-like, but try to get upon their feet again as soon as pos- 

 sible. 



