108 DESTRUCTIVE INSECTS OF VICTORIA . 



as far as dose to the surface of the ground ; but wheii' 

 the burrow is in the surface of the trunk of the tree above 

 the ground level there is no prolongation of the cocoon. 

 In either case the pupa works itself forward by means of 

 the little deflected spines on the rings, pushing for half- 

 an-inch or so through the end of the cocoon before it 

 bursts to allow the perfect insect to escape. The ovi- 

 positor, which is shown on Professor McCoy's beautiful 

 plate (see Prodromus^ V^^^ ^'')i ^^ ^^ great length and 

 rigidity, equalling half the length of the abdomen when 

 fully exserted, but capable of being retracted out of sight; 

 with this the eggs are deposited deep in the crevices of 

 the bark of the trees, on the inner timber of which the 

 larvae feed. The caterpillars of this moth are great 

 feeders, and when we consider that these frequently 

 remain in the wood for two or even three years, we are 

 able to form some idea as to the enormous damage done 

 by them to some of the most important of our timber 

 trees. 



Theperfectinsects(seeFigs. I. andll.)are very beautiful, 

 the male being much smaller than the female, the former 

 having pectinated feathery antennse, which as our figure 

 shows does not occur in the female. These moths are 

 nocturnal in their habits, and in the late afternoons on hot 

 sunmier days, January and February, may be seen emerg- 

 ing from the pupa-case and ascending the trees, where the 

 wings harden, and in a few hours are able to fly for a short 

 distance. When kept in confinement they will frequently 

 deposit an enormous number of eggs, which are small and 

 pale in colour. It has been often wondered how it happens 

 that these moths are not more plentiful than they really 

 are, but in my opinion the problem is by no means diffi- 

 cult to solve, as in the first place but a small percentage 

 of the caterpillars come to perfection, and, in the second 

 place, it so happens that on emerging from the pupa the 

 moth is not sufficiently strong to ascend the tree, they 

 then become an easy prey to the numerous ants who are 

 always on the watch for such an event to happen. It is 



