114 DESTEUCTIVE INSECTS OF VICTORIA: 



delicate reddish-fawn colour, but variable in both size and 

 colour, often with a pink tint and four eye-like spots or 

 blotches, two on the upper wings, and two, and much 

 more beautiful ones, on the lower wings, as shown on 

 plate. This insect is nocturnal in its habits, and may 

 often be taken whilst flying around the street lamps by 

 the light of which it has been attracted, but in such cases 

 the specimens are mostly battered and otherwise torn. 

 When the perfect insect emerges from the cocoon, which 

 by the way is a very singular process, and which Mr. 

 Anderson has well described, is somewhat crimpled, but 

 the wings soon harden and become firm, the males, ac- 

 cording to my observations, and I have reared many of 

 both sexes, predominating. This is not an uncommon 

 species, the second Victorian kind, A. Helena, being com- 

 paratively rare, and is usually found in mountainous 

 districts or near to them. Fig. I. shows a branch ot one 

 of the eucalypts or gum trees, A\ viminalis, stunted spe- 

 cimens of which are to be found o-rowins; in the reserves 

 around Melbourne, also the caterpillar and pupa on same. 



Prevention and Retnedies. 



This fine insect is included in Part III., as of late 

 years it has almost forsaken its natural food, and is now 

 attacking the pepper trees (Sc/nnus moi/e), which, for 

 planting in hot dry districts, is one of the most valu- 

 able for avenues or street decoration, and if allowed to 

 remain on the tree will speedily ruin it, no matter how 

 healthy and vigorous the plant may be. Fortunately, 

 however, it is easily got rid of, and an occasional spraying 

 with kerosene emulsion will usually prevent the female 

 depositing her eggs. When trees are attacked, spray 

 with Paris Green prepared as before mentioned, as when 

 the food plants are poisoned by this means the cater- 

 pillars survive but a very short time, and having 

 partaken of the poison at once cease eating, curl up, 

 drop from the leaves, and die. It has not yet been 



