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FAMILY LIMACODID^. 

 (Cup Moths.) 



The name ''Cup Moth" is given owing to the 

 cup-shaped pupa. These moths are only medium- 

 sized, and are not familiar. We have found them 

 on low bushes. 



The larvae are more like slugs than caterpillars; 

 the legs are but rudimentary, and seem to be use- 

 less, for the body is moved by a series of undula- 

 tions, like a snail. The centre of the back is 

 depressed. At each end are tubercles, which bear 

 letractile tentacles in circular rows or clusters 

 (these look like little sea anemones). The pain 

 from these spine-like tentacles is very severe, and 

 lasts for hours. We have noticed that the larva3 

 take up a position on the lower surface of the leaf 

 and work along the edge, bending a kind of lip 

 over the upper side, so that this is all that is really 

 visible from above. Most of our specimens were 

 taken from young gum-bushes in February and 

 March. One species, Apoda xylomeli, we took from 

 the waratah in early summer. The larva is of a 

 bright green colour, with a long, narrow yellow line 

 down the middle of the back. When resting it often 

 places itself in such a position that this yellow band 

 is in line with the midrib ; it is most difficult to de- 

 tect the caterpillar: this is a very fine example of 

 protective coloration. 



