1903.] 135 



Of Continental autliors, Treitschke, in Schmet. Eur., ix (2), 86-7 

 (1833), asserts that the larva is "flesh-brown " dorsally, while Frey, 

 after giving in Tin. u. Pter., 278 (1856), a description of it. apparently 

 borrowed from tho?e of Troitschke and Fischer von Roslerstamm, 

 says in Linn. Ent., xiv, IS6 (I860), that he has found the diagnosis of 

 it by the latter to be unreliable, and adds an original description in 

 which the upper-side is stated to be '• leatlier-brown." I am doubtful 

 how to interpret Treitschke's term " flesh-brown," but conclude that 

 Ixjtii it and Frey's " leather-brown " refer to larva* of M. conturlxttella 

 wiiich had not yet undergone their final moult. 



The discrepancies between the most reliable of the published de- 

 scriptions and my own observations naturally suggested the thought 

 that possi!)ly two closely allied species, with almost identical imagines 

 but distinct larva?, might be confused together under the 7iame con- 

 turhntelln, but the whole weight of evidence seems entirely opposed 

 to sucii an idea. 



Pupa. 



On June 24th, 1901, T drew up, from two pupa> that had been in 

 this state about three or four days, a detailed description, to which 

 one or two slight additions were made in 1902, when other pupa* were 

 critically examined. 



Length, 6 — 6'5 mm. Oreatest hreadth, 1'8 mm. 



Fairly cylindripsil, broadest across the meso- and meta-tlioi'ax, and gradually 

 tapering thence towards the anal extremity. Rufous-orange dorsally ; orange 

 ventrally, with the wing- and appendage-cases rather paler. As the pupa matures, 

 the colour gi-adually deepens, becoming more rufous. Segmental divisions very 

 clearly defined. Skin smooth, highly polished, with a few short and inconspicuous 

 scattered orange hairs. Head broad, flattened above ; a slightly raised keel, which 

 is continued as a central line on the pro- and meso-thorax, alone marks the division 

 between the two lobes. Eyes visible as conspicuous blackish spots or dots. An- 

 tenna!, wing, and posterior tarsal-cases reaching to the end of the fourth abdominal 

 segment. Anal extremity sharply pointed, armed with a conspicuous, strong, 

 reddish-brown, projecting spike, about 5 mm. long, bearing several orange bristles 

 near, and at right angles to, its apex. In the pupoe tested (doubtless males), the 

 free abdominal segments wore the 5th and 6th. The pupa seems particularly fond 

 of holding out its posterior segments at a strong angle of about 45° to the rest of 

 its length. 



The cocoon, which is about 12 mm. in length, by r> or 5-5 mm. in breadth, is 

 fusiform, being very broad across the middle, and tapering off to a point at each 

 end : it is decidedly flattened, its breadth very greatly exceeding its height. It 

 reallv consists of two separate cocoons, the one inside the other. The outer one is 

 spun of white silk, sometimes golden-tinged, and through it the much smaller and 

 move compact white inner cocoon can be clearly seen. The latter is somewhat silky 



O 2 



