2 THE ENTOMOLOGIST S RECORD. 



blackish in the distance ; in some of the others there was a purphsh hue. 

 The trapezoidals were very black and distinct, and had two or three 

 pale reddish hairs springing from each. There was also a black tubercle 

 with a fascicle of hairs on each segment, between the subdorsal and 

 spiracular lines, just in advance of the line of the anterior trapezoidals ; 

 and further back there were two other similar black tubercles, one large 

 and one small. The dorsal, subdorsal and spiracular lines were paler 

 than the gi'ound colour. The under-surface was like the upper, but paler. 

 A third moult took place (Avith No. 1) in another 10 days (May iJ7th), 

 and with it there was a decided change in the appearance of the larva. 

 It became brownish-black, with darker rings, and velvety. The 

 tubercles were no longer so conspicuous, but the rings were very 

 marked, and the larva was covered with fine pale-reddish glistening 

 hairs, still spreading in fascicles from the tubercles, but each fascicle con- 

 taining many more hairs. Between the second and third moults the larvje 

 began to eat dandelion leaves as well as apple. They were very shy of 

 light, and when uncovered, would rapidly make off for the nearest 

 shelter. They collected together in some shaded nooks of the cages, 

 resting in a curved position, with the head brought down towards the 

 centre of the l)ody, and it Avas very unusual to meet with a larva l)y 

 itself. Can this gregarious hal)it have some connection Avith the rarity 

 of the moth ? The insect seems to deposit a large number of eggs, and 

 the larvfc giA^^ little difficulty in rearing — the mortality being Avith 

 me, 1177 after the first moult — eight dying betAveen the hatching and that 

 moult. When their enemies once find them, they Avould soon exter- 

 minate a great part of a brood. No. 1 had a fourth moult some nine 

 days after the third, towards the end of the first Aveek in June, and the 

 folloAving is a description of the larA^a at that time. Body tapers 

 gradually from tlie 5tli segment toAvards the anterior extremity, being 

 much narroAver in front than 1 )ehind ; it is blackish-broAvn and A'clvety, 

 with a linear Idaek mark 1 mm. (a little less than half a line) on each 

 side of the dorsal line from the 4t]i to the 12th segments inclusiA'c. 

 The dorsal and spiracular lines are paler than the ground colour ; the 

 sxibdorsal scarcely noticeable ; spiracles edged Avith blackish ; a black 

 transA^erse dorsal i)late on the 2nd segment ; the Avhole larA'a is covered 

 Avitli ferruginous glistening hairs in spreading fascicles 8' 75 to 4*5 mm. 

 long (al)out If to 2 lines). Thoracic legs black ; abdominal legs colour 

 of under-surface, Avhicli is paler than the upper. Head, small and 

 black. After the first Aveek in June, the larva (No. 1) seemed to remain 

 (piiescent for many days, and then began to feed more eagerly than 

 before (previously all Avere small eaters), and on June 22nd, it began 

 to form a cocoon. The prcA'ious description answers for the full-fed 

 larA\a, Avith the exception that the latter seemed no longer perfectly 

 homogeneous in the ground colour, but Avas sprinkled oA-er with paler 

 spots. Tlie leng-th at rest Avas 1 inch I line. Whether or not it again 

 moulted before f(jrming the cocoon I cannot be sure, I did not notice it 

 doing so. 



Tlie eocuoii is a slight one, made n\) of fine ;ind coarse particles 

 of earth, and lined A'ery smoothly Avith silk inside. The larA'a (No. 1) 

 remained in it Avithout change till tlio end of July, Avlien it formed 

 a pupa. The otlier larA'a^ continued feeding dining June, and Ijegan 

 to form cocoons early in July, all having done so by the end of the 

 second week. 



