292 



LEPIDOPTERA. 



Tln'ridopteryx. It constructs an oval cocoon (Fig. 223 d) 

 which hangs to the edge of the leaf. 



The genus Peropliora^ another sack-bearer (P. Melsheimerii 

 Harris), is a gigantic Psychid, being about the size of the silk- 

 Avorm moth, Avliich it closely resembles in the imago state. It 

 also lives in a ease during the larva state, formed of two oblong 

 pieces of leaf, fastened together in the neatest manner by their 

 edges, and lined with a thick and tough layer of brownish 

 silk. The larva is cylindrical, as thick as a common pipe-stem 



and light reddish brown in color. 

 The head has extensible, jointed 

 feelers which, when extended, are 

 kept in constant motion, while be- 

 hind is a pair of antenna-like organs, 

 broad and flattened at the end. The 

 tail is widened and flattened, form- 

 ing a circular horny plate, which like the operculnm of a whelk, 

 closes up the aperture of the case. Before transforming within 

 its case, the larva closes each end with a circular silken lid. 

 The pupa is blunt at the hinder end and Avith a row of teeth on 

 each abdominal ring. Both sexes are Avinged. Our species, 

 7^ Mdsheimerii Harris, is reddish ash grey, sprinkled Avith 

 blackish points, and Avith a common oblique blackish line. 



Notodoyita and its allies (Ptilodontes Hiibner) are mostly 

 nuked in the larva state, Avith large humps on the back, and the 

 hind legs often greatly prolonged, as «^ 

 in Cerura, the "fork-tail." The pui>a ['; 

 and moths arc best described l\y stat- \ ■ 

 lug that thev bear a close resemblance 

 to the Noctuids, for which they are 

 often mistaken. 



Coelodasys (Notodonta) irnicomis 

 Smith derives its specific name from the horn on the back of 

 the caterpillar, and its generic name from the large conical tuft 

 of hairs on the under side of the prothorax. The moth is light 

 brown, with irregular green patches on the fore Avings. The 

 cocoon is thin and })archment-like, and the caterpillars remain 

 a long time in their cocoons l)efore changing to pup;Te. Nerice 

 hidentata Walker (Fig. 224) is a closely allied moth. Edema 



Fig. 225. 



