June, 1903.] Daecke : Larva of Phiprosopus callitrichoides. 105 



THE LARVA OF PHIPROSOPUS 

 CALLITRICHOIDES. 



By E. Daecke. 



Bright mahogany red; sparsely pubescent, apparently naked ; about 

 the second and last abdominal segments of a somewhat lighter shade. 

 A fine ochraceous dorsal line on the first thoracic segment extending 

 over the head and widening at the mouth parts. From the fourth, 

 fifth and sixth abdominal segments, laterally, a light salmon-colored 

 band, each converging toward the dorsum into a patch. A gray band 

 indistinctly defined from the fourth segment, terminating V-shaped, of 

 dark brown color between the seventh and eighth segments. This V 

 being bordered by a fine silvery line on the seventh segment, inside 

 of which is a dark mahogany spot. A similar silvery line and mahog- 

 any-colored spot on the fourth segment. First segment with a slight 

 dorsal elevation. Second segment with a 7-8 mm. long process in- 

 clined forward and curled at the tip, rarely straight. A pale flesh 

 colored band before the dark-brown apex. Third segment with a 3 

 mm. long, bright mahogany process curling backward. First pair of 

 abdominal legs wanting. Length, about 26 mm. 



Food-plant. — Sinilax rotundifoliiim . 



When at rest the larva is S-shaped. The head and thoracic seg- 

 ments are held at right angles upward, and the three last segments are 

 also uplifted. It very much resembles in color and shape a ragged 

 and withered edge of a fresh leaf. The caterpillar spins a cocoon on 

 the stems of the plant near the base or on the ground near by. The 

 cocoon is usually covered with long pieces of small twigs, giving the 

 appearance of the sac of a caddis-fly larva. The moth when at rest 

 resembles a small dried leaf, the pale oblique line of the brown fore 

 wings resembling the vein of the leaf. The larva; were found August 

 25 ; pupated August 30 and the moth emerged the following June. 



