December, 1878] 145 



" silken web over the entrance, it there feeds on the pith, and goes 

 "into pupa at the top of the stem, first spinning a loose white 

 " silken web." 



This is surely an error ! The loose white silken web is that of the 

 larva of Penthma gentianana ! As far as my observations go the larva 

 feeds transversely through the seeds of the teazle until full-fed, then 

 makes a tough cocoon in the hollowed seeds, and when the moth 

 emerges the pupa-skin is drawn out among the spines at the side of 

 the seed-head. 



Cocliylis straminea^ Haw. — On July 25th, I found larva? of this 

 species inhabiting the base of the flower-heads of Centaurea nigra, 

 eating the young seeds and lying curved in the cavity formed, or when 

 disturbed (particularly if young) retreating into the thickened portion 

 of the stem immediately beneath, the pith of which seems to have 

 formed their first food, and in the side of which was a hole for the 

 extrusion of frass. These larva? when full grown are very sluggish 

 and plump, thickest in the middle, rather shining, very pale yellowish, 

 or almost white, with faintly grey internal dorsal vessel. Head deeply 

 lobed at the back, black, dorsal plate brown, divided and narrowed at 

 the sides so as to form triangles, anal plate light brown, anterior legs 

 black. When young, however, the head and dorsal plate are dark brown 

 and without lobes or divisions. "When the larva is removed fi'om the 

 flower-head it stands with its anterior segments raised, and head turned 

 with a most comical look of surprise and attention. 



These larvae produced moths in August, the May and June brood 

 being in the larva-state in September. 



The larva of this species must be tolerably well known, but I have 

 been particular in describing it in order to compare it with that of 

 the next species, which has sometimes been looked upon as doubtfully 

 distinct. 



Cocliylis alternana, Steph. {gigantana, D. & S.). — Por this species I 

 am indebted to Mr. Howardyaughan,who sent me five buds of Centaurea 

 scahiosa, each containing a larva, in the beginning of July. These were 

 short and thick^ — obese in fact — and very sluggish, pale yellow, with 

 the spots small and black ; head chestnut-brown, dorsal plate black- 

 brown, divided by a yellow line in the middle, anal plate dark brown, 

 very small. In buds of Centaurea scahiosa, eating oiit the immature seeds 

 and almost the whole contents of the bud, and surrounding themselves 

 with a tough silken tube or pouch as they fed. In this pouch they 

 assumed the pupa-state within the buds. I supplied fresh buds, but 

 not one of the larvae touched them ; those in which they reached me 



