232 



[Sovtember, 



Homalium florale. 

 Ocyjpus cupreus. 

 Telephortis melannrus. 

 Feronia melanaria. 



HTMENOPTERA. 



J^espa vulgaris. 



J, Burlington Road, Wcstbourne Park 

 June, 1892. 



Apis mellifica. 

 Uemiteles arator. 

 Aphidins, sp. 

 Formica rufa. 

 Uemiteles bicoloritins. 

 Cynips Kollari. 



NOTES ON THE LARVA OF BANIMA SANKSI^* LEWIN. 

 BY THE EEV. C. D. ASH. 



The full grown Inrva of this Australian moth possesses a curious 

 appeiidnge, in the shape of a bifurcate fleshy protuberance, of a dull 

 red colour, somewhat similar in appearance to that possessed by larvae 



of the genus Papilio. This 

 is situated between the first 

 and second segments on the 

 under-side, and is only visible 

 when the larva is disturbed, 

 when it is protruded in the 

 same manner as that of Pa- 

 pilio ; each of the branches 

 of this organ is in the shape of a Y, and the two branches appear to 

 be united at the base. The larva, as far as my experience goes, only 

 displays it under great provocation. I had reared several before I 

 discovered its existence ; but, on one occasion, having accidentally 

 given the larva a sharpish blow while changing its food, the process 

 was darted out and remained extended for some time, the larva re- 

 maining motionless with the anterior segments thrown back, after the 

 manner of Petasia nubeculosa, a position which it habitually assumes 

 when at rest. The 'protuberance is very conspicuous, owing to its 

 contrast to the shining black surface of the under-side of the first 

 three segments. 



I did not detect any odour when the larva extruded the curious 

 appendage, neither, as far as I could tell, w^as any fluid discharged 

 from it. I had reared several of the larvae without suspecting the 

 existence of the appendage ; the one which displayed it was just full- 

 fed, and T did not succeed in getting another. The insect was not 

 very common. 



Saxby Rectory, Barton-on-Humber : 

 June 22nd, 1892. 



* Fam. Notodontidfe.—EDS. 



