354 LEPIDOPTÉROLOGIE COMPARÉE 



the claspers are attached to the thoracic crest of the weaker maie. 

 Zonaria maie, on the contrary, is very curions in its behaviour. 

 On some occasions it makes no endeavour to pair and tlien, on 

 others, especially with liirtaria females, the females refuse. When 

 pomonarin happens to provide the female it pairs readily enough. 

 Both maies and females of ail the hybrids pair freely ïnter se 

 and with the whole of the other species Ôf the group. In fact, 

 their sexual instincts seem developed to a higher degree than those 

 of the parents if that were possible. 



Time of pairing. 



Pairing may take place about dusk and, rarely, about lO P. M., 

 but the majority of the pairs are formed between 5 A. M. and 

 7 A. M. The pairings last gênerai ly from early morning to about 

 6 P. M., although not mfrequently, in the crosses involving zonaria 

 maie, pairing may last two days and, abnormally, for even three 

 or four days. Conversely, especially with hirtaria maie, copulation 

 may occur latc at night and the pairs may be separated and 

 eggs laid by 7 A. M. next day. 



Attitude of the pairs. 



The pairs is most cases rest in the usual attitude on the sidcs of 

 the cage, the female with its head up and the maie with its head 

 down. Usually, however, I find zonaria maie to pair and then to 

 hang as one often sees maies of the varions Heplalids. Excep- 

 tionally, hirtaria maie may do the same but I hâve never observed 

 this occurrence in the others. 



Egglaying. 



As a gênerai rule, the females proceed to lay at once and may 

 often be seen walking about with their backs arched and their 

 ovij.ositors waving" about from side to si de in search of suitable 



