158 LÉPIDOPTÉROLOGIE COMPARÉE 



II 



THE HYBRIDS 



Hybrids between " Lycia hirtaria " and " Ithysia zonaria. " 



(A) Hybrid denhami = L. hirtaria cf x /. zonaria Q . 



Hybrid denhami, Harrison {Entomologist, July igio). 



The ova resulting from this cross are usually the earliest to 

 hatch, although no fi.xed time can be given, as the period is so 

 enormously variable, being anything froni three to six weeks. 



As I mentioned before, the larvas will feed on the leaves of 

 most trees and shrubs, but refuse trefoils (^Lolus) yarrow {Achillea 

 Millefoliuin) coltsfoot (^Iiissilago Far far a), Mugwort {Artemisia 

 vulgaris), etc., which the larvas of the female parent delight m. 



Description of larva in its varions instars. 



ist INSTAR. 



The length at the end of this instar was rouglily 4.5 mm. No 

 exact measurement can be given as the size of the larvae is so 

 variable. 



Head. Black; shape just as in the adult larva. 



Body. The ground colour is black and is, in this respect, just a 

 little nearer zonaria than to hirtaria owing to the smooth texture 

 of the skin and to the greater tendency to pale frecklmg. On 

 the ist, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th abdominal segments is the usual 

 white bar arrangement of the juvénile larva of this group. The 

 style of the bars is much more like those in hirtaria, for they are 

 almost continuons with the w^hite spot on the spiracular line, 



