TUE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



tinues until April. The moths then emerge, and sit by day at the 

 base of the stems of young gum trees. The flight of this moth is 

 extremely swift, and, as might be expected, its range is a wide 

 one, though its chief habitat near Melbourne seems to be along 

 the coast of Hobson's Bay. 



Chelepteryx colesii is a large, showy species, and appears to be 

 fairly common over a wide range. The larvae, which attain a 

 very considerable size, may frequently be observed on the trunks 

 of the gum trees during November and December. They seem 

 to descend to that position, or to the under sides of the larger 

 branches, in order to pass through the ordeal of obtaining a new 

 coat ; and when this is safely accomplished they again ascend 

 and renew their feeding, leaving the old skin attached to the bark. 

 When full fed, which is generally early in January, they once more 

 descend, spin a long leathery cocoon attached to the bark, and 

 then change to a black chrysalis, from which the perfect insect 

 emerges early in May. This insect, apart from its large size and 

 handsome appearance, is chiefly remarkable for the highly urticating 

 properties of the hairs of the larvae, making them very objection- 

 able to handle ; but this is intensified in the cocoon, which bristles 

 all over with stiff hairs, thrust by the larvae through from the 

 inside and then fastened at the base, so that, if touched, they at 

 once penetrate the skin, and then, being very brittle, break off, 

 causing considerable annoyance. Even the old cocoons, that 

 have braved the storms and winds of several seasons, still retain 

 this objectionable characteristic, though in a somewhat lessened 

 degree. One experiment on this matter will be quite sufficient 

 to any inquiring mind wishing to prove it by personal observa- 

 tion. 



Of the Noctuse I propose to mention but two examples, both 

 very familiar. It is in this group that we find so many species 

 obnoxious to the agriculturist, and both of the insects now under 

 consideration would be classified as destructive in a collection 

 illustrating economic entomology. The first, Heliothis armigera, 



is almost cosmopolitan in its 

 range, though generally extremely 

 rare in England (except in special 

 seasons occurring at long intervals, 

 when a migration seems to set in); 

 here it seems very abundant — in 

 fact, almost assumes the form of 

 _,,,,. a pest in some districts devoted to 



6 market gardening. I here are two 



broods during the year, or perhaps more. The perfect insects may 

 be observed during September and October, and, being very partial 

 to light, may frequently be seen in the city. The larvae from this 

 brood are found during November and December feeding upon 



