THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 11 



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Age of Larva. Length of Case. 



1 hour ... .. ,\ inch 



3 f^ays .. ■•• vo „ 



2 weeks ... ... ^^r „ 



4 weeks ... ... ^ „ 



6 weeks ... ... ■f'g „ 



4 months ... ... i ,, 



The food supply and other causes modify the rate of growth 

 considerably. 



The cases are completed about September or October, a short 

 time before the larvae spin up to pupate. 



The full-sized case of the male is about i^ inches long, and 

 that of the female about 2^ inches. 



The diameter of the case is increased by biting a hole nearly 

 through it, stretching it out sideways, and patching up the weak 

 place with fresh silk, while additions to its length are made at the 

 larger end. Leaves are sewn on near the mouth as the case is 

 being made, and if a whole leaf is too large a more or less nearly 

 circular piece is cut out and fixed on. Small twigs often replace 

 leaves, particularly if the grub is living on Leptospermum. 



This species is less migratory than those previously dealt with, 

 and is far more common ; indeed, scores of their cases may often 

 be seen on a single bush. Immense numbers are killed by 

 parasitic flies and ichneumon flies, and by small birds like the 

 Silver-eye, while many more fall victims to the sharp beaks of 

 tree-bugs, against which the cases form no protection. 



3. Pupa. — The pupae of both sexes resemble those of 

 M. elongata, their much smaller size being the most noticeable 

 point of difference. 



4. Imago. — The moths emerge during December, January, and 

 February. In size and shape the male is similar to C. tenuis, 

 but ditfers from it in colour. The thorax and abdomen are black, 

 the antennae yellow, and the wings transparent. The female is 

 similar to that of C. tenuis. This insect takes twelve months to 

 complete its metamorphoses. 



Victorian Fauna and Flora. — With the view of increasing 

 the interest in the Naturalist, the editor will be particularly 

 grateful for notices of unusual occurrences in the way of early or 

 late appearances of animal or vegetable life, and specially appeals 

 to country readers for such notes. 



Injurious Insects. — Miss E. A. Ormerod, the well-known 

 writer on economic entomology, has just issued her twenty-first 

 annual report on the insect pests recently noted in Great Britain. 

 Some thirty-six insects are dealt with, and information is afforded 

 as to their habits and the best means of effecting their destruction. 



