410 



i SOUTH INDIAN INSECTS, ETC. 



I [G. 282. Metanastria hyrtaca : 1. Larva (after Moore) ; 2, Male Moth 

 in resting attitude (aftei I oi ayi th) . '.. Male, and 4. Female Moths, 

 mal.i 



segment behind head) is a patch of short blackish or reddish hairs, 

 concealed in repose but exposi d when alarmed. Pupa brownish-red 

 in a long cocoon usually spun on a branch of the foodplant. 



Foodplants.—Mimusops elengi, country almond (Terminaliacat- 

 appa), Nyctanthes arbortristis (Tamil, Pavazha malli). 



Status. Nol a pest as a rule but occasionally appears in large 

 numbers and strips trees. 



LIMACODID/E. 

 P \R \s \ LEPIDA, Cr. 

 Phalcena lepida, Cram., Pap. Exot., 11, t. 130 E. 

 Parasa lepida, Hmpsn., Faun. Ind. Moths, I, 388, f. 264 ; Lefroy, 



Ind. Ins. Life. ]). 500, f. 330 ; I.M.X.. III. No. 4. p. 13. figs. 



Distribution. — Throughout Southern India. 



Lifehistory. Full-grown caterpillar 15 25 mm. long, squat and 



stout; in colour bright green with a broad interrupted blue stripe 

 down the back and a narrower blue stripe along each side ; both 

 dorsal and lateral stripes are bordered by a row of warts from 

 which arise thick spreading brushes of short spinous hairs ; at each 



