TRIFID^. 251 



Larva stout, obese, of nearly uniform width throughout ; 

 the second, third, and fourth segments, however, are rather 

 more slender, and the twelfth rises in a pyramidal form and 

 is surmounted by a horn-like point curved backwards ; colour 

 of the liead apple-green ; body apple-green or glaucous- 

 green ; dorsal stripe white, narrow, extending from the 

 head to the anal flap and only interrupted by the horn- 

 like summit of the twelfth segment, which is red ; subdorsal 

 stripe waved and much interrupted, obscurely white or 

 yellowish-white, curved up and angulated at the twelfth 

 segment, but not to its apex, and then descending again 

 to the anal flap ; spiracular stripe broad, white or yellowish- 

 white ; spiracles white ringed with black ; usual raised dots 

 white; undersurface green, legs similar but much spotted 

 with black, prolegs green, sometimes tinged with red. When 

 at rest the head and following segments are raised upright 

 and the legs spread out. 



March or April to June, on oalc, sallow, poplar, plum, rose, 

 honeysuckle, and other shrubs, even on currant in gardens, 

 feeding at night, remaining on its food-plant during the 

 day. 



The winter is passed in the Qgg state. 



Pupa apparently not definitely described; in an earthen 

 cocoon. 



The moth loves to hide in a wooden shed, if such be 

 available. Major Ficklin tells me of its having been seen in 

 numbers in such a shed, which was placed at the edge of 

 a wood; when the door was opened the moths ran in all 

 directions over the inside of the boarding, like mice. It 

 seems, therefore, probable that holes in trees are made use 

 of for hiding during the day, or that the undersides of 

 branches are resorted to, but evidence is lacking. At dusk 

 it comes freely to sugar, and loves ripe blackberries, rotten 

 apples, and sweet juices generally. Only found in woods, 

 and very uncertain, multitudes crowding to the sugar in one 



