PHVCrriD.E—CRVPTOBLABES. 3 



two years in the larva state ; in the cones of various species 

 of spruce fir — I'uim ahic.s, Aides douglasii, and others ; eating 

 the seeds, and ultimately the interior woody portions of the 

 cones. 



Pupa very slender and small in proportion, light brown. 

 In a slight cocoon within the large excavation made by the 

 larva in a dwarfed and distorted spruce cone. 



When rearing this species I noticed that it had a curious 

 habit of emerging duriiKj fhunderstonns, these being, as is 

 well known, frequent in the Eastern Counties. Otherwise 

 its habits are here but little known, it has, however, been 

 taken flying among spruce firs. It was discovered in these 

 islands by Lord Walsingham in the year 188G, at Merton, 

 Norfolk, and its larva also discovered. Subsequently it was 

 found to frequent spruces in woods in the north of Norfolk, 

 and in this district it is still obtained, though sparingly ; so 

 far as I know it has not yet been observed elsewhere in the 

 United Kingdom. Possibly it may be a recent immigrant 

 from the Continent ! It is widely distributed in Central 

 Europe, Central Italy, and Northern and Western Eussia. 



Genus 'J. CRYPTOBLABES. 



Antennje simple, basal joint thickened in the male, and 

 second rather bent ; palpi slender, elongated, curved up ; 

 fore wings narrow, the cell, however, not very narrow ; hind 

 wings also rather so, the cross-bar on the upper side ridged 

 with longer scales ; vein o present. Legs short. 



We have but one species. 



L C. bistriga, Haiv. — Expanse I inch (lG-19 mm.). 

 Fore wings narrow, purple-grey, more purple in the middle ; 

 the two transverse lines are far apart, oppositely oblique, 

 and broadly white. Hind wings shining smoky-grey. 



Antennas of the male simple, but the basal joint thickened 



