64 



Clisiocampa, Curtis, Brit. Ent., Vol. 5. 



C. Californica, Packard, Proc. Ent. Soc, Phil., vol. 3, p. 

 387, (1864). Boinbyx pseiidoneustria, Boisduval, Ann. Soc. Ent.^ 

 Belg., vol. 12, p. 82, (1868-9). 



Larva. Head black, legs black ; feet on abdominal legs pale 

 testaceous. Body black, faintly dusted with rusty, which forms 

 an exceedingly broken and indistinct lateral line, and a more com- 

 plete double dorsal line. Each segment carries a lateral, trans- 

 verse, very faint linear dot, above the lateral line. The dorsal and 

 lateral hairs are all tawny. The general appearance of the larva 

 is tawny brown. Length about 1.40 inches. 



Cocoon. The cocoon is constructed in the crevices of bark 

 or in the angles of masonry where accessible, and consists of 

 a loose, white web, in which is suspended the long ovate cocoon 

 of dense papery consistency, thickened with a yellowish powdery 

 gum. 



This species is exceedingly abundant in the neighborhood of 

 San Francisco, and is probably widely distributed. In this vici- 

 nity its favorite food plant is a species of scrubby oak {Q.agrifolia), 

 but it is sometimes found on the blackberry {Riibiis) and other 

 shrubby plants. Its depredations do not seem to have extended 

 to the orchards. The nests may be seen in warm localities as 

 early as the middle of March, while in those more exposed they 

 are not seen till the middle of April ; but both these dates are 

 sufficiently early to protect the orchards. The larvje pupate in 

 about six weeks from the egg, and the imago appears in about a 

 fortnight. 



The peculiar actions of these larvae would appear to indicate 

 the possession of organs of hearing. It is most amusing to stand 

 near one of the nests on which the larvae are clustered, and call 

 out loudly and sharply. The larvae begin to twitch convulsively, 

 throwing the head from side to side as if annoyed by the sound ; 

 and if the sound is repeated, not unfrequently losing their foot- 

 hold and falling to the ground. I do not remember to have seen 

 any note of this peculiarity as common to the species found in 

 the Atlantic States, and mention it to draw attention to what may 

 prove an easy means of collecting the larvae in orchards when they 

 become troublesome. 



C. FRAGILIS, n. sp. 



$ General color, soft chocolate brown. The primaries have 

 a deep shade of this color at the base. The lines are whitish, and 

 in strong contrast with the ground color of the wing. The inner 

 band reaches the inner margin very near to the base, and curves 

 slightly inward on the costa. The outer band is nearly parallel 

 with the inner, the space between them being slightly increased 

 at the costa. Fringes whitish, with dark dashes at the termina- 



