41 



the anterior extremity being nearly hemispherical and the pos- 

 terior extremity tapering rapidly in the last two segments to a 

 blunt point which is extended into a bipronged spine three-six- 

 teenths of an inch long. The surface of the hemispherical por- 

 tion is studded with minute sharp triangular points. Wing cases 

 small, covering only the sides and under surface of the anterior 

 one-third of the pupa. Four of the abdominal segments are sepa- 

 rated by abroad, deep sulcus; the anterior and posterior margins 

 of these segments are armed with a row of minute sharp spines. 



Imagines began to appear on July 3d, and had nearly all 

 emerged by July loth. 



The insect is three-brooded here, hibernating in pupa. 

 Although the large majority of each brood follows the cycle of 

 development as described, yet a few of each brood are much 

 slower in making their changes. Thus a few of the brood did not 

 complete their growth till the end of July, and three pupae formed 

 June 26 are still alive (Feb. 28th), having hibernated. Other 

 pupse of the same brood disclosed their imagines at various periods 

 during July and August. This accounts for the fact that larvae 

 in all stages of development maybe found at any time throughout 

 the summer till frost kills their food plants, which are Gleditschia 

 triacantJios^ L. (Honey Locust or Three-horned Acacia) and 

 Gymnocladus Canadensis, Lam. (Kentucky coffee-tree.) 



Up to the third month the larvae, when alarmed, move the 

 protuberances on the second and third segments as if to frighten 

 away the intruder. The larva; pupate readily on the bottom of 

 the breeding cage if ground is not furnished them. In this case 

 they build no cocoon. 



THE NOCTUID^E IN THE MISSOURI ENTOMOLOG- 

 ICAL REPORTS. 



By C. V. Riley, M. A. Ph. D. 

 To the Editor ^/ " Papilio :" 



There are two articles in " Papilio," (Vol. I, No. 8), by Mr. 

 A. R. Grote, to which I beg leave to reply, in the belief that in 

 so doing I may contribute something to Lepidopterology, and 

 charitably overlook reflections unjust and irritating. 



In the "Note on Agrotis rrpentis,'' (p. 126) Mr. Grote again 

 ■changes his mind as to the synonymy of this species, weakening 

 his previous argument to the effect that it is identical with A. 

 messo7'ia, Harris. On p. yj, of Bulletin No. 6, U. S. E. C.,* after 

 repeating the original description of y^. c^<;/^r^?;«V, Riley, I remark, 

 ^' There is little question but that this is the moth briefly charac- 

 terized by Harris (Ins. Inj. to Veg., p. 444) as Agrotis messoria, an 

 examination of the type confirming this view. A. repentis, G. 



* General Index and Supplement to the nine Reports of the Insects of Missouri, 

 Washington, March 24, 1881. 



