126 



Two examples, $ and 9 , are in my collection, both taken in Florida 

 by Mr. A. Koebele. 



The three forms of Catocala here described have already been quoted 

 by the Rev. G. D. Hulst in his admirable essay on the genus, recently 

 published in the "Bulletin of the Brooklyn Entomological Society." 



NOTES ON THE PREPARATORY STAGES OF 

 LYCiENA AMYNTULA. 



By W. G. Wright. 



Astragalus Crotalarcs is a plant of ill repute. Locally it is known as 

 ratde-weed, bladder-pod, and loco-plant; loco signifying crazy or luny. 

 Horses eating the plant are affected with trembling and weakness in 

 the Hmbs, and worse, a far-sightedness that causes them to think an 

 obstacle to be a yard nearer than it really is, and to fatally stumble over 

 the object when actually reaching it; such disorders being permanent 

 and rendering the animals worthless; such a horse is called "locoed." 

 Catde eating the plant are rendered worthless, their milk and flesh 

 being considered poisonous. If sheep eat the leaves their wool falls 

 off prematurely. Bees after sucking the flowers are stupefied, being 

 unable to recognize their own hives when they reach home, and are 

 often stupefied so that they die near the plant. 



Such is the dark record written against Astragahis Crotalam. 

 Without endorsing the whole, I merely recite what every one relates 

 and believes. But what is poison to one is health to another. The 

 leaves are the larval food-plant of Colias Harfordii, and the immature 

 seeds are the food of three kinds of larvae, the principal one being 

 Lyc^na Amyntnla. 



For two or three years I had observed the then unknown larvae 

 feeding upon the young seeds, and had noted that the pods were ap- 

 parently whole, no opening being seen, but on account of this strange 

 habit of inside feeding I had always passed them as the larvae of some 

 moth. At length, however, I confined some of the larvae, and in due 

 time was rewarded with disclosure of Amyntula. Then began the re- 

 search. From the first matters were complicated by the presence of 

 the two other species of larvae, and it was but slowly that bit by bit each 

 item of fact was cleared up and established. Even now there are two 

 points yet indicated, namely: how does the young larva get into the 

 pod, and when does pupation of the hibernating brood take place? but 

 as the season for investigation is now closed for this year I am advised 

 to give the facts as far as obtained. 



