note ox the pupa of micropteryx. 153 



Note ox the Pupa of Micropteryx. 



In the summer of 1861 I had collected a considerable 

 number of larvae of the genus 3ficropteryx ; and, in the 

 month of January last, I began searching in my breeding- 

 cages in order to find the cocoons, hoping by that means to 

 become acquainted with the pupa. 



My researches were for some time of a very unsatisfactory 

 nature, as I could find nothing ; but at length I stumbled on 

 a small sand cocoon, which, on being opened with the utmost 

 care and attention, was found to contain a dried-up larva! 

 A further search, however, produced another sand cocoon, 

 which seemed more fully tenanted, and it then became a piece 

 of delicate manipulation to cut open the sand cocoon without 

 injuring the inhabitant ; in this I was at length successful, 

 and I had before me the pupa represented on the Frontispiece 

 at figure 8. (Fig. 8 is the magnified side view ; fig. 8* the 

 magnified front view, and fig. 8** represents the natural size.) 

 This pupa, whilst still living, was exhibited at the February 

 Meeting of the Entomological Society, and the following 

 notes were read : — 



'^ The wing-cases, legs and antennee are perfectly free from 

 the body, the abdomen being able to move away from them 

 to a considerable extent. 



" The abdom.en of the pupa I examined was in almost 

 constant motion, both to and from the wing-cases, and with 

 slight lateral motion. 



" Neither the wing cases nor the legs appear to have any 

 individual power of motion, but the end of the abdomen 

 would frequently move the ends of the legs by knocking 

 against them. 



*' The abdomen was remarkably soft and flexible, remind- 

 ing one rather of a female Psyche. 



" In front of the head one seems to distinguish both pair of 



