III. — Biological Notes on Coscinocera Hercules Miskin 



By F. I'. DoPD. Kuranda, Qucensland. 

 (Planches \'I a IX) 



For some ycars I hâve becn brccding out the moths of this species, once or twice I bred 

 a few from the ova, but as I obtaincd a greatcr knowledge of the district and the food plants 

 of the insect, it became easier to get the pupae in the scrubs then to go to ail the trouble of 

 nanns; tliciu thruu^h ail ihcir stages. However, on lo"" Decenibcr, a Q emergcd with crumpled 

 tails, se I decidcd upon jilacing hcr upon a shrub, near a door, upon the chance of a cT being 

 attractcd. Xcar the house she vvas under observation and therc was Icss danger froni birds. She 

 was tethcrcd to the shrul) 1)\- a pièce of string passée! round the thorax bctwecn the wings. 

 (PI. VI, fig. 7). 



191 2. December 10. — ■ Moth emerged late at night. 



11. • — At dusk i^laccd hcr on the shrub. 



12. — No cf. 



13. — No cf. A few eggs were laid during the day; at 9 p. m. I heard her fluttering. 



14. — • At 5,30 a. m. found that two cfs were in attendance, the largcr and finer one con- 

 nectcd (PI. VII, fig. 8), the tip of the body of the second being just under the others, one of 

 his legs clasping the body of the Q (PI. VIII, fig. 9). Sent for our local photographer and had 

 scveral pictures taken; the first cf was in perfect condition except for the tails being rubbed and 

 slit. The (ither cf was rather worn. Between 3 and 4 p. m., the cf disconnected, so I removed 

 and bottled him, lea\ ing the other as he had becn ail da}-, at dusk he was in possession ^Pl. IX, 

 fig. 10). 



15. — At 8 a. m. had thèse photographed i. c, we feared we should not succeed, for the day 

 was windy, and small ants were annoying the Q, causing her to flap her wings and make 

 strenucus efforts to get free from the cf, however I drove off the ants and she became quiet. 

 At 6,30 p. m. I removed and bottled the cf, he having been i. c. for 24 hours, he came away 

 casily. I left the Q, tying a small branch closely in front of her to deposit her eggs upon. 

 During the night I heard her fluttering strongly. 



16. — About 9c eggs were depositcd, a few on the cords dctaining her and fastening the 

 small branch; hitherto she had kept in good condition, but this morning she was much battered; 

 at 10 ]i. m. I bottled her as I wished her as a spécimen to illustrate thèse notes. 



17. — Eviscerated and set hcr, she still possessing about 140 eggs. 



28 and 29. — Larvae emerged, color waxy white, a spécimen in spirit is sent. For about a 

 week the young lar\ ae were fed in glass jars. 



191 3. January 2 & 3. — Moulted. 



