SECTION IV., 1907. [57] Trans. R. 8. C. 
IV.—Notes on the Preparatory Stages of Some Species of Canadian 
Lepidoptera. 
By JAMES FLETCHER AND ARTHUR GIBSON. 
Read May 16, 1907. 
We submit herewith descriptions of the preparatory stages of some 
Canadian lepidoptera. As the various species of butterflies and moths 
are critically investigated, the importance becomes more and more appar- 
ent that the whole life-history of each should be made known before its 
true status can be learnt. This is equally true of common species as 
of rarer insects. The preparatory stages here given are not of particu- 
larly rare or interesting insects, but they are printed as a contribution 
towards a more complete knowledge of Canadian insects. 
MAMESTRA GRANDIS, Boisduval. 
Eggs secured from a captive female moth; laid between 5 p.m., 
19th June and 9 a.m. 20th June, 1902. 
Egg—Dome-shaped, slightly tapering to the base; 0.6 mm. in 
diameter, 0.4 mm. high, with about 30 ribs. Colour at first pale yellow; 
after one day a blotch of dull crimson appears at apex, also a ring of 
the same colour, nearly half way to the base. A day or so before 
‘hatching the egg becomes a dull dark purple, and appears as if covered 
with a whitish bloom. In confinement the eggs were laid in two large 
patches. 
A few larve hatched on the 27th June, and the others on the 28th. 
Stage I—Length 2 mm. Head 0.4 mm. wide, dark brown, dotted 
with black spots. Body after feeding, pale green same colour as the 
leaves of Lamb’s Quarters (Chenopodium album, L.,) skin smooth and 
shiny. Thoracic shield dark brown. ‘Tubercles black, shiny. The 
young larve are loopers, first two pairs of prolegs abortive. Thoracic 
feet black, shiny; prolegs concolorous with body, each bearing a black 
shiny plate. 
Stage II.— Length 4.5 mm. Head 0.6 mm. wide, greenish-brown, 
with blotches of dark brown. Body cylindrical, dark green above lower 
lateral stripe, pale green below stigmatal band. Dersel and two lateral 
stripes, pale bluish, the upper lateral touching lower edge of tubercle ii, 
and lower lateral touching upper edge of tubercle iii. Stigmatal band 
whitish. Skin between lower lateral stripe and stigmatal band, pale 
crimson. Tubercles black, single haired; setæ dark; spiracles small, 
