BRAZILIAN LEPIDOPTERA. 57 



the moths appearing at the end of that month. There is a 

 considerable difference between the shade of the male and 

 female, and the males also vary much in colour. I have 

 found them almost buff and also of a deep chestnut. 



II. — AUTOMERIS MeTEA. 



Phalcena B. Metea, Cramer, Pap. Exot. iv., pi. 304, fig. a. 



Larva, a, Full-fed. San Paulo, Dec, 1877. 



This species feeds upon a Solanura that grows plentifully 

 in waste places in the neighbourhood of San Paulo. It is 

 a very handsome caterpillar, the body being a deep velvety 

 black and the tufts of spines brilliant lemon yellow. The 

 spines are very venomous, and produce violent irritation when 

 brought in contact with the skin. 



Pupa, a, Full-fed, Dec. 8, 1877 ; Imago, Jan. 11, 1878. 



Specimens in my possession in December, 1877, began 

 to spin their dark-coloured gummy cocoons on the 8th of 

 that mouth between leaves of the Solanum and in the corners 

 of the boxes. The cocoon is remarkable for the curious 

 perforated diaphragm that closes the upper end, and through 

 which the moth makes its escape. 



ia, ? Full-fed, Dec. 8, 1877; Imago, Jan. 11, 

 IMAOO. 1878 = 34 days. 



h, <? Full-fed, Dec. 7, 1877; Imago, Jan. 8, 

 V 1878 = 82 days. 



The perfect insects appeared from 31 to 33 days after 

 beginning to spin. There is a great difference in the colour 

 of the male and female, the former being of an ashen grey 

 tinged with olive ; while the latter is of a dull reddish brown. 

 I noticed a second brood of this moth in the middle of April. 



