POPLAR CATERPILLARS. 455 



genus, it doubtless feeds on the poplars and willows. Though quite 

 rare in my vicinity, it is oftener met with than the two other species. 



(Fitch.)* 



26. Pheosia riniosa Pack. 



I first found the singular sphinx-like caterpillar of this moth over 

 twenty-five years ago at Brunswick on the balm of Gilead, September 

 28. The general color was a purplish lead ; head and first segment 

 greenish ; the horn on the eighth segment is black, the dark shade 

 prolonged into a lateral line ; a kidney-shaped spot on the last segment; 

 spiracles black, encircled with white ; below is a yellow line. Beneath 

 greenish and yellowish straw. October 6 it pupated. 



This moth, originally described by us as Pheosia rimosa, differs from 

 the European dictcea in its larva, those of the two European species hav- 

 ing no horn, the eighth abdominal segment being simply humped. In 

 1877 Mr. Meske wrote me as follows : 



The imago of Notodonta rimosa Packard stands very near to the European Notodonta 

 dictcea Linn6, but the larvae of those two species are entirely different. The larva of 

 the former is very slender, light green, and has a caudal horn like a sphinx larva ; it 

 feeds on Populus tremulans. This is the second case in the North American fauna 

 where the imago stands very near to its allied European form, while the larva is en- 

 tirely different. The first case is Aeronycta occidentalis as compared with Acronycta 

 psi Linu^. 



The larva has been described by Mr. C. F. Goodhue, who has found it on the poplar 

 and willow in New Hampshire late in September. " The transformation takes place 

 in a slight cocoon of dead leaves fastened together with a few silken threads, on 

 the surface of the ground, much iu the manner of Darapsa myron." The moth ap- 

 pears in spring as well as in August ; it occurs throughout the Eastern and Middle 

 States. 



Mr. F. Tepper has raised the caterpillar which occurred on the wil 

 low in New York, June 22 ; it went uuder ground a few days after, and 

 the moth emerged August 22. 



Larva. — The body increases in size from the head to the anal segment ; it is deeply 

 incised between the segments, much like those of the Sphlngidfe in appearance and 

 exceedingly smooth and shiny. Head small and nearly round ; first four segments 

 capable of being retracted nearly one-half their length. Head and entire upper 

 parts of body pale slate color, slightly shaded with brown on the dorsal portion. 

 Yellow beneath between the legs ; also a slight stigmatal line of the same color. 

 Caudal horn short and black ; the black extends from the base of the horn to below 



* Walker (Cat. Lep. Het. British Museum, v, 1058) thus refers to a moth which he 

 describes as Ichthyura apicalis : 



Mas. Cinerea ; caput nigro-fuscum ; frons et palpi subtus albida ; antennse canse 

 Tamis ciuereis; thorax vitta dorsali nigro-fusca ; alae anticse fusco-cinereae, linea 

 undulosa albida maculaquecostali rufo-fusca ; posticse cineresB ; subtus albidse fascia 

 gracili discali undulosa fuscescente. 



" Larva brown, thick, with sixteen feet, and with a band on part of the back ; 

 feeds on the poplar leaf, which it draws together with silk. Cocoon slight and 

 "white. The motti appears in June." — Barnston MSS. 



a, b. —St. Martin's Falls, Albany River, Hudson's Bay. Presented by Dr. Barnston 



