■198 FIFTH REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL COMMISSION. 



Molh. — Fore wings violet- browu, with lilac reflections, and shaded with reddish 

 yellow, principally on the subniarginal space, which is clearer in front, and trav- 

 versed by a fine line parallel to the augulated line; the median space deeper in color; 

 the reniform spot distinct, oblong, of a clear yellow, traversed by a clear browu 

 shade; orbicular spot concolorous, quite large, open at the two ends. Base of the 

 wing varied with spots and streaks. Subniarginal line fine, wavy, forming a vague 

 lyi in its middle, and shaded with black in front. Hind wings yellowish, with the 

 veins or cellular lunule and the border broadly black, and containing a yellowish 

 sinuous line. (Guen.). 



The four following species of Apatela occurred on the white birch 

 at Providence during the last week of September and beginning of 

 October. 



42. Apatela sp. 



Larva. — Head large and black, rounded as usual. Body cylindrical, of even thick- 

 ness throughout, densely covered above with short, evenly cropped, Scotch snutf- 

 yellow-brown hairs, concealing the segments, and rising into a very slight median 

 ridge. The hairs on the prothorax are in front white, especially the long ones, while 

 four long white hairs arise from the second (meso) segment, and there are six to eight 

 long erect white hairs arising from the back at the end of the body. Ou the third 

 and sixth segments behind the head is a median short erect black spike of bairs, one- 

 third as long as the body is thick ; and at the end of the body is a double spike. On 

 the sides of the body the hairs are seen to radiate from mammillae, and the row of 

 white spiracles is conspicuous. The skin is livid blue-black. Length, 50 ™™. 



43. Apatela sp. 



Larva. — Head much smaller than in some Apatelae, but of the usual shape, not 

 so wide at the prothorax, which is considerable narrower than the mesothoracic seg- 

 ment. The body is cylindrical, thickest a little in front of the middle, and the seg- 

 ments are somewhat convex and easily seen, as the segments are not concealed by the 

 hairs. The hairs are short, stiff, and quite thick, and arise from white, rather large, 

 mammillae which are arranged five on a side on each segment (except the first and 

 two last). Along the middle of the back is a clear space between the mammilhij. 

 The hairs are whitish-yellow. The head and body are black. The mammillae on the 

 end of the body (8-10 segments) are reddish. There is a broad, lateral, dull, brick- 

 red band below the spiracles, which are white. The under side of the body between 

 the prolegs is dull reddish, but the thoracic feet and under side of thoracic segments 

 are dark, and the prolegs are dark livid purple black. The upper surface of the pro- 

 thoracic segment has three granulated swollen areas, two oral ones in front and a 

 median one behind. Length, 35™™. 



The hairs are irritating to the skin, so that these bright-colored cat- 

 erpillars are not eaten by birds, though often easily found and stung 

 by Ichneumons and Tachinae. 



44. Apatela sp. 



Feeding on the upper branches in full sight a peculiar and rather conspicuous 

 caterpillar. Providence, October 4. 



Larva. — Head large and full, nearly as wide as the body, jet black. Body long and 

 thick, cylindrical; the three segments behind the head transversely folded dorsally. 

 The lateral line well marked. Body and legs (all) dull black. The posterior half of 

 each segment and the entire prothoracic with their fine white hairs giving a hoary 

 appearance to the upper side of the body. Below the spiracles the hairs are thicker 



