TRIFID^. 75 



the twelfth segment the subdorsal lines are united by an 

 ochreous transverse band on which the bases of the dark 

 triangles rest. Occasionally there is also a transverse 

 ochreous line on the anal segment. Siib-spiracular stripe paler 

 than the ground colour, not very distinct, bordered above by 

 an obscure brown line ; spiracles black, ringed with ochreous ; 

 just behind each spiracle on the fifth to twelfth segments is 

 an oblique dark blotch slanting toward the subdorsal line and 

 varying in intensity, its lower part often forming a darker 

 spot behind the spiracle ; the obliquity of these stripes is 

 toward the head of the larva. Ventral surface and claspers 

 pale greyish-ochreous, the latter almost colourless ; legs pale 

 wainscot-brown ; ordinary spots small, black, and indistinct ; 

 each of those on the dorsal surface is accompanied by a 

 tolerably distinct whitish or ochreous spot ; dorsal plate 

 brownish, with the three lines very indistinctly marked. 



Another variety is umbre-brown, altogether more dingy in 

 appearance, segmental divisions not tinged with rosy. 



Another is pale brown on the back, minutely reticulated 

 with darker ; the dorsal lozenges more clearly defined, and 

 the triangular spots on the twelfth segment much paler ; 

 sides purplish-brown, sub-spiracular stripe tinged with rosy ; 

 thirteenth segment pale ochreous-brown with a distinct dark 

 dorsal line. 



When very young, short, stout, and cylindrical, with but 

 three pairs of prolegs developed ; head black ; body dull grey 

 with the tubercular spots distinct, black, each producing a 

 slender bristle. (B. Lockyer.) 



Buckler figures various forms of this larva from bright light 

 brown to greenish-brown, with various degrees of development 

 of the markings. Also under the name of conjiua a further 

 series, even more variable, and in some cases having the 

 dorsal markings intensified and joined across the back into a 

 series of black blotches, in others having the same series of 

 markings separate, very pale, and inconspicuous. 



August to April or May, on primrose, knotgrass, violet, 



