194 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



With the exception of a lateral fold below the spiracles the 

 skin appears to be smooth and without warts. The ground 

 colour of both the head and the body is whitish green ; the 

 former is margined with black ; the latter is marked with 

 black spots, consisting of, first, a medio-dorsal series, con- 

 taining one in the middle of each segment, and a smaller one 

 at each division ; secondly, a sub-dorsal series of linear spots 

 on each segment; and lastly, a rather oblique one on the 

 skinfold at the anterior end of each segment: all these black 

 spots are larger on the middle segments. Spiracles incon- 

 spicuous. — H. J. Channon ; Woodlands, Lewisham, July 

 27, 1875. 



Description of the Larva of Emmelesia decolorata. — 

 As the larva of Emmelesia decolorata is not described 

 either in 'British Moths' or in the 'Manual,' you may, 

 perhaps, think it worth while to give your readers the 

 following notes on this insect : — It is a fat, sluggish 

 larva, resembling in outline some of the Eupitheciae 

 (Pulchellata and Linariata, e.g.), and when resting, ex- 

 posed on the plant, is stretched out with the head rather 

 thrown back. In colour it reminds one of the larva of 

 Ephestia elutella. The head is small, of a shining brown 

 colour, and evidently two lobed. On the 2nd segment there 

 is a horny brown plate, and the anal segment, the claspers 

 of which are wide and spreading, is similarly protected. The 

 medio-dorsal line or band is broad and distinct, but tapering 

 to each extremity, and is of a pale colour. The dorsal area 

 is dull, faint reddish, and has a few shining hairs. On the 

 sides the skin seems to be gathered up into a ridge, the 

 summit of which is the palest part of the larva, and forms a 

 nearly white, irregular, lateral stripe. Below this the reddish 

 colour appears again as an irregular line, abruptly marking off 

 the central area, which is pale, and has several small, but 

 distinct, spots of a pale brown colour on each segment. I 

 have generally found the larva on the stameniferous plant of 

 the while campion, although it sometimes feeds within the 

 seed-capsule. Its presence is generally first noticed by the 

 half-eaten petals, although its food is not confined to these. 

 It will eat either petals, or calyx, or seeds ; but it is generally 

 found within the calyx of the unopened flower-bud, devouring 

 the contents. Later on, however, it enters the seed-capsule. 



