AN fe t heh , 
Cree Et ruticy 
[e504 Nw. |g 
114 LIFE-HISTORIES OF XYLORYCTIDR 
PROCOMETIS TROCHALA, MEYR. (PLATE XXVI, FIG. 2.) 
Procometis trochala, Meyr., B. J., XVIII, 635 (1908)(3), P. Z. 8.5 1908; 7300) 
Lefroy, Ind. Ins. Life, p. 536 (1909)(8) Trae Cue. Crt. reeds yin. 
Described from Pusa(+). Also in Pusa collection from Chapra in Bihar. 
‘“ Larvee found feeding upon the dry fallen leaves of sugarcane. The 
larva fixes two leaves together with silk and lives withm, moving gradually 
along and placing cross threads as it goes, so that its excrement is caught 
in the threads and the path of the larva can be traced for over a foot 
between the leaves. It feeds on the dry leaf and pupates between the webbed 
leaves ” (°), 
This species has been reared at Pusa from larvee found webbing to- 
gether dry sugarcane leaves (trash stripped from the canes) lying on the 
ground. 
A larva found at Pusa on 3rd September 1906 was described as nearly 
31 mm. long, broad anteriorly, tapering slightly posteriorly, light dusky grey ; 
head broad, chitinous, dark reddish-grey, with distinct clypeus, dull-grey 
antenne thickened at scape, and strong, notched, dark-red mandibles ; pro- 
thoracic shield dark grey faintly speckled with irregular yellowish-brown. 
dots ; mesothorax and metathorax with a transverse dark grey line set with 
small grey hairs; legs dull grey, greasy-looking, acuminate, penultimate 
segment with shiny chitinous patch ; posterior portion of abdominal segments 
whitish-grey with fine dark grey transverse lines across dorsum, and on these 
lines fine dull-grey hairs projecting forward ; anal segment with a thin dark- 
grey chitinous shield. 
The pupa, obtained from the above larva, was described as 11 mm. in 
length, cylindrical, tapering posteriorly ; head prominent with dark rounded 
eye-caps ; wing-pads deep red; spiracles prominent, small, oval, eight abdo- 
minal segments visible. 
The larva pupated on 24th September and the moth emerged on 3rd 
October 1906. : 
The larva constructs a long tubular gallery of dead leaves lined with 
silk which may be as long as 13} inches. It feeds on the epidermal layers 
and the parenchyma of the leaf. The pupa lives between the folds of the 
leaves and is never found on the ground. 
Besides sugarcane leaves this species has been bred at Pusa from larvee 
feeding on dried arhar (Cajanus indicus) stem and in dead castor branch, 
and once from a larva found boring into living sugarcane. There are 
apparently two broods annually, as we have moths taken in June and 
October. 
