SESIIDM. 107 



transparent portion brilliant irridescent blue ; palpi yellow ; 

 thorax brown ; abdomen blackish brown beneath, with three 

 broad yellow belts, and the apex yellow. 



On the wing in the latter part of May and in Jane. 



Larva nearly one and a half inches long. Rather broad 

 and slightly flattened in front, broadest at the third segment 

 and tapering slightly to the tail, skin much wrinkled. Head 

 flattened, hard, and horny, smaller than the second segment, 

 into which it is retractile ; shield of the second segment strong, 

 wide in front, narrowed behind ; prolegs extremely small and 

 ill-developed, with small disks of points in place of the usual 

 hooks. Head rich chestnut-brown, with the mouth paler, but 

 outlined with black ; second segment more yellow than the 

 remainder; body soft, glossy yellowish white; spiracles ringed 

 with red-brown ; hairs few and scattered, short, brown. Much 

 like a large soft maggot, yet from the strength of its jaws 

 well fitted for eating through solid wood. Lives in the basal 

 portions of the trunks, and the upper parts of the large 

 spreading roots, of poplar, especially Pojndus nigra and P, 

 tremula; sometimes following the root to some distance from 

 the trunk, but feeding principally in the bark. (Hellins.) 

 Lewin reared larvee feeding under bark of lime trees (Tilia 

 Europcca). 



Eull fed in April, after feeding, probably, nearly two years. 



Pupa elongate, cylindrical, rounded at the back, flatter in 

 front, having in the front of the head a keeled projection ; 

 eye-covers prominent; tongue and wing-cases very distinct 

 and slightly detached at their ends ; leg- and antenna -cases 

 also prominent, but closely attached ; abdominal segments with 

 double or single rows of sharp strong points ; tail rounded 

 off. Glossy rich brown. (Hellins.) In a cocoon of wood gnaw- 

 ings and silk, in the burrow, and immediately beneath the 

 bark. The projection in front of the head has been observed 

 to be used for scratching and partially cutting the cocoon from 

 the inside, so that it bursts open at the marks produced. 



