THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



No. C] OCTOBER 1, MDCCCLXIV. [PracE 6d. 



Description of the Larva of Anihocharis Cardamines 

 (Orange-tip). — The female lays her eggs on Erysimum alli- 

 aria (hedge garlic), Hesperis raatronalis (dame's cress), Tiirri- 

 tis glabra (lower mustard), Barbarea vulgaris (winter cress or 

 yellow rocket), and occasionalh' on Cardamine pratensis 

 (lady's smock), as stated by Mr. Doubleday (Zool. 5146), who 

 observes, with his usual care, that in this instance the greater 

 part of the larvaj must perish, because, when the meadows 

 are mowed, the Cardamine is cut down with the grass 

 before the larva? are full-fed : it is very probable also that 

 other species of Cruciferse siliquosse are occasionally selected 

 in the absence of those mentioned above, but I know of no 

 others which have been noticed in England. When the 

 young larva emerges it makes its way up the flowering-stalk, 

 and as soon as the pods have formed begins devouring them : 

 the larva at first requires but little, and the pods, growing 

 with great rapidity, fully keep pace with its requirements, 

 and furnish an abundant supply of food : it is curious to 

 observe with what pertinacity these larvae, in confinement, 

 select the pods and neglect the leaves of these plants, and, 

 having watched their proceedings with great attention, I 

 have fancied they devoured the seeds themselves with pecu- 

 liar [relish : sometimes a pod will be pierced exactly over 

 each seed, and the seeds themselves consumed, the pod being 

 neglected until the supply of the more favourite viand had 

 failed. When full-fed, which is during the first week in July, 

 the larva rests in a nearly straight position on the stalk or seed- 

 pod of its food-plant : the head is then of exactly the same 

 breadth as the 2nd segment, and the body of nearly equal 

 breadth throughout, but slightly attenuated towards the anal 

 extremity, which is rounded ; the dorsal surface is convex, 

 transversely and regularly wrinkled, the wrinkles dividing 

 each segment into sections ; the sides are slightly dilated 

 below the spiracles, and the ventral surface depressed ; every 



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