Life Histories in the Hepialid Group of Lepidoptera. 415 



slowly in length. Shape is cylindrical, posterior segments 

 slightly smaller than anterior. Prothorax slightly smaller 

 than meso-thonix. Trapezoidal tubercles of eighth abdom- 

 inal are equidistant, of niutli the anterior are remote, and 

 the posterior close together. The supraspiracular tubercles 

 are on conspicuous lateral swellings. 



Head reddish brown ; dorsal plates, tubercles, setae, and 

 spiracles are brown ; legs pale brown ; segmental area 

 cream colour, varying to oiley white ; abdominal feet 

 white. I suspect the colour bears some relation to the 

 ecdysis. One larva, having just completed its ecdysis, was 

 entirely cream colour except the hairs, but in the course 

 of a few hours became normal, and the skin oiley ; the 

 contents of the alimentary canal give a slight greenish 

 tint to all but the last two or three segments. 



Larva 195 days old. (PI. V, fig. 17.) 



Length If inches. I figured prothorax showing dark 

 areas at base of the hairs of second series. I observed 

 one larva on the verge of ecdysis, the caput already split ; 

 under the microscope the setse of tubercles of inner skin 

 showed through the outer skin the trapezoidal seta> 

 directed towards each other across dorsum, the long supra- 

 spiracular seta just reached the base of the anterior 

 trapezoidal, the short seta obliquely crossed the long one. 



Larm 226 dmjs old. (PI. V, figs. 18, 19.) 



Length about li inches. Larvae exude a dark fluid when 

 handled, apparently from the mouth ; I had not previously 

 observed these larvaa to do so. I examined and figured 

 the abdominal feet. A row of strong hooks turned outward 

 completely encircle the inner edge of a central transverse 

 elongate depression, about six rows of sharp points 

 (or spines) surround the inner row of principal hooks. 

 The claspers have strong hooks on inner side, and 

 numerous small spines, which become weaker towai'ds, 

 and are not present at, the middle of the posterior margin, 

 the outline of which forms a central incision. 



Larva 239 days old. 



A freshly-cast skin examined under the microscope 

 showed the small secondary hairs on some portions. The 

 rims round base of seta3 were transparent, the rest of tlie 

 skin not being so. Setae of tubercles smooth. 



