PROCEEDINGS, 1918 U 



As the larva grows, it assumes a leaf-green colour, which renders it 

 almost imperceptible to the casual oljserver. This general green colour 

 is relieved by two brownish grey lines, one on each side of the median 

 dorsal line. 



After a period of about six weeks, end of July, during which time 

 the larva has apparently only moulted l)ut once and has attained a 

 length of about 8.5 mm., it ceases feeding altogether and becomes 

 ciuiescent. In this condition they spend the winter among the dead 

 leaves on the ground, and in the following spring they resiune their 

 activities when the food-plant once more sends up its sh.oots. 



Growth then proceeds rather ra])idly, the larva measuring 15 mm. 

 in its penultimate stadium and 17 mm. when full-grown. The segmental 

 tubercles un the dorsal surface and the paired "pseudopodia" on each of 

 the last eight abdominal segments, are now well developed. The latter 

 are the organs of locomotion and serve to retain the body of the larva 

 on the leaf-surface by fluid-pressure, as well as liy the secretion of a 

 viscid liquid. When disturbed, the larvae relax their liold on the leaf- 

 surface and readily fall to the ground. This response to a contact 

 stimulus, together with their marked resemblance to their environment, 

 would appear to be their only assets of defence against predaceous 

 insects. In no single instance were the larvae found to be parasitized, 

 although it is not improbalile that there is quite a high percentage of 

 mortality under natural conditions, caused b}' hunting spiders and 

 ground-beetles. 



Pupal Stage. Previous to pupating, the larva firmly attaches itself 

 to the surface of the leaf or to the leaf-petiole by means of its anal 

 pseudopodia. The skin splits transversely posterior to the head, but is 

 only partiall}- .sloughed ofT. The head, thorax and first four abdominal 

 segments of the ]nipa are exposed, but the remainder of the abdomen 

 remains enclosed in the larval skin, the terminal portion of which 

 attached to the leaf-surface, is collapsed and wrinkled. The black 

 head-capsule of the larva, which is moulted w-ith the rest of the exuvium, 

 lies ventrad of the fifth abdominal segment of the pupa. The pupae may 

 be found on both the upper and lower leaf-surface as well as attached to 

 the petioles. 



The pupal period persists for 6 to 10 days, at the end of which time 

 the adult appears. 



Proportion of Sexes. Of 108 adults reared, 91 were females and 

 the remaining 17 males. Thus the percentage of females and males 

 reared were respectively 84.2 and 15.8. 



On June 1, 1917, 96 individuals were captured bv sweeping the 

 food-plant at Westholme, when the males were found to be in the 



