THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 
Vou. XVI.) JUNE, 1888. [No. 241. 
ABNORMAL LARVA OF MELANIPPE MONTANATA. 
Abnormal larva of Melanippe montanata. 
THE curious larva of Melanippe montanata figured above was 
exhibited by me at the Entomological réunion at the Royal 
Aquarium, on March 5th last. It has the antenne and prolegs 
of the perfect insect fully developed. This monstrosity was one 
of a brood of a dozen larve which I reared from ova. These eggs 
hatched in August, 1882, and I noticed nothing particular about 
the young larve until the end of November, when I observed that 
one was considerably larger, and was evidently more forward 
and thriving than the others. I watched it carefully, and 
found it almost continuously feeding, and keeping steadily to 
its food (Primula vulgaris), with which the larve were liberally 
supplied during the past mild winter. On February 15th I was 
astonished to find that this forward individual had developed the 
antenne of the imago, but without in any other way altering its 
larval appearance. For a space of two or three days the antenne 
were beautifully pectinated, and then the prolegs of the imago 
became perfect, being, with the abnormal antenne, of the 
appearance of uncoloured gelatine. Both antenne and legs then 
gradually shrank and dried until the 20th; and as the larva 
showed signs of dying I thought it better to preserve it while 
possible. All the larve in this brood were reared in a cold room, 
with the windows generally open. 
BK. H. Jones. 
2, Cromer Villas, Southfields, near Wandsworth, S.W. 
Oo 
