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Tortoise beetles may be destroyed with Paris green, but as they often hide 
beneath the leaves, they are not so easily killed as the Colorado potato beetle. 
The plants should be closely watched when set out in spring, as at this time the 
beetles are comparatively few in number, and could be killed before the eggs are 
deposited, which would save much future trouble and expense. “ An ounce of 
prevention is worth a pound of cure.” 
Tortoise beetles appear to be remarkably free from parasites. I have bred 
numbers of Physonota helianthi, but only raised one parasite, a small dipterous fly. 
QUEBEC REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GENUS PLUSIA. 
BY THE REV. THOMAS W. FYLES, SOUTH QUEBEC. 
Following are the characteristics of the genus Plusia :— 
Imago, antennz setaceous, thorax and abdomen crested, fore-wings acute, 
eurved on the hind margin, glossy, and often ornamented with metallic markings. 
Larva, loops somewhat in walking, having twelve legs only ; attenuated 
anteriorly ; feeds exposed on low plants. 
Puwpa, inclosed in a slight cocoon. 
Insects belonging to the genus Plusia may be readily distinguished by the con- 
spicuous crest which they bear on the shoulders, the tufted abdomen, and the bill- 
hook shaped curve of the inner margin of the fore-wings. These are more or less 
striking in them all. Some of the species are very abundant, individuals of them 
may be seen in our gardens, even in the hot sunshine, hovering over the blossoms 
or passing from plant to plant with easy rapid motions. 
The largest, and I think the most beautiful of our Quebec species is 
. ah gma DP. balluca (Gey.) Fig. 23, whichis one and 
; three-fourths inches in expanse of wings. 
The splendid bronze-green of its wings, 
@a shining with the richest gloss of satin, will 
7make it known to the veriest tyro in 
Entomology. 
P. Putnami (Grote) may also be 
readily distinguished by its burnt-sienna 
coloured fore-wings with their golden apical 
streak, and theit two central golden spots, 
sometimes united. 
P. thyatiroides (Guen.) is very rare in the Province of Quebec. To those 
who are fortunate enough to meet with it, it may at once be known by the 
patches at the base and inner angles of its fore-wings, which are of a delicate 
pink, resembling in colour those on the wings of the English * peach blossom 
moth” (Thyatira batis). It is to these that the insect owes its name. The only 
specimen I have was taken at Cowansville in the Eastern Townships. 
P. mortuorum (Guen.) also may be readily known. Its fore-wings are dark 
_ brown approaching to black. They are embellished with silvery lines and washes 
near the hind margin. Extending from the base to the centre of the wing are 
conspicuous plume-like silvery-white markings. This is one of the smallest 
species in the genus, expanding about one inch and a quarter. — } 
The fore-wings of P. ampla (Walk.) are ash-brown with a rosy tinge. 
Extending from the inner margin to the middle of the wing is a well-defined 
dark-brown velvety patch, the inner side of which has a deep curve and is finely 
outlined with gold colour. 
