388 MODERN CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS. 
Fig. 107. 

Mr. Dale (Mag. Nat. Hist. No. 19.) makes the following singular state- 
ment respecting some of these insects :— “ I once had a specimen of 
Bombyx Menthrastri, and six of Ophion vinule [ichneumons ]| hatched 
from the pupz of Bombyx vinulus, which is certamly a curious fact.” 
An instance is also recorded in the same work, in which the larva of 
Cerura vinula had been observed to exhibit electrical powers. 
The larve of the genus Limacodes Latr. (Apoda Haworth) are 
interesting from the onisciform structure of their larva, which have 
the feet so short (the prolegs being retractile) as to appear destitute 
of legs (fig.107. 4. larva, 5. cocoon, 6. pupa, and 7. imago of Lima- 
codes Testudo; 107. 8. larva of a North American species, figured 
by Abbott and Smith). A remarkable species, apparently belonging 
to this group, is figured by Lewin in his work on the Lepidoptera of 
New South Wales. 
The genera Oiketicus* and Psyche are remarkable for the habit 
which their larve have of constructing for themselves portable cases of 
bits of grass and sticks or leaves, in which they reside, and undergo 
their transformations (fig. 106. 10. larva in its case ; 11. pupa of the 
female ; 12. male imago; 13. female imago; 14. antenna @ ). In this 
respect these insects represent the Phryganeide ; indeed, Mr. 
Newman does not hesitate to assert, that they ought to be removed 
from the present order. The transformations of these insects are 
especially interesting, and the females are entirely apterous, being in 
* The Rev. L. Guilding’s admirable account of this genus is contained in the 
fifteenth volume of the Linnean Transactions. Judging from his figures, I appre- 
hend the genus comprises two very distinct groups, P. MacLeaii appearing nearly 
allied to Psyche. The female never quits her case, but receives the caresses of the 
male whilst still confined therein. 
