67 



The penultiiiuite stage of the larva of ofnlthogaUl is shown at 

 figure 2, h^ of Plate IV, and the linal stage at c of the same figure. 

 The length of the mature larva is from one and one-half to one and 

 three-fourths inches and five-sixteenths of an inch is the width (of 

 inflated specimens). It should ])e added that the figures presented 

 of this larva are not as good as could be desired partly on account of 

 their imperfect inflation. 



DISTRIBUTION. 



According to specimens in the National Museum, Divisional records 

 of occurrence, and such few pul)lished records as ha\e Iteen consulted, 

 it is obvious that this species is widely distrilnited tlirough the Upper 

 and Lower Austral life zones from Massachusetts and New York 

 southward to Texas and westward to California. In Ncav Jerse}" it is 

 credited b}" Smith as occurring ''throughout the State," and the New 

 York locality is recorded })y Harvc}'. Its occurrence in the latter 

 state, however, does not appear to be noted in any of the fifteen 

 Annual Reports of Doctors Lintner and Felt that have appeared to 

 date, and as no definite locality in that State or in Massachusetts has 

 been specified it would seem that the species is rare so far north, if, 

 indeed, it occurs there at all in the larval condition. The same holds 

 good for Minnesota, where the moth has been captured. This species 

 is evidently one of several comparatively well known Lower Austral 

 forms of moths w^hich are able during the summer and autunui to 

 extend their range, principally l)v flight, well into the Upper Austral 

 region, where occasionally, as happened in 1889, numbers succumb 

 during severe winters. 



The list of localities which will l)e given, though short, may serve 

 as a basis for additions which will indicate more clearl}^ the range 

 of this insect: New York; New Jersey; Lancaster, Pa. ; Berwjni, Cabin 

 John, Garrett Park, Md. ; Tennallytown and Brookland, D. C. ; Da}^- 

 ton, Ohio (Pilate); Lafayette, Ind. ; St. Anthony Park (Lugger), Tensas 

 Parish, Ashwood, La.; Holly Springs, Miss.; Archer, Fla.; Gaines- 

 ville, Tex.; Lawrence, Clay County, Kans.; Fountain, Okla. ; St. 

 Francis Count}", Ark,; Savannah, Griffin, Ga.; Raleigh, N. C, and 

 California. 



RECENT OCCURRENCE. 



This species has come under ol)servation (juite frequently duiing the 

 past three 3'ears through the occurrence of larva^ upon cultivated and 

 other plants. Prior to this date and during 1898 the moths were quite 

 frequently seen at electric lights, particularly during autunni, but in 

 1899 there was a considerable diminution in their munbers, as has been 

 related elsewhere, wdiile in 1900 the moths returned to lights in num- 

 bers approximating their former and normal abundance. 



