BY K. ILLIDGE AND AMBEOSE QUAIL, F.E.S. (lONDOn). 67 



and remains so after exclusion of the larva in Hepialus. Charagia, 

 and Porina. 



The ova obtained were all infertile. 



Larv.t:. 



These insects live throughout the larval and pupal existence 

 within the branches and trunks of trees. C. daphnandrne in 

 Eugenia, Daphnandra, Tristania, Eucalyptus, &c. (lUidge), C. 

 eximia in Melaleuca, &c. (Illidge), C. virescens we have taken 

 commonly in Hoheria, which is stated to be restricted to New 

 Zealand, but Hudson gives also Olea, Aristotelia, Leptospermum, 

 and Melicope. which include Australia in their range of 

 geographical distribution. It has been noted elsewhere''' (Illidge) 

 that the food of these larvie consists largely of the sap of the 

 tree. We have often observed that if wood containing larva^ of C. 

 virescens is turned upside down, the tiuid contents, undoubtedly 

 sap, will run out of the inverted burrows. 



The burrows of Charagia are horizontal in the first part, 

 and then perpendicularly downwards ; the entrance is wider 

 than the continuation, and has an external cover from the first 

 constructed of silk with particles of bark worked in, making it 

 inconspicuous. 



(I.) C. daphnandne cmstructs a very loose external cover 

 much exceeding the size of the burrow entrance ; just prior to 

 the pupal stage an inner operculum is constructed horizontally 

 covering the perpendicular shaft. The length of burrow varied 

 from four to nine inches (Illidge). 



(II.) C. eximia forms an extremely stout external cover, and 

 the prepupal operculum is inner to the external cover not hori- 

 zontal as in the other species. Length of burrow, one to three feet 

 or more (Illidge). 



(III.) C. ramsayi also forms a stout external cover, but 

 instead of an operculum as in the preceding species, spins a web 

 of pure glistening silk around and over the opening, as do also 

 ■C. splendens, C. lewinii, and C. lignivora It is worthy of note 

 that these four species which spin the silken web inner to the 

 •external protecting cover before pupating should be all strongly 

 adorned with silvery markings, whereas those which form the 

 operculum are either devoid of such or have only traces of them 

 They thus seem to fall naturally into two groups. 



(IV.) C. virescens constructs a compact close-fitting 

 external cover, and the prepupal operculum is horizontal to the 



Proc. Roy. Soc. Q'land, Vol. xiv. 



