the egg-rasrs and early stages of some Cassididiv. 15 



the mode in which it is attached is similar in the two 

 genera. The excrement in Gassida accumulates in a solid 

 mass, which is held flat on the back of the larva. In fig. 

 2Ga, PI. V, the excrementitious shield is shown folded 

 backwards, so as to allow the shape of the larva to be 

 seen. 



8. Laccopteva cxcavata. 



This larva is very dark, in some instances quite black. 

 The spikes surrounding it are proportionally small 

 compared with A. pnncticosta. The ninth abdominal spikes 

 are larger than the others. Shortly after hatching, these 

 ninth abdominal spikes are covered with excrement, and 

 before the larva is two days old a " shield " is formed, 

 under which the larva can hide itself. At each ecdysis 

 the old skin is worked into the shield and covered with 

 excrement. 



These larva? expose themselves quite freely upon the 

 upper-surface of their food-plant {Ijjovioia holosericea), and 

 unless one is acquainted with their habits, he would never 

 think the black blotches were living creatures. 



The pupa is of a golden colour, marked with black. 

 The pronotum is enlarged and edged with spikelets, a 

 pair of which is larger than the rest. The first five 

 abdominal spikes are flattened into thin membranes edged 

 with spikelets. The other spikes are greatly reduced in 

 size. 



In the larval structure and habits this insect is a 

 Oassida — not an Aspidomorjjha — form ; and we have 

 already pointed out that its ootheca is also that of 

 Cassida. 



ETHOLOGY. 



In considering some points of general interest in connec- 

 tion with these oothecas and with the larval habits, it is 

 desirable to make a few general remarks as to the informa- 

 tion that has been put on record by other Naturalists. 

 And in order to do this satisfactorily it will be well to treat 

 the oothecas and larv^ separately. 



A. Oothecas. 



The eggs of insects are usually provided with two cover- 

 ings, a very delicate internal one called the vitelline 



