the Life History of Polyommatus eros. 473 



February 16, — Still eating, looks decidedly larger. 



February 19. — Gave a fresh bit of leaf yesterday; has 

 attacked two leaflets. Brought rest of larvae to warm 

 room. 



None of these larvae reached the 4th instar. 



In 1914 it appears that about January 22nd I brought 

 up some larvae and put them on a growing plant of Oxy- 

 tropis campestris, they disappeared, but on February 1st 

 one shows itself. 



February 3. — Two larvae are obviously feeding, 3 are 

 altogether in evidence. 



February 9. — There are now five larvae in evidence, 

 three of those noted above and 2 on a plant that was left 

 out of doors all winter till 5 days ago. There are still a 

 few larvae apparently alive in " cold storage." 



February 19. — Larvae have been brought up and put 

 on growing plants of 0. campestris at various times in 

 the last fortnight or so. Only a few survive. 



One in the 4th instar (moulted since brought up), is when 

 contracted 3"5 mm., probably 4*0 or over if moving. It is dull 

 green, which has a rather dirty tint owing to the numerous black 

 hair bases. There is a yellow tint down each side of the dorsum. The 

 whole larva has a rough look owing to the comparatively long 

 hairs, especially those on the dorsal and lateral ridges, which are 

 of somewhat smoky tint. They are 0*4 or even 0*5 mm. long. 



March 8. — A larva (No. 1 in 4th instar) 5-5 mm. long, 

 very difficult to detect as it rests beneath a leaflet of 0. 

 campestris, its green being of much the same shade as that 

 of the plant, and though it is covered with the minute 

 black dots of the hair bases these merely help to give an 

 effect of shadow, not otherwise very strong as both the 

 leaflets and the larva are quite translucent, even in a 

 moderate light. The hairs, which are longer and more 

 abundant than in other Lycaenid larvae I know, merge 

 very well with those of the plant, though the latter are 

 colourless and those of the larva have a distinct brownish 

 shade. 



This larva is now quite green, with a brownish tinge 

 on the prothoracic plate. Looked at in front the dorsal 

 and lateral hairs make a very strong appearance, the hairs 

 are quite 0*4 mm. long, there is a series of hairs of about 

 half the length and fewer in numbers half-way up the 

 slope. The larva is by no means fully grown in its present 



