THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



137 



>:^i 



THE PERNYI HILKW Omi—AttacuslAntheroea^ Perniji, Giier-Men. 



(Lepuloptera, Bombycidic) 



This is also an oak-feeding species which has 

 been introduced from Northern China, and it so 

 closely resembles yama-mai that a few remarks 

 hj way of comparison with the latter, will serve 

 my purj)Ose. 



It was named after M. Perny, a missionary 

 who, in 1850, sent it to France from Mandchouria, 

 China. It has been cultivated in Europe with 

 better success- than has attended the culture of 

 yama-mai, and in this country the success with it 

 has also been greater. It develops more rapidly 

 than the yama-mai and differs essentially from 

 that species in being double-brooded, and in pass- 

 ing the winter in the chrysalis state, like cynthia 

 and our native species. This trait gives it agreat 

 advantage over yama-mai, as not only can more 

 silk be produced, but we can more easily obtain 

 sound eggs. It is also less affected by confinement 

 indoors. Its cocoon is not so valuable, though 

 ranking third best of the eight species treated of. 

 The egg (Eig. 61, enlarged and natural size) is of about the same size, 

 form and color. The worm in the first stage is of a chocolate-brown with 

 the tubercles reddish and emitting reddish bristles. In the second stage it 

 is yellowish-green ; in the third and fourth it becomes greener, while sil- 

 very spots begin to show at the base of the anterior tubercles. In the last 

 stage it is of a dark green with a faint reddish lateral line over the stigma- 

 ta ; the head and legs are light brown with black spots and the triangular 

 anal mark is chocolate-brown. In form and general appearance it resembles 

 yama-mai. 



The cocoon (Fig. 61) is suspended by a cord which does not, however, 

 materially effect its reeling properties, as it is attached only to the loose 

 -outer silk. The silk is yellowish-gray, stout, brilliant and valuable. It is 

 almost twiee as thick as that of yama-mai and stuffs made of it are said to 

 have the appearance and nature of mixed silk, cotton and wool. 



Some eggs which I received from Dr. Wallace, of England, in 1869, 

 were so injured on the way hither that but few of them hatched, and none 

 of the worms completed more than one moult. I have not, therefore, been 

 able to present a figure of the worm, but through the courtesy of Dr. Wal- 

 lace, who sent me specimens, I present good figures of the cocoon and 

 moth. The moth (Fig. 60, female) bears a striking resemblance to yama- 

 mai, and varies nearly as much in color. The tips of the front wings are 

 generally a little more curved ; there is less black about the eye-spots, the 

 hind wings are less produced behind, so that their transverse band is more 

 in a line with that of the front wings, and the ground color is usually darker 

 and more uniform. 



