ag Aa 1 teellenes 
THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 39 
4 
Formby Moss, where I knew this plant grew in profusion on 
one ride (though it does not appear in the ‘ Liverpool Flora,’ 
recently issued): here I examined every flower of the 
Knautia without seeing a pug larva upon them; and if I did 
not base my conclusions on facts positive or negative, it may 
ease Mr. Crewe’s mind to think other of your readers may 
draw different conclusions from the following “process of 
reasoning :”—Knautiata feeds on Knautia arvensis at Bull 
Hill, where no heath grows, and Minutata feeds on heath at 
Hawkshead, at Witherslack, and at Formby Moss, where plenty 
of K. arvensis grows amongst the heath, but never once 
touches the Bull Hill food of Knautiata, when it can get 
heather, otherwise the Knautia feeder is a new species; and 
since Minutata has a pink larva, and this has not, so I assert 
E. Knautiata is distinct from Minutata; or, reasoning another 
way (but, as I said before, | am no reasoner). Mr. Crewe 
says of Minutata larva (see ‘ Zoologist,’ p. 8174) :—- 
A itiststout.? 
5 cutis: thick.” 
“It is stumpy.” 
. “Its ground colour is dull pink, or flesh-tint.” 
. It has a series of dusky Y-shaped dorsal spots. 
. Each dorsal segment (whatever that may mean) is 
studded with four yellowish tubercles, 
7. The spiracular line is yellowish. 
8. The head is dusky olive. 
9. The belly is dusky, or pinkish white. 
10. It feeds upon the flowers of the common ling (Calluna 
vulgaris). 
And, as I am quite willing to let my species Knautiata 
stand or fall, on the description I have published (Entom. vii. 
p. 256), against Mr. Crewe’s description of the larva of 
E. minutata, as given in Newman’s ‘ British Moths’ (p. 137), 
let us see how they agree, and leave your readers to decide 
between us. I say of E. Knautiata larva :— 
lst. When young, slender, cylindrical. Not “short.” 
2nd. Rather stout, attenuate to both extremities. Not 
thick.” 
3rd. Much appressed in the céutral segments. Not 
“stumpy.” 
4th. Varies from French-white, pale straw-colour, ashy 
Oore WIO 
