, 
“ 
iil ter lange A 5 
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THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 195 
and may be found there occasionally; but this insect 
evidently prefers the stameniferous plant. The larva is full- 
fed in August, and spins a cocoon underground.—[ Rev.] G. 
A. Smallwood ; Barrow-on-Trent, Derby, July 28, 1875. 
Description of the Larva of Hydreecia Petasitis.—Of 
nearly uniform thickness throughout, but slightly tapering 
towards both extremities. The segmental divisions are not 
clearly marked, but the sectional divisions are very distinct. 
The head is glabrous, and of a light brown colour. The body 
creamy white, and with dark brown oval spiracles. The 
dorsal surface of the 2nd segment is glabrous, and of a pale 
brown colour; the 5th and following segments have each a 
transverse dorsal series of four raised wart-like brown dots ; 
the interior pair are generally more prominent and distinct 
than the outer ones; in younger specimens these warts are 
scarcely perceptible. There are a number of strong brown 
bristles scattered over the larva, and particularly about the 
dorsal warts, sometimes actually emanating from them, but 
generally in the interstices between them. The under side is 
creamy white. These larve, for which I am indebted to the 
courtesy of Mr. Robert Kay, of Spring Bank, Bury, bear a 
very striking resemblance to those of Phragmateecia Arun- 
dinis, probably owing to a similarity of economy, both being 
internal feeders. Hydreecia Petasitis feeds in the substantial 
subterranean stem of the coltsfoot, Petasites vulgaris, in which 
it makes large excavations. It is usual to speak of this part 
as the root, but it seems to me rather an underground stem, 
from which leaves and flowers emanate every spring. I pre- 
sume it is generally known that this species is the Vindelicia 
of Frey. Mr. Kay accompanies the larve with the following 
interesting particulars— Edward Newman. 
Hydrecia Petasitis.—With.us Hydrecia Petasitis is not 
near so common as formerly, partially owing to “ improve- 
ments ;” and again, the larva is a desideratum with the anglers 
for bait. Not having obtained eggs at any time I cannot say 
how or when they are deposited ; but imagine they are placed 
as low down the stem of the food-plant as possible, so that 
they may not be destroyed when the plant dies off. With the 
exception of a few Hydracia micacea, and now and then a 
H. Humuli (feeding in the stems), H. Petasitis appears to be 
the only Lepidopterous larva which feeds internally on the 
