148 TWENTY- SIXTH REPORT ON THE STATE MUSEUM. 



from E. egle. His observations on the species will be given in his 

 forthcoming (sixth) Annual Report. 



Halisidota caryae (Harris). 



The cocoons of this moth were found at Schoharie, N". Y., during 

 the fall of 1856. in large numbers, attached to the under-surfaces of 

 stones, which had been thrown together in a pile extending for sev- 

 eral rods along the borders of a wood. A thousand could easily have 

 been secured in a few minutes of time. From one stone twenty-three 

 cocoons were taken, from an area of about five by eight inches, of 

 which fifteen were clustered in a space of fifteen square inches. 



The cocoons were kept in a warmed room. An ichneumon emerged 

 December 2d, and the first imago December 15th. A few only of 

 the cocoons were ichneumonized. 



Although the larva of this species is not rare, the moth is seldom 

 taken by the collector. The exposed habitat of the cocoon, beneath 

 stones, usually ensures its destruction during the winter months from 

 some of the many predaceous enemies which resort to it for food. 

 Numbers of ,the cocoons are met with in the spring, in localities 

 where the larvae abound, with an opening through the sides, and the 

 debris of the pupa within. One that has survived the perils of its 

 hybernation beneath a stone or piece of wood is of very rare occur- 

 rence. 



Orgyia leucostigma (Sm.-Abb.). 



A female imago of this species had emerged, August 4th, within its 

 breeding cage standing in a large apartment about ten feet from an 

 open door. At dusk (half-past seven o'clock) males commenced to 

 fly in the room, and precipitate themselves against the gauze front 

 of the cage, moving in every direction over its surface with legs, 

 wings and antennae in rapid motion, in a persistent effort to force an 

 entrance in the cage. Several attempted to enter through the small 

 crevice left by the imperfectly fitting door at the rear of the cage. 

 Three or four moths were often on the gauze at the same time, whence 

 they could be plucked with the thumb and finger. During the hour 

 that this exhibition continued, forty moths were taken and pinned, 

 from at least a hundred that entered the room. 



The larvae had been more abundant than usual during the season 

 (of 1861,>t Schoharie). 



