PROCEEDINGS OF THE XUIED EMTOMOLOGICAL MEETING 915 



The rostrum now extends slightly beyond the abdomen and can be seen 

 from above ; the distal joint of the antenna is slightly swollen. 



At this stage also the larvae are gregarious and not very active ; but 

 they often manage to remain together hidden either under a leaf or on 

 the unexposed surface of a fruit. 



The second moult takes place after four days. 



Tliird instnr. Length 5 mm. At this stage the posterior end of the 

 thorax shows a tendency to become pointed backwards to form the 

 future scutellum. Soon after the second moult the larva has a uniform 

 pinkish colour and the rostrum has a whitish tinge. After an hour or 

 more the ground-colour now becomes changed to a reddish ochre and the 

 metallic spots at the connexivum appear clearly. The rostrum reaches 

 beyond the abdomen. The scutellum aj)pears pointed posteriorly at 

 the median line. The larvae still feed gregariously but in hiding. In 

 another four days the third moult occurs. 



Fourth instar. Length 8 mm. At this stage the rostrum is slightly 

 shorter and just reaches the tip of the abdomen. Head, thorax, legs and 

 rostrum metallic blue ; abdomen above and below reddish ochraceous 

 with two transverse and one dumb-bell-.shaped patches of dark brown on 

 the dorsal surface of the abdomen. The head is drawn forwards and the 

 three regions in it are clear ; the rudiments of the wings appear on each 

 side of the body as blunt processes of a metallic hue. The scutellum 

 is found gradually moving backwards over the abdomen. The larvas 

 at this stage begin to separate and remain feeding hiding under leaves. 

 In another four ■ days the next stage is assumed after another 

 moult. 



Fijth instil r. Length 12 mm. The rostrum at present reaches only 

 the third abdominal segment. The wing-pads and scutellum are distinct 

 and have moved backwards well over the abdomen. The latter is bluntly 

 pointed behind and reaches the first dumb -bell- shaped transverse band 

 on the abdomen ; the \\'ing-pads extend a little beyond. The prothoracic 

 spines now appear and though small are distinct, sharp and pointed back- 

 wards. In colour the antennae and rostrum are dark, the region of the 

 legs from coxa to tibia reddish ; the tibia; and tarsi of a shining metallic 

 green colour. Head, thorax and scutellum shining metallic green. 

 The lateral margins of the prothorax orange. The metallic bands on the 

 abdomen are broader and prominent. The abdomen below gets a darker 

 tinge especially at the midventral region. 



In a week's time the last moult takes place and the adult condition 

 is assumed. The following table of rearing in captivity show the approxi- 



