MEMOIRS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 



261 



(3) The head, compared with that of Cerma, is not retractile, the prothoracic segment being of 

 the normal size. 



This retractility of the head iu Cerura may bo an adaptive, recent character, and this feature 

 appears to indicate that it is a later, more specialized form tlian 11. marthesin. 



Cocoon. — The cateriiillar spins between the leaves (iu the breeding cage) a symmetrical oval- 

 elliptical, evenly woven cocoon of pale gray silk, though it is thin and translucent. It is 30 mm. 

 in length and 17 mm. in width. 



I'uiM.—Tvfo 6 , three 5 . Body full and thick, tlie abdominal segments 1 to 7 punctured much 

 as iu H. ffHttivitta and hmndata. The head is full, rounded, with two well-marked, parallel vertical 

 ridges, which are convex and smooth, passing up and down between the eyes; on the top of the 

 head are slightly marked corrugations. In the transverse black band extending across behind 

 and next to the hinder edge of the thorax are eight large, deep pits, the squarish tubercles 

 between them being simple on the upper surface, which is dull, unpolished. 



Fig. 87.— Pupa of Macrumcampa marthesia, 

 end of body of ,:C. 



Fig. i 



-Papa of Macniracanipa marthesia, sp. 

 spirarle; end of body of V . 



The cremaster bears two very stout, diverging spines, conical, corrugated on the surface; they 

 are unarmed, being simple, with no accessory si)inules, except minute rudimentary ones on the 

 inside. Length, IS mm. 



lluhits. — The caterpillar of this moth is one of the most interesting among the Notodontians, 

 since it connects Cerura with the other genera, by reason of its two long caudal filaments, so 

 much like those of Cerura. These appendages are simply modified anal legs, and seem to be 

 tactile and repellant organs. This caterpillar is also interesting from its power, when touched, of 

 forcing out a dense cloud of fine .si)ray from a gland in tlie under side of the prothoracic segment 

 near the head.' 



In certain favorable years this is an abundant caterpillar on the oaks iu Providence, E. I. 



In Elaine I have noticed the caterpillar in its fourth stage resting on the niulerside of the leaf, 

 on a lateral rib, the dorsal stripe resembling in color and appearance the peculiar greenish yellow 

 shade of the rib. When thus at rest the tails are not spread apart, but when disturbed it whisks 

 its tails about, jerking tliem over its back just like a Cerura larva, its flagellum being everted and 

 withdrawn as freely as in that genus. The cocoon is of silk, not very thick, spun between the 

 leaves, and in confinement the moths issued at Providence in November, though ordinarily not 

 due until June. 



Professor liiley has observed it on oak at St. Louis, Mo., June 132, and in July; also iu 

 September, the moths issuing March 11 and 18. lie has bred a Tachinid fly and a Cryptus parasite 

 from the caterpillars. 



Food phiiitf!. — The oak of various species; also found on the beecli in Maine. 



Geofiraphical distribution. — Very interesting, as it occurs from Maine to Georgia and Texas,, 

 also occurring iu Jalapa, Mexico, according to Druce in Biologia CentraliAmericana, Heterocera, 

 page 238, and in Surinam and Brazil. Its southwestern and western limits are unknown. It has- 

 not yet occurred iu the Rocky Mouutain regiou (Campestrian subprovince). 



' I have deferred the description of the spraying glands of this and several other Notodontians to a future 

 occasion. (See Joiunal New York Kntoiuological Society, Sept., 1895.; 



