io4 



INSECTS. 



the perfect, or imago condition, the larva has to be sought for and reared, — a 

 matter of no little difficulty, as it lives, like those of the allied genus Charagia, in 

 cylindrical burrows, which it makes in the interior of the stems or branches of 

 trees, sometimes near the surface of the ground, and sometimes at a height of fifty 

 or a hundred feet. By searching for these burrows, and rearing the larvse, or 

 pupae, when found, a considerable number of specimens have been obtained by the 

 miners ; but I am informed that the supply is by no means equal to the demand." 



The caterpillar is long, cylindrical, and fleshy. Above its general colour is 

 pale yellow, with the divisions between the segments inclining to reddish brown. 

 The first three segments are rather bright red ; and the following segments, with 

 the exception of the two last, are marked with three pale spots in the middle, and 

 two on each side. The finely rugose head is black, as are the claws of the short 

 legs. In the long and cylindrical pupa each of the abdominal segments beyond 

 the extremities of the wing-covers is provided with a transverse serrated horny 

 ridge near the front margin; the seventh to the tenth segments bearing similar but 

 less prominent ridges ; while the hinder extremity is armed with small sharp spines. 



Usually the caterpillar makes its burrows in the wood of the grey gum tree ; 

 but there is some doubt as to whether it does not occasionally resort to another 

 species of gum. Regarding the habits of the larva and pupa, Mr. Froggart writes 

 that the former " changes into the chrysalis in December, after having eaten off 

 the web in front of the bore, and placed a thick felty wad, or button, just inside 

 the opening of the bore ; but as soon as the chrysalis skin has become hard and 

 firm, it pushes the wad away, and moves freely up and down the bore, which varies 

 in depth from ten to twelve inches. It can move up and down the passage very 

 rapidly, the curious file-like rings on the lower edge of the abdominal segments 

 being evidently adapted to helping its locomotion. When nearly mature it has the 

 habit, particularly in the afternoons, of resting in the bore, with the top of its head 

 just level with the floor of the cross-bore, and plainly visible from the outside. The 

 moths appear early in March. It has been found that they never come out after 

 three o'clock in the afternoon ; and chrysalids under observation, if not out at that 

 hour, can be safely left until the next day." The next family (Callidulidcv) must also 

 be omitted ; while the Drepanulidce may be referred to as containing the British 

 species Cilix spinula, and the common hooktip (Drepana falcataria), and allied 

 forms. Of the Tltyrididce there is but one European genus (Thyris) and no British 

 species of this ; while the next family (the Limacodidce) is not of sufficient import- 

 ance to detain us. 



Family Lasiocampid.e. 



The lappets, drinkers, and eggars, are well-known species included in this 

 large family. These moths are large, for the most part, 2 inches to 2i- across the 

 expanded fore-wings, others being smaller, about 1 inch only in expanse of wing, 

 with stout hairy bodies and strong wings. They fly rapidly in broad daylight or 

 at night. The larvse are clothed with soft hair, that on the sides being often 

 directed downwards in a tufted form. To the genus Gastropacha belong the 

 lappet (G. quercifolia) and the oak-eggar (G. quercus); the common drinker per- 

 taining to another genus (Odonestis), with the specific name potatoria. As examples 



