152 Rhodesian Moths 
Wing expanse: ¢ 168-200 mm.; ? 150-206 mm. 
The average wing expanse is from 185 to190 mm. Bred specimens 
are usually smaller, but last summer I bred a male and female that 
expanded, respectively, 200 and 206 mm. across the wings. 
Egg. Large, round and pure white in colour. These eggs are laid 
on the leaves of the food-plant, Brachystegia randi, the native name 
of which is ‘‘musasa,” in batches of from three to eight. Owing to 
their white colour and large size they are very conspicuous, and they 
are much parasitised by a fairly large Chalcid. They generally hatch 
out between the middle and end of January. 
Larva. First instar. Black, with rows of black tubercles closely 
set with long black upright sete. 
Second instar. Immediately after the first moult the caterpillar 
has much the same appearance as before, but the wart-like tubercles 
are larger and more conspicuous. As it fills out both colour and 
pattern undergo a considerable change. The body and _ tubercles 
become brick-red, and on each segment there is a moderately broad 
black transverse band dotted with minute cream-coloured spots, while 
the head and tubercles bear long white sete. 
Third instar. Body mottled with black and yellow, or greenish- 
yellow spots. Each segment with eight red setigerous tubercles. 
Head dark chocolate-brown. 
Fourth instar. Each of the segments light green in the middle, 
pale mauve or lilac anteriorly and posteriorly, and armed with six 
long upright lilac-red spines, strongly set with whitish bristles, the 
dorsal spines simple, the lateral ones barbed near the tip. Legs, 
abdominal feet and claspers strongly setigerous. Head, shield and 
claspers brownish-lilac. 
Fifth instar. Similar to last, but the spines are of a deeper red 
colour. Stigmata dark red. 
In the two final instars the caterpillar is a very handsome object, 
and, owing to its stout sete, decidedly unpleasant to handle. Probably 
for this reason it is not eaten by the natives. It usually pupates in 
March or April, and the moth emerges in November and December. 
During the daytime the moth remains motionless, with partly 
expanded wings, on the leaves of its food-plant, the rather dull 
under-side alone showing. | Hence, despite its great size, it is quite 
inconspicuous and can only be found by careful searching, 
