by J. A. 
Hind-wing. Red discal patch 
large or very large, its inner edge 
some distance from the black 
ocellus. Sub-marginal area pale 
olive-green or olive-buff; rarely 
pale red-llac or mauve. 
Under-side. Ground colour of 
both wings pale olive-green or 
olive-ochreous, sometimes with an 
orange or pinkish flush. 
Size. 125-175 mm. 
Moth emerges (at Salisbury) 
from end of September to end of 
October. 
O’ Neil. af 
Hind-wing. Red discal patch 
tather smaller than in natalensis, 
its inner edge very close to the 
black ocellus. 
mauve-lilac or lilac-grey. 
Sub-marginal area 
Ground colour of both wings 
nearly always light to very light 
grey; very rarely (in females only) 
light olive-buff. 
Rather larger. Well - grown 
males expand 165-170 mm.; fe- 
males 175-180 mm. 
Moth emerges (at Salisbury) 
from early in November to about 
middle of December. 
Bred specimens of macrothyris are often undersized, as the larva, 
especially in its early instars, feeds badly in captivity. A dwarf male 
in my collection, that emerged on 29th November, 1917, has a wing 
expanse of only 98 mm. 
The full-grown larva of macrothyris is thicker and more stumpy 
than that of natalensis, and its colour is wonderfully procryptic, 
identical with that of the leaves on which it feeds. Hence, though 
certain of its presence from the monstrous pellets of frass, one may 
hunt for it for a long time in vain. For three years I frequently saw 
the frass under the B. randi trees but could never detect a caterpillar, 
and I was under the impression (shared by Mr. R. W. Jack) that it 
must be a nocturnal feeder that hid itself during the daytime. It, as 
well as the larva of natalensis, is (when found) eaten by the natives, 
But the fact that 
most natives, despite their keen sight, are unacquainted with the 
to some of whom it is known as “‘ chinyinanegore.” 
to} 
caterpillar, and also that it is seldom parasitised by ichneumon flies, 
is eloquent testimony to the protection afforded it by its procryptic 
colour. 
Distant’s Bunca patruelis is supposed to be identical with L. natal- 
ensis, Aur., but neither his description nor coloured figure (v. ‘‘ Insecta 
Transvaaliensia,” pl. vii, fig. 14) agree with any of the numerous 
examples of natalensis that I have seen. On the other hand, his fig. 
13 on the same plate, which is supposed to be an illustration of 
epithyrena, var., is in everything except the colour of the marginal 
