9 



hot at all point to a wide or, perhaps, any difference of origin, or 

 even to any very remote separation of the groups, but, on the con- 

 trary, rather serve to show how strictly the Coleophorids are bound 

 together. For certain species use two or more methods in the course 

 of their existence. For instance, C. fuscediuella begins by cutting 

 out a case from the leaf ; it then enlarges it with silk and also by 

 addition of leaf fragments, and, finally, in making its last case, 

 returns to the cutting-out process. 



The Larv^ of the Coleophorids. 



So far as I know them these all have very marked characteristics. 

 They are stout, with a smooth polished appearance, and are armed 

 with plates on the thorax and on the anal segment. I believe that 

 the shape and position of these plates will be found of great use in 

 determining the species of this genus, when in the larval stage. The 

 legs are large and strong — a usual feature in case-bearing larvae, 

 while the abdominal claspers, except the anal pair, are small and weak. 

 When the larva is taken from the case it holds the body in an arched 

 or curved position and progresses by means of the true legs, never 

 attempting to make use of the ventral claspers. This is even notice- 

 able in the newly-hatched larvae when it leaves the egg. It crawls by 

 means of the thoracic legs, arching the body so as to lift the venter 

 high above the surface on which it crawls, supporting the weight of 

 the body by resting the anal segment on the surface. It never 

 adheres by the anal claspers like a geometer larva, but rather drags 

 them after it, remotely reminding the observer of a Aleloloiitha larva. 

 So highly arched is the body that an inequality in the surface or a 

 breath of air may overturn the larva. It soon, however, rights itself, 

 but retains the curved position even when lying on its side. 



It is curious that this arched position of the abdomen is again 

 adopted by the female moth when seeking a suitable situation on the 

 surface of a leaf where she may safely deposit an egg. 



When in the case or when mining in the leaf the ventral claspers 

 may be of great use to the larva, but I believe the strong anal 

 claspers are chiefly used for grasping the case when the larva is 

 moving from one leaf to another. When a larva, feeding in the mine, 

 has stretched itself almost entirely out of its case and is startled, it 

 suddenly, in about two quick movements, withdraws itself into the 

 case. This is, I believe, accomplished by the larva, already securely 

 anchored by the anal claspers, suddenly contracting its extended 

 body and so withdrawing it into the case. The ventral claspers do 

 not appear to play any part in the movement ; it seems to have 

 nothing akin to the rapid backward wriggle of the Tortrix larva. 



One would imagine that in a genus where the prolegs apparently 

 are of very little use there would be a tendency among the more 

 advanced members to lose the prolegs. That such a tendency 

 exists among the Coleophorids we have, I think, abundant proof In 



