176 SPILOSOMA VIRGO. 



colour over the eyes. Anterior wings black, with 

 numerous cream-coloured or fulvous stripes dividing 

 the ground colour into many triangular, quadrate, 

 and linear spots. The hinder wings are reddish- 

 yellow, with several large angular black spots to- 

 wards the posterior margin. Abdomen reddish or 

 fulvous with a macular or continuous black band 

 down the centre. 



The caterpillar is brown, with several yellow 

 tubercles on each segment, bearing tufts of hair : 

 head and membranous legs yellow. (Plate XIX. 

 fig. 4.) It feeds," says Abbot, " on several species 

 of mimosa, commonly called the sensible briar, 

 panting briar, &c., as well as on some other plants. 

 It spun up June 10th, and on the 20th September 

 the moth came out. In Virginia it spins in April, 

 and comes forth in May. This is not a common 

 kind. The caterpillar, when kept in confinement, is 

 apt to die before it changes to a chrysalis." The 

 chrysalis is of a delicate lilac colour. (Plate XIX. 

 fig. 5.) 



