284 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



The larvae when small are rather delicate, and not easily 

 reared ; the best time to collect them is from the 7th to the end 

 of June, especially as the month advances, when they can be 

 readily seen at a distance of several feet, and, by careful searching, 

 the pupa can often be found spun up underneath the leaves. I 

 have never observed the larvse upon plants growing upon the 

 ground, nor above eight or nine feet high. 



The result of my last season's collecting has produced me 

 above fifty perfect specimens (one slate abn.). I may add that 

 great care must be taken to keep the pupae suspended, otherwise 

 cripples may be expected. 



There is every prospect of L. sibylla being abundant next 

 season, as I have seen the ova in profusion, some leaves having 

 three and four upon them ; and, as I did not breed a single para- 

 site, it would seem to be a species pretty free from the attacks of 

 such enemies, at all events in this locality. 



I have refrained from describing the ova, &c., scientifically, as 

 the earlier stages of the species appear to be well known ; con- 

 fining myself to the general habits of L. sibylla for the information 

 of those who may wish to study for themselves its life -history'. 



Since writing the above a thought struck me that by careful 

 searching I might possibly discover the larva hybernating ; so 

 with that intention I went to the Linford enclosures, and examined 

 honeysuckle plants, where I had previously seen some ova, the 

 result being that I found four larvae within half an hour, which 

 number was quite sufficient for my purpose. 



The larva, which at this age is superficially very like that of 

 Argynnis selene, is about an eighth of an inch long, and exactly 

 the colour of the bark of the honeysuckle ; it has a pale stripe run- 

 ning along each side, and, excepting in the matter of colour, I do 

 not see the least difference from a full-grown larva, the spines, &c., 

 corresponding. 



The larva prepares a very secure winter retreat, which doubt- 

 less it constructs on the same leaf it was hatched upon. I was 

 right in surmising twig-ends as its position. Small as it is, it has 

 the power of spinning a very tough web, this being necessary, as 

 its existence for some eight months is almost in mid-air, and 

 exposed to all kinds of weather. 



It hybernates upon the midrib of the upper surface of the leaf, 

 which is attached to the main twig by a very thick and tough 

 layer of silk, the leaf being neatly folded over from the centre, and 

 well lined for a short distance ; but the portion which is not thus 

 treated soon decays and falls off; so in reality the whole structure 

 is not more than half an inch long ; it is tent-shaped and partially 

 suspended, the end nearest the leaf-stalk is securely closed, whilst 

 the other has a very small opening, close to which is the head of 

 the larva, as it hybernates with its head towards the ground. 



