178 Entomology. 



where did they go during the cold days that followed ? Back to 

 the semi-torpid state there to remain until sufficient warmth re- 

 turnel to cause the sap to f ow again — hence the sudden appear- 

 ance and re-appearance of our April butterflies. 



It is my intention to describe species of micro-lepidoptera, when 

 they can be satisfactorily traced from the larvae, and I am induced 

 to call the attention of my Canadian brother entomologists to a 

 pretty little species which appears to be rather common in the 

 vicinity of Toronto. The larva is at present unknown to me ; 

 however, it may be discovered from the description of the imago, 

 its cocoon and exuvia : — 



Head and face white, the former crowned with a tuft of fer- 

 rugiuous cilia ; eyes black, and concealed above by white cilia ; 

 antennas long, threadlike, and silvery ; anterior wings mottled 

 black and silver, the latter predominent at the base, with greyish 

 cilia on the posterior margin, longest towards the apex ; posterior 

 wings silvery, densely surrounded with grey cilia ; body and legs 

 silvery. Exp. al. 3| lin. 



"When in repose, the wings are closed around the body ; on the 

 base of anterior wings there is a little black tuft, and a large one 

 near the centre, surrounded anteriorly with a white lunule. 



The cocoon of this moth is white, oblong, and longitudinally 

 but slightly lined. From observations already made, it appears 

 the larva select various places for its construction, some are 

 found under bark of trees, others are attached'to stones, but the 

 oreater number were upon grass and stems of clover. The color 

 of the exuvia or pupa case is deep chestnut, and the joints of 

 abdominal rings are visible to the naked eye. This pretty micro- 

 lep belongs to the genus Ncpticula, and probably is a new species. 

 My specimens appeared in April. Cocoons of this moth contain- 

 ing pupa were found in the middle of May. 



If leaves of basswood are examined in July and August they 

 will be found mined by small white larvae. Not unfrequently as 

 many as four may be noticed in a single leaf. They occupy dis- 

 tinct cells that are at first small, but as the age and appetite of the 

 larva increases, so likewise the cells. When about to change to 

 the pupa state, each constructs a perfectly circular brown-colored 

 cell, by uniting the upper and lower sections of the leaf together^ 

 and there remains till it becomes a perfect insect. I have failed 

 to secure the imago from this larva last summer, but I hope to 

 be more fotmate in my second attempt. I am strongly of opi- 



