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The ground-colour of the back is pinkish-grey or pinkish-brown, the sides 

 flesh colour, and the belly white. 



The dorsal line very thin, is dark greyish-brown or pinkish-grey ; the sub- 

 dorsal stripe is of a similar colour but a little paler ; the spiracular lines a little 

 thinner and paler, though on the thoracic segments it is not linear but blotchy ; 

 the sub-spiracular line is thinner still and of the same pinkish-grey colour ; the 

 head is brownish-grey or pinkish-grey, with an ochreous tinge, haviug the largo 

 ocelli and the mouth blackish ; on the back of the second segment is a pinkish- 

 grey-brown semi-circular plate, and another on the anal tip ; the small tubercular 

 dots are dark brown, each having a fine bristle of the same colour ; the spiracles 

 black. 



Previous to pupation, the larva gnaws an oval hole from within at the side of 

 the reed, and covers it carefully with silk and bits of dry reed, so as almost 

 entirely to conceal it, and which serves as an outlet for the moth. 



The pupa is three-quarters of an inch long, moderately slender, and of nearly 

 uniform bulk, tapering only at the two last abdominal segments ; the anal extremity 

 blunt and fringed with a circle of small hooks ; its colour is a pale ochreous -brown, 

 with but little polish. The moths emerged on June 4th to July 2nd. — Wm. Buckler, 

 Emsworth. 



Notes on the larva of Acronycta alni. — A friend, who took a larva of this 

 insect last summer, in Herefordshire, has communicated to me some curious facts 

 regarding it, with permission to make what use of them I pleased. With a view 

 therefore, of encouraging the search for this larva, so widely distributed, yet so 

 rare, I send the following particulars : — 



The larva was taken on alder, the 17th of July, and was not recognised as 

 that of alni, being then black and whitish-grey, and resembling a piece of birds' 

 dung (this comparison, it will be remembered, has been used before for this 

 larva) . After changing its skin, it showed clubbed hairs, and was recognised. It 

 fed at all hours, by day as well as by night, resting on the upper-side of the leaf, 

 and was very easily dislodged. It was sluggish, and drank freely. Surely this may 

 be the explanation of so many having failed to induce this larva to feed in confine- 

 ment, it wanted water. When about to change, it nibbled a large hole iu a piece 

 of cork, and, fastening the fragments together, framed its cocoon, and became a 

 small pupa, with the abdominal segments rather long and pointed. 



The larva was beaten in the usual way with umbrella and stick. It was 

 not offered water till it got sluggish, and seemed preparing to change, when 

 it had a bath given it, which "assists some larvse in changing their coats." At 

 this period, it rolled about, if disturbed, in a loose half-circle, speedily returning to 

 a straight position. After changing its skin, it grew rapidly, and drank several 

 large drops of water daily. As these were sprinkled on the leaves, it moved its 

 head from side to side, and drank very quietly. At this time it was isolated, and 

 had the choice of several sorts of leaf. It ate a little lime and a ittle oak, but 

 only at first : afterwards confining itself to small alder leaves, at the lower end of 

 strong shoots. There were several large oaks close to the alder hedge ; also apple, 

 lime, and nut in rear of the spot, where it was taken. The last moult was about 

 the 22nd of July, and it turned to a pupa the first week in August. After changing 

 its skin, it did not eat the cast-off coat, but left it on the upper-side of a leaf,— 

 Bernard Smith, Harlow, November 27th, 1869. 



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