210 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



at a temperature of 25° to 27° Centigrade, lasted only about one 

 month. 



Attacus CYNTHIA, Drurj (Ailanthus silkworm). Introduced 

 into France by Guerin Meneville in 1858, its cultivation spread 

 through Europe, in parts of Africa and America, and even in 

 Australia. This species, with an open cocoon like all those of the 

 same genus, is naturalized in France and the United States 

 of North America. Besides the Ailanthus {Ailanthus glandidosa), 

 Attacus cijnthia can be reared on the castor-oil plant {Ricinus 

 communis), lilac, laburnum {Cytisus laburnum), barberry {Bcrheris 

 vulgaris), cherry, &c. 



Cynthia moths generally emerge about the end of June, and 

 the eggs hatch, at the ordinary temperature, about a fortnight 

 after they have been laid. In hot climates this species becomes 

 bivoltine, and even polyvoltine. A native of China, Attacus 

 cynthia is also found wild in India all along the Himalaya range, 

 in Assam and other parts, where it feeds on various plants. The 

 moths pair easily, and the larvae are very easy to rear in the 

 open air in England and other northern countries. 



Anther.ea pernyi, Guerin Meneville (Chinese oak silkworm) . 

 This valuable species, with a large closed cocoon of rich silk, is, 

 with the preceding species, the easiest to rear in the open air in 

 northern countries. The moths pair easily in captivity, and in 

 any situation. The species is single-brooded in the northern 

 parts of Europe, and double-brooded in the southern parts. In 

 South Europe the moths may emerge from March, in central 

 and northern parts from April and May ; sometimes they will 

 emerge in June. The rearing in the open air lasts from six to 

 eight weeks, and sometimes longer. 



Pernyi larvae may be reared on plum and apple trees, but 

 they do not thrive well on these, as far as my experience goes. 

 One of my correspondents in Illinois, U.S.A., however, WTote to 

 me, some years ago, that he saw his pernyi larvae of the second 

 generation leave oak trees, of which the foliage had become hard 

 and tough through the great heat and drought, go and feed on 

 hawthorn bushes ; others were found in a garden on apple trees, 

 where they had reached an enormous size. 



(To be continued.) 



ENEMIES OF HUMBLE-BEES IN NEW ZEALAND. 

 By W. W. Smith. 



Among the many animals introduced into New Zealand by 

 the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, the humble-bee may 

 justly claim first honours in their order of merit. Since the 

 ninety queens were liberated at Christchurch, N.Z., nine years 



