No. I. ] 



A Darjiliiig Sal Pest. 



63 



VI.— A DARJILING SAL PEST. 



By G. C. dudgeon. 



[Note. — A specimen of this insect, furnished by Mr. Dudgeon, has been examined 

 by Mr. F. Moore, wlio determines it as a Psychid belonging to a new species of 

 Eumeta, which he describes on page QQ under the name of Eumeta sikkima, — 



Tbe larva of this moth is found everywhere in the Darjiliug- district 

 where sal trees grow, and would be perhaps the most to be feared as a 

 pest, should it increase grccatly, which it has apparently little to prevent it 

 from doing". It appears, however, to be little known, probably on account 

 of its ability of hiding itself within its case, made of moss, bark and 

 dried leaves, at the slightest alarm, and in this manner making itself 

 almost indistinguishable from the bark or twigs near which it may be 

 suspended whilst feeding. Before describing the larva I will proceed to 

 give a short description of the perfect insects, male and female. 



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The male moth, which, like others of the same family, is alone 

 perfectly developed (the female being a mere bag of eggs without any 

 limbs, wings, eyes, or even antennse), measures 2*8 inches in expanse. 



