18 Tlie Tea insects of India. 



may not improbably belong to tbe species Bahula (jrotei, Moore 

 {^=AcantJio^sycJie moorei,'B.i!im•^sQ\^), ^gxxxQd.\iQ\o\i. 



The figure to tbe left represents tbe male motb, tbat to tbe right its 

 larval ease witb empty pupal skin protruding. Tbe figures are taken 

 from specimens reared upon Lagerstrcemia ifidica leaves in the Indian 

 Museum. The species has also been recorded as feeding upon babui. 



BOMBYCES, VARIOUS FAMILIES. 



Dasychira, sp. Caterpillars and cocoons of a species BasycTiiray 

 referred to in Indian Museum I^otes urder tbe specific name of Dasy- 

 ehira thwaitesii, Moore, were sent to the Indian Museum in February 

 1886 from a tea garden in tbe Dooars where tbey were said to have 

 caused serious damage by feeding upon tbe leaves. Tbe insect is thought 

 to be identical witb a species previously recorded by Fisher as having 

 defoliated a large area of sal trees in tbe Dooars in October 1878, where 

 it al?o attacked tea and other plants.^ 



The caterpillar is covered witb hair and has four thick tufts on the 

 back which give it a somewhat characteristic appearance. When full 

 grown it spins itself up between tbe leaves of the tea plant in a scanty 

 coeoon composed chiefly of its own hair, which appears to be very easily 

 detached. Here it transforms into a chrysalis. In the case of the 

 February generation, which was tbe one kept under observation in tbe 

 Indian Museum, the insect remained in the cocoon for rather less than a 



• See Indian Museum Notes^ Vol. I, p. 29. 



