■^^ AUSTRALIAN LEPIDOPTEEA 



species of the Australian Charagia., although it is asserted,' and generaUy bcUeycd, that tlie Spha=ria llobertsii is engendered in 

 the larva of the Charagia Virescens^ of New Zealand, said to feed on the roots of the Rata (Mctrosideros perforata) ; hut tins, it 

 may be observed, is a mere supposition, as no naturalist has from his own experienee figured or described the habits and 

 transformations of this fungus-bearing Caterpillar. We think it probable that the stems and trunks of the Mctrosideros furnish sus- 

 tenance for the larva; of the Charagia Virescens ; but these live and undergo their metamorphoses toitUn the wood, efFeetually protected 

 against injury from this particular fungus ; and it is equally probable that tlic external portions of the iinor roots of the same or 

 neighbouring plants afford nutriment to the larva; of such genera as pass their lives wholly in the earth, a state of existence 

 wldch would render them exposed to the attacks of the Splucria. We are borne out in our assertions, being in possession of the 

 entire metamorphoses of the Cliaragia Virescens, and by careful notes made from personal observation during a recent visit to 

 New Zealand by our friend Mr Edward Ramsay of Dobroyd. Tliis gentleman writes :— 



" Cl.aragia Virescens I foufd in abuudancc near tlic town of Auckland, New Zealand, at tie end of November, 1861, inhabiting various trees, among 

 others the Mclioytus ramifloras, or " Mahoe " of the Natives. Some of the larger trees had as many as 30 habitations of the larvaj in them, the but being Uterally 

 studded with their abodes. Some wore in the chrysahs state with the bagging over the hole torn away, and the entrance sealed up, as with our Australian Charagio) ; 

 but the greater number were in the larva state. Those that were brought on to Sydney in the chrysahs state took whig in the middle of January, 1862. The 

 formation of the covering to the habitation, and the way in which many of the larvm have then- tubular excavations running almost side by side, agree closely with 

 the Ch. Bamsayi. All the larvnj found were in the trunk and branches of the trees, never in the roots. Mr Huntley, residing at Wellington, and a great collector 

 of insects, asserts that the Sphajria Robertsii is produced from the larva of a large hrowu moth." 



To tlieso observations wo may add that the caterpillar of the Ch. Vii-escens differs as widely in form from that bearing the 

 Sphceria Robertsii, as do the large " grai/ or brown moths " mentioned in connection with this subject by all the authorities we 

 have quoted, and corresponding with our own experienee, from the brilliant and beautifully coloured Charagia;. AVe, therefore, 

 entertain the opinion that an error exists in associating the larva of the Ch. Virescens with the Spha;ria Robertsii, and that it 

 will be found liereaftcr, that this peculiar fungus only attacks the caterpillar whose existence is passed underground, as in the 

 case of the Pielus, Ilcpialus, and a few others. 



Shortly after olitaining this interesting insect, we were visited l)y tliat distinguished naturalist, tlie late Mr Swainson, 

 E.R.S., whose scientific works, particularly on Ornitliology, have now a world-wide fame; and while expressing our deep sense of 

 gratitude for the interest lie took in the progress of our work, we beg to name our insect after him, in commemoration of our 

 esteem and respect for his memory. 



The Caterpillar, the male and female Imago, and a view of frequent occurrence in our river scenery, arc shewn in tlie 

 Plate. 



AGLAOSOMA. 



Ala; integrse, margine anteriore in maribus subrecto, in foeminis oonvexiusculo, angulis apicalibus intcrioribusque 

 rotundatis. Corpus valde rohustum, pilosum apice verriculato, alas suporante. Antennae in maribus modicc, in foeminis vix 

 bipeetinata;. Palpi labialos minuti, valde pilosi, artioulo secundo ter longiorc basali, terminal! minuto. , Pedes valde hirsuti, 

 lonfiuseuli, tibiis postieis quatuor calcaribus longiusculis apicalibus armatis. Larva cylindrica, roliusta, tubcreulata, penicillata, 

 cristis magnis depressis dorsalibus. 



"Wings entire, in males ratlier straight in front, in females sliglitly arched, rounded at tlieir tips and hinder angles. 

 Body very stout and pilose, tufted at the extremity and extending beyond the wings. Antennae bipcctinated, in the males 

 moderately, in the females slightly. Labial palpi minute, very pilose, 2nd joint three times the length of basal, terminal minute. 

 Lcs very hairy, moderately long ; hind tibia; with four longish apical spurs. Larvae cylindrical, robust, tuberculated, with 

 brushes of long stiff hair, and a dorsal rOAv of large flat tufts. 



' By Dr Hooker in his " Icones Plantamm," 1837 ; Dieffenbach, Doubleday, Taylor, &c. 



^ We can assert that the Charagia Virescens of Doubleday, and the Charagia rubroviridans of Stephens, JISS., Brit. Mus. Cat., pp. ].L>Gt), 1.570, arc cj and 

 2 of the same species, as we have reared them. 



