8 AUSTRALIAN LEPIDOPTERA 



terminal joint thin and pointod, 2nd joint about lialf as long again, basal small. Antennae, male either bipeetinatcd or with tufts 

 of ciliations beneath, female setaceous. Legs, anterior very small, 2nd pairs larger, with 2 apical spurs ; posterior large and 

 powerful, with 4 long spurs and densely pilose on tibiae. Larvie, soft, cylindrical, variously colored, generally ornamented ivith 

 dorsal and lateral macular marks, and a few fine seta3 ; head and 1st segment squamose ; inhabit interior of wood solitarily, 

 feeding upon leaves taken to their dwellings ; 16 feet ; and active in their movements. Chrysalis, elongated, with the anterior 

 portion in some simply horny, in others spiny, and in one example with a singular shagreened projection from the neck, bifurcate 

 and recurved ; abdominal segments armed more or less with serrated rings. 



SPECIES L— CRYPTOPHASA ALBOCOSTA.— (Plate III.) 



Cryptojihasa alhacosta, Lewin, Lep. lu.s., New Soutli Wales, pi. 11, 



The larva of the C. alljocosta was found early in December, located in a branch of the Banksia scrrata, but this common 

 species is abundant at other seasons and exists upon plants unconnected with the Banksia;. The pervading color is that of a 

 light French grey, finely striated transversely with black lines ; on each segment, with the exception of those containing the true 

 feet, is a reddish band bearing light spots, each emitting a seta ; the first segment squamose and shining reddish, the two suc- 

 ceeding ones partially covered with triangular reddish patches : head black, rough, setigerous. Caterpillar of the male measures 

 about 1 J inch, that of the female larger. 



These caterpillars, while they dwell in a tubular cell excavated by themselves in the heart of the wood, yet subsist 

 entirely upon the leaves of the plant in which they have fixed their abode, displaying considerable instinct in procuring their 

 food from outward sources, and consuming it under shelter, within their solid habitations, in comparative comfort. In addition 

 to tliese provident measures, they endeavour to protect the orifice left for their transit, by constructing, in front, a coarse spun 

 web, secured at the upper edge to the tree, but leaving the lower one free ; to this web is attached the debris of their food, pre- 

 senting a similitude to the fabric used by the Charagia for a similar purpose, with this diffei'cnco, however, that in the latter it is 

 composed of much finer particles, more compact, and with the margins adherent to the bark, whereas, in tlie present instance, it 

 hangs in front more in the manner of a screen. 



Of its further habits, Lewin, who was the first to describe the economy of this group in 1805, says, " Our specimen (the C. 

 Albocosta) had formed a deep cylindrical cell in a large stem of the Banksia serrata at the setting off of a branch, where it had 

 bored into the main wood, sallying out only by night, and bringing to its dwelling whole leaves of the broad foliage of this tree 

 with dexterity and great labour, cxhil)iting many marks of sagacity in its progress, and when it arrived at the entrance of its 

 retreat, it raised up the covering with its hinder parts and slipped down its cell backwards, dragging the leaf after it, the extreme 

 end of the stalk of which it held artfully in its jaws, and did not quit it until it was safely and almost wholly within its cell, 

 where it fastened it down together with tlie covering of the entrance, by a web. On leaves thus provided the larva feeds at 

 leisure and in security." To this description we may add that we have frequently seen the larva seeking for, and obtaining its 

 food during the day time as well as at night. 



The caterpillar, changed to the pupa state within the first week in January, securing the front of the entrance by a silken 

 tissue, leaving, however, a minute circular hole in its centre ; when uneared for, the outer coarse covering drops off, and leaves 

 the aperture so far unobstructed. 



The Chrysalis (fig. 1, male) is from 1 to IJ inch in length, elongated in form, and reddish-brown ; the \\ing eases long, 

 the head armed with short black spines, the abdominal annuli serrated, which enable the chrysalis to move with celerity within 

 its dormitory. 



The perfect insect took wing in February — the male, ligurcd in the plate, is in expanse of wings 1^ inch, the female ex- 

 ceeding 2 inches. 



The Antennm ...(fig. 2, male) bipeetinatcd, the pectinations ciliated. Female setaceous. 



The Labial palpi (fig. 3) recurved to about the top of the head, basal joint short, 2nd about 4 times the length and 

 robust, terminal thin and pointed. 



The ier/s anterior pair (fig. 4) small, 2nd pair larger, witli 2 apical spurs on tibia;; posterior pairs (fig. 5) very 



long, with 4 spurs ; all the tibise hairy. 



Wings, deflexed at rest. Moth, nocturnal. 



