AND THEIE TKANSFOEMATIONS. 25 



FODINA 0ST0R1U8, Donovan.— (Plate XVIII.) 



PlMhena ostorius, Donovan, Nat. Hist. Ins. New Holl., pi. xxxii., fig. 3 (1805). 



Agarista ostorius, Boisduval, Voy. de I'AstroIabe, Ent., p. 173 (1832); Walker, Cat. Lep. Ins. Brit. Mus,, I., p. -11 (1854) 



Fodina ostorius, Walker, Cat. Lep. Het. Brit. Mus. Noct., XIV., p. 1439 (1858). 



Arwcala cabbalistica, Scott, MS. 



The caterpillars of this pretty moth exhibit great diversity in colour and markings, and we have figured two as examples of 

 types frequently met with. They were found by us in tolerable abundance at Ash Island in the months of January and March, 

 sometimes feeding on the Nerium or Oleander trees, but more frequently on the indigenous Marsdenia suaveolens. For the purpose 

 of illustrating the differences in colour and markings alluded to, we will describe three varieties : In No. 1 the colour is light 

 yellowish-green, with the head, and a distinct lateral band close to the spiracles, light gamboge-yellow ; on each side near the back 

 is a row of small black spots ringed with white, two on each segment ; and there are rows of smaller black spots, one on each 

 segment, both above and below the yellow lateral band. The spiracles and tips of thoracic feet, rusty red. No. 2 is throughout 

 pale bluish-emerald green, with head, lateral band, and two dorsal patches on the eleventh segment, bright :gamboge-yellow. Along 

 the back, arranged in pairs on each segment are short black annular bands edged with white, curving slightly inwards at their ends. 

 Between these and the lateral band there is a row of distinct black spots, two on each segment, with the exception of the thoracic 

 segments which have only one spot on each ; a Similar row of spots over the feet. No. 3 is dull pale bluish-green, with yellowish 

 head, and wants the lateral band and dorsal yellow spots. The black annular bands are much enlarged, and almost unite with the 

 black spots above the spiracles. The lower row of black spots are also enlarged into patches of irregular form which continue over 

 the feet, and under the abdomen. When full grown the caterpillar measures a little over 1| inches, is cylindrical and plump, and 

 attenuates very slightly at the extremities. Those found early in March changed to chrysalids at the end of the month, weaving a 

 slight cocoon encrusted with earth on the surface of the ground, and in this they passed the winter, taking wing the ensuing 

 November. The chrysalis (fig. 1) is shining reddish-black, J inch in length, rounded at the head, and slightly widest in middle. 



The moth measures 2 inches in expanse. 



The Antennce setaceous ; covered above with feathery scales, below pubescent ; the female with a double row of setae 



commencing at some distance from the base, and continued to the apex ; in the male (fig. 2) the setae 

 commence near the base and are longer than those of the other sex. 



The Labial j)alpi large and long (fig. 3) ; second joint three times, and terminal more than twice, as long as basal (fig. 4) ; 

 terminal slender, and pointed at apex ; the whole moderately clothed with feathery scales, and a few long 

 hairs near the base ; project forwards and outwards, not quite level with the top of eye. 



The Legs : intermediate pair with two, and posterior pair (fig. 5) with four, strong spurs on tibia); tibiie of all thickly 



covered with long scales, tarsi moderately so, and with a few rows of fine setae beneath. 



Wings deltoid in repose ; moth nocturnal, but if disturbed can fly swiftly in daytime. . 



The ground colour of superior wing is very dark blackish-brown, strikingly relieved by various quaint cream coloured 

 markings, disposed as follows—one, bifid in form, proceeds from the base of the wing, passes in a nearly straight line below the 

 costa, and unites at right angles with a broad diagonal band which takes its rise near the hinder angle, and strikes the costa a little 

 beyond the end of discoidal cell ; a second band broken in the middle by blackish-brown runs along the outer margin, and passing 

 round the hinder angle, proceeds in a narrow line to the base of the wing. The wing is slightly falcate^at the tip, and lengthened 

 at the posterior margin. The inferior wing is also blackish-brown, but not so dark as the superior ; o^ the disc is an oval cream 

 coloured spot and on the margin near anal angle, a cream coloured semi-circular marking somewha1,/resembling a horse shoe with 

 black centre •' the wing is rather small, and slightly irregular in outline. Head, thorax, and abdomen, blackish-brown, the thorax 

 with two transverse creamy bands ; the abdomen with annular rings of orange-yellow. The imago produced from No. 3 caterpillar 

 showed some triflin.- varietal differences about the lower wings ; the oval s])ot on disc, and the patch near anal angle being bright 

 ochreous-yellow and the latter having a distinct black spot in centre ; the abdomen is also almost entirely yellow above, black 

 beneath and tufted with black at the extremity. The underside dark brown; fore wing with a broad central transverse cream 

 coloured fascia, a spot at the apical and at the hinder angle. Hind wing with markings as above, but larger and more distinct. 



Two caterpillars are shown on some foliage of the Marsdenia suaveolens, and the perfect insect is also figured. 



