AND THEIR TRANSFOEMATIONS. 9 



CHRYSOPIIANUS ERINUS, Faisricius.— (Plate XII., ? , and Uiidcrsidc). 



Papilla erinus, Fabricius, Syst. Eiit., p. 525 (1775); Donovan, ins. New lloll., pi. 31, fig. 3 (1805). ^ 



Chrysophamts erhius, OllifV, Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S. Wales, x., p. 717 (1886). ^-^'^^-^ dm^ t^^.Jlj'"--'- — i. Cy^-i ic/-^^" 

 Polycyma cassytlia; Scott, MS. 



During the summer months we have frequently found these caterpillars feeding on the Cassi/tlia panicuhttd, to the long 

 tendrils of which they adhere hy means of their viscous and slug-like hodies. When fi*ll grown they measure about 11 lines in 

 length, are limaciform, slightly pubescent, and laciniate, with the back elevated, and head aud feet minute. In some the colour 

 throughout is of a beautiful pale green, in others the back is yellowish, each side edged by a row of small red spots, and with a 

 conspicuous red patch at the anterior and posterior portions. 



The chrysalis, in length nearly 7 lines, is of a light pinkish fawn colour, with several longitudinal rows of small black 

 spots ; the anterior portion Infurcate, the abdomen much compressed laterally, and broader than the thorax ; dorsal portion ridged, 

 and terminating in a sharp point. Attached by the tail, and girt by a silken medial band, with the head upwards. The female 

 perfect insect attains to 1 J inches in expanse ; the male is slightly smaller. 



The Antenmv (fig. 1, female) terminate in an elongated club, not grooved laterally. 



The Labial palpi (fig. 2, female) large, second joint more than double the length of terminal ; male, three times the length 



of terminal ; in both slender and acuminated at the apex, and almost naked ; basal joint small ; this and 



the second moderately scaly and hairy ; the whole projecting forwards and slightly upwards 

 The Lfgs with tliQ anterior i)air perfect in both sexes ; second and posterior pairs (fig. 3) with two small spurs on 



tibia) ; tibia) and tarsi, sparingly covered with scales, the latter also setigerous. Pulvilli large, claws 



minute. 



The upper surface of the male is throughout of a shining purplish brown, deepening slightly towards the margins, with the 

 cilia whitish ; the female shining purplish l)luc, broadly margined with black. In both sexes the thorax, head, and abdomen 

 are purplish brown. With respect to the under surface, both sexes are alike, being throughout of a light silvery grey ; on the 

 forewings two transverse rows of small indistinct brown patches, the two adjoining the anal angle large and black ; two small 

 marks on the exterior margin of the discoidal cell. The hindwings are occupied by numerous brownish patches. 



Figures of the upper and under surface of the female butterfly, and the larva) and chrysalis on the Cassijtha paniculata, arc 

 given in the present illustration. 



[G. erinus has been recorded from Boweu, Rockhampton, and Gayndah, in Queensland, and from various localities in 

 Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania.] 



HOLOCHILA ABSIMILIS, Feldeu.— (Plato XII, S, ?, ^ind Underside). 



Holochila absimilis, Folder, Verli. Zool.-Bot. Ges. Wii-ii, xii., p. 490 (18G2) ; Ileisc Novara, Lop., ii., p. 2G1, pi. 32, Hg. 1-1, 15 c?. iG ? (1865). 

 Polycyma absimilis, Scott, MS. 



This species is more common, and at the same time more beautiful, than the preceding one, the metallic lustre of the male 

 showing to great advantage when the little creature darts with rapid wing around the tops of trees, ever and anon returning nearly 

 to the same spot, and expanding its wings in the full enjoyment of the sunshine, very unlike the feeble and wavering movements 

 of Lampidcs alsulus and Lijcana halica. 



The larva is limaciform, the body laciniate, the back slightly elevated; a lateral ridge in the region of the stigmata, 

 projecting angularly near the posterior extremity, which is flattened and truncated ; the first segment bifurcated, protruding 

 beyond and hiding the minute black head. Generally the body is throughout a beautiful pale green, but an occasional specimen 

 is met with of a dull fleshy tint. When full grown it measures 11 lines in length, is viscous, and like the preceding species 

 exudes some matter highly attractive to ants, numbers of which may be seen crawling over and caressing the larvtu with their 

 antenna). We find these caterpillars most frequently on the tender shoots and leaves of the Cupaiiia anacardioidcs, but they are 

 also met with on Wistaria consequana and Robinia hispida, both imported plants. 



The chrysalis is found with the head upwards, and is supported by the tail and a medial band ; is about 7 lines in length, 

 and of a pale pinkish brown powdered over with black ; on each side of the abdomen a longitudinal row of four crimson spots ; 

 the head bifurcate, abdomen compressed, and a dorsal ridge which becomes tuberculated on the thorax. 



The expanse of wings in the perfect insect is slightly under IJ inches. 



The AnlcmuK are long, terminating in a somewhat fusiform club, not grooved laterally. (Fig. 1, male). 



