AND THEIR TRANSFORMATIONS. 7 



plant ; and a similar but larp^cr tracery rises obliquely upwards from the last of the abdominal feet and passes over the adjoining 

 segment. Dull reddish indistinct spots are placed one on each segment, in the region of the stigmata, and are connected by a 

 flexuous row of small pale straw coloured spots. The head of the caterpillar is black, and the terminal portions of the feet, both 

 thoracic and abdominal, arc dull brownish-red. Another caterpillar was of a dull reddish hue, and the white dorsal spots between 

 the ocelli and on the fourth segment were almost obsolete ; and a like diversity in colouring existed in those sent to us from 

 Singleton. These larviu are half-loopers, the first pair of abdominal feet being nearly obsolete : when at rest they assume fantastic 

 attitudes, generally supporting themselves entirely by their abdominal feet, with the head and anterior segments curved towards 

 the chest, and the posterior extremity elevated. When touched they instantly fall to the ground, where they remain as if feigning 

 death, until danger is past. In length they are about 3j inches ; in form cylindrical, not flat beneath, and very fleshy and soft to 

 the touch. The cocoon is formed of leaves so loosely woven together as to afford but a frail protection to the chrysalis, so much 

 so that, if handled, it is apt to fall through. The chrysalis (fig. 1) is 1-iV inch in length, and throughout of a shining black. The 

 perfect insect measures nearly 3.x inches in expanse of wings, and remains in the pupa state for about two mouths. 



The Antenna; arc long, setaceous, basal half almost naked, thence with a row of fine sctaj on each side to the apex, 



which is terminated by a tuft of seta). 



The Maxilla (fig. 2) short and thick, the basal portion naked, the remainder fringed externally with short cilia, 



and internally with a few setae, which are succeeded by serrations humediately behind the sharply 

 pointed tip.* 



The Labial imlpi (figs. 3 and 4) with the terminal joint" conical, very small, basal and middle joints more robust, the 

 latter about twice the length of the former ; the whole closely covered with hair, and projecting upwards 

 and forwards to about even with the top of the head. 



The Lc()s powerful ; tibise of anterior (fig. 5) and posterior (fig. 6) pairs pilose, the latter armed with four long spurs ; 



second pairs nearly naked, and with two apical spurs. 



These moths are nocturnal, but, like other members of the family, if disturbed during the heat of the day, they can fly not 

 only with rapidity, but with great certainty as to direction. The fore wings of this conspicuous insect are trigonate and entire, 

 with the abdominal margin undulating, concave at the inner angle, and towards the base, interrupted by an angular tuft of scales, 

 from which, including the base, springs a very broad subcostal band ending in a point at the tip of the M-ing. This band is of 

 brilliant silver, delicately striated transversely with lilac lines, and becoming dark green along the costa. A somewhat similar but 

 narrower band, attenuated at the extremities, extends along the outer margin. The intermediate triangular space is dark satiny 

 green, assuming a lustrous brown or golden hue in different lights. A reddish-brown line between the third median nervule and 

 submedian nervure reaches from band to band. The posterior wings are bright orange, with a broad black apical fimbria which, 

 although interrupted at the anal angle, recurves spirally to the middle of the wing. The outer margin alternately fringed with 

 black and white. The palpi, head, and prothorax are pale lilac; the thorax, eyes, and antenna greenish, the former much 

 crested ; abdomen bright yellow and tufted dorsally. The underside of the forewings is brownish, with the base and a transverse 

 bar across the disc ochreous ; the hind wings resemble the upper surface, but are very much paler and duller. Thorax, legs, and 

 abdomen are pale yellowish brown. 



This description is taken from living specimens recently born and fresh in their plumage, as the brilliant colours fade 

 rapidly after death. 



[Ophideres salaminia extends to New Guinea, Java, Singapore, and throughout India, China and Japan. Its larva was reared 

 in Java by Dr. Horsficld on Cissus, and Mr. A. Grote has recorded that it feeds on Mcnispermum glabrum at Allipore, near Calcutta ; 

 whilst in Ceylon, Mr. F. Moore informs us, it is found on the same food-plant. We have ourselves observed the young larvae 

 on the former plant at Sydney.] 



* [Since this dcscviption was written, the structure of the proboscis in Ophideres has excited considci-alile interest on account of certain observations 

 which wore recorded by M. A. Thozct, of Ilocklianiptoii, concerning the capacity for piercing the epicarpof oranges, wliich he supposed these motlis to possess. In 

 a letter in the " Rockhanipton Dulletin" (Alay, 1875), lie stated that 0. J'ullonica did considerable damage to oranges in Queensland, by puncturing the rind, ex- 

 tracting their juices, and tlius I'ausing the fruit to fall. From specimens of the moth forwarded by M. Thozet, detailed accounts of the structure of the proboscis 

 were drawn up by M. J. Kunckel (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., 4, xvi., pp. 372-371, 1875) and Mr. Francis Darwin (Q. Journ. Micr. Sc, xv., pp, 384-389, 1875). In 

 both articles reference is made to the manner in which the organ is brought into use. M. Kunckel describes the proboscis as a " veritable auger," while Mr. 

 Darwin says — " It is clear that in using its proboscis the in.sect must employ a thrusting action, and not any kind of revolving movement ; the proboscis must 

 accordingly be considered as a saw, not as an auger or gimlet. It is, in fact, a bayonet-shaped saw, and must, therefore, have tlireo cutting edges." Mr G. L. 

 Pilcher (Cistula Ent. ii., pp.237-240, 1887), who appears to have had opportunities of examining the living insects, states that the jihideres attacks the guava, 

 banana, and peach, as well as the orange. He doubts the capacity of the niotli to perforate the skin of the fruit with its proboscis, the instrument appearing to 

 him adapted for enlarging a holi; already existing, rather than for boring ; and he cont(<nds tliat the Ophideres nu>rely enlarges the punctures already made by 

 other insects, especially by the larva> of the orange-dy (Trypeta). Excellent (igures of the distal extremity of the proboscis of 0. fullonicd and 0. salaminia will 

 be found in a paper coutributed by Mr. R. H. Read to the "Proceedings of the Liuncan Society of New South Wales for 1878." — A.S.O.] 



