AUSTRALIAN LEPIDOPTERA 



AND TIIEIU 



TRANSFORMATIONS. 



CCEQUOSA TRIANGULARIS, Donovan.— (Plate X.) 



Sphiiix Iriamjularis, Donovan, Ins. New lloll., pi. 33, tig. 2 (1805). 



AcheroiUia triangularis, Boisduval, Voy. do d'Astrolabe, Ent., p. 181 (1832). 



Brachyglossa triaiif/ularis, Boisduval, Hist. Nat. Ins., Spec. Gen., Lep., Vol. I., pi. 16, lig. 2 (183G) ; Spec. Goii. Lop. Ilct. (Sphing.), I., p. 9 (1871). 



Ciequosa Irianyularis, Walker, Cat. Lep. Het. Brit. Mus., viii., p. 257 (1856). 



LiFE-IIlSTOUY : Boisduval, Spic. Gen. Lt'p. Hot.. I., p. 10 (187-1) ; a brief allusion to a diawing by >I. Jules Verreaux. 



The caterpillars of this species may be met with from October to December, not only along the line of coast extending on 

 either side of Port Jackson, but also in the Newcastle district, wherever in fact the various species of Bauksia; and Persoouisu 

 abound, yet in point of number they are by no means abundant, being, with the allied Metnmiinas australasia, Don., typical insects 

 in all collections of lepidoptera sent from Australia. They have been for many years the especial prey of the collector, the size 

 and showy appearance of the caterpillars, and their habit of taking up an exposed position on the branch on which they happen to 

 be feeding, almost compelling observation. Their destruction may also be aided by a vulgar belief in the noxious qualities of the 

 caterpillar, partly caused by its habit, when molested, of lashing its body violently from side to side, as if eager to attack its 

 opponent, while the spiny, rough skin, and the large shining black spots near the tail — commonly mistaken for eyes — add greatly 

 to its vicious appeai-ance. 



The full grown or mature larva measures, (*) according to sex, from 4:| to 5 inches. The body is cylindrical and tapers 

 towards the head ; the posterior portion being thick, rounded above, and entirely destitute of caudal horn or protuberance. 

 Although they correspond exactly in general marking, they vary much in colour, and we therefore in our present plate figure two 

 of the extremes, in order that those of intermediate shades may be easily recognised. One is of a rich bright green, the whole 

 surface closely covered with small white granulations, disposed transversely, affording to the eye and touch a strong resemblance 

 to shagreen. On each side are seven oblique, yellowish-white bands relieved anteriorly by dark blue, with a yellowish-white, 

 ' indistinct, oblique band on the thoracic segments, extending from below the middle of the third segment to behind the head, and 

 a similar band on the penultimate segment. Immediately above the caudal feet there is a distinct In-ight raised black spot, bearing 

 an exact resemblance to the i)upil of an eye, so much so indeed, that the casual observer is invariably misled, and points to the 

 posterior portion of the body as the head of the animal. Along the back are two longitudinal rows of yellowish-white spines, 

 fourteen on each segment (seven on each side), and over the oblique bands of yellow, a row of similar spines, passing in a 

 continuous line through two segments, from the ventral to the dorsal aspect of the caterpillar, and another row runs from head to 

 tail just above the feet on each side. The head is green, conical, and slightly l)ifurcate in front, the terminal portion being 

 of a rusty yellow. 



The other larva is of a pale straw-colour throughout, with seven short oblique bands on each side of white, edged broadly 

 with bright purple, the first and last of which are indistinct. A clear bluish-green tint occupies the back. In other respects the 

 insect agrees with the form already described. 



The chrysalis (fig. 1) is contained within a nest, on the surface of the ground, formed of dead leaves joined together by a 

 strong but coarse web. It measures 22 inches in length, is of a deep shining black with reddish brown segmental divisions, and 

 in form approximates more to the pupie of the larger Bombycid;u than to those of the Sphingida'. The perfect insects take wing 

 principally in January and February, although, like most other species, they may be found occasionally during the whole of the 

 summer months. In expanse they attain to six inches. 



The Antenna ....long, somewhat setaceous, slightly thickest in the middle, and terminated by a few seta) ; of the male 

 (fig. 2) covered posteriorly with scales, anteriorly with transverse rows of ciliations arranged in pairs, 

 the upper row being longest and entire — the lower row disunited in the middle, both recurving to each 

 other at their tips ; of the female covered with scales above and naked beneath. 



[In this and the following deacriptions tho head is considered separately, and the segments are counted antcro-posteriorly from one to twelve. The measurements are in terms 

 of an inch. It is almost unnecessary to add that— a Um — .08333 of an iucli; u millinielre — .03'J37 of an inch.— Ens.] 



Vol. II., Part I.— AprU 30th, 1890. 



