](34 NOTES ON THE LIFE HISTORY OF AN EMERALD MOTH. 



On the 29th January, three days after its capture, the larva commenced to spin a loose cocoon 

 amongst the topmost shoots of the young foliage. This cocoon (PI. XIII., fig. 3) consisted of small 

 pieces of leaf held together by coarse silken strands. After finishing the cocoon, it remained in the 

 larval form for two days before pupating. The pupa attached itself by means of small hooks on the 

 anal segment to a small wad of silk, at the base of the cocoon, and remained in an upright position, 

 the anterior end being uppermost. 



I he pupa (PI. XIII., figs. 4, 5) is similar in colour to the larva, but has three narrow, darker coloured 

 broken bands along the dorsal surface, instead of three lighter ones as in the larva. The whole of the 

 pupal shell has the same granular appearance as in the larval form. There are a number of small black 

 spots scattered about it, more particularly on the slightly raised wing venation and along the sides of 

 the antenna?. At the end of the posterior segment are a number of small hooks which are attached 

 to the wad of silk upon which the pupa stands whilst in the cocoon. Length of the pupa, 16 mm., 

 width 4 J mm. 



Imago (PI. XIII., fig. 6). — Upper surface of the moth green in colour. Costal margin of the fore- 

 wings and the fringes of scales around the outer margins of both wings light reddish brown. The 

 costal margin of each fore-wing has small, lighter, transverse markings. The outer edge of the integu- 

 ment of each wing is marked with a more distinct whitish colour, which broadens out at the termination 

 (il each vein. Fore wings with two narrow, yellowish, wavy, transverse markings. Hind wing with 

 only one wavy marking, continuing in line with the outer transverse marking on the fore wing. 

 Scattered about the upper surface of both wings are a number of small and somewhat indistinct, 

 yellowish markings. Beneath: wings white, tinged with green. Antenna* and palpi light red. Eyes 

 black. Upper surface of the thorax with a light reddish marking in the centre. Anterior end of the 

 abdomen with small light reddish spots in centre of each segment, above which change into white 

 at the posterior end and become broader backwards, so that the last two segments of the abdomen are 

 completely white. Beneath the abdomen is silvery white. Pro-thoracic legs pink, the under surfaces 

 of the femur and tibia white. Meso- and meta-thoracic legs white. The reddish and brown colouration 

 of portions of the adult moth are similar to those present in the larval and pupal stages. 



The moth emerged on February 19th, nineteen days after pupation. Its width across tin. ex- 

 panded wings is 35.5 mm., and the length from the head to the tip of the abdomen, 14 mm. 



The following notes on the rearing of another specimen of this species, were very kindly given 

 me by Mr. C. H. Wickham, of Leura, New South Wales, who has had considerable appearance in the rear- 

 ing and breeding of Australian moths. 



" A larva, 10 mm. in length, was taken at Newport, on 20th May, feeding on the young leaves ol 

 the Red Gum, Eucalyptus. When fully grown it was 29 mm. in length and 3 mm. in width at the 

 intersection of the segments. The colour was~at first dark brown, but it changed in June and again in 

 July and August, becoming much redder, with light coloured lines along the dorsal and spiracular 

 surfaces. It changed colour again in September to a butt shade dorsally, and became much darker 

 ventrally. The head was very small and brown. The thoracic legs anil one pair of pro-legs were brow n. 

 The first to the fifth abdominal segments were expanded outwards dorsally, to points, which gave the 

 larva a dead fern leaf appearance. The projections on the third segment were broadest, and the others 

 decreased anteriorly and posteriorly. On the dorsal surface of the eighth segment was a small, flesh} 

 tubercle, inclined towards the anal end, and on the segments and tubercle were small floury-looking 

 lumps. This larva led in an exposed position during the day. It pupated in a fairly loose web, with 

 leafy fragments around the cocoon on the surface of the ground, on September 17th. 



The pupa was 15 mm. in length and 4 mm. in width. The head ami thorax were covered with a 

 whitish powder, and the colour was brown with one dorsal and two sub-dorsal darker lines. It had a 

 blunt spine, with side flukes at the anal end. Hatched from egg on or about 1st May. The adult 

 moth emerged on the 31st October," 



