52 TROOHILIUM PHILANTHIFORME. 



the more distinct, the other being only very slight. 

 On the segments nearer the thorax these ridges are 

 bnt slight, but they gradually become sharper on each 

 following segment to the last, and in like manner the 

 size and length of the hooks which point backwards, 

 with which the ridges are armed ; the abdominal tip 

 has a circlet of about eight still stouter hooks. 



The pupa was of a light reddish-brown colour, 

 except the thorax, eye-covers, and parts of the wing- 

 cases which were dark brown, the hooks were black ; 

 the whole surface was rather shining. 



Hepialus hectus. 

 Plate XXX, fig. 1. 



To the very arduous, long-continued, and valuable 

 exertions of Mr. Joseph Steele, of Congleton, in 

 elucidating the history of this species, I am deeply 

 indebted. 



The eggs are globular, small, and bluish-black,* and 

 are laid by the ? over fern brakes towards the end of 

 June. The young larva is hatched about the middle of 

 July, and is then of a drab colour, with brown head, 

 and plates on the second and anal segments, and, with 

 the aid of a lens, the hairs on its body are easily seen. 



It burrows in the lower part of the stem and feeds 

 in the root of Pteris aquilina, and grows but slowly 

 its first season. When a year old it makes good pro- 

 gress, and by or before the end of its second autumn 

 it has apparently attained its full dimensions ; it then 

 ceases to feed and quits the root, not, however, going 

 beyond two or three inches from it, and there in the 

 earth remains dormant until the following spring. 



In April it recommences feeding, and continues to 

 about the end of May or beginning of June, according 

 to the locality and season, though not feeding in the 

 root as before, but attacking the young shoots of the 



* The eggs are white at first, but soon turn bluish-black. — J. H. 



