HEPIALUS VELLEDA. 57 



are thrust out clear from surrounding objects, and the 

 imago can emerge without encumbrance. This last 

 event takes place in the early part of June. (W.B., 

 8, 70; E.MM. VII, 84.) 



Hepialus sylvinus. 

 Plate XXX, fig. 5. 



My kind friend Dr. Knaggs, most obligingly sent 

 me two larvae of this interesting species which he found 

 feeding on the roots of dock, and which were full grown 

 by the 10th of July, 1866. 



Each excavated a mine or trench from the outside 

 of the root and in a spiral direction, closing it over 

 with gnawings spun together with silk. The cocoon 

 was formed of the same materials, but a little more 

 compactly, at the upper end of the mine and near the 

 surface of the earth. A few hours before the moth 

 appeared the anterior portion of the pupa was pro- 

 jected above ground; it being, like its congeners, 

 furnished with rings of hooked bristles for that 

 purpose. The perfect insect appeared on September 

 10th. 



The larva, being whitish and very shining, may be 

 compared to polished ivory ; it is about an inch to an 

 inch and a quarter in length, with the segments deeply 

 divided, and the folds or wrinkles deeply cut. The 

 head is orange-brown, with the mouth black. A plate 

 of brownish-orange on the second segment, and marks 

 of the same tint on the back of the third and fourth 

 segments, and also on the anterior legs. The spiracles 

 are dark brown, all the other parts being immaculate. 

 A few scattered fine hairs visible with a lens. (W. B., 

 20,9, 66; E.M.M. Ill, 136.) 



On the 10th of August, 1878, I received from Mr. 

 J. Batty eggs of this species laid loose. Some of them 

 proved infertile and shrivelled, but the others hatched 



