Zoology.] NATURAL HISTORY OF VICTORIA. [Insects. 



one species of which is so injurious to the imported vines. This 

 species is larger, with broader wings, and much less distinct spots 

 than the A. Ephyra of Tasmania, in which the middle spot on upper 

 surface of the posterior wings is always large and distinct. It is 

 not uncommon near Melbourne, the larva feeding on the Epilobium 

 tetragonum, which is an abundant weed. The larva is about 17 

 lines long, and 2^ lines in diameter, of a rich creamy-white color, 

 with numerous small spots of different sizes and transverse lines, 

 irregular in length and undulation, of jet-black ; the head, a patch 

 on the neck, and one on the last and antepenultimate segments, 

 buff ; the surface with long slender scattered hairs. The pupa is 

 9 lines long, enclosed in a slight oval cocoon, formed under the 

 surface of the ground, about 11 lines long and 4 lines in diameter, 

 composed of little grains of earth lined with silk. The larva 

 figured assumed the pupa state on the 18th February, and the 

 imago, or perfect moth, emerged on the 7th March following. 



The AgaristcB constitute one of those anomalous groups having 

 the day-flying habits of the Butterflies, but the antennas, instead of 

 terminating in a club, as is always the case with them, are terminated 

 in slender points as in the Moths, with a slight swelling in the middle 

 as in the twilight-flying Hawk-moths or Sphinxes. Their transforma- 

 tion and earthy cocoons here figured show their true relations with 

 the night-flying Moths as well as the habit of resting with the 

 wings horizontal (not erect as in Butterflies). The impression 

 given by Lewin, that the cocoon is a thin silky one attached to twigs 

 of trees, is certainly due to some mistake, and the relationship to 

 Urania is thus shown to be so remote, that it would be better to 

 separate Agarista as a peculiar family, Agaristidce. 



Explanation of Figures. 



Plate 8. — Fig. 1, upper surface, natural size, of body and wings on right hand of figure ; 

 the detached wings on left of figure show the markings of the under side. Fig. 2, larva full 

 grown, natural size, on its common food, the Epilobium tetragonum. Fig. 2a, anterior portion of 

 larva, magnified. Fig. 26, posterior portion of larva, magnified. Fig. 3, pupa, natural size. Fig. 

 4, cocoon, natural size. 



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