Zoology.-] NATURAL HISTORY OF VICTORIA. [Insects. 



Larva, about 1J inches long, of a dark chocolate-brown, dotted with white and 

 set with long white hairs. The specimen figured went into pupa state on the 22nd 

 of January. 



Pupa, about -fij of an inch long, dark-brown, mottled with white ; attached by 

 the tail to stems of Loranthus leaves, with the head maintained in an upward posi- 

 tion by an oblique silk thread girding the thorax and fixed to the twig. The 

 imago emerged from the pupa figured, on the 15th February. 



Reference. — Don. Epit. Ins. N. Holl. t. 30. 



The larvae of this species feed on the leaves of the Loranthus, 

 or Native Mistletoe as it is called, which clings parasitically to the 

 lofty branches of the so-called Gum Trees {Eucalypti), and the 

 pupa differs completely from that of the Thyca Harpalyce in being 

 solitary. 



This species is not so common as the Thyca Harpalyce, and has 

 a rather swifter, although slow, flight, and keeps for the most part 

 about the tops of the Gum and "Wattle" trees {Acacia), and on 

 the so-called Native Cherry {Exocarpus), on the leaves of which 

 the larva feeds as well as on the Loranthus ; rarely approaching 

 the ground level. There are two broods in the year, remaining 

 in the pupa state about three weeks, varying according to the 

 weather ; a few of the last brood continue in the pupa state over 

 the winter, the butterfly appeariDg in the spring. The males seem 

 to be scarcer than the females, and are always smaller. 



Explanation of Figures. 



Plate 10. — Fig. 1, male, upper side, natural size. Fig. 2, female, upper side, natural size. 

 Fig. 2a, female, under side, natural size. Fig. 3, pupa, natural size, showing the habit of 

 attaching itself singly to twigs near tops of trees by the tail, and supporting the head in an 

 upward direction by the fine silk thread slung round the body. This figure shows the bright 

 coloring shortly before the escape of the butterfly, the colors being duller before. Fig. 4, larvae, 

 full size. 



Frederick McCoy. 



By Authority : John Ferres, Government Printer. 

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