78 P L A T E CCCLXXXVI1I. 



The fpotted Muflin Moth is one of our rareft fpecies of Phafasna, 

 in this country. The larva feeds fecurely from the intrufion of the 

 Entomologift in marines and watery places, fubfifling entirely on 

 aquatic plants, and is therefore fcarcely even met with, except in the 

 winged rlate, which it afliunes in May. The diflimilarity between the 

 two fexes of this fpecies is altogether fo very remarkable, that it i* 

 only from an intimate acquaintance with the manners of the two infedfcj 

 in a rlate of nature, or the concurrent teftimony of many obfervers 

 that we could be induced to believe them both of the fame fpecies. 



Fabricius, and Gmelin after him, fays, the larva is greenifh, hairy 

 with whirls of black dots, and yellowim head. The figures in Efper 

 T. 3. pi. 42, reprefent the larva of a cinereous colour, verticillated with 

 black dots, and tufts of ferruginous hairs. Other writers fpeak of the 

 head and tail being red. Tliofe different defcriptions may be eafily, how* 

 ever, reconciled by prefuming thofe authors had each noticed the larva 

 at different periods of growth, or perhaps this diffimilarity may ferve to 

 point out the difference between the two fexes, even in the larva 

 Hate. 



PLATE 



