57 



Tortoise beetles may be destroyed with Paris green, but as they often liide 

 beneath the leaves, they are not so easily killed as the Colorado potato beetle. 

 The plants should be closely watched when set out in spring, as at this time the 

 beetles are comparatively few iu number, and could be killed before the eggs are 

 deposited, which would save much future trouble and expense. " An ounce of 

 prevention is worth a pound of cure." 



Tortoise beetles appear to be remarkably free from parasites. I have bred 

 numbers of Physonota helianthi, but only raised one parasite, a small dipterous fly. 



QUEBEC REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GENUS PLUSIA. 



BY THE REV. THOMAS W. FYLES, SOUTH QUEBEC. 



Following are the characteristics of the genus Plusia : — 



Imago, antennae setaceous, thorax and abdomen crested, fore-wings acute, 

 curved on the hind margin, glossy, and often ornamented with metallic markings. 



Larva, loops somewhat in walking, having twelve legs only ; attenuated 

 anteriorly ; feeds exposed on low plants. 



Pupa, inclosed in a slight cocoon. 



Insects belonging to the genus Plusia may be readily distinguished by the con- 

 spicuous crest which they bear on the shoulders, the tufted abdomen, and the bill- 

 hook shaped curve of the inner margin of the fore-wings. These are more or less 

 striking in them all. Some of the species are very abundant, individuals of them 

 may be seen in our gardens, even in the hot sunshine, hovering over the blossoms 

 or passing from plant to plant with easy rapid motions. 



The largest, and I think the most beautiful of our Quebec species is 



P. halluca (Gey.) Fig. 23, which is one and 

 three-fourths inches in expanse of wings. 

 The splendid bronze-green of its wings, 

 shining with the richest gloss of satin, will 

 make it known to the veriest tyro in 

 Entomology. 



P. Putnami (Grote) may also be 

 readily distinguished by its burnt-sienna 

 coloured fore-wings with their golden apical 

 streak, and theii two central golden spots, 

 sometimes united. 



P. thyatiroides (Guen.) is very rare in the Province of Quebec. To those 

 who are fortunate enough to meet with it, it may at once be known by the 

 patches at the base and inner angles of its fore-wings, which are of a delicate 

 pink, resembling in colour those on the wings of the English " peach blossom 

 moth " (Thyatira batis). It is to these that the insect owes its name. The only 

 specimen I have was taken at Cowansville in the Eastern Townships. 



P. mortuorum ( Guen.) also may be readily known. Its fore-wings are dark 

 brown approaching to black. They aie embellished with silvery lines and washes 

 near the hind margin. Extending from the base to the centre of the wing are 

 conspicuous plume-like silvery-white markings. This is one of the smallest 

 species in the genus, expanding about one inch and a quarter. 



The fore- wings of P. ampla (Walk.) are ash-brown with a rosy tinge. 

 Extending from the inner margin to the middle of the wing is a well-defined 

 dark-brown velvety patch, the inner side of which has a deep curve and is finely 

 outlined with gold colour. 



