Insects. 



6733 



carapace has two longitudinal waved raised ridges and a margin which is reflexed in 

 front, and its whole surface is delicately shagreeued: the head and anterior segments 

 are retractile heneath the carapace, and these segments as well as all the under sur- 

 face of the larva seem to possess a mucous or adhesively glutinous covering or skin ; 

 there are six articulated but rather short legs, as usual in Lepidoptera, but singularly 

 enough they do not appear to be used in locomotion ; there are no claspers, the entire 

 under surface of the larva is prehensile, and the larva moves forward by an un- 

 dulating gliding motion like a slug ; this gliding is equally well performed on a 

 rough surface and on the most polished glass, and either in a horizontal, per- 

 pendicular or inverted position, indeed on the oak-leaves, its ordinary resort, it 

 is usually found in an inverted positiou. The colour of the carapace is a light 

 delicate green, the two dorsal ridges and the margin being pale yellow ; on the inside 

 of the dorsal ridges are nine oblong crimson spots, and between each pair of crimson 

 spots is a pair of transverse linear yellow spots placed end to end, the two having 

 almost the appearance of a continuous line ; intermediate between each transverselv- 

 placed pair of spots are a pair of longitudinally-placed smaller spots, exactly of the 

 same colour : on each side of the larva below the dorsal ridge are three longitudinal 

 series of pale yellow dots, the upper series of which have a dark green stigmatiform 

 centre: I do not detect real spiracles in any part of the carapace, and suppose thetn 

 to be concealed by its projecting margin. This larva feeds on the oak. The family 

 to which this singular larva belongs is of great extent in India and has a few 

 representatives in North America and Australia. In Europe there are but two 

 species, the present insect and a smaller one, Limacodes Asellus. This natural order 

 is perhaps the most distinct that has yet been eliminated from the vast and closely 

 interwoven class of insects called Lepidoptera : it is to be regretted that no 

 characters have yel been discovered distinctive of the imago. — Edward Newman. 



Discovery of Closlera Anachoreta in England. — I am pleased to record my fortu- 

 nate capture of eleven larvae, ten of which reached the imago state and proved to be 

 Clostera Anachoreta ; a pupa found by a friend after I knew what it was, and pre- 

 sented it to me, also came out. I can at present give no locality for it nearer than u the 

 home-counties,'' for several reasons, not the least of which is the certain inundation of 

 the spot by persons collecting for profit, &c. I attempt a description of the larva, 

 which, being very attractive in appearance, would not be easily overlooked : — Covered 

 slightly with yellowish hair; a pale buff broad dorsal band extends longitudinally; 

 below this on either side is a slaty black band, with some dull orange spots, and 

 beneath this the prevailing colour is orange, the spiracles and spots above being 

 brighter. The head is black, the fold before it being dull orange. On the fourth 

 segment is a dull pinkish red tubercle, surrounded by a black patch, in which 

 on either side of the hump is a very conspicuous pure white spot, the hump or tubercle 

 appearing considerably larger when the larva is in repose or in fear ; a second 

 smaller and similar tubercle is placed on the anal segment. The larva appears to be, 

 to a certain extent, gregarious when full-fed ; when young it feeds in companies. It 

 spins a brownish cocoon, and when about to turn to the pupa, the anterior part assumes 

 a bright green colour; the pupa is at first green anteriorly and yellowish brown pos- 

 teriorly, but soon changes to black. — H. G. Knaggs ; 1, Maldon Place, Camden Town, 

 N. W., September, 1859. 



A new British Noctua : Leucania putrescens. — Early in July I took, flying over 

 b ramble blossoms, three Nocture which nobody here could make out. I sent one of 



