33 
shrinking. By this means a number of the moths were reared 
during October, and they proved to belong to the Phycitidse, a 
family of Lepidoptera containing a large number of species, 
which in their larval state are internal feeders, and nearly related 
to certain species included in Zeller ? s genus Epicrocis. In general 
form, and in its habits, the Gosford moth also greatly resembles 
a species ( Magiria robusfa , Mre.*) from Ceylon, observed by 
Dr. Thwaites feeding within “ branchlets of mahogany,” but as 
it appears to differ in certain points from this species and from 
Epicrocis patulalis , Wlk., the form which it most nearly 
approaches, I have ventured fco characterize it under the name 
Epicrocis terebrans. From the latest account (13th January) it 
appears that the pest is gradually disappearing from the Nursery. 
Mr. McCoig reports that it is now very scarce, and that no 
opportunity of destroying the larvae is neglected. 
Epicrocis, Zell. 
The species here characterized as Epicrocis terebrans is in my 
opinion congeneric with E. sublignalis , Wlk. (E. strigiferella 
Meyr.), and E . mesembrina, Meyr., as it agrees in every particular 
with specimens of those species kindly identified by Mr. E. 
Meyrick. In one important point, however, none of these species 
agree with Mr. Mey rick’s descriptions! of Epicrocis or the allied 
genera, inasmuch as the hindwings are provided with nine 
(see pi. ii., fig. 3) instead of eight veins, a condition which 
appears to be unusual in the Phycitidye. .There is no doubt of 
the accuracy of the observation, as I have made a microscopical 
examination of the wings of the three species mounted in oil of 
cloves, a proceeding I venture to think which might be followed 
by lepidopterists with advantage in cases where the venation is 
difficult to follow. 
Fam. PHYCITIDiE. 
Epicrocis terebrans, sp. n. 
£ $ . Head dull reddish-ochreous ; thorax and abdomen 
greyish-ochreous, the former paler in front. Labial palpi whitish, 
inclining to fuscous externally, not reaching above upper margin 
of eye. Antenna) brownish-ochreous, very finely ciliated, basal 
joint large, thickly clothed with scales. Forewing elongate, 
moderately broad, dilated, greyish-ochreous, suffused on disc and 
on inner margin with brownish-fuscous, thickly clothed with 
white scales near anterior margin and towards apex from basal 
two-thirds, and dusted with fuscous and dull carmine scales ; an 
* Moore, Lepidoptera of Ceylon, iii., p. 305, pi. 184, fig. 4 d , 4a larva, 
(1887). 
fFroc. Linn. Soc. N.S. Wales, vii., p. 157 (1883), and Trans. Ent. Soo. 
Lond., 1887, p. 257. 
