149 
July 30, 1910. The Queensland Naturalist. 
the perfect insect in the choice of such a situation for her 
eggs, will perhaps throw a little light upon the question : 
We may reasonably infer that a position on the leaf of a 
tree or shrub severpj feet above the ground would be sa-fer 
than one close to the earth on the leaf of a food-plant, 
where the eggs would be more likely to be interfered Avith by 
ants or o'flier insect enemies, rnd might also run the risk of 
being eaten by herbivorous animals. Possibly the moth 
considers a leaf more convenient, for her purpose, than a 
blade of grass, as the broader surface of the former allows 
ample space in any direction for the quantity of eggs de- 
posited, and, being more rigid than a yielding grass-blade, 
would give a firmer foot-hold, a matter of some importance 
perhaps when Ave reflect that it must take a little time to 
lay sixty or more eggs, and cover them in so careful and 
clever a manner. It is natural too to suppose that she 
would Avish to be undisturbed during the operation, and an 
elevated position amongst the leaves of a shrub might afford 
more seclusion than Avould easily be obtainable in some 
other situations. Such position, hoAvever, Avhilst proving 
to a certain extent beneficial to the eggs, would undoubtedly 
offer greater chances of preservation for the young larvae, 
which, AAdien hatched, let themselves drop into the air on 
silken threads, and reach the grass by alloAving the Avind 
to separate and carry each to the ground in different direc- 
tions ; AA'hereas if they had to emerge from eggs laid close 
to the earth on the food-plant, such obvious aid to an 
effective and rapid dispersion Avould be out of the question, 
and a period of exceptional danger inevitably occur, during 
which the entire mass of A\'eak and defenceless caterpillars 
could easily be destroyed by the fiist proAvling enemy that 
might chance to discover them. 
The times spent in the larval and pupal stages are as 
follows : — 
Larva, 27 days. Hatched, 6/4/9 ; Pupated, 2/5/9. 
Pupa, 21 days. Pupated 2/5/9 : Moth emerged, 23/5/9. 
Unfortunately I have had no opportunity of ascer- 
taining the duration of the egg stage ; but, presuming it to 
last a couple of Aveeks, aa'o may conclude that specimens of 
the late summer brood take about tAvo months to develop 
from the egg to the perfect insect. 
The folloAA'ing note, in Avhich Mr. H. Tryon has kindly 
drawn attention to the principal literature dealing Avith 
this moth and a closely allied species, adds considerable 
interest to the subject : — 
Note : by Henry Tryon, Government Entomologist. 
When the facts in the foregoing article Avere communi- 
cated by its author to the Club. I ventured to suggest that 
they related to an insect other than Sfodoptera mauritia. 
