277 
Dec., 1913. The Queensland Naturalist. 
NOTES ON THE LIFE HISTORY OF THE MOTH. 
ANTHERMA EUCALYPTI. 
By E. H. Shearwin. 
These moths, some of the larvae of which I showed at 
our last meeting, have emerged from the pupa state during 
the last two weeks. A short time before the larvae build 
their cocoons they become very sluggish in their movements. 
After selecting a place that suits them, they exude a quantity 
of brownish-looking liquid mixed whh excreta, which reduces 
their size considerably. At this stage they lose all their 
beautiful colours. It takes about 36 hours to build the 
cocoon. These cocoons are of a rather interesting structure. 
At the base, where they are attached to the twigs, may be 
noticed a row of small holes on each side. These holes do 
not communicate directly with the inside of the cocoon, 
but to a chamber, which in'turn communicates to the inside 
of the cocoon by means of very minute holes. A small ant 
might get into the first chamber, but would have to be mi- 
croscopic to get into the cocoon. I have cut a section of 
one of the cocoons, which shows the two chambers plainly. 
It is a very interesting sight to watch the moths cutting 
their way out. Near the base of each of the wings are beak- 
like attachments (I have bared the wings in one of_ the 
specimens to show these, they can be seen distinctly with a 
pocket lens'). These are used for loosening the silk and 
cutting the way out. ■ I think the moths must moisten 
the cocoon with some liquid before commencing operations, 
as they are very hard. It takes about one hour's vigorous 
work before they cut their way out. On emerging the 
moths crawl to a twig where their body can hang downwards. 
This appears necessary for the proper development of the 
wings. At this stage the wings look like a piece of crumpled 
brown paper. In about half-an-hour the wings are fully 
expanded, but are kept together like a butterfly's for a 
time and till near dark, when they are spread out in the 
ordinary moth-like fashion. They emerge from the cocoon 
between the hours of three and five in the afternoon. It 
is very rare for them to emerge outside the hours mentioned. 
A considerable variation in the colours may be noticed. 
Some naturalists say that this variation is caused by 
differences of temperature, light, or the want of it, or 
different food plants. 
I might say that my specimens were bred under exactly 
similar conditions throughout, so that the above theories 
scarcely hold good as far as these specimens are concerned. 
The eggs were laid on November loth, 1912, and hatched out 
on the 2oth of the same month. All were pupated on 
December 24th : Images emerged between February 6th 
and 26th, 1913. This makes two broods for the season. 
