IN SECT A . 
181 
Its black and yellow, very hairy caterpillar is not very destructive, 
as it confines itself to mallows, nettles, and other weeds. 
Fam. Ly canid <z. 
Lycsena, Fabr. 
L. bcetica, Linn.— The small blue Butterfly is the most abun- 
dant everywhere, especially on a damp sunny day, which appears to 
suit it best. I have not met with the larvae anywhere but in 
the pods of green-peas ; though they must feed elsewhere, as this 
vegetable is scarcely sufficiently cultivated to account for so large a 
number of the butterflies. 
Fam. SpUing idee. 
Chaerocampa, Dup, 
C. eelerio, Linn. — This widely-distributed creature, known as 
the Brown Hawk Moth, with red wings, is not very common in the 
Island ; but its large green or brown larvae, or caterpillars, are very 
destructive to the grape-vines, devouring the young shoots and 
leaves immediately they are put forth in the spring months of 
October and November. They very quickly destroy every vestige 
of foliage on a large vine. 
Acherontia, Ochs. 
A. atropos, Linn. — The Death’s-Head, or, as it is commonly 
called, the Fernando Po Moth, is said to have first appeared in the 
Island in the year 1835, and was afterwards very plentiful until 
1854, when it disappeared almost simultaneously with the Honey 
Bee, to which it was a troublesome enemy. As many as five or 
six would inhabit one hive, getting access to it in spite ol all pre- 
cautions to keep them out, and would feed upon the honey as well 
as destroy the Bees. Whether they were instrumental in extermi- 
nating the Bees or not, it is difficult to ascertain, but both disap- 
peared at the same time.* 
Fam. Leucanidce. 
Leucania, Ochs. 
L. extranea, Guen. — A large light-brown Moth, about three- 
* The Honey Bee was re-introduced a lew years ago. and it is a remarkable fact, that this 
moth has just (1874) reappeared in the Island, after an absence of twenty years. 
