POPLAR CATERPILLARS. 455 
genus, it doubtless feeds on the poplars and willows. Though quite 
rarein my vicinity, it is oftener met with than the two other species. 
(Fitch.)* 
26. Pheosia rimosa Pack. 
I first found the singular sphinx-like caterpillar of this moth over 
twenty-five years ago at Brunswick on the balm of Gilead, September 
28. The general color was a purplish lead ; head and first segment 
greenish ; the horn on the eighth segment is black, the dark shade 
prolonged into a lateral line ; a kidney-shaped spot on the last segment; 
spiracles black, encircled with white ; below is a yellow line. Beneath 
greenish and yellowish straw. October 6 it pupated. 
This moth, originally described by us as Pheosia rimosa, differs from 
the European dictwa in its larva, those of the two European species hav- 
ing no horn, the eighth abdominal segment being simply humped. In 
1877 Mr. Meske wrote me as follows : 
The imago of Notodonta rimosa Packard stands very near to the European Notodonta 
dictwa Linne\ but the larvae of those two species are entirely different. The larva of 
the former is very slender, light green, and has a caudal horn like a sphinx larva ; it 
feeds on Populus tremulant. This is the second case in the North American fauna 
where the imago stands very near to its allied European form, while the larva is en- 
tirely different. The first case is Acronycta occidentalis as compared with Acronycta 
psi Linne\ 
The larva has been described by Mr. C. F. Goodhue, who has found it on the poplar 
and willow in New Hampshire late in September. " The transformation takes place 
in a slight cocoon of dead leaves fastened together with a few silken threads, on 
the surface of the ground, much in the manner of Darapsa myron." The moth ap- 
pears in spring as well as in August ; it occurs throughout the Eastern and Middle 
States. 
Mr. F. Tepper has raised the caterpillar which occurred on the wil- 
low in New York, June 22 ; it went under ground a few days after, and 
the moth emerged August 22. . 
Larva. — The body increases in size from the head to the anal segment ; it is deeply 
incised between the segments, much like those of the Sphingidse in appearauce and 
exceedingly smooth and shiny. Head small and nearly round ; first four segments 
capable of being retracted nearly one-half their length. Head and entire upper 
parts of body pale slate color, slightly shaded with brown on the dorsal portion. 
Yellow beneath between the legs ; also a slight stigmatal line of the same color. 
•Caudal horn short and black ; the black extends from the base of the horn to below 
* Walker (Cat. Lep. Het. British Museum, v, 1058) thus refers to a moth which he 
■describes as Ichthyura apicalis : 
Mas. Cinerea ; caput nigro-fuscum ; frons et palpi subtus albida ; antennae canae 
Tamis cinereis ; thorax vitta dorsali nigro-fusca; ahe anticaB fusco-cinereae, linea 
undulosa albida macnlaquecostali rufo-fusca ; posticae cinereae ; subtus albidae fascia 
gracili discali undulosa fuscescente. 
"Larva brown, thick, with sixteen feet, and with a band on part of the back; 
feeds on the poplar leaf, which it draws together with silk. Cocoon slight and 
-white. The motn appears in June."— Barnston MSS. 
a, b. —St. Martin's Falls, Albany River, Hudson's Bay. Presented by Dr. Barnston 
