46 
The Queensland Naturalist. 
Nov., 1925 
INSECTS OF THE RIVER MANGROVE 
(Aegiceras majus,) 
<Notes taken on Excursion of the Queensland Naturalists’ 
Club to Luggage Point, Brisbane River, 3rd June, 19 25.) 
By R. Illidge. 
The 1‘iver mangrove, though much neglected by 
entomologists, is the host plant of several interesting 
insects. Among these is a species of xyloryct, the 
perfect insect of which (a moth) has, if known, not yet 
been identified in connection Avith this tree. At present 
I can only show the larval forms with the covering wel), 
as is usual in the majority of these species. The larvae 
when taken in the sticks, were eating the leaves of the 
plant, whicli they had cut off and carried to their holes 
to devour at tlieir leisure, free of trouble from enemies. 
Another species in larval and pu])al stadia is a 
member of the cossidae, which was named (hdama ex- 
pressa some years ago by the late Dr. T. P. Lucas, from 
specimens obtained by me some three miles down the 
river from Bulimba. Jt is extremely destructive to the 
plant, as was seen by the state of a stem submitted. 
In Coleoptera is a fine Longicorn of the sub-family 
Cerambycides named Tryphocharia Mitchelli, which 
lives in the laiwal state in the stems of this tree. This 
beetle T obtained in numbers many years ago when liv- 
ing on tlie North Quay. They were not uncommon on 
the mangroves which lined the river banks at Milton. 
Amongst other insects is a butterfly rather notable 
as having recently been discovered as a local species hy 
Mr. D. Curtis; his .find has been verified by Mr. Franzen, 
from Amity Point, during the late excursion thereto. 
The butterfly is well known from the north, and appears 
to be plentiful in Yeppoon; it may now be looked for 
all along the Queensland coast where this tree grows. 
Tt is a beautiful species of the Lycaenidae, known as 
Miletus apelles, of a fine coppery red on upper surface, 
the under being richly varied with shining green and 
red markings. Mr. Curtis found the larvae associated 
with ants, as is so common in this family. 
The sweet smelling flowers also are very attractive 
io great numbers of butterflies and moths, likewise other 
insects galore. Amongst butterflies, Euploea corinna, 
Hy])olimnas nerina, Nymphalis sempronius, Delias 
