514 
L EP1D0PT IfiR A. 
brinjal (Solarium melongena ) in the plains throughout India, the most 
destructive of the pests of this crop. The distinct dentate black line on 
the forewing enables this species to be recognised. E. punicceella , Mo., 
is described as boring in the fruits of the pomegranate in Baluchistan 
(Ind. Mus. Notes, II, p. 28). It does not seem to be known from further 
East. E. cedrella, Hmpsn., has been reared from the cones of deodar 
(Cedrus libani) in Kulu (Hampson, J. Bo. N. Hist. Soc., XV, 24). 
Microthrix inconspicuella , Rag., was reared from cane by Mr. Mac¬ 
kenzie, but is rare and is not commonly found. Nephopteryx is a large 
genus, whose larvae usually feed on leaves ; N. eugraphella, Rag., feeds 
on the Bukal tree (Mimusops elengi). N. semirubella, Scop., has been 
reared from maize leaf and is stated to feed on other plants. The moth 
has the costal half of the wing whitish, a colouring which occurs in a num¬ 
ber of Pyralids. N. paurosema , Meyr., has been reared from larvae bor¬ 
ing in the pods of Chakaur ( Cassia tor a) and appears to be common in 
the plains. Epicrocis contains two species extremely common in long 
grass in the plains in October, both small brown moths, with pink 
suffusion. E. cegnusalis, Wlk., has the hindwing ochreous, E. lateritialis , 
Wlk., has it fuscous and has a whitish fascia along the costa. Hypsipyla 
(Magiria) robusta, Mo., is the species whose caterpillar bores the shoots 
of Toon (Cedrela toona) in the Punjab ; the damage is extremely 
characteristic, each shoot dying back from the tip and the pest is a 
serious obstacle to the growth of this shade tree in some places. An 
account with figures will be found in Indian Museum Notes, Vol. I, p. 35 ; 
a fuller one in Vol. V, p. 104. It also bores in Mahogany and is 
recorded as destroying young plants (loc. cit. I, p. 66). 
Another pest is the cotton bud moth, Phycita infusella, Meyr., widely 
spread over India and fully described in Indian Insect Pests (page 99). 
P. clientella , Zell., is the common and widespread leaf roller of the brinjal 
plant and of wild Solarium. P . dentilinella , Hmpsn., was reared from 
larvae feeding on cocoons of Cricula trifenestrata brought from Com- 
milla and the larvae fed freely on the dried moths. They appear to 
be feeders on dry chitin, etc. This genus is a large and important one, 
the males with a great variety of modifications of palpi and antennae, as 
is also the case in Nephopteryx. Careful collecting and breeding will 
probably show that there are many widespread and common plains 
species breeding in wild plants. 
