THE BROWN HAIRSTREAK 
273 
irregular pentagonal cells, which are large and deep round the 
apical third. The colour is white, with a greenish-grey shade 
at the bottom of the cells. The egg state lasts seven months. 
The larva makes its exit by eating away a small round hole 
in the centre of the crown—eating away the micropyle. 
Hibernation. Hibernation is passed in the egg stage. The 
eggs are usually laid towards the end of August or beginning 
of September, and hatch during the first week of April, thus 
remaining seven months in the egg state. 
Larva. During the middle of June, the larva moults for 
the third and last time and by the end of that month becomes 
fully grown, when it then measures from 16 mm. to 19 mm. 
in length. It resembles a chiton shell in shape. The sides are 
flattened and the ventral surface 
very flat. When viewed end on it 
presents a triangle. The first seg¬ 
ment is flattened and projecting, 
completely concealing the head while 
the larva is at rest. The seg¬ 
mental divisions are deeply incised, 
especially on the dorsal surface 
where each segment is much ele¬ 
vated. The anal segment, like the 
first, is flattened ; a dilated lateral 
ridge runs the entire length of the 
body and hides the legs and claspers. 
The larva has the habit of compressing itself closely upon the 
surface of the leaf while resting. The whole surface is glossy, 
semi-transparent, of a clear, pure green colour, and there are 
two pale greenish-yellow oblique stripes on each segment, 
except for the first and last, also a longitudinal dorsal stripe, 
and a lateral line of the same colour. The upper surface is 
covered with minute curved white bristles. As soon as the 
larva becomes fully grown and stops feeding, it changes to a 
dull lilac colour, and the markings to a pale pink. It has 
exactly the appearance of having been dipped in purplish dye. 
Pupation takes place at the end of June or early in July. 
Larvae in captivity usually attach themselves to leaves of the 
food plant, mostly on the under surface (sometimes to other 
substances) to pupate. The larval state occupies about 75 days. 
B.B. S 
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Portion of the side of the 
egg of the Brown Hairstreak 
(highly magnified). 
