Page:Jardine Naturalist's Library Exotic Moths.djvu/222

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176
SPILOSOMA VIRGO.

colour over the eyes. Anterior wings black, with numerous cream-coloured or fulvous stripes dividing the ground colour into many triangular, quadrate, and linear spots. The hinder wings are reddish-yellow, with several large angular black spots towards the posterior margin. Abdomen reddish or fulvous with a macular or continuous black band down the centre.

The caterpillar is brown, with several yellow tubercles on each segment, bearing tufts of hair: head and membranous legs yellow. (Plate XIX. fig. 4.) It feeds," says Abbot, "on several species of mimosa, commonly called the sensible briar, panting briar, &c., as well as on some other plants. It spun up June 10th, and on the 20th September the moth came out. In Virginia it spins in April, and comes forth in May. This is not a common kind. The caterpillar, when kept in confinement, is apt to die before it changes to a chrysalis." The chrysalis is of a delicate lilac colour. (Plate XIX. fig. 5.)