Presented to the LIBRARIES of the
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO by
Larry Pfaff
.
i
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Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2018 with funding from University of Toronto
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PLATE CXXYII.
/. IJabrosyne cLercLScv. ThytiiLr(v halts. Poly tela glories dd.
4 RxtrneuUisco paw.
} YrmAnkScns. limited
5. Gorfynw fUtvago 6 Triplutencv frmbruv.
7. Aqrctis spinay.
8, Diphtherco apriUneo.
LLOYD'S NATURAL HISTORY.
Edited by R. Bowdler Sharpe, LL.D., F.L.S., &c.
A HAND-BOOK
TO THE
ORDER
LEPIDOPTERA.
BY
W. F. KIRBY, F.L.S., F.Ent.S,
DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY, BRITISH MUSEUM.
Author of “ A Synonymic Catalogue of Lepidoftera Heteroceraf “ European Butterflies and Aloths “A Text- Book of Entomology, ” etc. , etc.
VOL. V.
MOTHS.— PART III.
LONDON:
EDWARD LLOYD, LIMITED,
12, SALISBURY SQUARE, FLEET STREET.
1897.
PRINTED BY
WYMAN
AND SONS,
LIMITED.
>
EDITOR’S PREFACE.
With this volume Mr. Kirby brings to an end his review of the Lepidoptera. In addition to the illustrations of British Butterflies and Moths, which have been made the principal subject of these entomological volumes of the Naturalist’s Library, a large number of exotic species have been figured for the first time, while the author has taken the present opportunity to revise the nomenclature of many genera and species. His great knowledge of the Bibliography of Entomology renders this portion of his studies of especial interest.
R. BOWDLER SHARPE.
Chiswick, April, 1897.
AUTHOR’S PREFACE.
The present volume completes the series on the Order Lepidoptera , as sketched out in the Preface to vol. ii. It includes the Noctuce and Geometrce , among the larger Moths, and the Micro-Lepidoptera. The first two sections are treated as fully as the preceding groups, all the more important families being noticed or illustrated ; but in the case of the Micro-Lepidoptera , which, though comparatively little studied, probably far exceed the Macro- Lepidoptera in numbers, it was naturally impossible to do more than describe and figure a selection of species belonging to various families, without extending the work to one or two more volumes.
A much larger number of species are described and figured in this volume than in any of the preceding ones, and a con¬ siderable number are here figured for the first time. In these cases I have thought it best, as a rule, to reprint the original description of the author who described the species.
As before, Newman’s figures have occasionally been drawn upon, in order to illustrate the subjects more fully than the limited number of plates at our disposal would allow. As regards the coloured plates, most of the figures on pi. clviii., and some of those on pi. clvi., are magnified ; but the real dimensions are given in the text.
I am indebted to Mr. A. W. Kappel, F.L.S., the Librarian of the Linnean Society, for kindly looking up the abstracts of a paper by the Rev. Lansdown Guilding, which had been lost sight of by Entomologists, and one of which I have reprinted at pp. 267-269.
W. F. KIRBY.
Chiswick, April, 1897.
SYSTEMATIC INDEX
PAGE
ORDER LEPIDOPTERA (cont.). i
B. LEPIDOPTERA HETERO-
CERA (cont.) . i
NOCTURE . i
FAMILY XL. THYATIRID^E. 2 Genus Thyatira, Ochsenheimer
& Treitschke. ... ... 2
T. batis (Linnaeus). ... 3
Genus Habrosyne, Hubner. ... 4
II. derasa (Linnaeus). ... 4
Genus Bombycia, Hubner. ... 6
B. or (Fabricius). ... ... 6
FAMILY XLI. AGROTIDtE. 8 SUB-FAMILY I. BRYOPHI-
LINA2 . 9
Genus Bryophila. Treitschke. ... 9
B. muralis (Forster). ... 10
SUB-FAMILY II. ACRONYC-
TIN/E . 11
Genus Acronycta, Ochsenhei¬ mer. ... ... ... 11
A. psi (Linnaeus). ... ... 12
SUB-FAMILY III. LEUCA-
NIUSEE. ... < ... 13
Genus Leucania, Ochsenheimer. 14 L. impura (Hubner). ... 14
Genus Hyphilara, Hubner. ... 15
H. albipuncta (Denis & Schiffermuller). ... ... 16
Genus Nonagria, Ochsenheimer. 17 N. arundinis (Fabricius). ... 17
SUB-FAMILY IV. GLOTTU-
LINYE . 20
Genus Polytela, Guenee. ... 20
P. gloriosae (Fabricius). ... 20
Genus Ramadasa, Moore. ... 21
R. pavo (Walker) ... ... 22
SUB-FAMILY V. APAMEIN2E. 22 Genus Gortyna, Ochsenheimer. 23
G. flavago (Denis & Schif¬ fermuller). ... ... 23
Genus Xylena, Hubner. ... 25
X. lithoxylea (Fabricius). 26
PAGE
Genus Neuria, Guenee. ... 2;
N. reticulata (De Villers). 28 Genus Mamestra, Ochsenheimer. 30
M, persicariae (Linnaeus) _ 30
Genus Oligia, Hubner. ... ... 32
O. furuncula (Denis &
Schiffermuller). ... ... 33
SUB-FAMILY VI. CARADRI-
NINA2. ... ... ... 35
Genus Caradrina, Ochsenheimer. 35
C. morpheus (Ilufnagel). ... 36
SUB-FAMILY VII. AGRO-
TIN.E . 37
Genus Agrotis, Hubner. ... 38
A. segetum (Denis & Schif¬ fermuller). ... ... 38
A. spina, Guenee. ... ... 41
Genus T'riph^ena, Ochsenheimer. 43 T. pronuba (Linnaeus). ... 43
T. fimbria (Linnaeus). ... 44
Genus Graphiphora, Hubner.... 4^ G. triangulum (Hufna^el) 46 SUB-FAMILY VIII. ORTHO S1IN.E. ...
Genus Cuphanoa, Hubner. 48
C. cerasi (Fabricius) ... 49
Genus Orthosia, Ochsenheimer. 51 O. macilenta (Hubner). ... 51
Genus Gl^ea, Hubner. ... ... 52
G. vaccinii (Linnaeus). ... 53
Genus Eupsilia, Hubner. ... 55
E. satellitia (Linnaeus). ... 55
Genus Xanthia, Hubner. ... 57
X. icteritia (Hufnagel). ... 58
SUB-FAMILY IX. COS-
MIIIKUE. . 59
Genus Cosmia, Hubner. ... ... 60
C. affinis (Linnaeus). ... 60
SUB-FAMILY X. PIADE-
NINvL . 62
Genus Epia, Hubner. ... ... 63
E. irregularis (Hufnagel). 63
Genus Diphthera, Hubner. ... 65
D. aprilina (Linnaeus) ... 65
VI
SYSTEMATIC INDEX.
PAGB
Genus Phlogophora, Treitschke 67 P. meticulosa (Linnaeus). ... 68
FAMILY XXXIX. CUCUL-
LIID/E . 69
Genus Calocampa, Stephens. ... 70
C. exoleta (Linnaeus). ... 70
Genus Cucullia, Schrank. ... 73
C. verbasci (Linnaeus). ... 73
Genus Argyritis, Htibner. ... 75
A. argentina (Fabricius). ... 75
FAMILY XL. HELIOTHID/E. 76 Genus Periphanes, Htibner. ... 76
P. delphinii (Linnaeus). ... 77
Genus Rhodophora, Guenee. ... 78
R. gaurse (Abbot & Smith). 78 Genus Chloridea, Westwood.... 79 C. rhexice (Abbot & Smith). So Genus Heliothis, Htibner. ... 81
II. dipsacea (Linnaeus). ... 82
Genus Anarta, Ochsenheimer — 84
A. myrlilli (Linnaeus). ... 84
FAMILY. ACONTIID/E. ... 86 Genus Erotyla, Hubner. ... 86
E. trabealis (Scopoli). ... 87
Genus Tarache, Hubner. ... 90
T. dispar (Walker). ... 91
Genus Canna, Walker . 91
C. malachites (Oberthtir). 91 Genus Bankia, Guenee . 92
B. olivana (Denis & Schif-
fermtiller). ... ... 92
Genus Galgula, Guenee. ... 94
G. partita, Guenee. ... 94
Genus PIustrotia, Hubner. ... 95
E. uncula (Clerck). ... 95
Genus Anthophila, Iltibner. ... 97
A. ostrina (Iltibner). ... 9S
DIVISION II. NOCTU/E
QUADRIFID/E. ... 99 I. NOCTU/E SERICE/E. ... 101 FAMILY PALINDIID/E. ... 101 Genus Eulepidotis, Htibner. ... 101 E. detracta (Walker). ... ior FAMILY DYOPSID/E. ... 102 Genus Litoprosopus, Grote. ... 102 L. hatuey (Poey). ... ... 102
FAGE
II. NOCTU/E VARIE-
GAT/E . 103
FAMILY ERIOPID/E . 104
Genus Callopistria, Htibner. ... 104
C. argentilinea, Walker. ... 105 FAMILY EURITIPID/E. ... 105 Genus Eutelia, Htibner. ... 105 E. rufatrix (Walker). ... 106 Genus Varnia, Walker. ... ... 106
V. ignita, Walker. ... 107
FAMILY PLUSIID/E . 107
Genus Abrostola, Ochsenheimer. 108 A. triplasia (Linnaeus). ... 108 Genus Plusia, PItibner. ... ... no
P. chrysitis (Linnaeus). ... no P. gamma (Linnaeus). ... 112 P. microgamma (Htibner). 114 P. chryson (Esper). ... 1115
FAMILY CALPID/E . 116
Genus Gonodonta, Iltibner. ... 116 G. acmeptera (Sepp.) ... 117 FAMILY IIEMICERID/E. ... 118 Genus IIemiceras, Guenee. ... 118 II. sigula, Guenee. ... 118 FAMILY HYBL.EID.E. ...119 Genus HybL/EA, Fabricius. ... 119 II. puera (Cramer). ... 119 FAMILY GONOPTERID/E. ... 120 Genus Scoliopteryx, Germar. ... 120 S. libatrix (Linnaeus). ... 121
III. NOCTU/E INTRUS/E. 122 FAMILY AMPHIPYRID/E. ... 123 Genus Amphipyra, Ochsenheimer. 123
A. tragopogonis (Clerck) 123
FAMILY TOXOCAMPID/E. ... 125 Genus Oppiiusa, Ochsenheimer. 125
O. craccce (Denis & Schif-
fermiiller). ... ... 12 ^
FAMILY STILBIID/E. ... 127 Genus Stilbia, Stephens. ... 127 S. anomala (Haworth). ... 127
IV. NOCTU/E EXTENS/E. 129 FAMILY POLYDESMID/E. ... 129 Genus Pantydia, Guenee. ... 129
P. sparsa, Guenee. ... 130 FAMILY IIOMOPTERID/E. ... 130 Genus Nephelina, Kirby. ... 130
N. edusa (Drury) ... ... 131
SYSTEMATIC INDEX.
F AM I LY H Y PO G R A M M I D/E . Genus Anthocitta, Hiibner. ... A. sublucida (Walker).
V. NOCTUE LIMBATE. FAMILY CATEPHIIDE. ... Genus Edia, Hiibner. ...
E. discistriga (Walker). ...
FAMILY BOLINIDE .
Genus Syneda, Guenee....
S. socia, Behr.
FAMILY IIYPOCALIDE. ... Genus IIypocala, Guenee.
H. subsaturata, Guenee. ... FAMILY CATOCALIDE. ... Genus Catocai.a, Schrank.
C. fraxini (Linnaeus).
C. nupta (Linnaeus).
C. pacta (Linnaeus). C.neogama( Abbot & Smith). C. amasia (Abbot & Smith).
VI. NOCTUE PATULE....
FAMILY EREBIDE .
Genus Peosina, Guenee.
P. leontia (Stoll). ...
Genus Letis, Hiibner .
L. magna (Gmelin).
Genus Thysania, Dalman.
T. agrippina (Cramer). Genus Erebus, Latreille.
E. agarista (Cramer). FAMILY OMMATOPIIO-
RID/E .
Genus Crishna, Kirby .
C. macrops (Linnaeus).
C. boopis (Guenee).
C. walkeri (Butler).
Genus Nyctipao, Hiibner.
N. crepuscularis (Linnaeus). Genus Cyligramma, Boisduval.
C. gemmans (Guenee).
C. disturbans (Walker). ... FAMILY HYPOPYRIDE. ... Genus S Pi rami a, Guenee.
S. recessa (Walker).
FAMILY BENDIDE .
Genus IIulodes, Guenee.
II. caranea (Cramer),
VI l
PAGE
VII. NOCTU/E serpen¬ tine: . 162
FAMILY OPPIIDERIDE. ... 163 SUB-FAMILY I. OPPIIDE-
RINE . 163
Genus Othreis, Hiibner. ... 164
O. smaragdipicta (Walker). 164 Genus Argadesa, Moore. ... 165
A. materna (Linnaeus). ... 165 Genus Grapiiigona, Walker. ... i65 G. rcgina (Guenee). ... 167 SUB-FAMTlY II. PIIYLLO-
DIN.E. ... 167
Genus Miniodes, Guenee. ... 168
M. discolor, Guenee. ... 168 Genus Gi.oriana, Kirby. ... 169
G. ornata (Moore). ... 169 Genus Phyllodes, Boisduval. ... 170
P. maligera, Butler. ... 170 FAMILY LAGOPTERIDE. ... 171 Genus Lagoptera, Guenee. ... 17 1
L. juno (Dalman). ... 172
Genus Nantesia, Kirby. ... 173
N. lunaris (Denis & Schif-
ferm tiller). ... ... 173
FAMILY EUCLIDIIDE. ... 175 Genus Euclidia, Hiibner. ... 175
E. mi (Clerck). ... ... 176
FAMILY POAPHILIDE. ... 1 77 Genus Phytometra, Haworth. 178
P. viridaria (Clerck). ... 178 FAMILY REMIGIIDE. ... 1S0 Genus Remigia, Guenee. ... 1S0 R. demonstrans, Walker _ 1S1
viii. noctue pseudo-
deltoide . 1S1
FAMILY FOCILLIDE. ... 1S2 Genus Zethes, Rambur. ... 182 Z. insularis, Rambur. ... 182 Genus Focilla, Guenee. ... 1S3
F. plusioides, Walker. ... 1S3 FAMILY THERMESIIDE. ... 184 Genus Capnodes, Guenee. ... 184
C. finipalpis (Walker). ... 184
ix. noctue deltoides. 185
FAMILY PLATYDIDE. ... 1S5 Genus Euclystis, Hiibner. ... 186 E. cynara (Cramer). ... 1 86
PAGE
132
132
132
132
133
134
134
135
135
135
136
136
136
137
L3^
139
142
144
H5
146
147
14S
149
149
149
1 5°
Ho
H1
H2
H2
PH
H3
H4
LS4
H4
H5
156
H7
157
158
H9
H9
160
160
160
161
Vlll
SYSTEMATIC INDEX.
PAGE
FAMILY HYPENID/E. ... 187 Genus Calymma, Hiibner. ... 187
C. quinqualis (Walker). ... 188 Genus Hypena, Schrank. ... 188 II. bijugalis, Walker. ... ... 189
FAMILY HERMINIIMk ... 189 Genus Mastigopiiorus, Poey. ... 190
M. parra, Poey. ... ... 190
FAMILY AVENTIIDAi. ... 191 Genus Laspeyria, Germar. ... 191
L. flexula (Denis & Schiffer- miiller). ... ... ... 19 1
FAMILY BOLETOBIID/E. ... 193 Genus Parascotia, Hiibner. ... 193
P. fuliginaria (Linnceus) 193
FAMILY BREPHID.E. ... 195 Genus Brephos, Hiibner. ... 195
B. parthenias (Linnaeus). ... 196
GEOMETRY . 199
FAMILY URAPTERYGIDZE. 200 Genus Lars, Hiibner. ... ... 201
L. sambucaria (Linnceus). 201 FAMILY ENNOMID/E. ... 202 Genus Opisthograptis, Hiibner. 203
O. luteolata (Linnceus). ... 203 Genus Angerona, Duponchel. ... 204
A. prunaria (Linnceus). ... 204
A. sospeta (Drury). ... 206 Genus Phal/ena, Linnceus. ... 206
P. syringaria (Linnceus), ... 207 Genus Geometra, Linnceus. ... 208
G. alniaria, Linnceus. ... 209 FAMILY CENOCHROMIID/E. 210 Qenus Monoctenia, Guenee. ... 21 1
M. obtusata, Walker. ... 21 1 FAMILY AMPHIDASIID/E. ... 212 Genus Ithysia, Hiibner. ... 212
I. zonaria (Denis & Schif-
fermiiller). ... ... 212
FAMILY BOARMIID/E. ... 213
Genus Pingasa, Moore. ... ... 214
P. occultaria (Donovan). ... 215 Genus Bronchelia, Guenee. ... 215
B. scolopacea (Drury). ... 216 FAMILY BOLETOBIID/E. ... 217 FAMILY CHLOROCIIRO-
MIDcE. ...
... 217
PAGE
Genus Terpne, Hiibner . 217
T. papilionaria (Linnaeus). 218 FAMILY MECOCERIDZE. ... 219 Genus Macrotes, Westwood. ... 219 M. netrix (Cramer). ... 220 Genus Mecoceras, Guenee. ... 220 M. bitactaria, Walker. ... 221
FAMILY PALY AD/E . 221
Genus Eumelea, Duncan. ... 221 E. rosalia (Cramer). ... 222 FAMILY EPHYRID/E. ... 222 Genus Cyclophora, Hiibner. ... 223 C. orbicularia (Hiibner). ... 223
FAMILY ID,EID,E . 224
Genus Craspedia, Hiibner. ... 225
C. ornata (Scopoli). ... 225 FAMILY MICRONIID/E. ... 226 Genus Acropteris, Hiibner, ... 227
A. striataria (Clerck). ... 227
FAMILY EROSIID.E . 228
FAMILY CABERID/E. ...228 Genus Cabera, Treitschke. ... 229
C. pusaria (Linnaeus). ... 229 FAMILY MACARIID/E. ... 230 Genus Mac aria, Curtis. ...
M. liturata (Clerck).
FAMILY FI DON 1 1 D/E. ... 232 Genus Epidesmia, Westwood. ... 232 E. tricolor, Westwood.
Genus Botys, Latreille. ...
B. purpuraria ( Linnceus). ... 234 FAMILY EUSCHEMID/E. ... 235 Genus Euschema, Hiibner. ... 235
E. discalis, Walker. ... 236 Genus Dysphania, Hiibner. ... 236
D. fenestrata (Swainson). 236 Genus Milionia, Walker. ... 237
M. basalis, Walker. ... 237 Genus Sangala, Walker. ... 238 S. gloriosa, Walker. ... 23S FAMILY ZERENID/E. ... 239 Genus Pan/ethia, Guenee. ... 239 P. maculosa (Walker) Kirby. ... ... ... 239
Genus Rhyparia, Hiibner. ... 240
R. melanaria (Linnaeus). ... 240 Genus Spilote, Hiibner. ... 241
S. grossulariata (Linnceus). 241
230
230
200
21 1 JO
SYSTEMATIC INDEX.
IX
PAGE
Genus Psilonaxa, Warren. ... 242 P. seriaria (Motschulsky). 242
FAMILY LIGIID^E . 243
Genus Dichroma, Westwood. ... 243 D. equestralis, Westwood. 243 D. histrionalis, Westwood. 244
D. arcualis, Westwood. ... 245 FAMILY IIYBERNIIDAL ... 246 Genus Hybernia, Latreille ... 246
H. defoliaria (Clerck). ... 246 FAMILY LARENTIIDiE. ... 247 Genus Mesoleuca, Hiibner. ... 248
M. albicillata (Linnaeus) — 248 Genus Rhumaptera, Plubner. ... 249
R. hastata (Linnaeus). ... 250 FAMILY EUBOLIIDAL ... 250 Genus Anaitis, Duponchel. ... 251
A. plagiata (Linnaeus). ... 251
FAMILY SIONIDAi . 252
Genus Odezia, Boisduval. ... 253 O. tibiale (Esper). ... 253
FAMILY ITEDYLIDiE. ... 253 Genus IIedyle, Guenee. ... 254 H. lucivittata, Walker. ... 254 FAMILY ERATINID.E. ... 254 Genus Eratina, Doubleday. ... 255
E. leptocircata, Guenee. ... 255 FAMILY MELANCIIRCEIDAL 255 Genus Melanchrcea, Hiibner.... 255
M. aterea (Cramer). ... 256 FAMILY EMPLOCIID^E. ... 256 Genus Emplocia, Plerrich-Schaf-
fer. ... ... ... 256
E. hesperidaria, Guenee _ 257
FAMILY HYPOCHROSID/E. 257 Genus Achrosis, Guenee. ... 257 A. pyrrhularia, Guenee. ... 2^8
PYRALES . 258
FAMILY CHRYSAUGID/E . 259
Genus Chrysauge, Hiibner. ... 259 C. catenulata, Warren. ... 260 FAMILY HOMALO-
CHROID^E. ... ... 260
Genus Mapeta, Walker. ... 260 M. xanthomelas, Walker. 260 FAMILY SEMNIIDiE. ... 261 Genws Semnia, Hiibner..., ... 261
S. auritalis, Hiibner. ... 261
PAGE
FAMILY PYRALID/E. ... 262 Genus ViTESSA, Moore. ... ... 262
V. suradeva, Moore. ... 262 Genus Cardamyla, Walker. ... 263
C. carinentalis, Walker. ... 263 FAMILY HERCYNID/E. ... 263 Genus Metaxmeste, Hiibner. ... 263
M. phrygialis (Hiibner). ... 264
FAMILY STENIID/E . 264
Genus Ercta, Walker . 264
E. tipulalis, Walker. ... 265 FAMILY HYDROCAMPIDAL 265 Genus Nymphula, Schrank. ... 265
N. stagnata (Donovan). ... 266 FAMILY M ARG ARO N 1 1 D/E. 266 Genus Eudioptis, Hiibner. ... 266
E. indica, Saunders. ... 267 FAMILY MARGARONIID/E. 269 Genus Margaronia, Hiibner. ... 269 M. arachnealis, Walker. ... 269 FAMILY GALLERIID/E. ... 270 Genus Galleria, Fabricius. ... 270 G. mellonella (Linnaeus). ... 270
FAMILY PIIYCID/E . 271
Genus IIypochalcia, Hiibner. ... 271 11. ahenella (Denis & Schif- fermiiller). ... ... 272
FAMILY PALPARIID.E. ... 272 Genus Pai.paria, Haworth. ... 272 P. pinella (Linnaeus). ... 273 Genus Ommatopteryx, Kirby ... 274 E. ocellea (Plaworth). ... 274 FAMILY CHILONID/E. ... 275 Genus Donacaula, Meyrick. ... 275
D. mucronella (Denis &
Schiffermiiller). ... ... 275
FAMILY PTEROPIIORID/E. 276 Genus AluVhta, Linnaeus. ... 276 A. pentadactyla, Linnaeus. 276 FAMILY ORNEODID/E. ... 277 Genus Orneodes, Latreille. ... 277
O. hexadactyla (Linnaeus). 278
TORTRICES . 278
FAMILY TORTRICIDHL ... 279 Genus Tortrix, Linnaeus. ... 279
T. viridana, Linnaeus. ... 279
Genus Gauris, Hiibner . 280
G. crameriana (Stoll). ... 280
X
SYSTEMATIC INDEX,
PAGE
FAMILY CARPOCAPSID/E. ... 2S0 Genus Ernarmonia, Hiibner. ... 2S0 E. saltitans (Westwood) ... 2S0 FAMILY PERONEID.E. ... 281 Genus Rhacodia, Hiibner ... 28 1 R. caudana (Fabricius). ... 2S1 FAMILY CIIIMATO-
PIIILID/E . 282
Genus Chimatophila, Stephens. 282 C. tortricella (Iliibner). ... 282 FAMILY EXAPATILLE. ... 283 Genus Enyphantes, Hiibner ... 283 E. congelatella (Clerck). ... 2S3 FAMILY yEGERIIDyE. ... 284 Genus Algeria, Fabricius. ... 285 Ai. apiformis (Clerck) ... 286 Genus Memythrus, Newman. ... 287 M. vespiformis (Linnaeus). 287 Genus Pyropteron, Newman. ... 2S8
P. chrysidiforme (Esper) _ 2S9
Genus Troch ilium, Scopoli. ... 289 T. spheciformis (Gerning). 290 FAMILY THYRIUID/E. ' ... 291 Genus Tiiyris, Iloffmannsegg ... 291 T. usitata, Butler. ... ... 292
TINE.E . 292
FAMILY CHOREUTID/E. ... 293 Genus Choreutis, Hiibner. ... 293 C. myllerana (Fabricius).... 293 FAMILY ATYCHIID.E. ... 294 Genus Atychia, Latreille. ... 294 A. appendiculata (Esper). 205
FAMILY TINEIDZE . 295
Genus Euplocamus, Latreille. ... 295 E. bienerti, Staudinger. ... 295 Genus Tinea, Linnceus. ... ... 296
T. pellionella, Linnceus. ... 206
FAMILY ADELID.E . 297
Genus Adela, Latreille . 297
A. degeerella (Linnaeus). ... 298 FAMILY HYPONOMEU-
TID/E . 299
Genus Hyponomeuta, Latreille. 299 H. padella (Linnceus). ... 299
Genus Crameria, Hiibner.
C. nobilitella (Cramer). ... FAMILY CHIMABACCHID/E. Genus Diurnea, Haworth.
D. fagella (Denis & Schif- fenniiller).
FAMILY CRYPTOPHASID/E. Genus Cryptophasa, Lewin. ...
C. irrorata, Lewin. FAMILY GELECIIIIDZE. ... Genus IIarpella, Schrank.
II. geoffrella (Linnceus). ... FAMILY CECOPIIORIDZE. ... Genus CEcophora, Latreille.
CE. sulphurella (Fabricius). FAMILY TINLEGERIIDZE. ... Genus Eretmocera, Zeller.
E. lcetissima, Zeller. FAMILY GRACILLARIID.E. Genus Gracillaria, Haworth.
G. syringella (Fabricius).... FAMILY COLF.OPI IORID.E. Genus Coeeophora, Hiibner. ...
C. anatipennella (Hiibner). FAMILY LAVERNIDAi.
Genus Chry'SOCLISTA, Stainton.
C. linneella (Clerck). FAMILY IIELIOZELIDZE. ... Genus Antispila, Hiibner.
A. treitschkiella (Dupon- chel).
FAMILY LITIIOCOLLE-
TIDAi .
Genus Lithocolletis, Hiibner.
L. spinolella (Duponchel). FAMILY NEPTICULIDAi. ... Genus Microsetia, Stephens. ...
M. microtheriella( Stainton). FAMILY MICROPTERY-
G\V>M .
Genus Mioropteryx, Hiibner. ... M. aureatella (Scopoli). ...
PAGE
3°°
300
301 301
301
303
303
303
304 3°4
305 305
305
306
306
306
307
308 308
308
3°9
3°9
309
310 310
310 3i 1 3i 1
311
312
312
313 3i3
313
314
314 3H
315
LIST OF PLATES
CXXVII.—
Fig. i. Ilabrosyne derasa (p. 4).
Fig. 2. Thyatira batis (p. 3).
Fig. 3. Polytela glorioste (p. 20). Fig. 4. Ramadasa pavo (p. 22).
Fig. 5. Gortyna flavago (p. 23).
Fig. 6. Triphsena fimbria (p. 44). Fig. 7. Agrotis spina (p. 41).
Fig. 8. Diphthera aprilina (p. 65). CXXVIII. —
Fig. I. Tarache dispar (p. 91).
Fig. 2. Galgula partita (p. 94).
Fig. 3. Canna malachites (p. 91). Fig. 4, 5. Khodophora gaurce (p. 7S). Fig. 6. Calocampa exoleta (p. 70). Fig. 7. Feriphanes delphinii (p. 77). Fig. 8. Argyritis argentina (p. 75). Fig. 9. Chloridea rhexice(p. 80). CXXIX.—
Fig. 1. Eulepidotis detracta (p. 101). Fig. 2. Plusia microgamma (p. 114). Fig. 3. Eutelia rufatrix (p. 106).
Fig. 4. Plusia gamma (p. 112).
Fig. 5. Callopistria argentilinea (p. 105).
Fig. 6. Plemiceras sigula (p. 118). Fig. 7. Hyblaea puera (p. 119).
Fig. 8. Gonodontaacmeptera(p. 1 1 7). Fig. 9. Litoprosopus hatuey (p. 102).
cxxx.—
Fig. 1,2. Scoliopteryxlibatrix(p. 121). Fig. 3. Pantydia sparsa (p. 130).
Fig. 4. Nephelina edusa (p. 13 1). Fig. 5. Anthocitta sublucida (p. 132). Fig. 6. ZEdia discistriga (p. 134).
Fig. 7. Syneda socia (p. 135).
Fig. 8. Hypocala subsaturata(p. 136). CXXXE —
Fig. 1. Catocala nupta (p. 142).
Fig. 2. Catocala fraxini (p. 139). CXXXII —
Figs. 1,2. Catocala neogama(p. 145). Fig. 3. Catocala amasia (p. 146). CXXXIII.—
Fig. 1. Peosina leontia (p. 149).
Fig. 2. Letis magna (p. 150). CXXXIV.—
Thysania agrippina (p. 151). CXXXV.—
Erebus agarista (p. 152).
CXXXVII } Crishna macroPs (p- IS4).
cxxxvm.—
Nyctipao crepuscularis (p.
I56)-
CXXXIX.—
Fig. 1. Cyligramma gemmans(p.i57). Fig. 2. Cyligramma disturbans (p. 158).
CXL. —
Fig. 1. Spiramia recessa (p. 160). Fig. 2. Plulodes caranea (p. 16 1). Fig. 3. Remigia demonstrans (p. 181).
Fig. 4. Zethes insularis (p. 182). CXLI. —
Fig. 1. Argadesa materna (p. 165). Fig. 2. Othreis smaragdipicta (p.
i64).
P'ig. 3. Graphigona regina (p. 167). CXLII. —
Fig. 1. Miniodes discolor (p. 16S). Fig. 2. Lagoptera juno (p. 172). CXLIII. —
Gloriana ornata (p. 169). CXLIV. —
Phyllodes maligera (p. 170).
CXLV. —
Fig. I. Focilla plusioides (p. 183). Fig. 2. Capnodes finipalpis (p. 184). Fig. 3. Macrotes netrix (p. 220).
Fig. 4. Mecoceras bitactaria (p. 221). Fig. 5. Calymma quinqualis (p. iSS). Fig. 6. Ilypena bijugalis (p. 189). Fig. 7. Mastigophorus parra (p. 190) Fig. 8. Euclystis cynara (p. 186). CXLVI. —
Fig. I. Lars sambucaria (p. 201). Fig. 2. Opisthograptis luteolata (p. 203).
Fig. 3. Angerona prunaria (p. 204). Fig. 4. Angerona (?) sospeta (p. 206). Fig. 5. Monoctenia obtusata (p. 21 1). Fig. 6. Pingasa(?) occultaria(p. 215). CXLVII. —
Fig. I. Farascotia fuliginaria (p. 193). Fig. 2. Bronchelia scolopacea (p. 216).
Fig. 3. Terpne papilionaria (p. 218). Fig. 4. Eumelea rusalia (p. 2 22).
Xll
LIST OF PLATES.
CXLVIII. —
Fig. I. Acroptcris striataria (p. 227). Fig. 2. Epidesmia tricolor (p. 233). Fig. 3. Rhyparia melanaria (p. 240). Fig. 4. Pannethia maculosa (p. 239). Figs. 5-7. Spilote grossulariata (p. 241).
Fig. 8. Psilonaxa seriaria (p. 242). CXLIX. —
Fig. 1. Dysphania fenestrata (p.236). Fig. 2. Sangala gloriosa (p. 23S). Fig. 3. Milionia basalis (p. 237).
Fig. 4. Euschema discalis (p. 236). CL.—
Fig. 1. Dichroma equestralis(p. 243). Fig. 2. Dichroma histrionalis(p. 244). Fig. 3. Dichroma arcualis (p. 245). CEL —
Fig. 1. Mesoleuca albicillata (p. 248).
Fig. 2. Rhumaptera hastata (p. 250). Fig. 3. Melanchroea aterea (p. 256). Fig. 4. Odezia tibiale (p. 253).
Fig. 5. Hedyle lucivittata (p. 254). Fig. 6. Eratina leptocircata (p. 255). Fig. 7. Emplocia hesperidaria (p. 257)*
Fig. 8. Achrosis pyrrhularia (p.258).
CEIL—
Fig. 1. Chrysauge catenulata (p.260). Fig. 2. Mapeta xanthomelas (p.260). Fig. 3. Semnia auritalis (p. 261). Fig. 4. \Titessa suradeva (p. 262). Fig. 5. Cardamyla carinentalis (p.
263) .
Fig. 6. Metaxmeste phrygialis (p.
264) .
Fig. 7. Ercta tipulalis (p. 265). CLIII. —
Fig. 1. Nymphula stagnata (p. 266). Fig. 2. Eudioptis indica (p. 267). Fig. 3. Margaronia arachnealis (p. 269).
Fig. 4. Galleria mellonella (p. 270). Fig. 5. Ilypochaleia ahenella (p. 272).
Fig. 6. Palparia pinella (p. 273).
Fig. 7. Ommatopteryx ocellea (p.
274) .
Fig. 8. Donacaula mucronella (p.
275) -
CLIV.—
Fig. I. Tortrix viridana (p. 279). Fig. 2. Gauris crameriana (p. 280). Fig. 3-5. Ernarmonia saltitans 280).
Fig. 6. Rhacodia caudana (p. 281). Fig. 7. Chimatophila tortricella (j 282).
Fig. 8, 9. Enyphantes congelatell (p. 283).
CLV. —
Fig. I. Algeria apiformis (p. 286). Fig. 2. Memythrus vespiformis (p 287).
Fig. 3. Pyropteron chrysidiforrm (p. 289).
Fig. 4. Trochilium spheciformis (p 290).
Fig. 5. Thyris usitata (p. 292).
Fig. 6. Varnia ignita (p. 107).
CLVL —
Fig. 1. Atychia appendiculata(p.295). Fig. 2. Choreutis myllerana (p. 293). Fig. 3, 4- Diurnea fagella (p. 301). Fig. 5. Adela degeerella (p. 298). Fig. 6. Hyponomeuta padella (p 299)- 1
Fig. 7. Chr\ soclista linneellafp. 310). Fig. 8. Gracillaria syringeila(p.3oS). Fig. 9. Crameria nobilitella (p. 300). CLVIL —
Cryptophasa irrorata (p. 303). CLVin. —
Fig. 1. Eretmocera lmtissima(p.307). Fig. 2. Euplocamus bienerti (p. 295). Fig. 3. Harpella geoffrella (p. 305). Fig. 4. Gicophora sulphurella (p. 306).
Fig. 5. Coleophora anatipennella (p. . 309).
Fig. 6. Lithocolletis spinolella (p. 3I3)-
Fig. 7. Antispila treitschkiella (p. .311)*.
Fig. 8. Microsetia microtheriella (p. 3H).
Fig. 9. Alucita pentadactyla (p. 276). Fig. 10. Orneodes hexadactyla (p. 278).
Fig. II. Micropteryx aureatella (p.
3I5K
THE MOTHS— LEPIDOPTERA HETEROCERA.
( Concluded. )
NOCTURE.
This name is applied to a very extensive and homogeneous group of the larger Moths. The most comprehensive classifi¬ cation of the Noctuce was proposed by Guenee in 1852, in his “Species Generate des Lepidopteres : Noctuellites”; but in 1857 another system was published by Lederer in his “Noctuinen Europa’s,” in which he arranged the genera almost without troubling himself to sort them into families. Later authors have followed an intermediate course, and instead of dividing the Noctuce. into groups, sub-groups, and a large number of families, have divided them into a limited number of families only. However, many small groups appear to be natural, and these we propose to treat as Sub-families in the present work. The following characters may be taken as of general application.
Larva. — Cylindrical, naked or pubescent, rarely tufted or hairy ; with sixteen legs, or with the first and second pairs of pro-legs more or less rudimentary.
Pupa. — Subterranean ; or rarely enclosed in a cocoon.
imago. — With moderately stout bodies (rarely slender). Antennae filiform, or, rarely, pectinated ; proboscis usually well
«-L«/ l6 B
2
Lloyd’s natural history.
developed. Fore-wings triangular; hind-wings broader than the fore-wings, more slender, and folded beneath them like a fan when at rest ; nearly always differently, and usually obscurely, coloured ; frenulum present. Flight nocturnal or crepuscular ; in some families diurnal.
FAMILY XL. THYATIRID^E.
Larva. — With sixteen legs, smooth or slightly humped, feed¬ ing exposed on trees and shrubs, or between leaves slightly connected with silk.
Pupa. — Usually enclosed in a slight cocoon among moss or rubbish at the foot of the tree on which the larva has fed ; more rarely in the mass of leaves towards the extremity of a branch frequented by the larva.
Imago. — Moderately stout, downy ; antennae simple, slightly thickened in the males; wings moderately long and broad, entire, and with the discoidal nervule rising almost from the middle of the discoidal cell ; or in the hind-wings, sometimes a little lower ; hind-wings, with the costal and sub-costal nervures approximating, and almost or quite united above the end of the cell.
This Family is now classed by many authors with the Bombyces.
GENUS THYATIRA.
Thyatira , Ochsenheimer & Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. iv. p. 77 (1816); vi. (2), p. 161 (1825); Guenee, Spec. Gen. L£pid. Noct. i. p. 10 (1852).
Eyes naked ; palpi long, hairy ; last joint naked, very long ; antennae ciliated in the male; thorax with a double crest, approximating in the middle ; abdomen slightly crested at the base; wings rounded, marked with large spots; fore- wings
THYATIRA.
3
with two of the sub-costal nervules forking near the tip ; hind- wings with the discoidal neiwule rising near the upper median nervule. Larva with deep incisions, and bifid elevations on the back.
The type of this genus is widely distributed in Europe and Northern and Western Asia. Species or varieties differing little from the European form are likewise met with in India, and in North America as far south as Mexico.
THE PEACH-BLOSSOM MOTH. THYATIRA BATIS.
[Plate CXX VII. , Fig . 2.)
Noctua batis , Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. (ed. x.) i. p. 509, no. 72 (1758) ; id. Faun. Suec. p. 308 (1761) ; Esper, Schmett. iv.
(i) P- 59> Taf- 86> figs- 6"8i iv- (2) 2> P- 54) Taf. 193, figs. 7-9 (1786) ; Hiibner, Eur. Schmett. iv. fig. 65 (1799?). Thyatira batis , Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (2), p. 162 (1825) ; Curtis, Brit. Ent. ii. pi. 72 (1825); Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. iii. p. 48 (1829) ; Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 144, pi. 32, figs. 1-1 b (1880); Buckler, Larvae of Brit. Lepid. iv. pi. 54, figs. 2-2 b (1891); Barrett, Lepid. Brit. Isl. iii. p. 190, pi. 116, figs. 2, 2 a-c (1895).
The Peach-blossom Moth, which is named from the colour of the spots on the fore-wings, is one of the prettiest species found in Britain, and is not rare. The fore-wings are olive-brown, with dark waved transverse lines, darkest towards the base, and with five pale rose-coloured spots on each wing. The largest of these is at the base, and is clouded with brown ; two are near the tip, and are sometimes united ; a fourth is situated at the hinder angle, and has a brown spot in the middle, and the smallest is on the inner margin. The hind-wings are ochreous- grey, with a pale waved line near the middle, and are darker in the females than in the males.
b 2
4
Lloyd’s natural history.
The Moth is fairly common throughout the British Isles. It expands about an inch and a half. r The larva is brown, varied with rusty red, and has an elevation on the third segment, which is bifid at the extremity and directed forwards ; and there are five smaller pointed elevations on the back, com¬ mencing on the sixth segment, in front of the last of which is a dark quadrilateral spot.
It feeds on bramble, and clings to the under surface of the leaves.
GENUS HABROSYNE.
Habrosyne , Hiibner, Verz. bek. Schmett. p. 272 (1822?). Gonophora , Bruand, Mem. Soc. d’Emul. Doubs. (2) i. p. 89 (1845); Ann. Soc. Ent. France (2) vii. p. 42 (1849).
General characters of Thyatira, but the antennae are scarcely ciliated, the palpi hairy, rather short, the last joint naked, and the fore-wings with pale oblique lines, an accessory cell, and with the sub-costal nervules well separated ; hind-wings with the discoidal nervule and upper median nervule well separated at their origin. The larvae are cylindrical and without elevations.
THE BUFF ARCHES. HABROSYNE DERASA.
{Plate C XX VI!., Fig. 1.)
Noctua derasa , Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. (ed. xii.) i. (2) p. 851, no. 158 (1767) ; Esper, Schmett. iv. (2) 1, p. 449, Taf. 142, fig. 1 (1791?); iv. (2) 2, p. 54, Taf. 193, figs. 4-6 (r799?); Hiibner, Eur. Schmett. iv. fig. 66 (1799?).
Thyatira derasa, Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (2) p. 165 (1825); Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. iii. p. 47 (1829); Buckler, Larvae of Brit. Lepid. iv. pi. 54, figs. 1-1 b (1891).
HABROSYNE.
5
Gonophora derasa, Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 143 (1880); Barrett, Lepid. Brit. Isl. iii. p. 186, pi. 116, figs, i— 1 b (1895).
The Moth is of about the same size as the preceding, and is common in most parts of Central and Eastern Europe, as well as in Northern and Western Asia. The fore-wings are yellowish-grey at the base, and are crossed by two oblique white bands, one running from the costa to a little beyond the middle of the inner margin, and the other from the apex to the hinder angle. The triangular area bounded by these bands is clouded with brown and white, and there is a transverse series of parallel fine zig-zag brown lines, forming very acute angles on a whitish ground. The hind margins are brown, with two rows of small white arches, surmounted by an ill-defined white line. The fringes are also whitish. The hind-wings are dusky, slightly tinged with ochreous, and have whitish fringes.
The larva feeds on bramble, and may be found till the end of September. It is smooth, but has a few fine scattered hairs. The head is large, and deep brownish-yellow like the body. On the back of each segment is a coffee-brown hexagonal spot, with a black line running longitudinally through it. Beneath these is a line composed of blackish-brown dots, and the fifth, sixth, and seventh segments have a pale yellowish spot on the sides, bordered with black, and the third and twelfth segments have an elevation on the back. The body is brownish-grey beneath.
The day before their metamorphosis, the larvae become dingy brown. When at rest they often assume a curved position.
The pupa is greyish-black, thickened in front, with very deep incisions. The terminal spine is simple. The moth appears at the same time as Thyatira batis , and, like it, is fairly common, without being actually abundant.
6
LLOYD’S NATURAL HISTORY.
GENUS BOMBYCIA.
Bombycia, Hiibner, Tentamen, p. i (1810?).
Tethea , pt. Ochsenheimer, Schmett. Eur. iv. p. 64 (1816). Palimpsestis , pt. Hiibner, Verz. bek. Schmett. p. 273 (1822 ?). Cymatophora , pt. Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (1), p. 77 (1825); Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. i. p. .16 (1852), nom prceocc.
Cer&pacha , pt. Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. iii. p. 51 (1829).
The remaining European species of the Thyatiridcz differ considerably from each other, but some authors include them in one genus, and others separate them into several. The names quoted above are only a few of those which have been applied to them. The Moths are green, brown, and grey, with transverse lighter or darker, and sometimes slightly zig-zag, lines ; and they differ essentially from the foregoing genera in the abdomen not being crested. The larvae mostly live between leaves, and often rest with their bodies more or less curved. The section to which Bombycia or belongs may be distinguished by the naked eyes, moderately stout body, which is slightly longer than the hind-wings (though more slender than in the hairy-eyed species of the group), by the hairy legs and palpi, and comparatively narrow wings.
THE POPLAR LUTE-STRING. BOMBYCIA OR.
Noctua or, Fabricius, Mant. Ins. ii. p. 165, no. 202 (1787) ;
Hiibner, Eur. Schmett. iv. fig. 210 (1799?).
Noctua octogena , Esper, Schmett. iv. (2), i. p. 388, Taf. 128, fig- 5 (i79°?); iv- (2) 2? P- 6) Taf. 180, fig. 5 (1794). Cymatophora or, Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (1), p. 98 (1825); Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 144, pi. 32, figs.
BOMBYCIA.
7
2-2 b (1880); Buckler, Larvae of Brit. Lepid. iv. pi. 54, figs. 6, 6 a (1891) ; Barrett, Lepid. Brit. Isl. p. 198, pi. 117, figs. 2-2 c (1896).
Ceropacha or , Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. iii. p. 53 (1829).
The Poplar Lute-string.
This species expands about an inch and a half. It is common in most parts of Central and Northern Europe, and in Northern Asia.
The fore-wings are ashy-grey, sometimes slightly shot with a peach-blossom tint. The base is very light-coloured, and is bounded by a dark double stripe, beyond which is another double dark zig-zag stripe. Beyond these stripes are two light green spots on a pale ground, the inner of which is sometimes entirely wanting. The outer is elongated, notched above and with a small brown streak beneath. Beyond the central area is another dark double zig-zag line, and then a pinkish gloss, containing a whitish line, which commences at the apex in a curved blackish streak, and is crossed by five blackish nervures. The fringes are brown, streaked with black. The hind-wings are yellowish-grey in both sexes, with darker hind margins, and occasionally a lighter band in the middle. The fringes are greyish-white.
The larva feeds on various species of poplar. It Is pale green, or yellowish green, with a rusty-brown head, a dark dorsal line, and a yellowish spiracular line, in which the spiracles stand out white.
8
Lloyd’s natural history.
The pupa is found in late autumn and early spring at the foot of the tree on which the larva has fed, between fallen leaves which it has spun together.
FAMILY XLI. AGROTID^E.
This and the following families of Noctucz differ from the Thyatiridce. essentially by the discoidal nervule rising near to or (rarely in the earlier families) from the same point as the upper median nervule, in which latter case it resembles a fourth median nervule, and the median nervure is then said to be four-branched. Sometimes, however, this nervule rises from the middle of the cell in the hind-wings.
There is a peculiar arrangement of markings found in the fore-wings of a great number of Moths, but most often in the Noctuce , which is so well marked that it is called the “ Noctua pattern.”
The fore-wing is crossed by four transverse lines. One, towards the base, is generally incomplete below, and is called the half-line ; the next is the first transverse line, and is situated before the middle. There is rather a wide space between this and the second transverse line, or elbowed line, and towards the hind margin is the sub-terminal line, which not infrequently forms a W. These lines may be present or absent, or straight or zig-zag, but some of them are nearly always visible. Between the first and second transverse lines are two markings, one usually placed in the cell and rounded ; the other covering the end of the cell and somewhat kidney¬ shaped. These are called the “orbicular stigma” and the “reniform stigma ” respectively ; and towards the inner margin, below the orbicular stigma, we often find a third mark, forming a long triangle or streak, and called the “ claviform stigma.” Between the orbicular and reniform stigma, we often find
BRYOPHILA.
9
a more or less suffused transverse stripe, called the central shade.
The Agrotidce, , as the name is here employed, correspond in the main with the Trifidaz ; Bryophilida , Bombycoidce and Genuine of Guenee. In these the median nervure is usually only three-branched, whence the name, Trifidcz.
Larva. — Generally naked or downy, feeding on low plants, and sometimes beneath the surface of the ground.
Pupa. — Usually subterranean.
imago. — Usually rather stout; antennae rarely pectinated ; size moderate, or rather small ; colours generally subdued ; hind- wings generally broader than th-: fore-wings, and of much weaker structure; the discoidal nervure usually separated at its origin from the upper median nervule, and often more or less rudimentary.
This is a very extensive family, including a great number of sections, and to it belong by far the larger number of Noctuce, which inhabit temperate climes.
SUB -FAMILY I. BRYOPHILIN^.
The types of this sub-family are rather small and slender Moths, and their wings are marbled with green, grey, brown, and whitish. Their larvae feed on lichens.
GENUS BRYOPHILA.
Potcilia , Schrank, Fauna Boica (2) ii. p. 157 (1802), nom . prceocc.
Bryophila , Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (1), p. 47 (1825); Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. i. p. 22 (1852).
This is the typical genus of the sub-family. There are several European species, some of which are British ; and the genus is also fairly well represented in North America.
io
Lloyd’s natural history.
THE MARBLED GREEN. BRYOPHILA MURALIS.
Noctua muralis , Forster, Nov. Spec. Ins. p. 74 (1771).
Noctua lichenis , Fabricius, Syst. Ent. p. 614, no. 102 (1775);
Esper, Schmett, iv. (1), p. 287, Taf. 118, fig. 8 (1789 ?). Noctua glandif era y Denis & Schiffermiiller, Syst. Verz. Schmett. Wien, p. 70, no. 2 (1776); Hiibner, Eur. Schmett. iv. fig. 24 (1799?).
Bryophila glandifera , Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (1), p. 58 (1825) ; Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. iii. p. 44 (1829); Buckler, Larvae Brit. Lepid. iv. pi. 55, figs. 4-4 c (1891).
Bryophila muralis , Kirby, Fur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 152 (1880).
The Marbled Green.
This Moth expands from an inch to an inch and a quarter. It is found in most parts of Europe and temperate Asia. The fore-wings are pale green, with a transverse row of black streaks, edged on the outer side with white. In the middle of the wing is a second double dark line, filled in with dark brown, and bordered likewise with white. This is connected near the inner margin with the basal row of spots by a sinuated black streak. The stigmata are bordered with black, as is also the third transverse line. The sub-marginal line rises from a black spot on the costa, and has two excavations filled in with black. The fringes are marked triangularly with black and white. The hind-wings are lighter in the male than
ACRONYCTA.
1 1
in the female. They are speckled with white and ashy, and are generally marked with a central lunule. Towards the margins the ashy-grey colour becomes darker, and almost constitutes a band between a sharply defined brown line and the uniform white fringes.
The larva is found in spring on Jungermannia , especially when growing on oak-trees ; and on lichens growing on walls. It has a brown head, and a pale blue or grey dorsal line, bordered with black. The body is dark yellow, barred with black. It is full grown in July, and assumes the pupa state in a firm cocoon under moss. The Moth appears about a month later.
SUB-FAMILY II. ACRONYCTINA2.
These are stout-bodied Moths ot moderate size, with the fore-wings varied with grey, black, brown, and sometimes green. The hind-wings are grey, brown, or whitish. The larvae differ much in structure and appearance, but are more or less hairy, or tufted, and feed on trees. Several species are remarkable for having a black dagger-shaped mark towards the hinder angle of the fore-wings.
GENUS ACRONYCTA.
Acronicia, Ochsenheimer, Schmett. Eur. iv. p. 62 (1816).
Aero ny eta, Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (i), p. 3 (1825) ;
Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. i. p. 41 (1852).
There are about a dozen British species usually included in this genus. They differ much in the structure of their larvae, so much so that some authors have referred them to different families of Bo?nbyees and Noctuez. We figure one of the com¬ monest species, A. psi (Linn.), but there are two other Euro¬ pean species, A. tridens (Den. & Schiff) and A. euspis
Lloyd’s natural history.
i 2
(Hiibner), which resemble it so closely as to be hardly distin¬ guishable in the imago state, though the larvae differ consider¬ ably. A. tridens (the Dark Dagger) is common in England, though less so than A. psi. A. cuspis is not British, though it is not rare in many parts of the Continent.
THE COMMON DAGGER. ACRONYCTA PSI.
Nodua psi , Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. (ed. x.), i. p. 544, no. 96 (1758); id. Faun. Suec. p. 314, no. 1181 (1761);
Esper, Schmett. iv. (1), p. 242, Taf. 115, figs. 1, 2 (1789?).
Nodua tridens , Hiibner, Eur. Schmett. iv. fig. 4 (1799 ?). Acronydapsi, Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (1), p. 30 (1825); Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. iii. p. 39 (1829); Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 149, pi. 32, figs. 7-7 a (1880); Buckler, Larvae of Brit. Lepid. iv. pi. 56, figs. 2-2 b (1891); Barrett, Lepid. Brit. Isl. iii. p. 250, pi. 122, figs. 2-2 d (1896).
The Common Dagger.
The Common Dagger Moth expands about an inch and a half. It is found in most parts of Europe, Northern Africa, and Siberia. The head and body are ashy-grey, with a broad black line on the sides of the head and thorax. The fore-
LEUCANIINJE.
13
wings vary from whitish grey to brown, without any reddish or yellowish tinge. At the base is a conspicuous black line, and towards the hinder angle a mark shaped like a \p. On the costa are several rather indistinct black streaks, and between the stigmata is an ^-shaped black mark. The orbicular stigma is round, with a black edge, but the reniform stigma is very faint. The fringes are greyish brown at the base, and white at the tips. The hind-wings are more or less brownish, with the nervures at the tip and the hind margin darker. The larva feeds on beech, lime, poplar, alder, &c. It has a black head with two yellow stripes, and the neck is thickly covered with reddish-brown and dark grey hairs. On the fifth segment is a very long, black, erect, conical, fleshy, tubercle. The dorsal line is broadly sulphur-yellow and terminates in a tapering eleva¬ tion, which points backwards, on the twelfth segment. The sides are black, with deep red, slightly curved, vertical streaks, generally two on each segment, approximating above, and there is a small white spot between them on four of the seg¬ ments. The legs are yellowish-brown and above them runs a whitish longitudinal stripe. The pupa is deep reddish-brown, elongated, and obtuse at the extremity. It is enclosed in a firm silky cocoon, in a cavity in rotten wood.
SUB-FAMILY III. LEUCANIINYE.
This is a well-marked group of moths called “ Wains¬ cots ” by collectors. The body is generally stout, and the fore-wings rather narrow, of an ochreous or reddish colour, longitudinally but rather indistinctly striated, and often with¬ out any markings but a few dots. The hind-wings are white or grey. Most of the species are marsh-frequenting insects, and the larvae feed on grass and reeds, sometimes in the stems.
14
Lloyd’s natural history.
GENUS LEUCANIA.
Heliophila , Hiibner, Tentamen, p. i (1810?), nom. prceocc. Leucania, Ochsenheimer, Schmett. Eur. iv. p. 81 (1816); Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (2), p. 289 (1825) ; Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. i. p. 69 (1852).
This genus includes some of the commonest and best-known species of the group.
The fore-wings are pale, oblong, and almost without mark¬ ings. The species figured is distinguished from its allies by its darker hind-wings.
THE SMOKY WAINSCOT. LEUCANIA IMPURA.
Noctua inipura , Hiibner, Eur. Schmett. iv. fig. 396 (1804?). Leucania impura , Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (2), p. 294 (1825), x. (2), p. 89 (1835); Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. iii. p. 75 (1825); Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 160 (1880) ; Buckler, Larvae of Brit. Lepid. iv. Pi- 59> figs- 5-5 d (1891).
Leucania punctina , Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. iii. p. 75 (1829).
The Smoky Wainscot.
The Smoky Wainscot has an expanse of from a little over an inch and a quarter to an inch and a half. It is common in Central Europe and Northern Asia.
HYPHILARA.
*5
The fore-wings are greyish ochreous or reddish ochreous, with whitish nervures, and three conspicuous black dots, the first near the middle of the wing, and the others nearer the hind margin. On the hind margin is a row of very minute and indistinct black dots. The fringes are white. The hind-wings are greyish-brown, paler towards the base, with a dark central lunule, and white fringes.
The larva feeds on the leaves of various species of Carex. It has a light brown head streaked with darker brown, and a brown collar, bordered with white above, and with dusky beneath. From this collar spring several longitudinal lines ; a white dorsal one, then a dull yellow band, and below this a broad pale band, edged with dark brown, and containing two white lines. The spiracles, which are blackish, stand on the lower edge of this band. The ventral surface and the legs are yellowish. It is rather a stout larva, and tapers at the ex¬ tremity. It is still quite small in the autumn, and is full-grown by the middle of May. The pupa is rather elongated, and of a reddish-brown colour. The Moth generally appears about July.
GENUS HYPHILARA.
Mythimna , pt. Ochsenheimer, Schmett. Eur. iv. p. 78 (1816) ; Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (2) p. 177 (1825); Guenee, Spec. G6n. L6pid. Noct. i. p. 68 (1852); Walker, List Lepid. Ins. Brit. Mus. ix. p. 72 (1856); nec Hiibner ( restr .).
Hyphilare , Hiibner, Verz. bek. Schmett. p. 239 (1822?).
The species of this genus are of a deeper colour than those of Leucania , and the fore-wings are broader ; and marked with a white dot in the centre, and with more or less distinct traces of transverse lines-
i6
Lloyd’s natural history.
THE WHITE DOT. HYPHILARA ALBIPUNCTA.
Noctua albipuncta, Denis & Schiffermiiller, Syst. Verz, Schmett. Wien. p. 84 (1776) ; Hiibner, Eur. Schmett. iv fig- 233 ( 1 7 99 ?)•
Mythimna albipuncta , Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (2) p. 187 (1825).
Leucania albipuncta , Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 163 (1880) ; Buckler, Larvae of Brit. Lepid. iv. p. 24 (1891).
The White Dot.
This species measures about an inch and a quarter across the wings. It is a local insect, occurring in many parts of Central and Southern Europe, as well as in Western Asia. In Britain it has only been taken at Folkestone.
The fore-wings are brick-red, with two distinct light transverse lines, edged with dusky. The first of these is nearly straight, and indicates the position of the claviform stigma by a small angle. The orbicular and reniform stigmata are also scarcely visible, but the outline of the latter can sometimes be traced in fresh specimens, and at its extremity is a round white dot. The nervures of the narrow, light, shining central area, are very finely dotted with black and white. Beyond this the ground¬ colour is darker, and then follows a yellowish line before the uniform brown fringes. The hind-wings are dusted with yellowish-grey or ashy-grey, with whitish fringes bounded by a yellow line.
NONAGRIA.
*7
The larva is fusiform, dull grey, sometimes tinged with reddish, with a white dorsal line, edged with blackish, which fades away behind. There is a sub-dorsal blackish stripe, which is interrupted at the incisions, and generally commences on the fifth segment, and below it is a white line. The spiracles are bounded above by a longitudinal stripe, darker than the ground-colour, and beneath by another stripe which is lighter. The cervical plate is light brown, with the three white longitudinal lines distinctly marked upon it. The head is light brown, and marked with two converging brown longi¬ tudinal lines. The body is set with scattered hairs.
The larvae hybernate while still small, and may be found under stones in spring. They feed upon grass and low plants. They enter the ground when about an inch and a quarter long, generally at the beginning of May.
The pupa is yellowish-brown, and is enclosed in a slight cocoon. The moth usually appears in July, but late speci¬ mens may not appear till August.
GENUS NONAGRIA.
Nonagria , Ochsenheimer, Schmett. Eur. iv. p. 82 (1816); Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (2), p. 309 (1825) ; Guene'e, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. i. p. 99 (1852).
The type of this genus is a brown and very hairy Moth, with a long abdomen, extending considerably beyond the hind- wings. The larva feeds in the stems of reeds.
THE REED MOTH. NONAGRIA ARUNDINIS.
Noctua arundinis , Fabricius, Mant. Ins. ii. p. 141, no. 54 0 78 7).
16
c
Lloyd’s natural history
18
Noctua typhce , Esper, Schmett. iv. (2), i. p. 442, Taf. 140, figs. 3-5 (1789); Hiibner, Eur. Schmett. iv. fig. 415 (1804 ?).
Nonagria typhce , Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (2), p. 327 (1825), x. (2), p. 99 (1835) ; Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. iii. p. 71 (1829); Buckler, larvae of Brit. Lepid. iv. p. 47, pi. 61, figs. 4-4 b (1891).
Nonagria arundinis , Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 155, pi. 34, fig. 1 (1880).
The Kecd Moth.
The Reed Moth is rather a large species, expanding from an inch and a half to two inches. It is common throughout Central Europe. The anennae are yellowish or brownish,
NONAGRIA.
19
finely ciliated in the males. The thorax and fore-wings vary from yellowish-brown to greyish-yellow or reddish-brown, with the markings sometimes clearly defined, but not unfre- quently entirely obliterated. The nervures of the fore-wings form white lines, but are dusted with darker in dark reddish-brown specimens. At the point where the median nervure divides is a kind of knot, generally with dark spaces behind it, then a row of small dots, and beyond this a pale band and a row of larger dots or streaks. The situation of the orbicular stigma is marked by a pair of dots, and on the third nervure are two larger dots, in addition to several fine points. The fringes are usually darker, and are bounded by a row of small lunules. The hind-wings are more or less yellowish, with lighter nervures, with a grey or blackish shade between them on the hind margin. The fringes are yellowish, and somewhat dentated.
The larva is dull flesh-colour, and elongated, and attains a length of from two to two and a half inches. It has a pale median and two lateral dorsal lines. The head is yellowish-brown, the neck brownish, and the anal plate dark brown. It is shining, and devoid of hairs, and has blackish spiracles. It lives in June on the pith of the reed-mace ( Typha latifolia). When nearly full-grown it excavates a chamber in the stem, in which to pass its metamorphosis, and eats away the centre until only a thin layer of vegetable tissue, no thicker than thin paper, separates it from the exterior. When this is done, it returns along the gallery which it has previously made, until it is ready to change into the cylindrical, elongated, yellowish-brown pupa. This is attached by the anal extremity to the wall of the gallery, and hangs with its head downwards a short distance from the opening.
The moth breaks through the membrane about the middle
c 2
20
LLOYD’S NATURAL HISTORY
of August, and leaves the empty pupa-case suspended in the gallery in the reed-mace.
SUB-FAMILY IV. GLOTTULIN^.
This is an exotic group of moderate-sized moths, with the antennae, palpi, proboscis, and legs all rather short, the thorax pubescent, and the abdomen smooth and silky. The fore¬ wings are blackish, or varied with bright spots and lines, and the hind-wings are white or brown. One species, Brithys pancratii , (Cyrilli), which inhabits South Europe, has dark smoky brown fore- wings and white hind-wings. The larva feeds on the leaves, stalks, and bulbs of Pancratium maritimum. I have figured two handsome Indian species.
GENUS POLYTELA.
Polytela , Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. i. p. 113 (1852).
This genus contains some pretty East Indian moths, with short, pilose palpi, setose antennae, and a moderately stout abdomen, obtuse at the extremity, and extending a little beyond the hind-wings.
POLYTELA GLORIOSA:.
{Plate CXXVIL, Fig. 3.)
Bombyx gloriosce , Fabricius, Syst. Ent. p. 587, no. 107 (1775). Polytela gloriosce , Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. i. p. 113, pi. 4, fig. 2 (1852); Walker, List Lepid. Ins. Brit. Mus. ix. p. 138, no. 1 (1856); Moore, Lepid. Ceylon, iii. p. 13, pi. 145, figs. 1, ia (1884); Hampson, Fauna Brit. Ind. Moths, ii. p. 168, fig. 108 (1894).
RAMADASA.
2 I
This conspicuously-coloured Moth is common in many parts of India and Ceylon, and measures about an inch and a quarter across the wings.
The fore-wings are blue-black, with a large yellow spot towards the tip, and another towards the hinder angle ; there are several waved yellow transverse lines, bordered with black ; the orbicular stigma is black in the centre, and ringed with yellow, and the reniform stigma is marked with red, and bordered with yellow, except below ; there are some large red spots towards the base, and an irregular row of red spots towards the extremity of the wing, but within the level of the large spots at the tip and hinder angle ; the fringes are spotted with yellow. The hind-wings are blackish, with yellow fringes, and the body is black, with some slight yellow markings.
The larva is smooth, and cylindrical, and feeds on the bulbs of Gloriosa and Amaryllis. It is purplish-black, with several longitudinal rows of white spots on the back and sides. The head and legs are red, and there is a red spot on the back of the second segment. There are also purplish blotches on the sides of the three thoracic and the two terminal segments. The pupa is red.
GENUS RAMADASA.
Ramadasa , Moore, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, p. 603.
The type of this genus is a considerably larger Moth than the last, with ascending palpi, and long fore-wings, with the hind margin suddenly oblique below the tip; the hind-wings are longer than broad, and are slightly irregular in outline. The moth was described by Walker as belonging to the Gloltulidce, where we leave it; but the genus has been since referred by Mr. Moore to the Acontiidce , and by Sir George Hampson (more appropriately) to the Palindiidce.
22
Lloyd’s natural history.
RAMADASA PAVO.
{Plate C XXVI/., Fig . 4.)
Chasmina pavo , Walker, List Lepid. Ins. Brit. Mus. ix. p. 147, no. 2 (1856).
Ramadasa pavo , Moore, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1877, p. 603, pi. 59, fig. 8 ; id. Lepid. Ceylon, iii. p. 44 (1884) ; Hamp- son, Faun. Brit. Ind. Moths, ii. p. 357, fig. 191 (1894).
This Moth is a native of Ceylon, and is also found in the Andaman Islands and Northern India.
“Glaucous, very minutely speckled with brown, luteous beneath. Head black above, with a luteous band. Palpi testaceous, striped above with black. Proboscis tawny. Antennae dull tawny. Thorax with a slight testaceous band in front. Abdomen and hind-wings luteous, the former with black spots along each side beneath. Tibiae and tarsi with black spots and bands. Fore-wings luteous and dotted with black along the basal part of the costa ; apical half of the wings pale flesh-colour, divided from the glaucous part by a ferruginous band, which is bordered with black on its inner side ; the apical half contains some black streaks and dots, which are spangled with emerald green or blue and purple. Length of the body eight lines ; of the wings twenty lines.” ( Walker .)
SUB-FAMILY V. APAMEINHL
The Apameince are small or moderate-sized moths, generally of dull colours, with somewhat short, ascending, pilose palpi, and rather distinctly marked fore-wings, the sub-terminal line often forming a distinct W. The body is stout and pilose, and the thorax is often crested, and the abdomen very long. The larvae are stout, smooth, and cylindrical, hiding themselves at
GORTYNA.
23
the roots or in the stalks of plants, or under leaves. The pupae are generally subterranean, and enclosed in a casing of agglutinated earth.
The Apameina are well represented in temperate climates, and several of our British species are abundant, and some’ times very destructive.
GENUS GORTYNA.
Gortyna , Ochsenheimer, Schmett. Eur. iv. p. 82 (1816) ; Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (2) p. 330 (1825); Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. i. p. 120 (1852).
These are stout-bodied moths, with the antennae crenulated in the males, and with short ascending palpi. The thorax is slightly crested, and the abdomen long and broad. The fore¬ wings are varied with yellow or reddish, and the markings are very distinct. The larvae feed, like those of Nonagria , inside the stems of thistles, burdock, and similar plants ; and the pupae are found in the same situation. The moths, of which only one species (common in England) is generally distributed in Europe, may be found in meadows in the daytime.
THE FROSTED ORANGE. GORTYNA FLAVAGO.
{Plate C XX VII., Fig. 5.)
Noctua flavago , Denis & Schiffermiiller, Syst. Verz. Schmett. Wien. p. 86, no. 5 (1776) ; Esper, Schmett. iv. (1), p. 213, Taf. 1 1 2, figs. 2-4 (1788?), iv. (2) i. p. 671, Taf. 176, fig- 1 (I795 ?)i Hiibner, Eur. Schmett. iv. figs. 186, 187
( 1 7 99 ?)
Noctua ochracea , Hiibner, Beitr. Gesch. Schmett. i. (1), p. 19, pi. 2, fig. m (1786),
24
LLOYD'S NATURAL HISTORY.
Gortyna flavago, Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (2), p. 335 (1825); Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. iii. p. 70 (1829); Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 181, pi. 34, figs. 5, 5 a (1880) ; Buckler, Larvje of Brit. Lepid. iv. pi. 62, figs. 1-1 c (1891).
The Frosted Orange Moth expands from an inch and a quarter to nearly an inch and a half. The fore-wings are rich yellow as far as the half-line, beyond which is a yellow dot, and the remainder of the ground-colour up to the first transverse line is reddish-brown. The central portion of the wings is more or less yellow, marbled with reddish-brown, and the upper stigmata are distinct and surrounded with brown, and sometimes united on the median nervure ; there is also a claviform stigma. There is a brown band near the hind margin, from which it is separated by a more or less yellow band, undulated on the inner side. The fringes are long, and greyish-brown. The hind-wings are glossy whitish, writh a dusky crescent-shaped mark on the disc, and an indis¬ tinct band posteriorly. The fringes are ashy-brown. The thorax is reddish-brown, tinged here and there with deep ochre-yellow, and with a raised crest. The abdomen is more greyish-yellow, with darker incisions. The larva feeds in the stems of Burdock (. Arctium lappa ) and other thick-stemmed plants, such as Verbascum thapsus , Scrophularia aquatica , Spear Thistle, &c. It feeds on the pith, and there is a hole in the side of the stem through which its excrement is passed, and out of which the moth eventually emerges. It is smooth, dull white, tinged with dark reddish on the back, especially on the fifth, sixth, and seventh segments. The head is yellowish-brown, and there is a dark brown collar and a yellow median line. On the third segment are two large black tubercles, with four smaller ones behind them, and on the fourth segment four black tubercles arranged transversely,
XYLENA.
25
but from the fifth to the eleventh segments they are arranged in a trapeziform manner, the two anterior ones being always the largest ; and on the twelfth segment are four larger tubercles arranged in a square. There is a black spot on the last segment, which is lost in the anal fold. The sides are also set with a number of tubercles. The legs are ringed with black, and each of the pro-legs bears a black spot. The trans¬ formations take place in the interior of the stem. The pupa is elongated, and reddish-brown in colour. The moth appears after three or four weeks, in August or September.
GENUS XYLENA.
Xylena , Hiibner, Tentamen, p. i (1810?); Ochsenheimer, Schmett. Eur. iv. p. 85 (1816).
Xylina , pt. Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (3), p. 3 (1826); but not of later authors.
Xylophcisia , Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. ii. p. 174 (1829); Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. i. p. 135 (1852).
This genus includes comparatively large species, with long and rather broad sub-triangular wings, with the hind margins slightly denticulated ; the antennae long, slightly pubescent or ciliated in the male ; the thorax slightly crested in front, and the abdomen long, rather stout, and crested. There is an apical tuft in both sexes, and large lateral tufts before the tip in the male. The light W formed by the sub-terminal line on the fore-wings is well marked in many of the species.
The larvae are stout, shining, cylindrical, with small warty elevations ; they are generally found at the roots of plants, or under stones. The pupa is enclosed in a brittle earthy cocoon.
I have figured the type of this genus. One of the commonest British and European Noctuce. is the Dark Arches {X. polyodon,
26
Lloyd’s natural history
Linn.), a species very like the Light Arches in size and appearance, but with much darker and more sharply defined markings. The moths fly at dusk.
THE LIGHT ARCHES. XYLENA LITHOXYLEA.
Noctua lithoxylea , Fabricius, Mant. Ins. ii. p. 182, no. 299
(1787)-
Noctua sublustris , pt. Esper, Schmett. iv. (2) i. p. 408, Taf. 133, fig. 1 (nec fig. 2) (1790?).
Xylina lithoxylea , Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (3), p. 47 (1825), vi. (1), p. 412 (1827).
Xylophasia lithoxylea , Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. ii. p. 175 (1829); Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 232 (1881); Buckler, Larvae of Brit. Lepid. iv. p. 52, pi. 63, fig. 1 (1891).
The Light Arches.
This species measures from one inch and three-quarters to two inches across the wings. It is common in Central Europe and Western Asia.
The head and neck are yellowish ashy-grey, the former with two grey streaks. The thorax is grey with a slight crest, and a dark longitudinal stripe. The abdomen is yellowish-grey, whitish above, with dark dorsal tufts. There are also reddish- grey lateral and anal tufts. The antennae are long, brown and
NEURIA.
27
serrated, and the legs are brown, blackish beneath. The ground-colour of the fore-wings is light grey or yellowish-grey. The costa is streaked with dark brown in several places. All the nervures are dotted or streaked with brown. There is scarcely a trace of transverse striation, and the stigmata are also only slightly indicated, but the central area of the wings shows a dark irregularly-shaped blotch, which terminates in a white spot on the inner side. Next comes a paler space, containing a double row of brown dots. The sub-marginal line forms a distinct W, and beyond it the wings are darkest, being sometimes of a deep rusty brown tint. An indistinct double streak connects the inner margin with the white spot mentioned above. The fringes are dentated, and enclose lighter lines. The hind-wings are yellowish, with brown nervures and a central lunule, and a broad border of the same colour. The fringes are whitish or brownish.
The first reliable account of the larva was published by J. E. Robson in the Entomologist' s Weekly Intelligencer for i860. He says : — “The larva of X. lithoxylea being marked ‘ unknown,’ I beg to say I have bred the insect this summer from a larva found at the roots of grass ; it was of large size ; colour dirty white, with a bluish tinge below ; head and tail black, with two rows of black shining spots on each segment, one hair in each spot. I found it on the 8th of May ; it seemed then nearly full fed ; the perfect insect appeared on the 8th of July.”
GENUS NEURIA.
Nenria , Guenee, Ann. Soc. Ent. France, x. p. 241 (1841) ; id. Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. i. p. 166 (1852).
In this genus the antennas are short, and slightly ciliated, especially in the male ; the palpi are short, slightly longer than the head, and ascending; the last joint is conical. The body
28
Lloyd’s natural history
is stout, and the abdomen extends beyond the hind-wings ; the thorax has a bifid crest on each side in front. The wings are rather long and broad, with the hind margins rounded ; but the moths may be most easily recognised by the conspicuously white nervures of the fore-wings. We have one species in England.
THE BORDERED GOTHIC. NEURIA RETICULATA.
Noctua reticulata, De Villers, Ent. ii. p. 254 (1789).
Noctua calcatrippce, Vieweg, Tab. Verz. Churmark Branden¬ burg Schmett. ii. p. 71 (1790).
Noctua saponarice , Borkhausen, Eur. Schmett. iv. p. 370 (1792); Esper, Schmett. iv. (2) 2, p. 76, Taf. 198, figs. 3> 4 (i799>
Noctua typica, Htibner, Eur. Schmett. iv. fig. 58 (1799?). Hadena saponarice , Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (1), p. 303 (1825); Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. ii. p. 188 (1829).
Ma?nestra saponarice , Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 223 (1881).
Neuria saponarice , Buckler, Larvae of Brit. Lepid. iv. p. 66, pi. 66, figs. 5. c a (1891).
The Bordered Gothic.
This Moth is found in most parts of Central and Eastern
NEURIA.
29
Europe and in Siberia. It expands from an inch and a half to an inch and three-quarters.
The head is brown, with brown antennae suffused with white. The neck is yellowish, streaked with brown ; the thorax is brown, and the tegulae are varied with ochreous. The thorax is crested. The abdomen is pale grey, darker pos¬ teriorly, and terminated by a brown anal tuft in the male.
The fore- wings are violet-brown, with conspicuous white nervures. The nervures and transverse lines are white and give a reticulated appearance to the wings. There is a hall line and two transverse lines, bordered on both sides with darker. The orbicular and reniform stigmata have white out¬ lines, and the latter has a white central line. The claviform stigma is large and blackish. The sub-marginal line is yellowish- white ; it rises from an indistinct dark spot near the apex. On the hind margin is a row of seven black lunules, bordered within with whitish. The fringes are light brown internally, and dark brown externally. The hind-wings are whitish- brown, darker towards the hind margins, with yellowish fringes.
The female is larger than the male, with a stouter body, and darker colouring, especially on the hind-wings.
The larva, which attains its full growth in July and August, feeds on various low plants, especially on the unripe seeds of the catch-fly ( Silene ), and its presence may be detected by the ear-shaped holes which it makes in the pods.
The larva is greyish- yellow or reddish, and only green when young. It is conspicuously striped with brown, but the dorsal line is only slightly paler. The spiracular line is light grey, without markings, and so is the belly. The head is rather large, spherical, and of a dull brown, and there is a brown horny plate on the second, and another on the twelfth segment.
The pupa, which is shining reddish-brown, is formed in a cocoon in the ground.
3°
Lloyd’s natural history.
GENUS MAMESTRA.
Mamestrci , Ochsenheimer, Schmett. Eur. iv. p. 76 (1816); Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. ii. (2), p. 127 (1825); Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. i. p. 188 (1852).
These are comparatively large, dark-coloured Moths, with simple antennae. The fore-wings have the hind margin rounded, hardly oblique, and entire, or slightly dentated ; the abdomen is stout, longer than the hind-wings, crested at least on the first segment, and tufted at the extremity. The larvae feed on low plants, and conceal them¬ selves during the day. The pupa is subterranean, and enclosed in an earthen cocoon, as usual in the Family.
The most conspicuous species of the genus is here figured, but the commonest and most destructive is the Cabbage Moth, Mamestrci brassicce (Linn.), (which much resembles M. persicarice , but is brown rather than black, and has the white mark on the fore-wings much less distinctly defined.
THE DOT. MAMESTRA PERSICARICE.
Noctua persicarice, , Linnaeus, Faun. Suec. p. 319, no. 1208 (1761); Esper, Schmett. iv. (2) i. p. 390, Taf. 129, figs. 1-3 (1790?); Hiibner, Eur. Schmett. iv. pi. 13, fig. 64 (1799?)
Mamestra persicarice , Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (2), p. 156 (1825) ; Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. ii. p. 196 (1829); Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 227, pi. 36, figs. 8, a, b (1881) ; Buckler, Larvae of Brit. Lepid. iv. pi. 66, figs. 4-4 c (1891).
The Dot is found throughout the greater part of Europe. It expands from an inch and a half to nearly an inch and three-quarters.
MAMESTRA.
3*
The head and thorax are deep black, with a few scattered yellowish hairs. The abdomen is ashy-grey with a rust- coloured crest on the first segment, and a blackish-brown one on the following segments. The antennae are also blackish, and finely serrated in the male. The legs are blackish-brown, ringed with w'hite, and tufted above, especially in the male.
The Dot.
The fore-wings are coloured like the thorax, and are some¬ times deep black, and sometimes with a purplish gloss. The transverse lines are usually distinct, yellowish, bordered with black. There is a half-line near the base, and the first trans¬ verse line forms three curves. This and the second transverse line, which is composed of small lunules filled in with black on the concave side, form the boundaries of the central area. The orbicular stigma is edged with black, and has a black nucleus. The claviform stigma is dark, short, and hollow. The reniform stigma is conspicuously white, and contains a brownish lunule. The sub-marginal line is yellow. The fringes are black, with a border of yellow dots, and are them¬ selves dotted with yellowish, and strongly dentated. The hind-wings are yellowish grey on their basal half, with brown nervures and a central spot. Externally they are dotted with black. The fringes are yellowish white.
In some varieties the stigmata are more or less obsolete.
32
LLOYDS NATURAL HISTORY
The larva feeds on hop, and on various species of Polygonum and Sambucus, but will also feed on various other plants and trees. It attains its full growth in Sep¬ tember or the beginning of October. In colour it may be pale or dark green, brownish-green, or quite brown, with a yellowish dorsal line. The head is green or brown, and there is a brownish-green quadrangular spot immediately behind it, edged with yellowish. On the fifth and sixth segments are two dark green triangular spots, one immediately behind the other, and on the twelfth segment is a similar oval spot, suc¬ ceeded by an elevation. Below the dorsal line are two black lines on each side, and on the belly are oblique whitish streaks, shaded with dark green, which extend as far as the lower lateral line, and are directed forwards ; and there are similar oblique lines directed backwards, above the second lateral line. The belly is pale green.
The pupa hybernates in the ground. It is shining reddish- brown. The moth appears in June or July of the next year.
GENUS OLIGIA.
Oligia, Hiibner, Verz. bek. Schmett. p. 213 (1822?).
Miana , Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. iii. p. 11 (1829); Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. i. p. 213 (1852).
This genus includes the smallest species of the Sub-family, while Xylena includes the largest. The antennae are pubescent, and more than half as long as the fore-wings, which are sub- triangular, and rather broad ; the costa is nearly straight, and the hind margin entire, gradually rounded and scarcely oblique ; the hind-wings are rather broad, rounded, and entire ; the abdomen is rather slender, crested, and longer than the hind
wings.
OLIGIA.
33
The larvae are short and vermiform, tapering at both ends, and feed in the stalks or among tufts of grass near the roots.
The moths of this genus are very variable, and many of them are common ; they fly at dusk.
THE CLOAKED MINOR. OLIGIA FURUNCULA.
Noctna furuncula, Denis & Schiffermiiller, Syst. Yerz. Schmett. Wien. p. 89, no. 3 (1776); Hiibner, Eur. Schmett. iv. fig- 545 (1818?).
Noctna bicoloria , De Villers, Linn. Ent. ii. p. 288 (1789). Noctua victuncula , Hiibner, op. cit. fig. 96 (1799 ?).
Noctna humeralis , Haworth, Lepid. Brit. p. 215, no. 149 (1809) Noctna terminalis , Haworth, op. cit. no. 150 (1809).
Noctua rufuncula , Haworth, op. cit. p. 216, no. 152 (1809). Apamea furuncula , Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (2), p. 92 (1825).
Miana humeralis , M. terminalis et M. rufuncula , Stephens, Ill.
Brit. Ent. Haust. iii. p. 14 (1829).
Hadena furuncula , Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 236 (1881).
Miana furuncula , Buckler, Larvae of Brit. Lepid. iv. p. 102, pi. 68, figs. 4, 4 a (1891).
The Cloaked Minor is common in Europe and Northern and Western Asia. It expands from about three-quarters of an inch to a little over an inch.
It is very variable in colouring. The head and thorax are whitish-grey, with a crest, and a brown-edged collar. The antennae are dark brown and slender, slightly stouter in the male than in the female. The abdomen is ashy-grey, with small blackish tufts of hair on the middle of the back, and a black anal tuft in the male, The legs are reddish or brownish, ringed with white.
D
34
Lloyd’s natural history.
The fore-wings are divided into two areas across the centre of the wings by a straight white line passing between the orbicular and the reniform stigmata. The inner area is some¬ times brownish and sometimes reddish, but is always darker
The Cloaked, Flounced, and Pale Red Minors.
than the outer area. In this area are the first transverse line and the orbicular stigma, both of which are, however, obscured by the ground-colour. The reniform stigma is placed in the paler area, which extends as far as the yellowish sub-marginal line, near the fringes. It is reddish or brownish-white and suffused, and the reniform stigma appears more or less white. Beyond the sub-marginal line the ground-colour is blackish- brown. The fringes are streaked alternately with darker and lighter. The hind-wings are ashy-grey, darker towards the hind margins, and sometimes reddish-grey, with rather paler fringes.
We have figured the type and the two varieties, O. terminalis (the Flounced Minor) and O. rufuncula (the Plain Red Minor) of Haworth and Stephens, both of which are found in Britain.
CARADRINA
35
The variety O. ierminalis has a duller colour, and wants the white line on the fore-wings, which are only slightly clouded, and of a uniform ferruginous brown, with the hind margins slightly clouded with rufous, and marked with a pale waved striga. The hind-wings are deep brown with ashy cilia.
The variety O. rufuncula has two straight paler lines in the middle of the ferruginous fore-wings, and another rather obscure waved one near the hind margin. On the hind margin itself is a row of very small triangular black spots. The hind-wings are reddish-brown with rufous cilia.
SUB-FAMILY VI. CARADRININ^E.
These are small dull-coloured Moths, with a small head, short antennae, palpi, and proboscis, and a smooth abdomen. The fore-wings are oblong and entire, the hind-wings are broad, rounded, and folded, varying from brown to whitish, and without markings above. The larvae are short and thick, with a small bristly head. They feed on low plants, and the moths are easily to be found among herbage in the day¬ time. The pupae are subterranean, and construct earthen cocoons.
GENUS CARADRINA.
Caradi'ina, Ochsenheimer, Schmett. Eur. iv. p. 80 (1816); Hiibner, Verz. bek. Schmett. p. 230 (1822?); Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (2), p. 246 (1825); Guenee, Spec. Gen. L£pid. Noct. i. p. 241 (1852).
This genus may be distinguished from the others of the Family by the rather short and broad wings, with the lines and stigmata fairly well marked. There are several closely allied species in Europe.
d 2
36
Lloyd’s natural history
THE MOTTLED RUSTIC. CARADRINA MORPHEUS.
Noctua morpheus , Hufnagel, Berlin. Mag. iii. p. 302, no. 52 (1767).
Noctua sepii , Hiibner, Eur. Scbmet. iv. fig. 161 (1799?)
Caradrina morpheus , Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (2), p. 249 (1825); Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. ii. p. 157 (1829) ; Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 165 (1880) ; Buckler, Larvae of Brit. Lepid. iv. p. m. pi. 69, figs. 2-2 b (1891).
Caradrbia sepii , Stephens, op. cit. p. 158 (1829).
The Mottled Rustic.
The Mottled Rustic is common in Northern and Central Europe. It expands about an inch and a quarter.
The head and thorax are dull yellowish-brown, the abdomen being slightly paler, and the antennae are ash- coloured. The legs are pale grey.
The fore-wings are yellowish brown with a confused pattern, sometimes arranged in dark shades or stripes. Near the base is a pale half-line, or a few dots. A dark shade represents the first transverse line. The stigmata are edged with yellowish, and are dark within, the orbicular stigma being elongated, and the reniform stigma more or less obscured. The second transverse line and the sub-marginal line are
AGROTIN^E.
37
faintly yellowish, and the marginal area is usually dark. The fringes are ferruginous. The hind-wings are yellowish- white in the male, with a brownish line in front of the fringes. In the female they are completely covered with grey dusting,
The larva feeds of Convolvulus , lettuce, dock, and other low plants. It is reddish-brown, with a whitish dorsal line. There is a fine yellowish sub-dorsal line, bordered with dark brown, and a sagittate spot pointing backwards on each side of segments five to twelve. Over the legs is a dark brown band, in which stand the blackish spiracles. The belly and legs are pale red, and the head is shining brown.
The pupa is shining dark reddish-brown, somewhat stout, with two minute bristles at the extremity of the abdomen.
The moth is found from June to August.
SUB-FAMILY VII. AGROTINAL
This Sub-family is one of the most characteristic of this division of the Noctuce. The species are of moderate size, with the antennae sometimes pectinated in the males, but more often simply ciliated, the palpi well developed, with the last joint short but distinct, and short legs, with rather long spurs, and the tibiae, especially the front tibiae, generally set with small spines. The fore-wings are generally brown or reddish, with the “ Noctua ’’-pattern well marked. The hind- wings are brown or grey, and sometimes yellow. The abdomen is stout, and does not usually extend much beyond the hind- wings.
The larvae are maggot-like, and feed on low plants, hiding themselves under leaves in the daytime, or else they live under the surface of the ground, and eat through the roots and destroy the plants. Hence they are called “ Cut-worms ” in America.
3»
LLOYDS NATURAL HISTORY.
GENUS AGROTIS.
Agrotis , Hiibner, Tentamen, p. i (1810?); Ochsenheimer, Schmett. Eur. iv. p. 66(1816) ; Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (i), p. 125 (1825) ; Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. i. p. 257 (1852).
This genus includes a great number of species, in which the fore-wings are rather long, with the claviform stigma well marked. The hind-wings are broad, of an iridescent grey or whitish colour, and are folded beneath the fore-wings, which slightly overlap above them. We will notice two species, one of which is the commonest and most destructive species in Europe ; while the other, which is very similar to some of the larger European species, forms an important article of food with some Australian tribes.
THE COMMON DART. AGROTIS SEGETUM.
Noctua segetum , Denis & Schiffermiiller, Syst. Verz. Schmett. Wien. p. 81, no. 12, and p. 252, no. 3, Taf. ia, fig. 3, Taf. ib, fig. 3 (1776).
Noctua fuscosa , Esper, Schmett. iii. (1), p. 324, Taf. 64, fig. 4 (1782 ?)
Noctua segetis , Hiibner, Eur. Schmett. iv. fig. 146 (1799?) Agrotis segetum , Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (1), p. 155 (1825) 1 Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. ii. p. 115 (1829); Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 204, pi. 36, fig. 7 (1880); Buckler, Larvae of Brit. Lepid. v. pi. 71, figs. 1-1 b (1893); Barrett, Lepid. Brit. Isl. iii. p. 228, pi. 125, figs. 1-1 g (1896).
The Common Dart, or Turnip Moth, is common in Europe and Northern Asia. It measures from an inch and a quarter to an inch and three-quarters across the wings.
AGROTlS.
39
The fore-wings are very variable in colour and may be greyish mouse-colour, yellowish-brown, or coloured like bark. The surface is covered with black specks, and in well- marked specimens the following zig-zag transverse lines may be distinguished ; the half-line near the base, commencing on the costa, and ending midway between the costa and the
The Common Dart.
inner margin; an entire first transverse line, which the clavi- form stigma touches ; and the second transverse line, composed of lunules with the concavity on the outer side, and beyond which commences a pale band. In front of the grey fringes is a yellowish line, bounded on the inner side by a row of small triangular black spots. The orbicular and reniform stigmata have blackish centres, and are bordered with brown.
40
Lloyd’s natural history.
Larvae of the Common Dart Moth feeding on a turnip,
AGROTIS.
41
The hind-wings are snow-white in the male, with a narrow brown border, and white fringes. In the female the hind- wings are more or less dusted with grey.
The larva is usually brown and dusky grey, in alternate stripes. There is a pale dorsal line, running from the head to the extremity of the body, and bordered on each side by a dark line. Next to this are four dull black dots on each segment, the two anterior of which are the smallest and are placed closest together. The spiracles are black, and there is a black dot on each side of them. The legs and pro-legs are brownish-grey. The head is convex, light brown, with two stripes composed of dark brown dots. Both the head and body are remarkably shining. It is a very ugly larva.
It feeds on the roots of grass, corn, turnips, carrots, cabbage, and many other plants, and is often very destructive. The larva hybernates two or three inches below the sur¬ face of the ground in an oval hollow, and in the spring attacks the roots without coming to the surface. It remains hidden during the day, and is only found on the roots at night. It prefers young roots, and drags down the stem and leaves under the ground.
The smooth brown pupa is formed in April, May, or June, and the moth emerges about four weeks later.
THE BUGONG MOTH. AGROTIS SPINA.
(Plate CXXV1I. , Fig. 7.)
Agrotis spina , Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. i. p. 269 (1852); Walker, List Lepid. Ins. Brit. Mus. x. p. 348, no. 100 (1856).
This Moth, which expands from an inch and a quarter to two inches, abounds in many parts of Australia, Tasmania, and
42
LLOYD S NATURAL HISTORY
New Zealand. It is a very variable species, with oblong greyish-brown fore-wings, sometimes unicolorous, sometimes streaked and dotted with black, with the orbicular and reni- form stigmata well marked, greyish, with a long and broad black dash between them, and a black streak beyond. The usual lines are double, and more or less distinctly marked ; there is a pale line at the base of the fringes, preceded by a row of black spots. The hind-wings are slightly transparent, with the nervures and outer part of the wing blackish ; on the under side is a large black spot near the apex. The female is larger and darker, especially on the hind- wings.
The following interesting narrative, which we quote from Kirby and Spence (ed. vi. vol. i. p. 259) relates to Agroiis spina and not to the butterfly named below (Cf. antea , vol. i. p. 20) : —
“ A species of butterfly also ( Euplcea hamata , MacLeay), as we learn from Mr. Bennett, congregates on the insulated granitic rocks in a particular district, which he visited in the months of November, December, and January, in such count¬ less myriads (with what object is unknown), that the native blacks, who call them Bngong , assemble from far and near to collect them, and, after removing the wings and down by stir¬ ring them on the ground previously heated by a large fire, and winnowing them, eat the bodies, or store them up for use by pounding and smoking them. The bodies of these butterflies abound in an oil with the taste of nuts, and, when first eaten, produce violent vomitings, and other debilitating effects ; but these go off after a few days, and the natives then thrive and fatten exceedingly on this diet, for which they have to contend with a black crow, which is also attracted by the Bugongs in great numbers, and which they despatch with their clubs, and use as food.”
TRIPHAiNA.
43
GENUS TRIPILENA.
Triphcena , Ochsenheimer, Schmett. Eur. iv. p. 69 (1816); Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (1), p. 252 (1825); Guenee, Spec. Gen. Tepid. i. p. 315 (1852).
In this genus, the palpi are short, and the antennae slightly pubescent in the male. The abdomen is depressed, and tufted at the tip ; it is a little longer than the hind-wings. The fore-wings are rather long, sub-triangular, and brown or reddish- brown ; but the hind-wings are bright yellow, with black borders.
The Common Yellow Underwing.
The larvae are cylindrical, and like most of those of the sub¬ family, they feed on low plants, and conceal themselves during the day. The moths sit with their wings folded, as described under Agrotis , and like the larvae, hide themselves during the day, in outhouses, among long grass or hay, or among straw¬ berry leaves, and if disturbed, suddenly expand their wings, and fly off with a rapid though somewhat heavy flight, soon, however, descending and disappearing in some situation where the dark colour of the folded wings is likely to conceal them.
Several species are abundant in Europe and in England, one of which is the Common Yellow Underwing, Triphama pronuba
44
LLOYDS NATURAL HISTORY.
(Linn.). Ouenee appropriately remarks that the species of this genus, which has been accepted by all Entomologists, exhibit a very strong family likeness. Nevertheless, Lederer and those who have followed his arrangement, treat Triphtzna as a mere section of Agrotis. The type of the largest and handsomest of the European species is figured on the accom¬ panying plate.
l'HE BROAD-BORDERED YELLOW UNDER WING.
TRIPH/ENA FIMBRIA.
{Plate C XXVII. , Fig. 6 )
Noctua fimbria, Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. (ed. xii.) i. (2), p. 842, no. 1 13 (1767); Esper, Schmett. iv. (1), p 144, Taf. 103, figs. 1-6 (1789?); Hiibner, Eur. Schmett. iv. fig. 102 (1799?), figs. 551, 552 (1804?).
Triplicena fimbria , Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (1), p. 266 (1825); Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. ii. p. 105 (1829); Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 187, pi. 35, figs. 1-1 c (1880) ; Buckler, Larvae of Brit. Lepid. v. pi. 74, figs. 2-2 b (1893); Barrett, Lepid. Brit. Isl. iv. p. 5, pi. 137, figs. 2, 2 a-d (1896).
The Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing is a native of Central and Southern Europe and Asia Minor. It expands from two inches to two inches and a quarter.
The fore-wings vary considerably, from the palest greenish clay-colour to the darkest chestnut or reddish-brown, with markings of varying intensity. The female, as is usual with Moths, is much more variable than the male. There is a curved half-line near the base, and the first transverse line is oblique. From the base to this line the colouring is very dark. The orbicular and reniform stigmata are placed on a paler area, and are bordered with whitish ; they are sometimes connected ; the former is very large. Between the orbicular stigma and
GRAPHIPHORA.
45
the second transverse line there is a dark band, usually tinged with greenish. Beyond this the wings are lighter as far as the sub-marginal line. Near the apex of the wings is a dark spot, beyond which runs the sub-marginal line. The hind-wings are bright yellow, approaching to orange, with a deep velvety black sub-marginal band bordered with yellow, and yellow fringes.
The larva lives through the winter, and attains its full growth in May. It feeds at the roots of primroses, Atriplex , and potato, the tubers of which it bores into, and on various low plants. It is very greedy and will attack and wound other caterpillars, and drive them away. In spite of its short legs and stout body it can move about very quickly.
The head is reddish-brown with dark lines, and the body varies from light brown to yellowish grey. On the back is a pale line bordered on each side with darker, and on each seg¬ ment there are two oblique brown lines. The spiracles are black on the middle segments. The anal plate is pale, and so are the belly and legs.
The pupa is dark brown, and very convex anteriorly. It is enclosed in a brittle earthen cell.
GENUS GRAPHIPHORA.
Graphiphora , Hiibner, Tentamen, p. i (1816); Ochsenheimer, Schmett. Eur. iv. p. 68 (1816); Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. ii. p. 128 (1829).
Noctua , pt. Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. (ed. x) i. p. 508 (1758); Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (1), p. 206 (1825) ; Guenee, Spec. G6n. Lepid. Noct. i. p. 321 (1852).
In this genus the antennae are most frequently simple, the abdomen rather longer than the hind-wings, somewhat flattened, and slightly tufted. The fore-wings are usually of a light brown or reddish-brown colour, with very distinct
46
LLOYD S NATURAL HISTORY.
markings, the clavifornr stigma only being usually indistinct or obsolete. The hind- wings are brown or grey.
The larvae, which feed on low plants, and hide themselves under leaves during the daytime, as is the usual habit in this Sub-family, are stout and cylindrical, with a small head, and very distinct lines.
The name Noctua has been applied to this genus by many recent authors, but in any case wrongly. It is true that Schrank indicated the Agrotimz as the types of Noctua , but Latreille afterwards indicated T'riphcena fimbria (Linn.) (i antea, p. 43) as the type ; and this would stand as such, but that Poda, Cuvier, and Lamarck had already indicated another species as the type.
The type of Graphiphora is G. c. -nigrum (Linn.), wrongly called by Hiibner and others G. gotliica (Linn.), which is a different species. Another of the rather numerous species of the genus is here figured.
THE DOUBLE-SPOTTED SQUARE-SPOT.
GRAPHIPHORA TRIANGULUM.
Noctua triangulum , Hufnagel, Berlin. Mag. iii. p. 306, no. 58 (1766); Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (1), p. 240 (1825); Buckler, Larvae of Brit. Lepid. v. pi. 76, figs. 4-4 c (1893).
Noctua sigma, Knoch, Beitr. Ins. iii. p. 94, pi. 4, fig. 7 (1783) ; Esper, Schmett. iv. (2) 2, p. 24, Taf. 186, figs. 1, 3 (1797?); Hiibner, Eur. Schmett. iv. fig. 497 (1804?). G?'aphiphora triangulum , Stephens. Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. ii. p. 133 (1829).
Agrotis triangulum , Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 19 1 (1880).
This Moth is common in most parts of Central and Eastern Europe. It expands from an inch and a half to about an
GRAPHIPHORA.
47
inch and three-quarters. The head and collar are light reddish brown, and the thorax is dark brown, varied with ferruginous, and has a double crest. The abdomen is brownish-grey, and reddish at the tip. The antennse are light brown, serrated in the male, and filiform in the female. The fore-wings are light reddish-brown, here and there shaded with darker. Close to the base is a black spot, which is divided from above by the black half-line. The first trans¬ verse line is very distinct, and is pale, bordered with black on both sides. The orbicular and reniform stigmata are both
The Double-Spotted Square-Spot.
ringed with lighter ; they are pale and merge into a pale spot on the costa. Between the orbicular stigma and the first transverse line there is a dark brown spot, and between the stigmata there is another similar spot. Beyond the reniform stigma follows the pale second transverse line, and beyond this is the sub-marginal line, which rises from a dark brown spot on the costa. The fringes are similar to the ground¬ colour, with a double border. The hind-wings are brownish- grey in both sexes, and are slightly reddish towards the base, with white fringes, bounded by a black and a yellow line.
The larva feeds on various low plants in autumn. When disturbed, it rolls itself into a ring. It hybernates, and is full- grown in April. It is narrowed in front and stout behind, and of a reddish ashy-grey colour, marbled with darker along
48
LLOYD’S NATURAL HISTORY
the back. On both sides is a pale reddish stripe, and on the back a pale longitudinal line bordered with black. On the upper part of each segment, from the fourth to the eighth, are two indistinct oblique brown streaks, which approximate somewhat towards the incisions, and are best marked on the eleventh and twelfth segments. When young, the larva is ' green.
The pupa is dark brown, and the moth appears in June or July.
SUB-FAMILY VIII. ORTHOSIINAE.
This group much resembles the last, but the antennae are generally strongly pectinated, dentated, or ciliated, at least in the males. The body is stout and very hairy; and the extremity of the abdomen is often depressed. The transverse lines of the fore-wings, and the orbicular and reniform stigmata, are more or less distinctly marked, and the reniform stigma is nearly always marked with blackish below. In repose the fore-wings cover the hind-wings, and slightly overlap.
The larvae are cylindrical, velvety, with a round head, and without tubercles. They feed on trees or low plants, and hide themselves during the day.
The moths, which have generally brown, reddish-brown, or yellow fore-wings, and brown or grey hind-wings, mostly appear in spring and autumn, and many of the rarest, as well as the commonest, species are to be found sipping the flowers of sallows and ivy. Many of the species are very variable.
GENUS CUTIIANOA.
Cvphanoa, Hiibner, Verz. bek. Schmett. p. 230 (1822?). Tceniocampa , Guenee, Ann. Soc. Ent. France, viii. p. 477 (1839) ; id. Spec. Gen. Tepid. Noct. i. p. 346 (1852),
CUPHANOA.
49
The species of this genus are of dull colour, and frequent blossoming sallows in early spring. The proboscis and palpi are rather short, but the third joint of the latter, though short, is visible. The legs are short and very hairy. These moths are usually called “ Quakers ” by collectors. They have a general resemblance to the Bombyces , and were classed with them by some of the older writers. They are moths with stout hairy bodies ; and the abdomen, which extends a little beyond the hind-wings, is obtuse in the male, and more or less pointed in the female.
THE COMMON QUAKER. CUPHANOA CERASI.
Noctua cerasi , Fabricius, Spec. Ins. p. 600, no. 42 (1781). Noctua stabi/is, Vieweg, Tab. Verz. Churmark Brandenburg Schmett. ii. p. 14 (1789) ; Hiibner, Eur. Schmett. iv. fig. 171 (1799?).
Orthosia stabilis , Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (2), p. 233 (1825); Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. ii. p. 143 (1829). Tezniocampa stabilis, Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 173 (1880) ; Buckler, Larvae of Brit. Lepid. v. pi. 81, figs. 4, 4 a (1890).
The Common Quaker.
The Common Quaker is an abundant species in Central and Southern Europe. It expands from an inch and a quarter to about an inch and a half.
The fore-wings are reddish-ochreous, with dull yellowish 1 6 E
5°
Lloyd’s natural history.
transverse lines with dark borders. The orbicular stigma extends towards the reniform stigma, and the yellow lines encircling them are sometimes connected, but there is usually a central shade passing between them. The claviform stigma is represented by a yellow dash. The sub-marginal line is thick, yellowish, and bordered with brown ; and there is a yellow line at the base of the unicolorous fringes, and a row of small black dots in front of this line. In the female the fore-wings are broader than in the male. The hind-wings are uniform ashy grey or whitish, with an ashy grey shade against the yellowish-white fringes, and a distinct central lunule.
The larva feeds on lime, beech, elm, poplar, oak, and some fruit-trees. It is green, dotted with yellowish, with a yellowish dorsal line extending to the twelfth segment, and a similar line on each side, which is continued as far as the last pair of pro-legs. On careful examination a third narrower line may be detected between the dorsal and lateral lines, which consists of a row of irregular dots. The head is green, and the front of the next segment is yellowish. On the penultimate segment is a short yellow transverse line, pointed at each end, and with somewhat of a lunulated appearance. The back is set with single fine hairs. The yellowish dots already mentioned are slightly raised above the surface. When disturbed the larva drops to the ground and twists itself violently, making its head and tail meet alternately on each side.
The pupa is formed in an earthen cell in the ground, vdthout a cocoon. It is shining brown, with two points at the extremity. The moth commences to develop in the pupa before the end of the winter, and a few warm days in spring will cause it to emerge, and the warmth of a room will often bring it out in two or three days.
ORTHOSIA.
51
GENUS ORTHOSIA.
Orthosia , Ochsenheimer, Schmett. Eur. iv. p. 79 (1816); Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (2), p. 201 (1825) ; Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. i. p. 358 (1852).
07'thosia much resembles Cuphanoa , but the antennae of the males are pubescent, and simple, or occasionally serrated. The third joint of the palpi is invisible, being entirely concealed among the hairs of the second. The legs are longer and less hairy than in the last genus. The lines and stigmata of the fore-wings are well marked, and the wings are much sloped when the moths are at rest.
The larvae are stout and cylindrical, velvety, and marbled, with only the stigmatal line distinctly marked. They feed on trees and low plants, and hide themselves during the day under bark, or under bushes.
The species of Orthosia are found in summer and autumn, instead of in spring. They are more prettily marked than those of Cuphanoa.
THE YELLOW-LINE QUAKER. ORTHOSIA MACILENTA.
Noctua macilenta , Hiibner, Eur. Schmett. iv. fig. 418 (1804?). Noctua flaviluiea , Haworth, Lepid. Brit. p. 243 (1809). Orthosia flavilinea , Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. ii. p. 148, pi. 19, fig. 2 (1829).
Orthosia macilenta , Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (2), p. 215 (1825); Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. iii. p. 68 (1829); Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 176 (1880); Buckler, Larvae of Brit. Lepid. v. pi. 92, figs. 6, 6 a (1893).
This is a common species in Central Europe. It expands nearly an inch and a half.
The fore-wings are reddish-yellow or pale fulvous, usually
E 2
5 2
Lloyd’s natural history
with two black dots near the base in place of a half-line, and a row of dots in the position of the first transverse line. The orbicular stigma is seldom distinct, but it has a slight indication of a dark centre. The reniform stigma is enclosed in a yellow border, and is most distinct on its lower half, which is filled in first with ferruginous, and then with black. The second trans¬ verse line is also composed of dots. The sub-marginal line is the most distinct ; it is hooked above, but runs for the rest a straight course. It is yellow, with a ferruginous border on the inner side. In front of the unicolorous dentated fringes is a row of small triangular dots, with a yellow line separating them from the fringes. The hind-wings are yellowish ashy grey with a slight lunule, and yellow fringes.
The Yellow-line Quaker.
The head and thorax have the same colour as the fore-wings, and the abdomen is yellowish-grey, with reddish-yellow hair on the sides, and an anal tuft of the same in the male. The antennae are slightly pectinated in the male.
The larva feeds on beech, oak, and birch. It is greyish- brown, with numerous minute white dots, and several white lines.
The pupa is formed in an excavation in the ground, and the moth emerges in August or September.
GENUS GLAiA.
Glcee, Hiibner, Tentamen, p. i. (1810 ?).
Glcza , Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. ii. p. 159 (1829).
GLAiA.
53
Cerastis , Ochsenheimer, Schmett. Eur. iv. p. 84 (1816); Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (2), p. 395 ( 1825); Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. i. p. 377 (1852).
The Chestnuts may be known by their obtuse, almost uni¬ formly coloured wings, which are held nearly flat when at rest ; and the broad, depressed, and rather short abdomen. There are three British species, which are very similar, two of which are common, and the third and largest (C. cry thro cephala, Denis & Schiffermiiller) rare.
The larvae are smooth, velvety, and cylindrical, and hide by day among the low plants on which they feed. The moths appear in late autumn and early spring.
Stephens rightly objects to the name Cerastis , as being too similar to Cerastes to be retained.
THE CHESTNUT MOTH. GIUEA VACCINII.
Noctua vaccina , Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. (ed. x.), i. p. 832, no. 166 (1758); id. Faun. Suec. p. 320, no. 1212 (1761); Esper, Schmett. iv. p. 549, Taf. 161, figs. 1-6 (1791); Hiibner, Eur. Schmett. iv. fig. 177 (1799?).
Cerastis vaccinii, Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (2), p. 401 (1825) ; Buckler, Larvae of Brit. Lepid. v. pi. 93, fig. 5-5 c (1893).
Glcea vaccinii , Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. ii. p. 16 1 (1829).
Orrhodia vaccinii , Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 184, pi- 34, % 9 (1880).
The Chestnut Moth is common in most parts of Northern and Central Europe, to Armenia and Siberia, it expands about an inch and a quarter.
The fore-wings are yellowish rusty brown, with pale transverse
54 Lloyd’s natural history.
lines. Near the base is a half-line separated by a dark band from the first transverse line. The usual stigmata are sur¬ rounded by a grey or yellow edging. The orbicular stigma is large, oblong and oblique, and the reniform stigma is blackish on its lower part ; there is a dark central shade. Between the second transverse line and the sub-marginal line there is also a dark band. The fringes are yellow, streaked with brown, and there is a silky lustre over the entire surface of the wings. The hind-wings are ashy grey, with a reddish lustre, and coppery fringes.
The Chestnut Moth.
The thorax is of the same colour as the fore-wings, and is covered with thick smooth hair. The antennae are pale ferru¬ ginous brown, finely dentated in the male, with white or yellowish scales at the base. The abdomen is broad and flat, grey and reddish, with a rusty brown anal tuft, and hair of the same colour on the sides.
The larva feeds on the leaves of poplar, oak, elm, raspberry, blackberry, Vaccinium , and various low plants. It is purplish- brown, with indistinct paler dorsal and sub-dorsal lines and light grey spots. There is a greyish ochreous spiracular line, and black spiracles. The belly is paler than the back, and has a greenish tinge.
The pupa, which is reddish-brown, is formed in the ground. The moth appears in October and November, and, after hyber¬ nation, in March and April.
EUPSILIA.
: o
GENUS EUPSILIA.
Eupsilia, Hiibner, Verz. bek. Schmett. p. 231 (1S22 ?) Scopelosoma , Curtis, Brit. Ent. xiv. p. 635 (1837); Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Xoct. i. p. 385 <1852;.
This genus resembles the last, but may easily be distinguished by its larger size and dentated wings, with a conspicuous white spot in the middle of the fore-wings. The larva is notorious for its cannibalistic propensities.
THE SATELLITE. EUPSILIA SATELLITES.
Noctua satellitia , Linnaeus, Syst. X’at. (ed. xii. ), i. (2), p. 855, no. 176 ( 1767) ; Esper, Schmett. iv. (2) i. p. 618, Taf. 169. figs. 6-10 (1793?); Hiibner, Eur. Schmett fig. 182 (1799?)
Xoctua transversa, Hufnagel, Berlin. Mag. iv. p. 41 8. no. 102 (1767).
Cerastis satellitia. Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (2), p. 414 (1825).
Glcea satellitia , Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. ii. p. 163 1829 k Scopelosoma satellitia , Curtis, Brit. Ent. xiv. pi. 635 11837); Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 183 ( 1880) ; Buckler, Larvae of Brit. Lepid. v. pi. 84, fig. 1 (1893k
The Satellite is common in most parts of Europe and Siberia. It expands from an inch and a half to an inch and three-quarters.
It is very variable in colouring, but is most frequently reddish-brown or ferruginous, though occasionally yellowish- brown or greyish-brown specimens are met with. The head and thorax are unicolorous, the latter being crested. The antennae are of the same colour as the thorax, and are dentated in the male, but only notched in the female. The abdomen is
5^
Lloyd’s natural history.
reddish or yellowish-grey, broad and flat, with paler hair on the sides, and a pale anal tuft. The legs are grey, suffused with reddish or yellowish.
The fore-wings are long and narrow, and are of almost uniform width from the first transverse line. The usual lines are distinct, and darker than the ground-colour. There is a half-line, and the first transverse line is almost straight. The central area is the darkest portion of the wings. The orbicular stigma is hardly visible. Beyond it is a central shade,
The Satellite.
which forms an angle towards the reniform stigma. The latter is well marked, and is formed of a white or ochre-yellow spot, convex towards the base, but excavated on its outer side. At both ends are two white or yellow dots. Sometimes the spots are yellow, and the dots white, or vice versa . The second transverse line is zig-zag, and the sub-marginal line forms a faint waved line. The outer band beyond it is pale. The fringes are unicolorous, and bordered with a row of small yellowish lunules. The whole surface of the wings is very shining. The
XANT1IIA.
57
hind-wings are yellowish-grey, with a slight central spot, and yellowish fringes.
The larva feeds on oak, beech, elm, pear, and other trees. It is velvety-black, tending towards brown, with a rusty-brown head. The cervical plate is black, and square, bordered on each side with a fine yellow or white line. The sides and belly are pale clay-colour. On the anal segment are two longitudinal yellow streaks, and on the sides are two slight dark longitudinal lines. On the second, third, fifth, and eleventh segments are white spots above the legs. The legs are shining black, but the pro-legs are of the same colour as the belly, with only a black spot. The whole surface of the body is covered with small scattered hairs. The moth appears in September and October, and again in the spring after hybernation.
GENUS XANTHIA.
Xanthia , Hiibner, Tentamen, p. i (1816); Ochsenheimer, Schmett. Eur. iv. p. 82 (1816) ; Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (2), p. 341 (1825); Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. i. p. 389 (1852).
The type of this genus appears to be X. sulphurago (Den. & Schiff.), an East European species, but I have described one of our British species. The moths of this genus are all much alike, and have yellow or ochreous fore-wings, which are broad, moderately long, and slightly pointed at the tip, the hind-margin waved, and slightly more oblique below the middle than above. The antennae are ciliated.
The larvae are velvety, and rather short and thick, with the abdomen not so short as in the preceding genera. When young, they feed on the buds of trees ; but when older, they descend to the ground, and hide themselves among low plants, upon which they then feed.
58
Lloyd’s natural history
They are called “ Sallows,” either from their yellow colour, or because some of their larvae feed on sallow catkins. The moths appear in September.
THE BARRED SALLOW. XANTHJA ICTERITI A.
Noctua fulvago , Linnaeus (nec Clerck), Faun. Suec. p. 312 (1761).
Noctua icteritia , blufnagel, Berlin. Mag. iii. p. 296, no. 43 (1767).
Noctua cerago, Denis & Schiffermiiller, Syst. Verz. Schmett. Wien. p. 86, no. 9 (1776); Hiibner, Eur. Schmett. iv. figs. 144, 145, 190 (1804 ?)
Xanthia cerago, Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (2) p. 370 (1825); Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. iii. p. 64 (1829) ; Buckler, Larvae of Brit. Lepid. v. p. 73, pi. 84, figs. 5-5 c (1S93).
Xanthia gilvago, Stephens (nec. Den. & Schiff.), op. cit. iii. p. 65 (1829).
Xanthia fulvago, Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 182 (1880).
This Moth is common in Northern and Central Europe, and in Northern Asia. Jt expands from an inch and a quarter to an inch and a half.
The fore-wings are Canary-yellow with several ferruginous spots of different sizes. The transverse lines are broken up into spots and streaks. In front of the position of the first line there are two or three ferruginous spots. The centre of the wing is crossed by a broad band, fading on the inner side, and composed of three rows of reddish and rusty spots. In the largest external spot are three yellow dots near the costa. In the middle of the band, on the sub-costal nervure, is a small dark-brown spot, usually centred with yellowish. This belongs to the reniform stigma, which is generally indistinctly marked.
COSMIIN^E.
59
The orbicular stigma is also seldom, visible, and is often only indicated by a fine line and pale patch. In front of the yellowish-brown fringes is a row of dots. The hind-wings are white, with fringes of the same colour. The head and the crested thorax are pale yellow, the abdomen whitish, and the antennae ferruginous.
The Barred Sallow.
The larva feeds in early spring on the catkins of sallow, but leaves them as it approaches its full growth, and then feeds on plantain and other low plants, though it will also eat the young shoots of the sallow when nothing else is available. It is greyish-brown, with a black horny plate on the second segment marked with three white lines, of which the middle one is indistinct. There is a white dorsal line bordered on both sides by fine pale lines, and a greyish spiracular line.
The pupa is enclosed in an earthen cocoon in the ground. The moth appears in August.
SUB-FAMILY IX. COSMIINAE.
The moths of this Sub-family are usually rather small, with pubescent antennae, ascending and approximating palpi, and
6 o
Lloyd’s natural history.
with the abdomen rather slender, pointed, and furnished with an ovipositor in the female. The wings are usually orna¬ mented with sharply-defined markings, and are sloped very much when the insect is at rest.
The larvae are rather brightly coloured, and roll themselves up in the leaves of trees, like those of Tor trices. Some, like certain of the Orthosiincz , are called “ Cannibals ” by collectors, for they are very fond of attacking and devouring other larvae.
The moths, which appear in July and August, fly actively at dusk.
GENUS COSMIA.
Cosmia, Hubner, Tentamen, p. i (1816); Ochsenheimer, Schmett. Eur. iv. p. 84 (1816); Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (2), p. 379 (1825); Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. ii. p. 8 (1852).
The species of Cosmia are comparatively small Noctuce , with simple antennae, approximating and slightly ascending palpi, a short proboscis, smooth thorax, and a moderately slender abdomen as long as the hind-wings. The wings are rather long and broad, and the fore-wings are marked with oblique or angulated pale lines, often rising in pale spots on the costa.
The larvae are smooth, with well-marked incisions, and live in a bunch of leaves drawn together with silk. The pupa is very tapering at the tip, and is found between leaves, or in a cocoon on the surface of the ground.
THE LESSER-SPOTTED PINION. COSMIA AFFINIS.
Noctua affinis , Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. (ed. xii.) i. (2), p. 848, no. 144(1767); Esper, Schmett. iv. (1), p. 414, Taf. 134, fig. 1 (1790?); Hiibner, Eur. Schmett. iv. fig. 201 (1799?).
COSMIA.
6l
Cosmia affinis, Treitschke, Schmett. v. (2) p. 389 (1825); Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. iii. p. 61 (1829); Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 179, pi. 33, fig. 13 (1880) ; Buckler, Larvae of Brit. Lepid. v. p. 86, pi. 86, figs. 5-5 c
(1893)-
The Lesser-spotted Pinion.
This Moth, which is the type of the genus, is common in Central and Southern Europe. It expands a little over an inch.
The fore-wings are reddish-brown, varied with ferruginous and blackish, with the lines pale grey and indistinct, whitish towards the costa. The half-line is represented by a scarcely visible dash, the first transverse line is also slender, often as thin as a hair, and both these lines are sometimes entirely wanting. The second transverse line is likewise not very distinct, expanding into a greyish cloud on the costa; it is sharply bent outwards before the middle. The sub-marginal line, which is frequently very indistinct or quite absent, is also merged in a grey cloud on the costa. The central area is trapeziform, bordered with reddish. The orbicular stigma is centred with black, and the reniform stigma is shaped like a figure of 8, each ring of the 8 being centred with black. A dark central shade, which is slightly angulated, passes between the stigmata. There is a row of indistinct blackish dots near the fringes. The fringes are yellowish-brown, and not dentated. The hind-wings are black, but yellowish towards the base, with the fringes deep yellow.
62
Lloyd’s natural history.
The larva lives between the leaves of the elm, which it weaves loosely together with a few silken threads, but it is also sometimes met with on low plants. It is pale bluish- green, sometimes slightly yellowish, especially just before its metamorphosis, and the head is of the same colour as the body. It is marked with five longitudinal white lines, three on the back, and one on each side over the spiracles. The three dorsal lines converge at the anal fold, where they become nearly united. The segment behind the head bears a cervical plate, and on the succeeding segments are small black tubercles set with a few dark hairs. The spiracles are black. When young the body is blackish, with a white median dorsal line. After the second moult the five pale lines first appear in the dark ground-colour ; and at the second moult the larva becomes green.
The moth appears in July and August. It is closely allied to another species, C. diffinis (Linn.), which is much more distinctly marked with very conspicuous white spots on the costa, from which the lines rise.
SUB-FAMILY X. HADENINZS.
This is an extensive group which has much resemblance to the Apameince , and, like these, the sub-terminal line of the fore¬ wings generally forms a strongly-marked W. The moths are of moderate size, often with marbled markings on the fore-wings, and are usually grey, brown, or green. They are generally hairy, with short palpi, and naked eyes.
The larvae are long and smooth, with no excrescences, except that the penultimate segment is sometimes slightly raised. They feed openly on low plants, and the pupae are formed in earthen cocoons in the ground.
EPIA.
63
GENUS EPIA.
Epia, Hiibner, Verz. bek. Schmett. p. 475 (1822 ?).
Dianthcecia , Boisduval in Silbermann, Revue Ent. ii. p. 245 (1834) ; id. Gen. Ind. Meth. p. 124 (1840); Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. ii. p. 16 (1852).
This is a well-marked group of moderate-sized moths, with conspicuous brown-and-white marbled and festooned markings, and the abdomen crested at the base, carinated, conical at the extremity, and provided, in the female, with a prominent ovipositor. The larvae are cylindrical, smooth, and velvety, and live in the pods of different species of Dianthus , Lychnis , Silene , Saponaria , and other Caryophyllaceous plants, feeding on the seeds. The pupae are subterranean. The moths fly actively, at dusk, over the flowers on which their larvae feed. Most of the British species are rather local, and are quite as abundant on the coast as inland, several species being found only on the sea-cliffs of the Isle of Man, and of the Hill of Howth near Dublin, and in similar localities.
THE viper’s BUGLOSS MOTH. EPIA IRREGULARIS.
Noctua irregularis, Hufnagel, Berlin. Mag. iii. p. 394, no. 65 (1767).
Noctua echii , Borkhausen, Eur. Schmett. iv. p. 166 (1792);
Hiibner, Eur. Schmett. iv. fig. 91 (1799 ?).
Noctua hrecciceformis , Esper, Schmett. -iv. (2) 2, p. 79, Taf. 198,
fig 5 ( 1 7 99 ?)«
Miselia echii , Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (2), p. 343 (1825). Diant hoecia irregularis, Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 222 (1881).
The Viper’s Bugloss Moth is a native of Southern and Central Europe, and South-Eastern Siberia. It is exceedingly
64
Lloyd’s natural history
rare in Britain, having only been captured once or twice in the South of England. It expands about an inch and a quarter.
The head and thorax are pale yellow, and the collar and tegulae are bordered with yellow. The abdomen is greyish- yellow, whitish on the sides, with a light brown anal tuft. The antennae are light brown, slightly notched in the male, and finer and filiform in the female. The legs are greyish -yellow.
The Viper’s Bugloss Moth.
The fore-wings, on which all the transverse lines are dis¬ tinctly marked, are pale yellow, extensively marbled with dark brown and white. The half-line ends in a brown or black dot. The first and second transverse lines are formed of brown lunules, with the convexity directed inwards. The orbicular stigma is distinctly yellow, ringed with white. The reniform stigma is ear-shaped, with a dark centre. The claviform stigma is represented by a black streak. The sub-marginal line is white and clearly defined, and the marginal band is fawn- coloured. The fringes are brown and whitish, and are edged with a white line. The hind-wings are greyish-yellow towards the base, with a slight lunule, and a curved line, beyond which there is a brown band, and whitish fringes.
The larva feeds on Viper’s Bugloss ( Echium vulgare ), and on Gypsophila paniculala in July. It is yellowish-grey in colour, and is obliquely striped with darker on the back.
The moth appears in May and June.
DIPHTHERA.
65
GENUS DIPHTHERA.
Diphthera , Hiibner, Tentamen, p. 1 (1816).
Agriopis , Boisduval, Gen. Ind. Meth. p. 123 (1840); Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. i. p. 58 (1852).
In this genus the antennae are pubescent and filiform, but slightly denticulated at the base, which is furnished with a strong tuft of hairs. The palpi are straight and rather long. The body is stout and hairy, and the abdomen is slightly crested. The legs are stout, with very thick tibiae in the male, and all the tarsi thickly spined below. The wings are entire, with very distinct markings.
The larvae are stout and cylindrical, and hide themselves under the bark of trees during the day. The pupae are deeply buried in the ground, and are enclosed in an earthen cocoon.
There is a species belonging to the Acronydince {Mown orion , Esper) which has a very close resemblance to the type of this genus, and to which, by some oversight, Ochsenheimer and his successors have applied the name Diphthera , the original type of which is the following species.
THE MARVEIL DU JOUR. DIPHTHERA APRILINA.
{Plate C XXVII., Fig. 8.)
Nodua aprilina , Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. (ed. x.) i. p. 514, no. 99 (1758); id. Faun. Suec. p. 313, no. 1178 (1761); Esper, Schmett. iv. (1), p. 276, Taf. 118, figs. 1-3 (1789?). Nodua runica , Denis & Schififermiiller, Syst. Yerz. Schmett. Wien. p. 70, no. 1 (1776); Hiibner, Eur. Schmett. iv. fig. 71 (1799?), figs. 721, 722 (1818?).
Miselia aprilina, Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (1), p. 4ri (1825); Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. iii. p. 25 (1829). 16 f
66
LLOYD’S NATURAL HISTORY.
Dichonia aprilina , Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 215, pi. 37, figs. 3-3 b (1880).
Agriopis aprilina , Buckler, Larvae of Brit. Lepid. vi. p. 30, pi.
9 t , figs- 2> 2 a (i895)-
The “ Marveil du Jour” is common in Central and in some parts of Southern and Eastern Europe. It expands from an inch and a half to two inches.
The fore wings are of a light apple-green or sea-green, which tends towards yellowish or almost white in old and worn speci¬ mens. The costa is spotted with black and white, and from it rise the black transverse lines, which are bordered with white. The half-line is represented by two black spots towards the base, and the first and second transverse lines are formed of a number of lunules just touching at their extremities. Between the indistinct stigmata runs a black central shade. The sub¬ marginal line rises from a black hook near the apex of the wings; it consists of a zig-zag black line, sometimes broken into spots, and bordered with white on each side. The fringes are chequered with black and white, and are bounded by black dots on the inner side. The hind-wings are blackish with a central and a sub-marginal band of lighter, succeeded by a black line at the base of the brownish-white fringes. The head and thorax are mostly green, the latter with a transverse black stripe in front, and the abdomen is brown.
The larva feeds on oak at night, remaining hidden in the ~hinks of the bark during the day.
It is smooth, greyish-brown, sometimes tinged with red. The head is almost black, with yellowish dots. On the back is an interrupted whitish median dorsal line intersecting the ground¬ colour, which here takes the form of a series of lozenge-shaped spots ; and on the sides is a pale spiracular line, bounded above by a waved darker stripe.
PHLOGOPHORA.
67
The pupa is slender, and of a brown colour. The moth appears in September and October.
GENUS PHLOGOPHORA.
Trigonophora , pt. Hiibner, Verz. bek. Schmett. p. 217 (1822 ?).
Phlogophora , pt. Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (1), p. 369 (1825); Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. iii. p. 83 (1829); Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. ii. p. 62 (1852). Solenoptera , Duponchel, Cat. Lepid. d’Europe, p. 134 (1844), nom. prccocc.
Brotolomia , Lederer, Noct. Eur. p. 115 (1857).
Palpi rather large, ascending, the third joint small, but distinct. Antennae ciliated, and in the male, sub-dentate. Thorax rather stout, with a short, pointed crest in front and a larger one behind, which is bifid at the extremity ; abdomen rather short, much more slender than the thorax, with rows of small tufts on the back and sides, and a larger one at the extremity. Fore-wings rather long, the tip rounded off, and the hind margin oblique and excavated ; hind-wings slightly indented. Wings folded round the body in repose.
The naked green larva feeds on a variety of plants, and the pupa is found in the ground.
There is curious confusion about the title of this genus, which was originally used in rather an extended sense, the names Trigonophora and Phlogophora being originally synonymous. Stephens selected Noctua meticulosa, Linn., as the type of Phlogophora , and this must stand. Duponchel, however, in 1844, proposed a new and inadmissable name for N meticulosa , and wrongly restricted Phlogophora to Noctua lucipara (Linn.) (already separated under the generic name of Euplexia by Stephens), and N empyrea , Hiibner. Finally
68
Lloyd’s natural history.
Lederer, in 1857, restricted the name Trigonophora to Empyrea, and rejecting the name Solenoptera, Dup., pro¬ posed a new genus for Noctua meticulosa , thus losing sight of the name Phlogophora altogether.
THE ANGLE-SHADES. PHLOGOPHORA METICULOSA.
Noctua meticulosa, Linmeus, Syst. Nat. (ed. x.), i. p. 513; no-95(I758); id. Faun. Suec. p. 309, no. 1164(1761); Esper, Schmett. iv. (1), p. 220, Taf. 112, figs. 5-7 (1790) ; Hiibner, Eur. Schmett, iv. fig. 67 (1799?).
Phlogophora meticulosa , Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (i)p. 373 (1825); Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. iii. p. 83 (1829); Buckler, Larvae of Brit. Lepid. vi. p. 30, pi. 91, figs. 3-3 g (I^95)-
Hahryntis meticulosa , Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths,
P- 239, ph 38, % 8 (1881).
The Angle-Shades.
The Angle-Shades is common in most parts of Central Europe and the Mediterranean region. It expands from an inch and a half to two inches. The fore-wings are pale ochreous, with a slight rosy tinge in front of the basal area, and in the suffused sub-marginal line. The central area is olive-brown, and triangular. It is bordered by the pale transverse lines. The orbicular and reniform stigmata are
CtrCULLIIDjfc.
69
oblique, converging at their lower ends. The marginal area is ochreous-grey, tinged with rose-colour towards the hind margin, with two darker parallel transverse bars. The hind-wings are whitish, sometimes with a faint rosy tinge posteriorly, as well as a dusky central crescent and two or three faint dusky waved lines.
The larva feeds on nettle, chickweed, hemlock, primrose, mullein, and various other low plants, and if touched or disturbed, at once feigns death, turning its head to one side, and lying quite still. The insect is double-brooded, and the autumnal larvae hybernate after the last moult but one, and pupate in early spring, the moth appearing in May or June ; whilst the second brood, from eggs laid in July, appears about September. The larva is grass-green, occasionally brownish, thickly powdered with obscure whitish dots, with an inter¬ rupted slender white dorsal line, and a pale spiracular line, the spiracles being whitish, finely ringed with black.
The pupa, which is shining reddish-brown, with a fine apical point, is enclosed in a slight cocoon in the ground.
FAMILY XLI. CUCULLIID.T:.
Larva long, naked, cylindrical, brightly coloured, and feeding exposed on the flowers or leaves of herbaceous plants or trees.
Pupa varying in habits and structure, generally enclosed in a cocoon, and sometimes, but not always, subterranean ; and often furnished with a prominent ventral appendage.
Imago with simple antennae, well-developed palpi, and long proboscis. The thorax is stout, with the collar raised ; the abdomen and wings are often long, pointed, and compara¬ tively narrow. The wings are usually brown or grey, with longitudinal streaks. The usual “ Noctua ’'-pattern is rarely visible.
7c
LLOYD S NATURAL HISTORY.
These moths come freely to flowers at dusk, flying over them somewhat in the manner of Sphinges, which some of them considerably resemble in shape. They are generally called “ Sharks ” by collectors.
At one time Dr. Butler proposed to transfer this family to the Notodontidce , but has now decided to replace them in the Noctiuz.
GENUS CALOCAMPA.
Cacullia , pt. Schrank, Fauna Boica, ii. (2), p. 157 (1882). Calocampa, Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. ii. p. 172 (1829); Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. ii. p. 115 (1852).
Antennae long, thickened, ciliated ; palpi short, compressed, very scaly. Thorax square, slightly crested in front ; abdomen depressed, slightly tufted at the extremity in the male. Wings long ; fore-wings dentated ; hind-wings rather broad. Wings folded longitudinally when at rest, like those of a Lithosia.
Larva long, smooth, cylindrical, feeding in clusters on the summit of low plants.
Pupa with two apical spines. It is deeply buried in the ground, and forms no cocoon, but lines the cavity with silk.
THE SWORD-GRASS MOTH. CALOCAMPA EXOLETA.
{Plate C XX VII I., Fig. 6, lama.)
Noctua exsoleta , Linnceus, Syst. Nat. (ed. x.), i. p. 513, no.
104 (1758) ; id. Faun. Suec. p. 315, no. 1085 (1761). Noctua exoleta, Esper, Schmett. iv. (2), i. p. 433, Taf. 138, figs. 1-3 (1790?); Hiibner, Eur. Schmett. iv. fig. 244 (1799?).
Xylina exoleta , Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (3), p. 7 (1826).
PLATE CXXVII1
/,
/\* * 3. 4:
To 7 • ache d ispcu \
(kxhfuhx pai'butcc CazuruJL iiudsuhiti's. PhedapI wra, qaurce
' S. (hUnidea
5. HhodopliorcL ganrce, l arm.
6. ('/jloca nqfa eeccleta, bxrva .
7. Praiphan ex delph urn oULrgyntis argerutuia
/ t7 leeeice ,
CALOCAMPA.
71
Calocampa exoleta , Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. ii. p. 173 (1829) ; Curtis. Brit. Ent. vi. pi. 256 (1829) ; Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 243, pi. 38, figs. 12-12 b (1881) ; Buckler, Larvae of Brit. Lepid. vi. pi. 96, figs. 2-2 d (lS95)-
The Sword-grass Moth.
The Sword-grass Moth is common throughout the greater part of Europe, Northern Africa, and Siberia. It expands about two inches and a quarter. The head is pale grey, and the thorax black, with scattered white hairs. The tegulte are white. The abdomen is covered with long grey hair above, with a black shade in the middle, and yellowish-grey hair on the sides, forming zig-zag tufts.
The fore-wings vary from dark brown to grey. O11 the hind margin is a dark line containing four or five white dots near the apex of the wings. From the base to the hind margins, the whole of the wings are covered with numerous fine longitudinal brown streaks on an ashy-grey ground. The outer part of the wings is dark brown, especially in the neighbourhood of the reniform stigma. There are no trans¬ verse lines. The orbicular stigma is elongated, and similar in shape to the reniform, but smaller. Both are surrounded by slender dark fines, and the reniform stigma is shaded externally
72 Lloyd’s natural history.
with black. Beyond the stigmata is the lightest part of the wings, with a double row of dots, one or two sagittate marks, and an indistinct zig-zag sub-marginal line. The hind-margins and fringes are dark brown. The hind-wings are dusky grey, with light grey fringes, and the lunule of the under side showing through.
The larva is very handsome, and has suggested the name of the genus, Calocampa, which is derived from the Greek K-aXoc, beautiful , and Kctfxnrj, a worm. Stainton’s opinion of the larva is as follows : — “ Any one who has not yet seen the larva of C. exoleta has a treat in store. I have only once seen it, and then I nearly screamed with delight. No figure can give any idea of the beauty of the living larva.” It is bright green, with a pair of white spots on each side of the back, each pair being connected by a black blotch. Below them is a yellow stripe. This is succeeded by a space on which stands a row of three white dots on each segment, ringed with black ; and on most of the segments there is a fourth dot above the middle one. Just over the legs there is a red stripe, bordered with white. It feeds on a variety of plants, but prefers lettuce, spinach, and asparagus. The larvae are very difficult to rear, being liable to the attacks of ichneumons, and if the pupae are not kept at exactly the proper degree of moisture, the specimens are crippled. The larva is slow and sluggish in its movements, and if touched, it contracts itself and emits a green liquid.
The pupa is shining reddish brown, and so delicate that the outlines of the moth are visible through it. It remains in this state for about four weeks, the moth appearing on the wing in September and October.
CUCULLIA.
73
GENUS CUCULLIA.
Cucullia , Schrank, Fauna Boica, ii. (2), p. 157 (1802); Ochsen- heimer, Schmett. Eur. iv. p. 87 (1816) ; Hiibner, Verz. bek. Schmett. p. 246 (1822 ?) ; Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (3), P- $5 (1826); Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. ii. p. 123 (1852).
In this genus, the antennae are simple, the palpi short and ascending, and the proboscis long. The collar is hood-like, and there are large lateral tufts on the thorax. The abdomen is moderately stout, and longer than the hind-wings. The fore¬ wings are long, narrow, and lanceolate, and, in the typical species, the hind margin is rather strongly dentated. The hind-wings are also long and rather pointed, but not much narrower than the fore-wings.
The larvae are long and stout, with the incisions well-marked ; the head is somewhat retractile and flattened. They feed on low plants, preferring the flowers. The pupae are soft, with a projection behind, and are enclosed in large solid oval cocoons in the ground.
The types of this genus were indicated by Hiibner as C. verbasci (Linn.) and C. sc?-ophularice (Den. & Schiff.).
THE MULLEIN MOTH. CUCULLIA VERBASCI.
Noctua verbasci , Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. (ed. x.), i. p. 515, no. 108 (1758); id. Faun. Suec. p. 315, no. 1186 (1761); Esper, Schmett. iv. (2) 1 i. p. 437, Taf. 139, figs. 1-4 (1790?); Hiibner, Eur. Schmett. iv. fig. 266 (1799?). Noctua scrophularice , Esper (nec Den. & Schiff.), Schmett. iv.
(2) 1 p. 516, Taf. 154, fig. 1 (1791 ?).
Cucullia verbasci , Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (3), p. 127 (1826); Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. iii. p. 85 ( 1829);
74
LLOYDS NATURAL HISTORY
Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 248, pi. 39, figs. 3-3 c (1881); Buckler, Larvae of Brit. Lepid. vi. p. 67, pi. 97, figs. 1-1 d (1895).
The Mullein Moth is common in Central and Southern Europe, and in Western Asia. It expands about an inch and three-quarters.
The head is bone-coloured in front, brown above ; the collar is pale grey in front, varied with yellow, with fine brownish transverse lines, and a broad brown band behind. The tegulae are bordered with brown, and are marked with a few black dots. The abdomen is yellowish-grey, with an interrupted black dorsal line, which is continued on the thorax to the collar. There is a reddish-yellow anal tuft. The antennae are yellowish-brown.
The fore-wings are marked with a rather broad band of rich brown on the costa and inner margin, the portion of the wings between being dull yellow, like fossil wood. There is a series of black dots running from the base in this area. Towards the middle of the inner margin are two white lunules, one above the other, and before and beyond these are two faint white spots, one in the middle of the wing, and the other near the fringes. The fringes themselves are brown, streaked with white, deeply and acutely dentated, and there is a yellow line on their inner edge. The hind-wings are darkest towards the
ARGYRITIS.
75
fringes, usually dark brown, but becoming more yellow towards the base, and sometimes they are entirely pale, especially in some male specimens. The fringes are yellow, bisected by a dark line, and, like the fore-wings, deeply dentated.
The larva feeds on the leaves of various species of mullein, fig-wort, and other low plants. It is smooth and pearly white, with a blue, yellow, or green tinge, varying with the food. The head is dotted with yellow and black. On each segment of the body is a somewhat broad bright yellow transverse band, bordered with several larger and smaller black spots.
The larvae have a great power of jumping, and are very difficult to hold in the hand. When young they live gre¬ gariously, but afterwards become solitary. Their numbers are kept in check by ichneumon -flies, birds, and numerous other foes.
The pupa is yellowish-brown, with the covers of the head and eyes blackish. The moth appears in April and May.
GENUS ARGYRITIS.
Argyritis , Hiibner, Verz. bek. Schmett. p. 247 (1822?); Walker, List Tepid. Ins. Brit. Mus. xi. p. 657 (1857).
This genus resembles Cucullia , Schrank, but the species may be distinguished by their generally smaller size, short but pointed wings, and brilliant silvery coloration. The larva is pilose, and the segments are more or less expanded, or warty. The species figured resembles a large Palparia.
ARGYRITIS ARGENTINA.
{Plate C XX VII /., Fig. 8.)
Noctua argentina , Fabricius, Mant. Ins. ii. p. 162, no. 185 (1787); Hiibner, Eur. Schmett. iv. fig. 553 (1804?).
7 6 Lloyd’s natural history
Cucullia argentina , Treitschke, Eur. Schmett. v. (3), p. 98 (1826); Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 254 (1881).
This species is a native of Southern Russia and Siberia. It expands an inch and a quarter.
The head and thorax are pale grey, and the abdomen is milk-white. The antennae are white at the base, and brownish above, and the legs are pale grey, darker at the joints. The fore-wings are narrow and lanceolate, pale ochre-yellow, with a broad silvery or pearly-white stripe running from the base across two-thirds of the length of the wing ; the marginal por¬ tion of the latter is varied with gilded yellow. Near the end ol the mother-of-pearl stripe, and on the edge of the white fringes, is a row of black dots. The hind-wings are clear shining milky white.
The larva feeds on a species of wormwood growing on the steppes. It is sea-green, with seven bluish-white longitudinal lines. It is expanded in the middle of each segment, and is dotted with black in the incisions. The head is bluish-white.
FAMILY XLII. HELIOTHIDFE.
Larvae cylindrical, with the incisions slightly marked. They feed openly on low plants, often choosing the flowers.
Pupae conical at the extremity, and enclosed in cocoons.
Imago of small or moderate size, with simple antennae, and stout palpi ; thorax stout, downy ; abdomen smooth, sub- conical ; tibiae generally spined. Flight usually diurnal.
GENUS PERIPHANES.
Periphanes , Hiibner, Verz. bek. Schmett. p. 247 (1822?); Stephens, List Brit. x\nim. Brit. Mus. v. Lepid. p. 127 (1852).
PERIPHANES.
77
CJiariclea , Curtis, Brit. Ent. ii. pi. 76(1825); Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. iii. p. 92 (1829); Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. ii. p. 167 (1852).
Antennae simple, the basal joint pilose beneath ; palpi thickly scaled; proboscis well developed; front with a truncated cone-shaped projection. Thorax slightly crested in front ; abdomen crested at the base, and more or less tufted on the sides and at the tip ; fore-wings rather pointed ; legs short and stout, pilose; front tibiae very short, with two shining horny spurs at the extremity, the inner one long and curved.
THE PEASE-BLOSSOM MOTH. PERIPHANES DELPHINII. {Plate C XX VIII., Fig. 7.)
Noctua delphinii , Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. (ed. x.) i. p. 518, no. 124 (1758); Esper, Schmett. iv. (1) p. 664, Taf. 175, figs. 1-4 ( 1 793 ?) J Hubner, Eur. Schmett. iv. fig. 204 (1799?), fig. 622 (1804 ?).
Xylina delphinii, \ Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (3), p. 82 (1826). CJiariclea delphinii , Curtis, Brit. Ent. ii. pi. 76 (1825) ; Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. iii. p. 92 (1829); Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 257, pi. 39, fig. 8 (1881).
The Pease-blossom Moth is common in many parts of Central and Eastern Europe, but has only been taken once or twice in Britain. It expands about an inch and a quarter.
The fore-wings are of a beautiful purplish-red colour, paler in some parts, and darker in others. The basal area is pale rose- colour as far as the first transverse line. The first and second transverse lines are both white, with a purple border on each side. The central area is whitish towards the costa, but becomes darker near the reniform stigma, which exists only as a dark spot, from which a shade extends across the wing. The hind margin is dull yellow, and so are the fringes. The
7S
Lloyd’s natural history
hind-wings are white at the base, especially in the male, with dark nervures and a central spot, but are darker in the female. In both sexes they are frequently tinged with rose-colour. On the hind margin is a grey band, which becomes lighter towards the white fringes.
The larva feeds on larkspur ( Delphinium consolido ), and is often met with in fallow fields on the Continent. When young the larvae live gregariously. They are violet-grey, the head being marked with several black spots. There is a narrow, sulphur-yellow dorsal line, and another on each side. In addition, the surface of the body is covered with small black tubercles, each bearing a fine hair.
The pupa is reddish-brown, with greenish wing-cases. It is formed in the ground.
The moth is on the wing in May and June.
GENUS RHODOPHORA.
Alaria , Westwood in Jardine’s Nat. Libr. Exot. Moths, p. 200 (1841); Walker, List Lepid. Ins. Brit. Mus. xi. p. 674 (1857), nom. prceocc.
Rhodophora , Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. ii. p. 170
(i852)-
Antennae simple, slightly pubescent in the male. Palpi short, clothed with velvety scales, and indistinctly jointed. Proboscis very slender; front rounded. Thorax partly crested, and not very stout. Abdomen smooth, and conical in the male. Legs short ; front tibiae with at least one long spine. Wings entire ; fore wings rather pointed at the tip. Larva very long and slender, with transverse bands.
RHODOPHORA GAUR/E.
{Plate CXX VIII. , Figs. 4 {imago), 5 {larva).)
Phalcena »aurce} Abbot & Smith, Lepid, Georg, ii. pi. 99 (1797),
CHLORIDEA.
79
A I aria gaurce, Westwood in Jardine’s Nat. Libr. Exot. Moths, p. 200, pi. 24, figs. 4, 5 (1841); Walker, List Lepid. Ins. Brit. Mus. xi. p. 675, no. 1 (1857).
Porphyrinia matutina , Hiibner, Zutr. Exot. Sehmett. iii. p. 35, figs- 557, 558 (1825).
Rhodophora gaurce, Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. ii. p. 170
(i852)-
This delicately-tinted Moth is not uncommon in the Southern United States, and measures rather more than an inch in expanse.
The fore-wings are of a somewhat yellowish-white, with the basal half, the fringes, the border, and a sub-terminal band, which does not quite extend to the inner margin, pale rose- colour. Hind-wings white, with a suffused pale rose-coloured border. Under side of the fore-wings tinged with the same colour. Head and thorax sulphur-yellow.
The larva is yellow, with a black transverse band on each segment. The head is rusty- brown. The belly and legs are white, with a black spot on each of the pro-legs. It feeds on Gaura biennis in August.
The colours of the moth so closely resemble those of the flowers of the plant on which it feeds, that when it settles on them, it is scarcely distinguishable from them.
GENUS CHLORIDEA.
Chloridea , Westwood in Jardine’s Nat. Libr. Exot. Moths, p. 198 (1841) ; Walker, List Lepid. Ins. Brit. Mus. xi. p. 77 (1857). Aspila, Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. ii. p. 174 (•,852).
The antennae are long, slender, and simple ; the palpi straight, approximating, squamous, and compressed, with the third joint long, slender and beak-shaped ; the proboscis is well-developed. The thorax is crested, and the abdomen is
8o
Lloyd’s natural history.
short and conical, and pointed in both sexes. The front tibiae are set with short spines beneath, but have no apical spur. The fore-wings are long, pointed and triangular, with the hind margin gradually curved ; and the hind-wings are long, and rounded at the extremity.
The larvae are smooth and cylindrical, with the incisions well-marked, and feed exposed on flowers ; and the pupa is subterranean.
chloridea rhexice.
[Plate C XX VII/., Fig. $.>
Phalcena rhexice , Abbot & Smith, Lepid. Georgia, ii. pi. ioo
( 1 797)*
Chloridea rhexice , Westwood in Jardine’s Nat. Libr. Exot. Moths, p. 198, pi. 24, fig. 3 (1841) ; Walker, List Lepid. Ins. Brit. Mus. xi. p. 678, no. 1 (1857).
Aspila rhexice , Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. ii. p. 175 (1852).
The fore-wings are green, with three nearly parallel oblique yellowish lines ; the stigmata small, but distinctly marked, the thorax green, and the abdomen white, with transverse dusky bands. The hind-wings are white, tinged with reddish-brown externally, but the fringes are yellowish. The antennae are reddish beneath.
The larva is green, with a yellow upper and a white lower lateral line, the last narrow ; between them is a row of small reddish spots. It feeds on the buds and blossoms of Rhexia virginica , and other plants, and also on tobacco, to which it is very destructive by destroying the main shoot.
In Abbot’s time, hand-picking and throwing hot sand or wood-ashes upon the plants were resorted to for the destruc¬ tion of the larvae. A specimen, which Abbot reared, spun a
HELIOTHIS.
8l
slight cocoon in the ground on July 25th, and the moth emerged on August 9th. It is a common species in the Southern United States, and some authors consider it to be identical with the West Indian C. virescens (Fabr.),
GENUS HELIOTHIS.
Heliothis , Hiibner, Tentamen, p. 2 (1810?); Ochsenheimer, Schmett. Eur. iv. p. 91 (1816); Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (3), p. 215 (1826); Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. ii. p. 177 (1852).
This genus includes species of moderate size, and of rather varied colours, which fly by day. The antennae are simple and pubescent, or ciliated ; the palpi ascending, and approxi¬ mating, with the last joint distinct. The front of the head is convex, and the proboscis is well-developed. The thorax and abdomen are smooth and downy, and the latter is obtuse at the extremity. The legs are long, and the front and hind tibiae are set with small spines. The wings are rather broad, and entire, and there is a conspicuous dark band on the under side of the hind-wings.
The larvae, which are long, with a large head, feed openly on low plants, preferring the flowers. Several of them are noted for their cannibalistic propensities.
The pupae are conical and subterranean.
These moths belong rather to warm climates than to cold, and several species are almost cosmopolitan, and extremely destructive abroad, but very rare in England. Such are H. armiger (Den. & Schiff.) and H. peltiger (Hiibner). The species noticed below, which is the type of the genus, though not very abundant, is less rare with us. It is found flying by day in clover fields.
16
G
82
Lloyd’s natural historV.
THE MARBLED CLOVER MOTH. HELIOTHIS DIPSACEA.
Noctua dipsacea, Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. (ed. xii.), i. (2), p. 856* no. 185 (1767) ; Esper, Schmett. iv. (2), pp. 21, 641, Taf. 172, figs. 1-3, Taf. 185, figs. 1-6 (1797?); Hiibner, Eur. Schmett. iv. fig. 311 (1799?).
Heliothis dipsacea, Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (3), p. 220 (1826) ; Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. iii. p. 109 (1830); Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 255, pi. 39, fig. 7 (1881) ; Buckler, Larvae of Brit. Lepid. vi. p. 75, pi. 99, figs. 3-3 e (1895).
The Marbled Clover Moth.
The Marbled Clover is a common Moth in most parts of Europe and Northern Africa, as well as in Northern and Western Asia. It expands about an inch and a quarter.
The ground-colour of the fore-wings is usually pale greenish- yellow, but specimens in which the green predominates, or which are rusty yellow, with the markings suffused, are by no means unfrequently met with. The head and thorax are generally greenish-yellow, the former being a little darker, while the abdomen is greyish-yellow, almost white beneath, with some ferruginous hairs in the anal tuft. The antennae are rusty brown, and the legs white, suffused with brown.
In distinctly marked specimens both the half-line and the first transverse line are brown or black. A broad dark central band crosses the wings over the reniform stigma, which is dark
HELIOTHIS.
83
grey. Beyond this is the second transverse line, which is indicated by a few dots on a pale ground. The marginal band contains a row of dots on the nervures, and an ill-defined zig-zag line, tending to rusty brown, separates it from the area preceding the fringes. The fringes are ferruginous brown, with a row of black spots at the base. The hind- wings are yellowish-white, with a broad black central lunule, and a broad black marginal band, containing a rather large white spot, divided by a dark nervure. The fringes are bisected by a brown line. Sometimes the markings of the hind-wings run together, leaving the yellowish-white markings clouded or broken up, and more rarely only two yellowish spots remain on the wing.
The female is smaller than the male, and is usually duller in colour.
The larva feeds on yellow snap-dragon ( Linaria ), chicory, plantain, red campion, and a variety of other low plants. It is elongated, and tapers at both extremities. The larva is straw-coloured, heavily streaked with reddish brown, with a broad continuous violet-brown dorsal line. The sub-dorsal line is straw-coloured, and is bordered below by a broad sinuous violet-brown band. The spiracular line is yellow, also bordered below with brown. On each segment is a reddish transverse band. The head is paler than the body, and is covered with black dots. It is found in July and August.
The pupa is dark brown, slightly glossy, dusted with bluish. It is slender, attenuated towards the head, and has a small tubercle on the front, and two stiff points at the extremity.
The moth is double-brooded, being found in May and the beginning of June, and again in July and August. It hovers in the sun over flowering thistle-heads, clover, &c.
G 2
84
Lloyd’s natural history.
GENUS ANARTA.
Anar/a, Ochsenheimer, Schmett. Eur. iv. p. 30 (1816) ; Hiibner, Verz. bek. Schmett. p. 220 (1822 ?) ; Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (3), p. 200 (1826) ; Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. ii. p. 189 (1852).
Antennae slender, slightly pubescent. Palpi short, straight, pilose. Head small ; front narrow, convex. Thorax and abdomen short and pilose, the latter stout in the female. Legs short ; tibiae pilose, without spines or spurs. Wings thick, densely scaled ; hind-wings usually white or yellow.
Larvae short, cylindrical, naked, living exposed upon low shrubs. They form cocoons of silk, mixed with fragments of earth, &c.
The moths fly rapidly by day, and many species are Alpine or Arctic in habitat.
THE BEAUTIFUL YELLOW UNDERWING. ANARTA MYRTILLI.
Noctua myrtilli , Linnaeus, Faun. Suec. p. 31 1, no. 1168 (1761); Esper, Schmett. iv. (2), p. 582, Taf. 165, figs. 1-3 ( 1 793 ?) j Hiibner, Eur. Schmett. iv. fig. 98 (1799?). Anarta myrtilli , Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (3), p. 201 (1826); Curtis, Brit. Ent. pi. 145 (1826); Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. iii. p. in (1830); Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 258 (1881) ; Buckler, Larvae of Brit. Lepid. vi. pi. 100, figs. 3, 3 a (1895).
The Beautiful Yellow Underwing is common in most parts of Europe. It measures about an inch across the wings.
The head is brown, and the collar reddish-brown, striped with yellowish -white, and so is the crested thorax. The abdomen is black, dusted with yellow, and with yellowish- white incisions. At the sides and extremity it is covered with
ANARTA,
*5
reddish-brown hair. The antennoe are dark brown ; and the legs are yellow, spotted with black. The fore-wings are straight on the costa, and produced, but hardly pointed at the apex. They are bright reddish-brown, marbled with white. The half¬ line, the two transverse lines, and the sub-marginal line are all distinctly white, and somewhat broad. From the base to the first transverse line are a few whitish patches, suffused with yellow. In the central area is a somewhat triangular white spot. The greater part of the orbicular stigma is contained in this spot, and is ringed with darker, with a dark spot in the
The Beautiful Yellow Underwing.
centre. The reniform stigma is beyond the white spot, and from it extend several white rays as far as the second trans¬ verse line. The sub-marginal line is very distinct, and beyond it the wings are uniform reddish-brown as far as the fringes, which are dark reddish-brown, and spotted with white. The hind-wings are bright yellow towards the base, with a small black lunule, and a broad velvety-black marginal band.
The larva lives on bilberry ( Vaccinium myrtillus ) and heath ( Calluna vulgaris). It is of a beautiful grass-green, with a bluish head, and numerous whitish markings. The dorcal line is formed of a row of elongated spots, and on each s>de is a
86
Lloyd’s natural history.
row of nearly semi-circular spots, whilst a third series of spots forms a zig-zag spiracular line. The spiracles are white, ringed with black. It is found at the end of July, and in August.
The pupa is short and dark brown, and lies among fallen portions of the food-plant in its cocoon.
The moth is generally developed in the same year, but sometimes passes the winter in the pupa and emerges in April or May of the following year. It flies by day on heaths.
FAMILY XLIII. ACONTIIDAE.
The “ Minores ” of Guenee include five families, all of which are represented in Britain except the Hcemerosiidce. For the present I am inclined to unite the first four under the name of Acontiidce ; the fifth, the Phalcenoidce or Brephidce ', is very distinct from the others, and will be noticed later on.
Larva. — Resembles that of the Geoinetridce or Tor trices. Soli¬ tary, smooth, without protuberances, with from ten to sixteen legs, and feeding on low plants.
Pupa. — Contained in a slight cocoon under the surface of the ground.
Imago. — Of small size, varied colour, and often flying by day ; the body is slender, and scaly rather than downy; the pro¬ boscis is moderately long. The abdomen is rarely crested, and the legs are long, slender, and unarmed. The fore-wings are broad, and are often provided with an accessory cell; the hind- wings are broad, and frequently coloured more or less like the fore-wings. In repose they are somewhat sloping, and are not entirely covered by the fore-wings.
GENUS EROTYLA.
Erotyla , Hiibner, Tentamen, p. 2 (1810?).
EROTYLA.
§7
Emmelia , Hiibner, Verz. bek. Schmett. p. 254 (1822 ?), Agrophila , Boisduval, Gen. Ind. Meth. p. 175 (1840) ; Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. ii. p. 204 (1852), nom. proeacc.
Antennae short, slender, setaceous; palpi short, straight ; eyes large. Thorax round, scaly ; collar rather large. Abdomen rather long, slender, sub-conical, and carinated in the male. Legs bare, rather stout. Wings entire, with long fringes ; fore¬ wings oblong, smooth and silky, with the fringes unicolorous ; hind-wings unicolorous above.
Larva long, smooth, with only two pairs of pro-legs. It lives on low plants in dry places. The pupae are enclosed in small earthen cocoons.
THE SPOTTED SULPHUR MOTH. EROTYLA TRAP.EALIS.
Pyralis trabealis , Scopoli, Ent. Carniol. p. 40, no 610 (1763).
Noctua sulphur aliS) Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. (ed. xii.), i. (2), p. 881, no. 333 (17 66).
Noctua drained) Hufnagel, Berlin. Mag. iii. p. 142, no. 95 (1767).
Noctua sulphur ea , Denis & Schiffermiiller, Syst. Verz. Schmett. Wien. p. 93, no. 6 (1776) ; Esper, Schmett. iv. (2) i. p. 576, Taf. 164, fig. 6 (1793 ?) ; Hiibner, Eur. Schmett. iv. fig. 291 (1799?).
Erastria sulphurea , Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (3), p 251 (1826).
Erastria sulphuralis , Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. iii. p. 1 1 7 (1830).
Emmelia trabealis , Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 279 (1881).
Agrophila sulphuralis , Hellins, Entom. Monthly Mag. iv. p. 1 15 (1867); Buckler, Lepid. Brit. Isl. vi. p. 89, pi. 100, figs. 5-5 c (1895).
83
Lloyd’s natural history
This Moth is common in Central Europe, Asia Minor, and Siberia, but is local and rather scarce in Britain. It expands from three-quarters of an inch to nearly an inch.
The pattern consists of a mixture of brownish-black and sulphur-yellow. The head, collar and tegulae are sulphur- yellow, bordered with brownish-black, and the thorax is black, with yellow spots. The antennae are black. The abdomen is brownish-grey with yellowish incisions, and the legs are brown, yellowish beneath.
The Spotted Sulphur Moth.
The narrow fore-wings are sulphur-yellow, with five black spots along the costa, from the fourth of which runs a narrow blackish band transversely across the wings. This is some¬ times dusted with yellow, and has a slight metallic lustre. From the base to this line run two straight black bars across the wings, one along the inner margin, and the other above and parallel with the first. The stigmatal area is marked with black spots. Beyond the transverse band is an undulating yellow stripe, and in front of the fringes, which are brownish- black varied with yellow, runs a straight yellow line. The hind-wings are unicolorous brownish-black with white fringes.
The larva feeds on bind- weed ( Convolvulus arvensis). It is usually grass-green, sometimes brown, with a black dorsal Line, and a double white line above the legs. The incisions are dark green.
EROTYLA.
89
The following very interesting description of the brown variety of the larva is given by Mr. J. Hellins in the “ Entomologists’ Monthly Magazine,” and is quoted in Mr. Buckler’s work : —
“ Hiibner’s figures of this species leave me little that is new to say about it. Still, I feel much indebted to Mr. Brown for enabling me to rear a larva which Mr. Buckler has figured.
“ Unluckily, although the moth had laid several eggs, they all perished in the Post Office save one, and the single larva did not live to become a pupa, having been hatched on June 25th, and dying on August 15th.
“I potted for it a small plant of Convolvulus an’ensis , and on two little shoots of this, bearing in all not more than five or six very small leaves, it fed and grew and moulted con¬ tentedly during the first half of its fifty days’ life, its longest journey all that time not exceeding an inch and an half.
“ Had the other eggs escaped squashing on their journey, probably I might have had the pleasure of seeing both the varieties which Hiibner figures, but the green one yet remains a desideratum. My single larva was of the brown variety.
“ When first hatched, it was a dingy grey little looper, with a black transverse dorsal hump on each of the four middle segments ; but at each moult these humps became less, till at last there remained nothing but the usual dorsal dots, black and distinct, and these too afterwards disappeared.
“ When full-grown the larva is about an inch long ; the legs twelve; the body cylindrical, thickest at the fourth segment; the segmental divisions deeply indented. When at rest the middle segments are generally arched, and the head bent down. The colour is rich chocolate-brown ; dorsal line rather darker, and edged with very fine paler lines ; sub-dorsal line also darker, but scarcely visible ; spiracular stripe broad, of a pale yellow, and with a fine brown thread running throughout its length, immediately after the last moult. There were sorpe
9°
Lloyd’s natural history.
rich yellow and orange spots also in it, but these disappeared in time, and the whole stripe grew paler.”
The pupa is reddish brown, and is placed, in its cocoon, between blades of grass.
The moth appears in May and June, and again in August. It flies in dry open places in the sunshine.
GENUS TARACHE.
Tarache , Hiibner, Verz. bek. Schmett. p. 261 (1822?).
Acontia , pt. Ochsenheimer, Schmett Eur. iv. p. 91 (1816); Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (3) p. 237 (1826; nec Hiibner); Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. ii. p. 214(1852).
This genus includes a considerable number of pretty little day-flying species, found in various parts of the world. It is generally called Aco?itia ; but Hiibner restricted that name to A. malvce (Esper), a yellow moth, an inch and a half in expanse, which is found in South Europe.
In Tarache the head is small, with the front convex, the antennae short, cylindrical, almost smooth, the palpi short, scaly, raised, and approximating; the third joint distinct. Pro¬ boscis moderately long. Thorax round, smooth, clothed with large smooth scales. Abdomen smooth, rather slender, cylin¬ drical, and carinated. Wings entire, the fringes usually long and bicolorous ; fore-wings thick, squamose, marbled with black and white; hind-wings with the hind margin waved.
The larvae, which have only two pairs of pro-legs, are very long and slender, and feed on low plants. The pupae are enclosed in small earthen cocoons.
Several exotic species have yellow hind-wings, as is the case with the one we have figured.
CANNA.
9*
TARACHE DISPAR.
( Plate C XX VII Fig. 1.)
Acontia dispar , Walker, List Lepid. Ins. Brit. Mus. xii. p. 790, no. 21 (1857).
This species is a native of South Africa.
“ Male.— White. Head brown; palpi obliquely ascending; third joint black, not more than one-fourth of the length of the second. Abdomen luteous. Fore-wings brown, with a glaucous tinge, and varied with dark brown ; some indistinct and in¬ complete whitish undulating bands, and a large white costal patch, which is beyond the middle, and contains a brown costal spot and a black mark, the latter indicating the reniform spot ; marginal lunules black. Hind- wings luteous ; discal spot, discal band, and border brown. Length of the body five lines ; of the wings twelve lines.” ( Walker .)
GENUS CANNA.
Canna , Walker, List Lepid. Ins. Brit. Mus. xxxiii. p. 790 (1865).
The antennae are simple, and the palpi are stout, pilose, and ascending, with the third joint very short ; the proboscis is well developed. The abdomen is tapering, much more slender than the thorax, and not extending beyond the hind-wings ; it has a small tuft at the extremity. The legs are stout and hairy, with strong spurs, and the tarsi spiny beneath. The wings are broad and entire, and the fore-wings are rectangular at the apex.
CANNA MALACHITES.
(P/a'e CXXVIIL, Fig. 3.)
Telesilla malachites, Obertlnir, Etudes d’Ent. v. p. 80, pi. 3, fig. 9 (1880).
Ca?ina splendens, Moore, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1888, p. 412 ; Butler, Ill. Lepid. Heter. Brit. Mus. vii. p. 59, pi. 128, fig. 4 (1889).
92
Lloyd’s natural history.
Diphthera malachites, Hampson, Faun. Brit. Ind. Moths, ii. p. 294 (1894).
This is a beautiful Moth, which was first brought from the Island of Askold, near the mouth of the Amoor, but it has since been found in Northern India.
The head and front of the thorax are green ; the antennae and the hinder part of the thorax are rufous, and the abdomen is white, with a tuft of stiff black hairs on the middle of the back. The fore-wings are green, with the half-line, and the two transverse lines white, more or less bordered with black. The basal and central areas are rufous, the former marked below with a black spot, and the latter containing a green spot on a dusky ring near the costa, and greatly extended in the inner margin. Towards the hind margin are two black spots con¬ taining a white dot, and bordered inside with white, and out¬ side with buff. The hind-wings are brown, more or less clouded towards the hind margin.
GENUS BANKIA.
Bankia, Guenee, Spec. Gen. Tepid. Noct. ii. p. 231 (1852).
Antennae hardly ciliated ; palpi slightly ascending, thickly scaled ; proboscis very slender. Thorax globular, thickly scaled. Abdomen long, and thicker and more obtuse in the female than in the male. Legs slender, almost bare, with rather long scales. Fore-wings oblong ; hind-wings broad, rounded, the lower discoidal nervule as thick as the sub-median nervules, and rising above them from the discoidal, which is equally thick.
THE SILVER-BARRED MOTH. BANKIA OLIVANA.
Tortrix olivana , Denis & Schiffermiiller, Syst. Verz. Schmett. Wien. p. 126, no. 1 (1776).
Pyralis bankiana, Fabricius, Spec. Ins, ii. p. 275, no 1 (1781)
BANKIA.
93
Noctua argentula , Esper, Schmett. iv. (2) i, p. 559, Taf. 163, fig- 3 (i792 ?)•
Noctua olivea, Hiibner, Eur. Schmett. iv. fig. 292 (1799?). j Erastria argentula, Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (3), p. 255 (1826) ; Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 278 (1881). Erastria bankiana , Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. p. 1 17 (1830). Bankia bankiana , Buckler, Larvae of Brit. Lepid. vi. p. 94, pi. 1 o 1 , figs. 4, 4a (1895).
The Silver-barred Moth.
The Silver-barred Moth is found in Central Europe, and in Asia Minor and Siberia. It expands about an inch.
The head and thorax are olive-green varied with white. The collar is golden yellow. The antennae are rusty brown, and the legs and abdomen brownish-grey, the latter with a yellowish anal tuft.
The fore-wings are dark olive-green, approaching brown, with two oblique silvery transverse lines, the first of which has a silvery hook representing the orbicular stigma, and the second a slight prominence representing the reniform stigma. In front of the fringes is a straight silvery line, and a small dull comma-like mark may be seen near the apex of the wings. The hind-wings are grey.
The larva feeds on various grasses, especially annual
94
Lloyd’s natural history.
meadow-grass ( Poa annua). It is yellowish-green, with a light green head. There is a dark green dorsal line, and a yellow sub-dorsal line, whilst the spiracles are flesh-coloured.
The pupa is short and stout, with two fine points at the extremity. It is at first shining drab, but by the follow¬ ing spring has become dark brownish-green. It is placed in a cocoon close to the ground.
The moth is found from June to August.
Pyralis bankiana , described by Fabricus in 1781, is certainly the present species, and is represented by a specimen in the existing Banksian Collection ; but the insect which he origin¬ ally described under the same name in his “ Systema Entomo- logiee” (1775) is something quite different.
GENUS GALGULA.
Galgula, Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. ii. p. 239 (1852);
Walker, List Lepid. Ins. Brit. Mus. xii. p. 817 (1857).
Antennae smooth, but a little thickened in the male. Palpi short, ascending, the last joint distinct and pointed. Thorax and abdomen scaly, the former long, and the latter short, and pointed at the tip in the female. Legs, slender, bare. Wings entire, smooth, silky, with rather short fringes ; the markings rather indistinct. There is no accessory cell, the sub-costal nervure forming two bifurcations opposite each other.
This genus belongs to Guenee’s Anthophilidce, which is the fourth family into which he divides his Minores.
GALGULA PARTITA.
{Plate C XX VI II., Fig. 2.)
Galgula partita , Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. ii. p. 239
(1854)-
This is a little North American Moth, which measures rather less than an inch across the wings.
EUSTROTIA.
95
The fore-wings are pale grey, with the margins marked with reddish, and the two central lines slightly visible, curved, and brownish on the inner side. Before the first line, and after the second, run rows of small black dots. The two upper stigmata are faintly visible ; they are slightly darker than the ground¬ colour, and surrounded with paler, and they are separated by a large square mark which extends to the costa. The hind- wings are pale grey, with the borders and nervures indistinctly blackish, and the fringes paler. The under side is tinged with pale brick-red.
GENUS EUSTROTIA.
Eustrotia , Hfibner, Verz. bek. Schmett. p. 253 (1822?). Hydrelia, Guenee, Ann. Soc. Ent. France, v. p. 227 (1841); id. Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. ii. p. 234 (1882).
Antennae short, hardly pubescent ; palpi short, arched, scaly, and divergent ; proboscis short. Thorax short, rounded, and thickly scaled. Abdomen obtuse and carinated in the males, thicker and rounded in the females. Legs stout with long spurs. Wing entire, rounded, with long close fringes ; fore-wings distinctly marked, with no accessory cell ; hind-wings broad, unicolorous, with the hind margin slightly waved.
Larva slender, feeding on plants growing in swampy places. Pupa contained in a slight web among grass and moss.
THE SILVER HOOK MOTH. EUSTROTIA UNCULA.
Phalcena uncula , Clerck, leones, pi. 3, fig. 7 (1759).
Tortrix uncana , Linnaeus, Faun. Suec. p. 342, no. 1305 (1761).
Noctua unca , Denis & Schiffermiiiler, Syst. Verz. Schmett. Wien. p. 91, no. 4 (1776); Esper, Schmett. iv. (2) i. p. 580, Taf. 164, fig. 7 (1793?); Hfibner, Fur. Schmitt iv. fig. 293 (1799?;-
96
Lloyd’s natural history.
Erastria utica , Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (3), p. 253 (1826) ;
Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. iii. p. 117 (1830).
Erastria uncula, Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 278 (1881).
Hydrelia uncana , Buckler, Larvae of Brit. Lepid. vi. p. 96, pi. 1 o 1 , fig. 5 (1895).
The Silver Hook Moth.
The Silver Hook Moth is common in Central and Northern Europe, Asia Minor, and Siberia. It expands about an inch.
The head and collar are reddish-grey, and the rest of the body is uniform ashy-grey. The antennae are dark brown and filiform, and the legs are grey. The thorax is not crested.
The fore-wings are nearly triangular, with the hind margin somewhat curved outwards, and the apex rather acute. The costa is narrowly ashy-grey, below which is a broad, yellowish, almost flesh-coloured, band, which runs to the apex, where it terminates in a dark spot. The inner margin also is narrowly bordered with grey, to which succeeds a flesh-coloured band. The central area is shining brown. At the base of the wings is a white nervure, usually filled up with silvery, which touches a large silvery spot with a dark nucleus in the middle of the wings. A broad transverse line, shaded with brown and silver, stretches in front of the brownish fringes, up to which the surface is uniform brown, but separated from them, first by a dark line, and then by a white one. The hind-wings are reddish ashy-grey with whitish fringes, enclosed by a double ashy-grey line.
ANTHOPHILA.
97
The moth flies in damp meadows in June and July, and is very plentiful at Killarney, and is also found in some localities in Devonshire and Cornwall.
The larva lives on grass, and especially on sedge ( Carex ). It rests, stretched out at full length, upon the blades of grass, and loops in walking. When young, it is a tiny greenish creature, with brown dots, each bearing a small fine hair. After each moult the green colour becomes more intense, and when full-grown it is slender, cylindrical, and about an inch in length. It is then velvety-green, with a yellowish-green head. There is a dark dorsal line, and a fine pale green sub-dorsal line. The spiracular line is light yellow, and broad, and on it the spiracles show brownish. The last segments are the palest, and the ventral surface is also paler.
GENUS ANTHOPHILA.
Antophila , Hiibner, Tentamen, p. 2 (1810?)
Anthophila , Ochsenheimer, Schmett. Eur. iv. p. 93 (1816); Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (3), p. 273 (1826); nec Haworth ; nec Guenee , restr.
Eromene , Hiibner, Verz. bek. Schmett. p. 256 (1822?).
Micra , Guenee, Ann. Soc. Ent. France, x. p. 224 (1841) ;
id. Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. ii. p. 241 (1852), nom prceocc. Thalpochares , Lederer, Noct. Eur. p. 43 (1857).
These are small day-flying Noctuce , which are usually scarce in collections, rather because they are likely to be over¬ looked than from their actual rarity. They are found flying in weedy places. The type of the genus is A. purpurina (Den. & Schiff.), a South European Moth ; an allied species is noticed below.
The antennae are short, and finely ciliated in the male. Palpi rather short, ascending, scaly, with the last joint distinct 16 H
9S
LLOYD S NATURAL HISTORY.
The proboscis is long, and the eyes large and prominent. Thorax globular, scaly ; abdomen nearly smooth. Fore-wings rather pointed at the tips, with distinct lines ; stigmata not conspicuous ; no accessory cell. Hind-wings rather small, and uniformly coloured.
Larva stout, tapering at the ends ; head small. Feeding on low plants, at the extremity of the stalks.
THE PURPLE MARBLED MOTH. ANTHOPHILA OSTRINA.
Noctna ostrina , Hiibner, Eur. Schmett. iv. figs. 399, 648 (1804?).
Anthophila ostrina , Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (3), p. 270 (1826); Curtis, Brit. Ent. iii. pi. 140 (1826); Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. iii. p. 119 (1830).
Trothisa ostrina , Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 282 (1881).
The Purple Marbled Moth.
This Moth is found in Southern Europe and in some parts of Central Europe, but is very scarce in England. It is also found in Asia Minor, Northern Africa, and Siberia. It expands about three-quarters of an inch.
The head and thorax are either white, varied with sulphur- yellow, or dusted with brownish or reddish. The abdomen is yellowish, pale brown, or ashy-grey, with white incisions. The antennse are pale ferruginous, and the legs are whitish.
The fore-wings are pale yellow or sulphur-yellow, with a darker yellow transverse line across the middle of the wings. There is always a black dot representing the reniform stigma,
NOCTURE QUADRIFID^E.
99
and generally another near the base. On the costa is a pale area, succeeded by another transverse line rising from a dark spot at the apex of the wings, and beyond this is a distinct white zig-zag line. The fringes are white, intersected by two fine yellow lines. The outer half of the wings is either striated with red, or with red and grey, or is simply yellowish-white. The hind-wings are yellowish-white, with white fringes, and are sometimes dusted with ashy-grey.
The larva is said to feed on the shoots of thistles.
The moth appears in June.
DIVISION II._NOCTU^E QUADRIFID^E.
Larvae with the front pairs of pro-legs generally more or less imperfectly developed, and looping in gait. They feed on low plants or trees, but never beneath the ground, or in the stems of plants.
Pupa usually enclosed in a silken cocoon ; rarely subter¬ ranean ; frequently covered with a bluish effloresence.
Imago with long ascending palpi, with the last joint long, and sometimes spatulate. Wings generally very large in pro¬ portion to the size of the body, with the median nervure generally four-branched. The hind-wings frequently participate in the markings of the fore-wings. Wings more or less expanded in repose.
This is a very large group of Noctuce , and includes the bulk of the exotic species. For this Division, I propose to follow Guenee’s arrangement almost in its entirety, for any modifica¬ tions which have been proposed have been suggested only in works dealing with local faunae.
Guenee divides the Quadrifidcz into eight tribes, of which he gives the outline sketch • —
H 2
IOO
Lloyd’s natural history.
§ Discoidal nervule variable ; wings sloping. Moths with silky wings, concolorous, or with ocellated markings. Dis¬ coidal nervule as well developed as the others ... Sericees.
Moths of small size, with angulated or dentated wings, or with metallic markings ; hind-wings differently coloured to the fore- wings, with the discoidal nervule generally less developed than the median nervules . Variegates.
Abdomen depressed ; wings clouded ; hind- wings differently coloured from the fore-wings ; discoidal nervule always less developed than the median nervules, and separated from them at its origin . Intruses.
§ § Discoidal nervule as strongly developed as the median nervules, and rising near them ; wings more or less expanded when at rest. Moths of moderate size; the fore- and hind-wings with similar colours and markings, or with considerable markings on the under side . Extenses.
Large or moderate-sized moths, the hind-wings differently coloured to the fore-wings, and most frequently of two colours.
Li mb at ce.
Moths of large size, with the last joint of the palpi long and linear ; wings broad, having similar colours and markings.
Patnlce.
Moths with the last joint of the palpi moderately long, and not spatulate ; abdomen smooth . Serpentines.
Moths resembling Pyralides , with very long palpi and long legs. Wings slender, the fore- and hind-wings with similar markings, and with distinct markings on the under surface.
Pseudo- Del to ides .
Of these eight divisions, four only are represented in Europe by a few genera and species.
EULEPIDOTIS.
IOI
I.— NOCTILE SERICE.dE.
These are pretty little moths, almost confined to tropical America. They are divided into two families, the Palindiidce , slender-bodied moths, with short and broad wings, with trans¬ verse lines or metallic markings, and angulated or sub-caudate hind-wings, with a black spot near the middle of the hind margin ; and the Dyopsidce , which have stouter bodies, and darker coloured and longer wings, with an ocellated spot near the anal angle of the hind-wings. I have figured a represen¬ tative of each of these families.
FAMILY PALINDIIDiE.
GENUS EULEPIDOTIS.
Eulepidotis , Hiibner, Verz. bek. Schmett. p. 291 (1822 ?). Palindia , pt. Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. ii. p. 274 (1852).
The head is small, and the antennae and ascending palpi are long and slender ; proboscis slender and rather short. The abdomen is smooth, slender, and rather pointed. The legs are long, with the hind tibiae somewhat thickened. The wings are broad, entire, with the hind margin of the fore-wings nearly straight, and the hind-wings broad, and more or less angulated.
EULEPIDOTIS DETRACTA.
{Plate CXXIX., Fig. 1.)
Palindia detracta , Walker, List Lepid. Ins. Brit. Mus. xii. p. 847, no. 7 (1857).
The following is Walker’s description of this Brazilian species : —
“Female. — White. Head and pro-thorax pale brown. Abdo¬ men slightly luteous towards the tip. Wings with a glaucous tinge along the exterior border ; cilia pale brown. Fore-wings
102
LLOYDS NATURAL HISTORY.
with black dots along the costa, and with two slender, testaceous, brown-bordered, bands, which are approximate hindward, and are dilated on the costa; an indistinct undulating grey line between the second band and the border. Hind-wings slightly luteous, with a black marginal line, a black posterior marginal dot, and a white stripe, which includes, near the margin, an assemblage of black points ; the latter are bounded in front and behind by some little brown lines. Length of the body, 5-6 lines ; of the wings, 12-14 lines.”
FAMILY DYOPSID.E.
GENUS LITOPROSOPUS.
Litoprosopus , Grote, Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc. ii. p. 309 (1870).
The antennae are rather short, thick, and filiform ; the palpi short, ascending, with the third joint long, smoothly scaled, and sub-spatulate ; the proboscis is unusually stout and well developed ; the abdomen is rather longer than the hind wings, and tufted at the tip. The wings are entire ; the fore-wings are long, and the hind-wings are marked with a large ocellated spot.
LITOPROSOPUS HATUEY.
{Plate CXXIX., Fig. 9.)
Noctua hatuey , Poey, Cent. Lepid. Cuba, pi. 6 (1833).
Dyops hatuey , Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. ii. p. 284 (1852) ; Walker, List Lepid. Ins. Brit. Mus. xii. p. 855, no. 3 (1857) ; Gundlach, Entom. Cubana, p. 347 (1881).
The fore-wings are reddish-brown, with rather indistinct black transverse lines, and sometimes a yellow spot at the hinder angle, marked with shining blue specks. The hind- wings are brown, yellowish at the base, and with a transverse yellowish stripe. Towards the anal angle is a sub-ocellated spot, with two shining blue spots in the centre, surmounted
N0CTU7E VARIEGATE.
103
by a red or buff crescent. The moth differs considerably in the length and breadth of the wings.
This Moth, which is a native of North and Central America and the West Indies, was first described from Cuba ; it expands from two to three inches.
II— NOCTURE VARIEGATE.
This Division, which is fairly well represented in Europe, is divided by Guenee into eight families, as follows : —
A. — Abdomen crested, or terminating in diverging pencils of
hair. Wings more or less angulated, with distinct lines and spots.
a. Abdomen crested. Hind-wings without markings, and concave, dentated, or polygonal. Antennae simple. Eriopidce.
b. Abdomen with two diverging pencils of hair at the tip.
Hind-wings with the discoidal nervure well marked. Antennae of the male ciliated for half their length . Eurhipidce.
c. Abdomen slightly crested. Wings scarcely angulated, shining; hind-wings with the median nervure three- branched.
PlacodidcE.
B. — Abdomen inflated. Wings conical, usually furnished with
one or more velvety prominences on the inner margin.
a. Larvae with the first pairs of pro-legs short or wanting.
Palpi curved, but slender. Wings often marked with metallic spots . Plusiidoz.
b. Larvae with sixteen legs. Wings with no metallic spots.
Palpi very thick . Calpidce.
c. Larvae resembling those of Noiodontidce. Wings silky,
not metallic. Antennae long, pectinated to half their length in the male . Hcmiceridcz.
C. — Wings entire, thick. Abdomen stout, conical. Palpi
straight, beak-like . Hyblccidce.
104
LLOYD’S NATURAL HISTORY.
Larvae with from twelve to sixteen legs. Abdomen depressed in the male. Wings angulated, with the orbicular stigma punctiform . Gonopteridce.
As before, we will proceed to notice some representative genera and species of these eight families. The families Calpidce , Hemiceridce , and Gonopteridce. have considerable resemblance to the Notodontidce , and have been referred to that family by some authors.
FAMILY ERIOPIDAL GENUS CALLOPISTRIA.
Callopistria , Hiibner, Verz. bek. Schmett. p. 216 (1822?);
Walker, List Lepid. Ins. Brit. Mus. xii. p. 861 (1857). Eriopus, Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (1), p. 365 (1825);
Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. ii. p. 291 (1852).
Antennae slender, pubescent in the male, frequently nodose at one third of their length. Palpi straight ; second joint broad, very hairy, third small. Proboscis short and slender ; front of the head tufted.
Body rather slender ; thorax with a bifid crest ; abdomen conical, crested at the base, and pointed at the extremity in the male. Legs clothed with woolly hair. Fore-wings dentated, with a small tuft of projecting scales on the inner margin ; hind-wings broad, with a more or less distinct concavity opposite the cell. Discoidal nervule rising from the discocellular nervule close to the cellular fold.
Larva smooth, cylindrical, with sixteen legs, feeding on low plants.
Pupa smooth, shining, subterranean.
Two species are found in Europe, though not in Britain An allied North American species is here figured.
PLATE C XXIX.
1. Eulepulo ti'S del? -arUi .
2. Phxsia micro qctrrinui
3. EuteLut ridatnoc.
A Plus if a gornrnci7 larva.
5. (a U op is tn a a rgon tiluveay
6. Herrcicercts siguJUv.
7 HybUua pttercv.
8. Gorui do ntcu cucnteptercu.
.9 Litoprosopus haiuoy.
EUTELIA.
105
CALLOPISTRIA ARGENTILINEA.
{Plate CX XIX. , Fig. 5.)
Callopistria cirgentilinea , Walker, List Lepid. Ins. Brit. Mus. xii. p. 863, no. 6 (1857).
“Male. — Ferruginous. Abdomen cinereous. Fore-wings with several undulating pale red bands ; sub-marginal line pale red, very zig-zag ; orbicular and reniform stigmata also pale red ; three undulating, transverse silvery lines ; reniform stigma in part with a silvery border ; a row of marginal black dots, with silvery lunules ; cilia with pale dots. Flind-wings cinereous red ; cilia with whitish streaks. Length of the body, 5 lines ; of the wings, 12 lines” (Walker).
FAMILY EURHIPIDFF.
GENUS EUTELIA,
Eutelia , Hiibner, Verz. bek. Schmett. p. 259 (1822?); Walker, List Lepid. Ins. Brit. Mus. xii. p. 872 (1857).
Eurhipia , Boisduval, Ind. Meth. p. 70 (1829) ; id. Gen. Ind. Meth. p. 122 (1840); Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. ii. p. 305 (1852).
Antennae dentated in the male, and strongly pubescent to the middle, and then simple to the tip ; a large tuft of hair at the base. Palpi ascending, the second joint hairy, the third long, naked, sub-spatulate. Proboscis short. Thorax crested, and with a large raised collar. Abdomen stout, conical, much longer than the hind-wings, with the terminal segments crested, and a large cottony tuft on the third segment. Tip of the abdo¬ men with six pencils of hairs, the lateral ones long and diverging. Wings slightly angulated and dentated, with very distinct markings. In repose the wings are folded and the abdomen raised.
io6 Lloyd’s natural history.
The larva is short, smooth, cylindrical, with a large head. It feeds on trees.
Pupa short, obtuse, subterranean.
The Eurhipidce are a small family, though widely dis¬ tributed. The only European species does not extend to England.
EUTELIA (?) RUFATRIX.
{Plate CXXIX., Fig. 3.)
Penicillaria (?) rufatrix , Walker, List Lepid. Ins. Brit. Mus. xv. p. 1775 (1858).
This species inhabits Jamaica.
“ Red, mostly white beneath. Antennae stout, simple. Tarsi with white bands. Fore -wings with a few curved white lines, with an oblique white band, which is widened towards the interior border, with a sub-costal black streak, and a black spot on the exterior border near the tip, which is occupied by a testaceous white-bordered spot, and with a black dot near the base of the interior border ; hind part of the exterior border very oblique. Hind-wings white, with broad red borders, which contain a short white line near the interior angle ; interior border marked with black towards its tip. Length of the body, 5 lines ; of the wings, 1 2 lines ” ( Walker).
This Moth stands in the British Museum under Eutelia , but differs from the type of that genus in its much more angu- lated fore-wings. A new genus should probably be formed for its reception.
GENUS VARNIA.
Varnia, Walker, Journ. Linn. Soc. Zool. vii. p. 69 (1863);
Moore, Lepid. Ceylon, iii. p. 66 (1884).
Dysodia , Hampson (nec Clemens), Faun. Brit. Ind. Moths, i. p. 368 (1892).
RLUSIID^E.
107
Antennae simple ; palpi ascending, scaly, rather long, and pointed at the tip. Body very stout and hairy. Abdomen conical, extending beyond the hind-wings. Wings small in comparison with the size of the body, with small transparent spots ; fore¬ wings oblong, hind-wings oval. An East Indian genus, referred by some authors to the Thyrididce.
VARNIA IGNITA.
{Plate CL V., Fig. 6.)
Varnia ignita , Walker, List Lepid. Ins. Brit. Mus. xxxiii. p. 825 (1865).
Dysodia ignita , Hampson, Faun. Brit. Ind. Moths, i. p. 368, fig. 249 (1892).
“ Deep red, very stout, brown beneath. Head and fore part of the thorax reddish-brown. Palpi smooth, stout, obliquely ascending, larger than the breadth of the head ; third joint lanceolate, about one fourth of the length of the second. Abdomen extending rather beyond the hind-wings. Wings minutely reticulated with black ; a dark reddish oblique irregular band ; fringe with a few whitish streaks ; exterior border slightly and irregularly dentate. Length of the body 8 lines; of the wings 16 lines. Ilab. Silhet ” (Walker).
FAMILY PLUSIIDH1.
Passing over the family Placodidce , which includes a few pretty Palaearctic and American species, most of which are tinged with purple or rosy, we arrive at the Plusiidce , one of the most extensive and best-known families of the Qnadrifidce. Several species are here described and figured.
ioS
Lloyd’s natural history.
GENUS ABROSTOLA.
Abrostola , Ochsenheimer, Schmett. Eur. iv. p. 88 (1816); Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. iii. p. 96 (1829); Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct. ii. p. 320 (1852).
The species of this genus are of moderate size, with the thorax tufted and the abdomen crested. The fore-wings have no metallic spots or pale lines, and no tooth on the inner margin ; but the stigmata are well-marked, and are bordered with raised scales. The larvae feed on nettles, &c., and are provided with sixteen legs, but the first pair is imperfectly developed, and they loop in walking. There is a hump on the penultimate segment. The pupae are enclosed in cocoons made of silk mixed with moss and earth.
THE LIGHT SPECTACLE MOTH. ABROSTOLA TRIPLASIA.
Noctua triplasia, Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. (ed. x.) i. p. 507, no. 118 (1758); id. Faun. Suec. p. 318 (1761).
Noctua tripartita, Hufnagel, Berlin. Mag. iii. p. 419 (1767). Noctua triplasia, Hiibner, Eur. Schmett. iv. fig. 269 (1799?). Noctua asclepiadis, Esper (nec Den. & Schiff.), Schmett. iv. (2) i. p. 616, Taf. 169, figs. 4, 5 (1793 ?).
Noctua urticce, Hiibner, Eur. Schmett. iv. fig. 625 (1804?). Plusia urticce, Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (3), p. 145 (1826). Abrostola urticce, Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Haust. iii. p. 97 (1829); Buckler, Larvae of Brit. Lepid. vi. pi. 102, fig. 1 (1895).
Abrostola tripartita, Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 261 (1881).
The Light Spectacle Moth is found through