252 '.SOME ACCOUNT OF THE LEPIDOPTERA ROUND EXETER, 



which were found walking along the road near Exeter. Pygoera Bucephala, 

 (Buff-tipped Moth.) — This very beautiful and distinct species is rather common 

 in the caterpillar state, feeding on the leaves of elms; the perfect insect is 

 rarely to be taken on the wing, consequently the best way to have good 

 specimens, is to rear them. 



Gerura vinula, (Puss Moth,) is by no means common; I think it may be 

 on account of the district being rather bare of willows — its favourite food, 

 that is in the caterpillar state. The Figure of Eight Moth, (Diloha coeruleo- 

 cephala.) — This is not a common Moth, and a very good thing too for our 

 gardens, as the caterpillars are very destructive to our apple-trees, etc. 

 Glesiocampa castrensis, (Gi-ound Lackey.) — I have only taken one specimen 

 here. GUsiocampa neustria, (Lackey Moth,) is much too plentiful; I hav3 

 now two broods in my garden, one on a laurel-tree, the other on a scarlet- 

 thorn. Saturnia Pavonia minor, (Emperor Moth.) — This is a rare insect about 

 here; I have seen but one specimen, and that was bred from a chrysalis found 

 at Exraouth two years ago. Lassiocampa Quercus, (Oak Egger Moth,) is by 

 no means common. Lassiocampa Trifoli, (Grass Egger Moth,) is very rare; 

 I have only seen two specimens, which are in my cabinet. Odonestis 

 potatoria, (Drinker Moth,) is an abundant species, particularly the males — 

 you may take ten males to one female I believe; generally speaking, I think 

 the males of this species vary more in their colouring than any other insect 

 which I am acquainted with; for should you take ten males you will scarcely 

 find two alike. The Light Tussock Moth, (Dasychira pudibunda,) is fre- 

 quently to be met with. The beautiful White Satin Moth is very rare; I 

 have only seen one specimen, and that was taken in Matford lane, July, I80O: 

 it is now in my cabinet. 



The very beautiful and rare Moth, the Clouded Buff, (Diacrisia Pussula;) 

 I have only seen one specimen, which I took on Haldon in 1851. I brushed 

 it out of the furze bushes on the heath. The Garden Tiger Moth is tolerably 

 plentiful, as is also the Cream-spotted Tiger Moth, {Arctia villica,) which has 

 been very common this spring about Exeter, The Large Ermine IMoth, 

 {Spilosoma Menthastri,) is an abundant species; also the Spotted Buff Moth, 

 {Spilosoma lahricipeda.) The beautiful Spotted Muslin Moth, {Cycnia mendica,) 

 is not common, though I have seen several specimens taken here, Gallimorplia 

 Jacohceoe, (Cinnabar,) is very abundant; it has been particularly so this spring, 

 A most beautiful variety I found this morning on the Topsham road; it 

 is larger than the generality of specimens, but unfortunately the two anterior 

 wings have got the posterfbr part of them torn away, I suppose from a horse 

 or some one havinjr trod on it. The antennae are much shorter — about half 

 the usual length, and the same size throughout. The anterior wings are 

 about the same colour as G. Jacohcece, but the red stripe which runs along 

 the ^interior margin is part of it buff in my variety, (or species;) the two 

 spots on the outer edge are shaded with buff. The posterior wings are 

 beautifully marked, and quite perfect; the ground colour is about the same 



