h 



VOL. XXII. LONDON, JUNE, 1890. No. 6. 



THE NOCTUID^ OF EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA 



COMPARED. 



(Seventh Paper.) 



BY A. R. GROTE, A. M., BREMEN, GERMANY. 



We have now passed in brief review the bombyciform Noctuidte, or 

 Thyatirince, and the typical JVoctuidce, or Noduhice ( Noctuce Jion/asciatce ). 

 The former group differs in certain details of the neuration, and the ques- 

 tion comes up as to the value of this character for classification. In all 

 other respects, this small assemblage of moths must be considered as be- 

 longing to the JVoctuidce. The palpi, though short, have the Noctuid 

 form. The'eyes are sometimes naked, sometimes hairy. The legs, though 

 somewhat short, are not unlike those of other owlet moths ; the fore pair 

 have a tibial epiphysis so far as known to me. The fore wings are sub- 

 triangular with pointed apices. The resemblance to the Notodontince is 

 seen in the neuration of primaries where vein five is intermediate, though 

 this vein is sometimes wanting in the Bombycid group. But in Nolaphana, 

 which Fitch considered a Tortricid, Zeller at first a Nolid, vein five seems 

 also intermediate. This character of vein five of fore wings is, perhaps, 

 of more value than the variations of the secondary costal veins. The 

 difference in the position of vein seven of hind wings is, perhaps, not so 

 important when we see that, in Stilbia and Rivula, vein eight springs 

 from seven, the upper margin of the median cell. This is also the case 

 with Cerathosia, and we may briefly consider the position of this moth. 

 The name is derived apparently from the Greek Keras, a horn, in allusion 

 to the clypeal tubercle perhaps ; and t/iosia, whatever that may be, I 

 know not. It looks like a piece of Lithosia, a name derived from the 

 Greek lii/ios, a stone, so that it might seem as though Mr Smith intended 



