100 



This is the Agrotis subgothica of American Agricultural Publica- 

 toins, such as the 1st Missouri Report, page 82, fig. 29. It is not the 

 Agrotis subgothica of English writers, which is A. jaculifera Guenee. 

 Stephen's figure of Agrotis subgothica, Plate 22, fig. 3, and descrip- 

 tion, page 126, Haust. II, is decisive. The peculiar discoloration of 

 the reniform spot distinguishes A. jaculifera, and the paler hind 

 wings, greater extent of pallid shades on the fore wings and smaller 

 size are characteristic and are all well rendered by Stephen's illus- 

 tration. When I was in France, M. Guenee stated to me that 

 he had discovered the fact, that his Agrotis jaculifera was the same 

 as the Agrotis subgothica of English writers, and also that he 

 believed that the form now described as Agrotis herilis was a dis- 

 tinct species ; the latter contrary to the statement made in the 

 Species General. Agrotis subgothica is figured on Plate 1, fig. 11, 

 in the 1st Missouri Report correctly, but under its synonym of 

 Agrotis jaculifera, which latter name I retained for the species in 

 determining the Noctuidae of the collection of the American 

 Entomological Society, whence Mr. Riley received his determination. 

 I was not then able to examine the English authors, who first 

 noticed our species from specimens accidentally introduced into their 

 country. Mr. Riley's figures of A. herilis, above cited, have been 

 copied, with the erroneous determination, by Eastern writers. 



Agrotis sexatilisj Orote. 



5 ? . — Ocelli ; eyes naked ; all the tibiae spinose ; middle tibiae witli one, 

 hind tibiae with two pair of spurs; 3 antennae bristled, ? simple, oviduct 

 slightly produced. Ornamentation typical, in color like A. plecta, than 

 which this is a larger species. Costal edge broadly whitish in i , ashen in 

 2 , ordinary spots very large, separated, preceded and followed by black 

 scales, variable in tint. Median lines black, tolerably distinct. Internal 

 margin, from the base of the wing to transverse posterior line, broadly and 

 diffusely shaded with blackish. Subterminal space broadly shaded with dull 

 purple reddish, smooth; this tint spreads inwardly below vein 2 over the 

 median space to the prominent black-edged claviform spot. Subterminal 

 line improminent. A narrow terminal black line interspaceally accentuated. 

 Hind wings dark fuscous, without border or spot in 5 ; whitish with smoky 

 posterior shading in 5 . Beneath dusky, with very faint traces of a common 

 line and discal spots. Fringes of the hind wings above whitish with an 

 interior dusky line. 



