j:^. 



217. 



CATOCALA ELOCATA. 



The Large Red Underwing. 



Order Lepidoptera. Fam. Noctuadae Leach, Lat. 

 Ttjipe of the Genus Noctua nupta Linn. 

 Catocala Schr., Och. — Blephara Hilb. — Hemigeometra Haw. — Noc- 

 tua Linn., Fab., Goda. 



Antenn(& alike in both sexes, inserted on the crown of the head 

 close to the eyes, long, slender and setaceous, externally covered 

 with scales, internally pubescent (1), with scattered bristles from 

 the middle to the apex (a) ; basal joint the largest, cup-shaped. 

 MaxillcB as long as the antennae, convoluted, setaceous, a con- 

 siderable portion of the apex ciliated with tentacula (3), 

 Labial palpiT^QXX&citdi obliquely triarticulate, densely clothed with 

 long scales, those on the 3rd J9int short (4 ) ; basal joint slightly 

 nutant and rather long, 2nd a little bent, ascending obliquely, 

 subfusiforra, 3rd not so long as the 1st, slender, elongate-ovate 

 (4a). 

 Head rather small. Ocelli, one on each side behind the antennce (7 a: 

 Jig. e, the same removed and more magnified) . Thorax large. Abdo- 

 men robust, cylindrical, attenuated, tufted on the back at the base 

 and at the tail. Wings ample slightly dejiexed when at rest, superior 

 subtrigonate. Cilia long and indented. Legs long, anterior the 

 shortest. Tibiae, anterior short, with a compressed broad spine on the 

 inside, the others spurred, the posterior with a pair towards the middle, 

 all of unequal size (8 f). Tarsi, anterior much longer than the tibice, 

 in the others of equal length, producing a double series of spines be- 

 neath. Claws bent. Pulvilli forming a lobe in the middle with a 

 slender one very much cut on each side (8 f a) . Larvae half loopers, 

 with 6 pectoral, 8 abdominal ( the two first being less perfect than the 

 others) and 2 anal feet. 

 Pupae enclosed in a loose cocoon formed between some leaves. 



Elocata Esp., Och., Goda. v. 5. p. 58. pi. 46. /. 2. — Nupta Fab. — 

 Marita et Uxor Hub. 



Yellowish gray, clouded with a blueish tint. Head thorax and 

 superior wings minutely sprinkled with black, the latter with a 

 narrow waved striga towards the base, a dark undefined band in 

 the middle on which are 2 large obscure auriculate spots, be- 

 yond which is a denticulated waved line, and nearer the posterior 

 margin a regular but somewhat obscure angulose-undulated fus- 

 cous striga, and upon the margin are 7 ochreous and black dots. 

 Inferior wings pale yellowish scarlet, with a sinuated but regu- 

 larly curved dull black fascia across the middle, tapering to the 

 abdomen ; a broad fimbria of the same colour angulated towards 

 the apex, upon the margin are a hw small and one larger yellow- 

 ish scarlet spots. 



In the Cabinet of the Author. 



