382 attempted division of british insects. 



Stirps. — Geometrina. 



Natural Order. — Geometrites, hoopers, or Slender 



bodies. 



Larva naked, slender, and very elongate, with four prehensile feet ; 

 in consequence of the length of body without feet, its back is 

 arched in walking. Pupa smooth, rounded ; situation of change, 

 various. Imago with antenna? tapering to a point; in the 

 males often highly pectinated ; wings ample, expanded ; body very 

 slender ; flight in the evening, silent, feathery. Geometra and 

 Phalcena of Haworth. 



Stirps. — Noctuina. 



Natural Order. — Phytometrites, Half-loopers. 



Larva naked, elongate, less slender than the preceding, with six pre- 

 hensile feet ; in walking its back is arched, but not so decidedly 

 as in the preceding. Pupa smooth, rather pointed at the tail; 

 changes in a slight web. Imago with filiform antenna; small 

 deflexed wings ; moderately stout body ; beautifully coloured : 

 often with brilliant metallic markings ; flight at all hours ; in the 

 hottest sunshine, and at midnight. Plusia, Ophiusa, Heliothis, 

 Acontia, Erastria, Phytometra, c &c. 



Natural Order. — Noctuites, Full-bodied Moths. 



Larva generally naked, cylindrical, robust, with ten prehensile feet; d 

 rolls in a ring when touched. Pupa smooth ; mostly changes in 

 the ground. Imago with filiform antennas ; occasionally pec- 

 tinated in the males ; wings small, deflexed ; body stout and 

 heavy ; colour dusky ; flight very rapid ; nocturnal. Brepha, 

 Catocola, and the Noctuidce. Noctua and Hemigeometra of 

 Haworth. e 



Stirps. — Phal^enina. 

 Natural Order. — Arctiites, Millers. 



Larva very hairy ; sometimes with bunches, brushes, or fascicles of 

 hairs ; with ten prehensile legs ; rolls in a ring when touched. 



c This order corresponds with the genus Phytometra of Haworth ; as he 

 appears to have been the first, and indeed nearly the only author who considered 

 it as decidedly distinct from the Noctuites, I have adopted his name. 



d Eight only in a few. 



e The genus Hemigeometra of Haworth, including Brepha and Catocala, differs 

 in having larger wings, a more slender body, brighter colours, diurnal flight, and 

 a half-looping larva : it may possibly, hereafter, form a distinct order, under the 

 name Catocalites. The Geometrites and Noctuites still require subdivision. 



