78 The Butterflies and Moths of Teneriffe. 



The caterpillar is brown, and it feeds on a variety of low- 

 growing plants in the barrancos, and may also be found 

 on the potato. It commences to appear in the early 

 spring. 



PLUSIA AURIFERA. 



Plate IV.— Fig. 6. 

 This moth is closely allied to the Chrysitis, which is 

 found in England, differing, however, in the shape of 

 the gold markings.* The fore-wings have a bright 

 golden marginal band of varying width across them, 

 from the apex to the base. It is found in rough places, 

 and can be easily netted when hovering over clover- 

 flowers or similar low-growing herbage at dusk. The 

 hind-wings are grey-brown, shading off to a lighter tint 

 towards the body. The antennae are long and fine. 

 The caterpillar feeds on the tobacco-plant, and is found 

 in barrancos, but it is most usually met with on potato- 

 plants ; it envelops itself in a leaf, drawing it together 



* Alphoraky describes the Indian variety Chrysitina as a. Teneriffe 

 moth. 



