12 LEPIDOFTF.RA. 



tonous shades of brown and red-brown, the central band is 

 but little darker or not so at all. But the most usual varia- 

 tion, and also the most striking, which seems to accompany 

 the type everywhere, except where it supersedes it, is deep 

 ■black — wholly so — or else the thorax and ground colour of 

 the fore wings smoky-black with a deep black central band ; 

 the stigmata often not visible. In all the forms the thorax 

 follows in colour the darker portion of the fore wings ; and 

 the hind wings are darker or paler in unison. A large speci- 

 men of the typical colouring, in Mr. F. Norgate's possession, 

 has the markings grey-black, and of so bright a colour as almost 

 to appear blue, giving it a singular appearance. Various of 

 these forms were at one time named as distinct species — the 

 black, or smoky-black with blacker central baud = cethi(ypH ; 

 and a browner form with the white crescent above the anal 

 a-ngle = lairuncula ; but neither these nor the more modern 

 varietal names appear to be of any value, as having no definite 

 bounds nor accurate application, all the varieties being joined 

 together by intermediate shades. 

 On the wing in June and July. 



Larva tolerably plump ; the head has the lobes rounded 

 and is smaller than the second segment ; body cylindrical, 

 tapering a little towards the head but attenuated considerably 

 towards the anal extremity ; skin semi-translucent, nearly 

 smooth ; has a tough appearance and is clothed with a few 

 minute hairs ; ground colour dull purplish-brown ; head, 

 legs, dorsal and anal plates glossy pale-brown ; dorsal and 

 sub-dorsal stripes very distinct dull pale yellow ; there is also 

 an indication of another, much less distinct, pale line between 

 the subdorsal and spiracular regions ; there are no perceptible 

 spiracular lines ; spiracles large and very distinct, slightly 

 oblong or nearly round, intensely black ; ventral surface 

 uniformly dull pale yellow. (G. T. Porritt.) 



Besides the form here described other individuals of this 

 larva are figured by Buckler, of a delicate pale green qv 



