50 STIGMATOPHORA. By Dr. A. Seitz. 



itself also shows some affinity to them. Among the Noctuids they seem especially to be connected with 

 ^arrothripa and Earias through the Nolinae, and with the Acronyctids through the Arctiinae. 



Nearly all true Lithosiinae are small moths; the majority of the Palearctic species are small, and 

 it has also been found on reconsideration that certain conspicuously large exotic species are better placed 

 into other groups. The largest of the I'alearctic species is Oenistis quadra, which is exceeded in size b\- 

 only very few Exotics. 



Head widest transversely, usually with the frons flat and covered with appressed scales, with dot-like 

 and stronglj- convex eyes, and without ocelli; antennae very slender, hair-like, soft and very fragile; palpi 

 not extending far beyond the head, generally short and upturned. Tongue variable, usually strong. Thorax 

 short and stout, with strongly curved back, which is usually smoothly sealed and often ornamented with 

 metallic or brightly coloured spots or dots. Legs strong, the coxae often very long. Abdomen in the (J 

 slender, in the $ sometimes club-shaped, usually not extending beyond the anal angle of the hindwing, 

 and often not even reaching it. Forewing frequently linear with a very long inner margin; hindwing often 

 very large, proportionately larger than in any other Lepidopteron. When the insect is at rest the hind- 

 wings are folded radially like a fan, and the forewings shifted so far one over the other that the costal 

 margins of both wings are almost parallel and the shape of the insect becomes linear. The venation varies 

 considerablj' in the different groups. Areole of the forewing present or not; on the hindwing the neuration 

 is sometimes reduced to only two veins, this being almost unique among Lepidoptera. 



The colouring of the Lithosiinae is predominantly yellow, white or pink. The forewing sometimes 

 bears bright-coloured or black dentate transverse hnes, and often a broad costal stripe. Tlie hindwings 

 are nearlj' always unicolourous, at most there are small dark bands or marginal spots; the underside is 

 generally without markings. 



The larvae are as yet but very little known. They live on the trunks of trees and rocks, under 

 wall-stones, etc., where they generally feed on lichens. As the latter often grow singlj- and very far apart, 

 the larvae, when they have finished one plant, are compelled to search for another, and to that end they 

 are often enabled to travel very fast. On bare rocks in Australia I frequently found the larva of Eutane, 

 which is common there, running about with remarkable agility in order to get at the lichens, which grew 

 far apart, so as to avoid any considerable period of abstinence. Other species which feed on lichens, as 

 for instance 0. quadra, are also able to live on the leaves of trees so that they do not die of hunger when 

 lichens are scarce. 



The larvae are uniformly cylindrical, often with a comparatively larger head than the true Arcti- 

 inae; rows of warts bearing stiff bristly hairs along the back. Many of the larvae of Lithosiinae lie 

 concealed in crevices of tree-trunks in day-time, others run about in the burning sun-shine searching for 

 food. The pupae are found in crevices of bark, or under stones, often a large number together, lying in a 

 light cocoon or even only supported by a few threads. In the Palearctic region the moths have only one 

 brood, but this often extends over months. They rest on leaves and flowers, especially on Scabious, and 

 when touched frequently drop off to conceal themselves in the grass; many obstinately feign death. Most 

 of the species are common, but only very occasionally occur in abundance. They fly by day as well as 

 by night, and the larger species appear sufficiently protected by the exudation of the oil-glands of the thorax. 



1 . Genus : Ntiglliatophora Stgr. 



Frons very broad and flat, eyes very far apart, antennae filiform; thorax with smooth scaling, 

 hairy anteriorly and on the tegulae. Hindtibiae rather thick, with long spurs; abdomen of the $ club- 

 shaped. Wings, broad, especially the hindwings. Eight species in Palearctic East Asia and tfhe 

 neighbouring districts of India, with red or yellow to white ground-colour, not rare in July on downs and 

 grassy forest-roads. — Larva on lichens growing on stones. 



mtcans. S. tnicans Brem. & Grey (11 a). Forewing white edged with orange-yellow, and with rows of 



distinct black dots, one before the margin, with the dots close together, two through the centre; a black 

 spot at the base. Hindwing ivory-yellow, also edged with orange-yellow, usually with irregular dark dots 

 before the margin. In the whole of North Asia, from the Altai to the Amur, in Corea, North and Central 

 albosericea. China, southwards to Shanghai, where it is represented by the form albosericea Moore, which is distingu- 

 ished from the first-described form by almost white hindwing. Larva full-grown 4 cm. long, very slender, 

 blue-grey, with pale yellow spots and dots, which replace the ground-colour above the feet. A broad 

 stripe on the back composed of yellow spots. Head slightly heart-shaped with brown mouth (Graeser). 

 It lives until the beginning of July on mossy stones, and pupates in a silky cocoon, the pupa being 

 stumpy and yellowish brown. The moth in Juh' and August, in rocky places, common in many localities. 



flara. S. flava Brem. & Greij (= ochracea Led., sinensis Walk.) (11 a). Botli wings uniforndy orange- 



yellow, hindwing without markings, forewing with three rows of black dots as in micans, but the dots 



