Agrotis. 203 



the stigmata stand on a more or less dark pyramid, and there is sometimes a short black basal 

 streak. Specimens with a broad whitish costa and more distinct markings belong to the variety Vitta 

 (Esp.) ; and brownish-j'ellow specimens without transverse lines, but with a black pyramid and arrow- 

 heads, belong to the vd^riety Aquiiina (W. V.). Expands from i\ to ih inches. Common throughout 

 Europe and Northern and Western Asia in July and August. The larva is shining brownish-grey, 

 with lighter longitudinal lines, and darker oblique streaks on the back. It feeds on low plants 

 till May. {A. Christoplii, Stand., from Sarepta, appears to be a variety with the antennae of the 

 male more pectinated. A. Hilaris, Freyer, from Turkey, is grey; fore-wings with the transverse 

 lines distinct, blackish, and double ; the stigmata bordered with blackish, the claviform stigma 

 long, the orbicular stigma small and round, and the reniform stigma large. A. Vitta, Hiibn., from 

 the Southern Alps, has brownish fore-wings, with a very broad white stripe, dusted with reddish 

 on the costa, whitish stigmata, with angular black spots between, and two black marks at 

 the base.) 



*Si. A. Obelisca (W. V.). — Fore-wings broad behind, brown shaded with reddish-violet; 

 ochreous-grey on the costa, with a black basal dash ; the stigmata bordered with black, and the 

 orbicular and reniform stigmata placed on a black pyramid ; the subterminal line whitish, with 

 two strong teeth in the middle, but no arrow-heads ; the transverse lines are indistinct. The 

 hind-wings are whitish, with the hind margin narrow^ly brownish, but with no central lunule ; the 

 antennae of the male are dentated. The variety Sordida (VV. V.) is unicolorous grey, with no basal 

 streak or distinct claviform stigma, and with whiter hind-wings. Expands from i^ to i^ inches. 

 Found throughout Central Europe in July and August. The larva is brownish-grey, with three 

 pale lines on the back, between and below which are oblique brownish dashes ; and a grey stripe 

 on the sides. It feeds on low plants till June. The variety Hastifcra, Donz., from the French Alps 

 and the Altai, is reddish-black, with a very distinct white costal streak ; the orbicular stigma is 

 grey, and the reniform stigmata tinted above with yellow. {A. Basigraiiuna, Staud., from Sarepta, 

 is very close to Obelisca, but the fore-wings are of a paler reddish-grey, and the claviform stigma 

 is replaced by a very distinct black line running from the base. A. Conspiciia, Hiibn., from South 

 Europe and Western Asia, is of the size of Saucia ; the fore-wings are grey, varied with brown, 

 with brown transverse lines and pale grey stigmata ; the orbicular stigma is rather large, oval, 

 and oblique; and the hind-wings are violet-brown. A. Squalida, Boisd., from South Russia and 

 Northern and Western Asia, is greyish-brown, varied with darker, with a waved line shaded with 

 darker towards the base, and the stigmata bordered with paler.) 



82. A. Riiris (Hiibn.). — Perhaps another variety of Obelisca ; fore-wings longer, unicolorous 

 yellowish-brown, or with the costa paler ; a distinct black basal streak, transverse lines, claviform 

 stigma, and black pyramid ; the subterminal line sometimes marked with small black arrow- 

 heads ; hind-wings paler, nearly pure white in the male, with no lunule on the under side ; the 

 antenna; of the male shortly but distinctly pectinated. Expands from il to 2 inches. Inhabits 

 the southern half of Central Europe in July and August. The larva is brown, with a reddish- 

 grey stripe on the back divided with paler. It lives on low plants till June. 



83. A. Ti-HX (Hiibn.). — Fore-wings yellowish-grey or brownish-grey, often suffused with 

 greenish, and dusted with rust-colour ; dark grey on the hind margin ; the transverse lines double 

 and indistinct, the elbowed line slightly dentated, and sometimes marked with black dots behind ; 

 the reniform stigma filled up with dusky ; the subterminal line faint and nearly straight, broadly 

 bordered with dusky on the costa in front ; the claviform stigma generally, and the orbicular 

 stigma and all the transverse lines frequently, absent; hind-wings white, with the hind margin 

 brownish in the female ; the collar unicolorous, and the antennae of the male serrated and ciliated. 



