Plusia. 261 



composed of silk and moss. The moths appear from May to July, and fly at dusk, 

 resting on tree-trunks, &c., during the day. They expand from \\ to \\ inches. 



* I. A. Triplasia (Linn.). — Fore-wings dark grey, varied with brownish-yellow in the basal 

 and marginal areas, the subterminal line marked with black arrow-heads in front below the 

 tip. Common in Europe and Northern and Central Asia. The larva is green or flcsh-colour, 

 with a white line on the sides, with white oblique dashes above it on the segments after the 

 7th, a pale longitudinal line above on segments 2 — 4, and on segments 5 and 6 a black 

 raised triangular spot, bordered with paler. It feeds on nettle. The moth is figured at PI. 39, 

 Fig. 10. 



2. A. Asckpiicdis (W. V.). — -Fore-wings dark grey, varied with rosy-grey in the basal and 

 marginal areas, with a fine black line at the base of the fringes, bordered outside with pale 

 pink, and with fine black nervures behind it ; and the fringes are also spotted with pale 

 pinkish-grey. Inhabits many parts of Central Europe. The larva is bluish-white, with many 

 black dots, and a broad yellow stripe on the sides. It feeds on Cynancliuiu vmcetoxkiun, and 

 hides itself carefully during the day. 



*3. A. Tripartita (Hufn.), Urticce (Hiibn.), {Spectacle Motli). — Fore-wings dark grey, varied 

 with greenish-wliite in the basal and marginal areas ; the subterminal line is marked below the 

 costa with black arrow-heads in front, and is bordered with deep black behind ; there is a black 

 line A the base of the unicolorous fringes. Common in the greater part of Europe and Northern 

 Asia. The larva resembles that of Triplasia, and has two white lines on the back of segments 2 

 and 4, and slender white and green lines above the feet ; it feeds on nettle. 



GENUS III. — PLUSIA (OCHS.). 



Fore-wings with a long curved or arched hind margin, contracted towards the hinder angle ; 

 the fringes are entire, seldom slightly waved, and generally form a slight pointed projection at the 

 hinder angle. The fore-wings are often metallic, or marked with shining metallic spots resembling 

 a letter ; hind-wings brownish-grey, often lighter towards the base, and occasionally yellow, with 

 a black border. The palpi are strongly developed and erected, and the hair in front of the thorax 

 forms a collar which covers the base of the scapula;, and is distinctly separated from them at its 

 edges. The abdomen extends considerably beyond the hind-wings. The larvae have twelve legs, 

 and are very slender in front and thicker behind, with a few fine hairs. They feed by day, often 

 between leaves spun together, and undergo their transformations in a loose cocoon. The moths 

 fly over flowers, some in the hot sun, and others at dusk or at night. In the first four species the 

 scapulae project behind, and in the others they are depressed ; the palpi in the first two species 

 are sickle-shaped, and the last joint is very long and pointed ; in the rest of the genus they 

 are shorter, with the last joint rounded. The genus Plusia is very extensive, and has numerous 

 representatives all over the world, all of which have a strong family likeness. 



I. P. Moncta (Fabr.). — Fore-wings pale golden-grey, varied with whitish-violet on the hind 

 margin, with dark double slightly-dentated transverse lines, and a brown central shade. The 

 broad border of the orbicular stigma and a curve below it, yellowish silvery ; hind-wings thinly 

 dusted with grey. Expands from \l to if inches. Inhabits the greater part of Europe, except the 

 north-west, and Northern Asia in June and July, and again in September, chiefly in mountainous 

 districts. The larva is grass-green, with white dots, a dark line on the back, and a white one 

 on the sides. It lives on monkshood from autumn to June. 



Z. P. C. aiireum (Knoch), Concha (Fabr.). — Fore-wings violet-brown, with the transverse lines 



