Catocala. 269 



project a strong tooth towards the base above the inner margin, and generally two more 

 behind the reniform stigma also ; the orbicular and claviform stigmata absent, the reniform 

 stigma distinct, generally with a pale spot, bordered with black, below it ; the subterminal line 

 sometimes strongly zigzag, and sometimes indistinct ; hind-wings broad, extending about a? far 

 as the abdomen ; red or yellow, with black central or marginal bands, or black, with a bluish 

 band beyond the middle ; antennae ciliated. The larvae have the front prolegs rudimentary ; 

 the belly is smooth, and there are fleshy filaments, and often fleshy prominences on the sides. 

 They are brown or green, resembling bark, and are pale below, with dark spots. They 

 live on trees in May and June, hiding themselves in the crevices of the bark during the 

 day, but may be beaten from the trees early in the morning and in the evening. The moths 

 fly late in the evening in August and September, and may be taken at sugar ; but some 

 species may also be found resting on tree-trunks during the day, with their wings slightly 

 sloping. This genus is very numerous in species throughout the whole northern hemisphere, 

 especially in North America, where, in addition to numerous representatives of the various 

 European groups, there is a large group with black hind-wings with pale fringes, only showing 

 the characteristic markings of the genus in black and white on the under surface of the wings. 



* I. C. Fraxini (Linn.), {Cli/dcn Nonpareil). — Fore-wings bluish-grey, dusted with darker, 

 with dark double transverse lines, and a pale spot below the reniform stigma ; hind-wings 

 black, with a pale blue band. Expands from ji to 4 inches. Inhabits Central Europe and 

 Northern Asia, but a great rarity in Britain. The larva is ashy-grey, with a dark brown 

 protuberance, yellowish above, on the 9th segment. It feeds on poplar. The moth and 

 larva are figured at PL 41, Fig. 3, «, b. 



* 2. C. Niipta (Linn.), {Red Underiving). — Fore-wings varied with brown and grey, and 

 dusted with blackish, with the elbowed line strongly and irregularly dentated ; hind-wings 

 red, with a regular black border and a black central band, which is narrowed before the 

 middle, and forms a truncated rectangle in the middle. Expands about 3 inches. Common 

 throughout Central Europe and the Altai. The larva is varied with paler and darker 

 grey, with a j-ellowish prominence bordered with darker behind, on the 9th segment ; the 

 belly is blue, spotted with black. It feeds on poplars and willows. The moth is figured at 

 PI. 41. Fig. 4. 



3. C. Elocata (Esp.). — Allied to Niipta ; the markings of the fore-wings indistinct, the 

 elbowed line more evenly zigzag, and the central band of the hind-wings gradually curved, 

 and of equal breadth to beyond the middle. Size of Niipta. Inhabits the shores of the 

 Mediterranean, part of Central Europe, and the Altai. The larva is pale grey, mottled and 

 shaded with darker, with a flesh-coloured projection on the 9th segment, and a dark spot 

 behind ; belly flesh-coloured, with brown spots. It feeds on poplars and willows. {C. Dediicta, 

 Eversm., from the Ural and Altai, has pale grey fore-wings, with the transverse lines very well 

 marked ; hind-wings rosy, with a black border and central band. C. Adultera, Men., from 

 North Russia and the Amoor, has the fore-wings marked as in Elocata, but coloured as in 

 Fraxini, and the hind-wings nearly as in Nupta.) 



*4. C. Spoiisa (Linn.), {Crimson Underiving). — Fore-wings brown, varied with rust-colour 

 and grey, with an unevenly zigzag elbowed line, and whitish or yellowish spots before and 

 below the light-bordered reniform stigma ; hind-wings crimson, with the hind margin black 

 and not dentated, and a black central band, which is very strongly waved, and forms 

 nearly a rectangle above the central band, and ends before the hind margin. Expands 

 from 2\ to 2\ inches. Common in Central Europe and Northern Asia. The larva is 



