THE GENERA OF BRITISH MOTHS, 3] 
PLATE XII. 
No. 1.—The Scarlet-Tiger (Hypercompa Dominula). No, 9,—The Caterpillar of the Wood-Tiger. 
No, 2.—The Caterpillar of the Scarlet-Tiger. No. 10.—The Ruby-Tiger (Phragmatobia Fuliginosa). 
No, 3,—The Clouded Buff (Diacrisia Russula). No. 11.—The Caterpillar of the Ruby-Tiger. 
No. 4.—The Female of the Clouded Buff. No, 12.—The Spotted Buff (Spilosoma Lubricepeda). 
No. 5,—The Caterpillar of the Clouded Buff. No. 13.—The Caterpillar of the Spotted Buff. 
No. 6.—The Garden-Tiger, or Great Tiger Moth (Arctia Caja). No, 14.—The Spotted Muslin (Cycnia Mendica). 
No. 7.—The Caterpillar of the Garden-Tiger, No, 15,—The Female of the Spotted Muslin, 
No, 8.—The Wood-Tiger (Parasemia Plantaginis). No. 16.—The Caterpillar of the Spotted Muslin, 
Wiru the genus Hypercompa, according to the arrangement [ am following, commences the second sub-family of 
Arctiide, termed the Chelonidi, from the typical genus of the group, formerly termed Chelonia, but now Arctia. It 
contains the following seven genera, the whole of the species of which are more or less conspicuous and handsome. 
The genus Hypercompa has the antenne in both sexes slightly ciliated, the body is long and somewhat 
slender, and the wings are deflexed, and yery densely covered with seales, which gives them an exceedingly soft 
and velvety appearance. 
Hypercompa Dominula (the Scarlet-Tiger, No. 1) is one of our handsomest Moths, The markings of the 
hind-wings are subject to extreme variation, the scarlet ground heing sometimes nearly or entirely merged in the 
black, in very dark specimens. The Caterpillars (No. 2), which are only slightly hairy, feed on Willow, Ash, and 
some herbaceous plants, and are found early in the season, the perfeet Moth appearing in June. It is a rather 
rare species, but occurs, though sparingly, in many parts of the country. 
The genus Diacrisia, the Huthemonia of Stephens, is distinguished from others of this sroup by having the 
anterior wings nearly of one uniform colour, The antenne of the males are slightly bipectinated, and their 
general colour is paler and yellower than that of the females. 
Diacrisia Russula (the Clouded Buff, No.3) is by no means common, but is found occasionally on heaths, 
and in open woods in many parts of the country. The Caterpillar (No. 5) feeds on Plantain, Seabious, and 
other herbaceous plants in May, and the Moth appears at the end of June. 
The genus Arctia, which gives its name to the family of Arctiide, contains two British species, both 
remarkably handsome, and the exotic species are most of them yery beautiful : it contains, in elon some of the 
most beautiful of the night-flying Lepidoptera. The antenne of the males are but slightly bipectinated, and those 
of the females only slightly toothed. The females are of equal size, or Jarger than the males. Their Caterpillars 
are coyered with fur-like hairs of various shades of brown and black, from which they have received their popular 
name of ‘‘ Woolly-bears.” 
There are about thirty European kinds, though only two British, 
Aretia Caja (No. 6) isthe well known and common Garden Tiger Moth, whose conspicuous markings seldom 
fail to attract the attention even of careless observers. The maculations hoth of the upper and lower wings are 
subject to extreme variations in this species, the upper being occasionally, though rarely, either all cream: 
colour, or entirely of the deep rich brown of the markings, while the bright scarlet of the hind-wings is somes 
times nearly absorbed in the black portions, or, these markings becoming nearly obsolete, leave the scarlet 
predominant, The Caterpillar (No. 7) is found early in June, and is a general feeder ; the Moth appears in July. 
Late broods of the Caterpillar, however, do not change the same season, but survive the winter in a dormant 
state, completing their growth in the carly spring. 
