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THE GENERA OF BRITISH MOTHS. 
PLATE XXIII. 
No. 1.—The Feathered Ranunculus (2wmichtis Lichenea). No. 8.—The Knot-Grass (Acronycta Rumicis). 
No. 2.—The Scarce Marvel of Peru (Dipthera Orion). No. 9.—The Caterpillar of the Knot-Grass. 
No. 3.—The Caterpillar of the Scarce Marvel of Peru. No. 10.—The Sycamore (Apatela Aceris). 
No, 4.—The Dark Dagger (Triena Tridens). No. 11.—The Caterpillar of the Sycamore. 
No. 5,—The Caterpillar of the Dark Dagger. No. 12.—The Miller (Apatela Leporina). 
No. 6.—The Alder (Acronycta Alni). No, 13.—The Caterpillar of the Miller. 
No. 7.—The Caterpillar of the Alder. 
Tue genus Eumichtis* contains but one British species, which has been separated from the Polie, with which it was 
formerly grouped, on account of its pectinated antennz, and some other less marked characters. Some English 
entomologists place the solitary species, E. Lickenea, in Duponchel’s genus, Epunda, along with three other British 
species, Z 
Eumichtis Lichenea (the Feathered Ranunculus, No. 1) is, in most localities, a rare insect, but has beon 
taken at Birkenhead in some numbers, and has been captured also, though sparingly, at Bristol and Plymouth. The 
Caterpillar, according to Brockholes, as cited by Mr. Stainton, is dark green, inclining to olive, with three rows of 
dusky black markings along the back, and the spiracular line green. It is suid to feed on Ragwort, and several 
other plants. 
The seventh Sub-Family of Noctuide, Bombycoidi, contains four genera, Dipthera, Triwna, Acronycta, and 
Apatela. 
The genus Dipthera is distinguished by the velvety antenne of the males, those of the female being simple, 
and by the long and rather slender palpi. The abdomen is slender, and tufted on the first segment ; and the 
fore wings are broad and beautifully marked. It is also distinguished by the hairy Caterpillars, which resemble 
those of the Arctiide. They do not burrow to undergo their transformation. There is only one British species. 
Dipthera Orion (the Scarce Marvel of Peru, No. 2) is still a rare species, though found in many widely 
distant localities. The Caterpillar (No. 3) feeds in autumn upon the foliage of the Oak, Birch, etc., and the perfect 
insect appears in the following May and June. 
The genus Zriena, of Hiibner, contains two British species, the well known Dagger Moths, which have been 
separated from the genus Acronycta, to which they formerly belonged in our arrangements, on account of the 
remarkable elevation on the fourth sezment from the head in the Caterpillar, and the distinct dagger-like markings 
of the fore wings in the perfect insect. For these reasons they were also placed in a separate genus by Guénée, 
which he termed Semaphora, The antennz are simple in both sexes, and the abdomen is not crested. The pupa 
is formed among moss, or in the crevices of bark. 
Triana Tridens (the Dark Dagger, No, 4) is the rarest of the two species, though both are common. The 
Caterpillar (No. 5) feeds on Sloe, Whitethorn, etc., in the autumn, and the perfect insect appears in the following 
May and June. The short black marks near the base of the anterior wings have somewhat the shape of a trident, 
from which it takes its popular name. It has also the marks like the Greek Psi nearer the edge of the fore wings. 
Triena Psi (the Gray Dagger) is paler than the preceding. It receives its name fiom several marks near the 
* The genus Zumichtis, in the system I am adopting, ought to have followed the genus Polia, but I have found it more con- 
yenient to describe it here. 
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