62 THE GENERA OF BRITISH MOTHs. 
recently captured at Lewes, Lyndhurst, Tenterden, and Worcester ; and may generally be sought with success in 
Oak woods in the more southern counties. 
The genus Orbona may be said to be formed, like Jodia, of aberrant species of Xanthia; O. Ferruginea being 
still preserved in the genus Nanfhia by some English entomologists. The insects assigned to the genus Orlona differ 
from the Xanthie by the acuteness and other details of the fore wings, and by having the thorax scarcely crested, 
and by the greater length of the abdomen. There are two species. 
Orbona Rufina (The Flounced Rustic, No. 5) is not a rare insect. The Caterpillar (No. 6), which is reddish, 
spotted with white, with white lines, feeds on the Oak ; and the Moth is found late in the autumn. It is tolerably 
plentiful in many of the woods in the metropolitan counties, and in many other localities. 
The other species, 0. Ferruginea (the Brick), is somewhat larger, and the marking of the wings more 
distinct. It is a much more rare species, but occurs in Combe Wood, New Forest, and in other favourite localities 
of our collectors, at the same season as 0. Rujina, namely, September and October. 
The genus Atethmia is, like Jodia and Orbona, founded upon the distinct character of a species formerly 
classed with the Xunthie. It has been separated more especially on account of the different form of the dentation of 
the wings, the structure of the palpi, the unflattened abdomen, and the very distinct character of the markings. 
M. Guenée founded a genus for this insect, which he named Cirredia; but a previous name of Hubner’s has been 
now adopted. 
Atethmia Centrago (the Centre-barred Sallow, No. 7) is extremely rare. The Caterpillar is rather short, with 
grayish-brown marbled markings ; it feeds on the Oak, and also on low plants. It has been taken at Bristol, 
Cambridge, Scarborough, Worcester, York, and other places. 
Scoleopteryx is a well-marked genus, at once distinguished from all other Noctuide by the varied form of the 
fringed margin of the anterior wings. The Caterpillar is slender, and attenuated towards the head. 
Scoleopteryx Libatrix (the Herald, No. 8) is one of our prettiest and commonest Moths. The Caterpillar 
(No. 9) feeds on Willows, Poplars, and other trees. There are two broods, the April Caterpillar producing the perfect 
insect in June, and the June larve attaining their perfect state in September. Many specimens live through the 
winter, and are often found sheltering in out-houses and other convenient situations. 
The eleventh sub-family, the Gortynidi, contains but one British genus. 
The genus Gortyna is distinguished by the setaceous antenne of the male, and by the short palpi; also by the 
length and smoothness of the abdomen, which is very large in the female. The thorax is slightly crested, and the 
wings form a triangle when in repose. The larve are dull coloured, naked, and grub-like, feeding in the interior 
of the stems of plants, in which they undergo their change to the pupa gate. There are tliree species. 
Gortyna Flavago (the Frosted Orange, No. 10) is a common species. The Caterpillar (No. 11), which is of a 
dull flesh-colour, or yellow spotted with black, feeds within the stems of various aquatic and marsh plants; and 
the Moth appears in August and September. It is found where there is marsh or standing water. It is easily 
attracted and taken by the exposure of a light at night. 
Gortyna Petasites (the Butter-burr, No. 12) is a newly-discovered species, differing, as will be seen, very mate- 
rially, both in size and form, from G. Flavago. The Caterpillar is dull white, with black spots, the head, and plate 
on the anal segment brown. It has been taken in great plenty at Manchester, and one or two other localities are 
named where specimens have been captured, especially near streams, where the Butter-burr abounds, as the 
Caterpillar feeds in the stems of the plant. By some authors this species is placed in the genus Hydrever. 
The other species is G. Micacea (the Rosy Rustic). It is less than the preceding, the front wings pale rosy 
brown, the hind wings pale grayish. It is very abundant in many places, especially at Birkenhead, Brighton, 
Bristol, Burton-on-Trent, ete. 
The twelfth sub-family of Noctuide is that of the Caradrinidi, consisting of five genera, Mythimna, Meristis, 
Caradrina, Acosmetia, and Stilbia. 
The genus Mythinna is formed of insects previously included in the genus Lewcania, from which they are now 
separated in the system I am following, and by several modern entomologists, on account of the elongated body, the 
