68 THE GENERA OF BRITISH MOTHS. 
P. Empyrea (the Great Angle-shades, No. 6) is one of the most striking of the recent additions to the list of 
our native Lepidoptera. It appears to be a very local species, no specimens having yet occurred except at Lewes 
and Brighton, and there in particular spots only. When the new prize was first discovered, there was a great rush 
among the professional collectors, as the insect appeared in considerable numbers in the favoured localities, and 
specimens were selling at high prices. Some curious anecdotes are related in entomological circles relating to the 
devices of the rival hunters to outwit each other, and to the occasional ruptures of the usually peaceful under- 
standing existing among naturalists, which in one or two instances amounted, as I am informed, to open war. All, 
however, eventually made good harvest, and corresponding profit ; and few cabinets are now without a specimen of 
this handsome insect. The Caterpillar, according to Dr. Boisduyal, is grayish-green, or brown, with pale lines, and 
a row of dark lozenges along the back. It feeds on several low plants, appearing to prefer the Pilewort. 
The genus Cucullia contains a numerous and well-defined series of species, forming a singularly homogeneous 
group of insects, all remarkable, both for their lance-like and elegant form, and their large size 5 and also for the 
beauty of the Caterpillars, some of which are among the handsomest in the whole family of Noctuidae. There are 
nine species, but two specimens wil] serve as sufficient types of the whole. The antennw are smooth in both sexes ; 
the body extends far beyond the wings, which are narrow and lanceolate, the hind wings being peculiarly short. 
The Caterpillars are shining, and usually prefer the flowers of the plants on which they feed. The pupa is soft, and 
enlosed in a large subterranean cocoon. 
Cucullia Verbasci (the Mullein, No. 7) is a very beautifully marked and elegantly formed insect. The 
Caterpillar (No. 8) feeds on different kinds of Verbascum, and is the only kind that prefers the leaves to the 
flowers; it is found from May to August, and the Moth appears in the following May. It is common wherever the 
Verbascum abounds. 
The species C. Serophularie (the Water Betony), C. Lychnitis (the Striped Lychnis), C. Asteris (the Starwort), 
C. Gnaphali (the Shepherd’s Purse), are all closely allied to C. Verbasci, partaking of all its peculiarities of form and 
marking, though with sufficient distinctions. 
C. Adsinthii (the Wormwood), and C. Artemisia (the Green Silver-spangle), are much more distinct, both from 
the preceding and following sections of the genus, having the wings less acute in form, while their markings are 
of a more mottled and less linear character. C. Artemisia (the Silver-spangle) is, however, very doubtful as a 
British species, the single specimen in the British Museum having been placed in that collection by Dr. Leach, 
without, as it would seem, sufficient evidence of its positive capture in England, 
C. Umbratica (the Shark, No. 9) is the type of the third division of the genus. The gray and acutely formed 
wings, with their sharp longitudinal markings, have something so Shark-like in their general aspect, that the popular 
name of this section of Cucwllia seems to be extremely appropriate. So indeed are most of the popular names of our 
native Lepidoptera, which do great credit to the observation of our unlearned collectors, who have coined such 
picturesque and highly descriptive titles for the most part without the aid of scientific acquirements of any 
kind. The Caterpillar of the Shark (No. 10), though handsome, is not so beautiful as that of C. Verbasci, and has, 
moreover, a sinister aspect that well accords with the appearance of the perfect Moth. It feeds on the Sow-thistle. 
The Moth appears in July, and is widely dispersed, and may be considered a common insect. 
C. Chamomille (the Chamomile Shark) is the other species of this last section. It is not very rare, and is 
widely dispersed, being found as far north as Edinburgh. 
C. Lactuce (the Lettuce Shark), with its handsome larva, once in our catalogue of native insects, along with 
some other allied species, are no longer considered British; and the beautiful Green Silyer-spangle must, I fear, as 
stated above, be likewise permanently erased from our native list. 
