THE GENERA OF BRITISIE MOTHS. 69 
PLATE XXVIII. 
No. 1.—The Pease-blossom (Periphanes Delphinii). No. 8.—The Purple Shades (Zuchaleia Illustris) 
No. 2.—The Caterpillar of the Pease-blossom. No. 9.—The Caterpillar of the Purple Shades. 
No. 3.—The Flax Moth (Calophasia Linavie). No. 10.—The Silver ¥ (Plusia Gana). 
No. 4.—The Caterpillar of the Flax Moth. No. 11.—The Caterpillar of the Silver Y. 
No. 5.—The Purple Cloud (Actinotia Perspicillaris). No. 12.—The Burnished Brass (Plusia Chrysitis). 
No. 6.—The Spectacle (Abrostola Urtice). No. 13.—The Caterpillar of the Burnished Brass. 
No. 7,—The Caterpillar of the Spectacle. 
Tur genus Periphanes. The insects of this genus have the antenne slightly pubescent in the male, and 
simple in the female ; and the palpi short and entirely clothed with hair. The thorax is crested, and there is a 
crest on the first segment of the abdomen. The fore wings are slightly faleate at the tip, and are shaded with 
delicate tones of a rich purplish pink. The Caterpillar resembles those of the Cucullie, proving the affinity of 
_ the two genera. The pupa is subterranean, enclosed in a slight cocoon. Hiibner’s term, Periphanes, has been 
preferred to the Chariclea of Stephens, on account of its priority. 
Periphanes Delphinii (the Pease-blossom, No. 1) is one of the most lovely of our native Moths, but 
unfortunately one of the most rare. The Caterpillar (No. 2) feeds on the seeds of the Larkspur. The perfect 
insect has been captured near Windsor ; at Chelsea ; and in Bulstrode Park. 
The genus Calophasia has the antenne very slender, and simple in both sexes. The abdomen slightly 
depressed and not tufted ; the fore wings are of somewhat short proportion. The larva is slender and attenuated 
at each end. The pupa is generally attached to the stem of a plant, and enclosed in a stiflly woven cocoon. 
Calophasia Linarie (the Flax Moth, No. 3) is as rare as the preceding ; the only well authenticated cap- 
tures being the specimens received by the late Mr. Stephens, from Woodside, near Epping. The Caterpillar 
feeds on the flowers of the common Toad Flax (Linaria vulgaris). 
The genus Actinotia. The insects assigned to this genus have the antenne slender and simple in both 
sexes ; the abdomen slightly crested and not depressed. The wings are moderately long, and the fringed edge 
slightly toothed. The Caterpillars are night feeders upon low growing plants, especially the Starwort. They 
have the fore part of the body attenuated, and the head very small. The pupa is subterranean. Hiibner's 
name, Actinotia, has been preferred to the Cloantha of Boisduval, on account of its priority. 
Actinotia Perspicillaris (the Purple Cloud, No. 5) is another very rare British insect. It appears in June, 
and a specimen was taken at that season in a garden at Yarmouth in 1841. Another specimen has since been 
taken in a spider’s web, at Ashford, Hants. 
The sixteenth sub-family of the Noctwide is that of the Plusidi, containing three genera; Abrostola, 
Buchaleia, and the typical genus, Plusia. 
The genus Abrostola. The insects assigned to this genus have the antenne slender and simple in both 
sexes, and the palpi much elevated. The thorax has a double crest. The wings are glossy but dingy in colour. 
The Caterpillar has the foremost pair of the ventral legs imperfectly developed, thus forming a very natural link 
with those of the Plusiw, or semi-loopers, which have only two pairs of pro-legs. The pupa is enclosed in a 
cocoon of silk and moss. 
Abrostola Urtice (the Spectacle, No. 6) has received its popular name from the rather unusual light- 
coloured marks towards the base of the anterior wings, which, joined as they are by a dark wavy line across the 
