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THE GENERA OF BRITISH MOTHS. 
as they have only been taken in Scotland, more particularly at Rannoch, in Perthshire, a famous locality for other 
rare species. 
The genus Panemeria. This name, that of Hiibner’s, has been preferred to Heliodes, the name given to this 
genus by M. Guénée, on account of its priority. The insects assigned to it have the antenne short, and perfectly 
filiform. The body is slender, which distinguishes them from those of the preceding genus. The wings in repose 
lie nearly flat, instead of sloping each way. The larva is short and thick, the pupa being of similar proportion, 
and subterranean. There is but one British species. 
Puneneria Arbuti (the Small Yellow Under-wing, No. 6) is one of the commonest of the group. The 
Caterpillar is pale grayish green, with a dark dorsal line bordered with white, and other lines of white. It feeds 
on Cerastium arvense, and the Moth appears in May and June, flying by day in open situations. Bristol, York, 
Lewes, and many other places are cited as localities where it has been taken in some plenty. 
The eighteenth sub-family of the Noctwidew is that of the Acontidi, The distinctive characters of the 
group are the slender and simpfe antenne, the smooth abdomen, and the position of the wings in repose, which 
completely conceal the under pair and form a very sloping roof. The most marked characteristics are, however, 
to be found in the preparatory stage, the larvee having only two pairs of ventral legs, and being, aceording to some, 
swollen posteriorly. Only one British genus, Acontia, is assigned to this sub-family in the system I am following, 
though some add the genus Emmelia, in which the larve are also furnished with twelve legs. 
The genus Acontia is distinguished by the slender and simple antennie of the perfect insect, the smooth 
abdomen, and other characteristics of the group ; and especially by the twelve-legged structure of the caterpillars, 
a distinctive feature which is absent in one of the two British species assigned to this genus, namely in A. Luctuosa, 
an exception, which M. Guénée describes as unique among the Noctwe, and which appears sufficient to cause this 
species to be located elsewhere, notwithstanding the characteristics of the perfect insect, which so completely accord 
with those of the Continental species of Acontia. 
Acontia Luctuosa (the Four-spotted, No. 7) is a rare insect; Brighton and Lewes being the only places 
cited for its capture, with the exception of one or two solitary specimens. The Caterpillar is sixteen-legged. 
The other species in this genus is A. Solaris (the Pale Shoulder), which has the ground colour of the anterior 
wings whitish, especially at the base. The Caterpillar is only furnished with twelve legs, as in the typical insects 
of the group. 
The nineteenth sub-family of the Noctuidae is that of the Zmmelidi, The character of the markings of the 
anterior wings, and the hind wings being devoid of conspicuous bands, form the chief distinctions of the Eimmelidi 
from the preceding groups. There is but one British species assigned to this sub-family. 
The genus Emmelia. This genus has the antenne simple, and the abdomen smooth, but banded. The 
anterior wings are rather narrow, and beautifully spotted ; the hind wings being of a darkish colour and without 
maculation. The larvais slender, twelve-legged, and in repose ; the anterior segments are raised, and curved under. 
The pupa is enclosed in an earthen cocoon. 
Emmelia Sulphuralis (the Spotted Sulphur, No. 8) is one of the prettiest of the small Moths comprised 
in the group of sub-families now under description, The larva is brownish green with lighter stripes, and speckled 
with yellow. It feeds upon the wild Conyolvyulus. The Moth appears in June and July, and may sometimes 
be seen flying about thistle in blossom, in sunny places, but it is very rare. It has, however, been taken in 
Battersea fields, and several localities in Kent, as Brighton and Lewes ; Cambridge and other places are also noted 
for its capture. 
The genus Hyela, the Hydrelia of M. Guenée. In this genus the insects have the antenna short and 
slightly pubescent in both sexes, and the abdomen crested. The fore wings are slightly rounded at the tip. The 
larva is slender and has fourteen feet. There are two British species. 
Hyela Uncana (The Silver Hook, No. 9) is not an uncommon species, especially in the woods near London, 
The Caterpillar is said to be pale buff colour striped with darker, and to feed on the Bramble ; but other authorities 
