96 THE GENERA OF BRITISH MOTHS. 
The genus Aspilates, All the species in this genus have the antenne of the males pectinated to the 
tip. The fore wings are rather straight at the margin, and have a single transverse bar of a deeper colour 
than the ground. The hind wings are rounded and have but a very faint band. The Caterpillars are not 
humped, but have two points on the last segment. The Chrysalides are enclosed in an earthen cocoon. There 
are two British species, 
Aspilates gilvaria (the Straw Belle, No. 7). This pretty insect is extremely local. It is, however, found 
in many places in Kent, in some plenty, and in profusion on the downs behind Dover Castle. The Caterpillar 
is described as whitish, with a faint rosy tinge, and dorsal and sub-dorsal lines of reddish gray, and two spines on 
the last segment. It feeds on Millefoil, and the perfect insect appears in August. New localities frequented by 
this insect have been recently discovered, among which Exeter, Ipswich, and especially Box-Hill in Swrey, 
may be cited. 
The other species is A. citrarvia (the Yellow Belle), distinguished by two oblique brownish bars across 
the fore wings, and single bands strongly marked on the hind wings; but it is a very variable insect, and 
some specimens have all the wings of a pale straw colour, the hind wings being rather paler than the front pair. 
The Straw Wave, which is placed by some authors along with Aspilates, is, in the system I am following, 
placed in another genus. 
The genus Perconia. This genus contains only one British species, sérigillaria, and the characters which 
distinguish this insect from those assigned to the former genus, are principally the dentation of the hind wings, 
and some slight differences in the preparatory stages. 
Perconia strigillaria (the Grass Wave, No. 8). This common insect varies exceedingly in its markings. 
Those with only three equidistant bands were formerly made a separate genus, as Geometra respersaria ; and those 
with unequal bands, as Geometra inequaria. The Caterpillar feeds on the Broom, and the perfect insect appears 
in June, frequenting heaths, where it is very common. 
The genus Ortholitha (the Phasiane of Duponchel). The insects assigned to this genus have the antenne 
of the males only very slightly bipectinated, the palpi long, and lying close together in the form of a beak. The 
fore wings are pointed at the anterior angle, the hind wings rounded, both pair being free from denticulation at 
the margin. There is but one British species. 
Ortholitha plumbaria (the Belle, No. 10). This pretty and strongly marked insect is very common, and 
widely dispersed, It frequents heaths and woods in May, and again in August, being double brooded. The 
Caterpillar is not well known. 
The genus Lozogramma. The insects of this genus have the antenne of the male simple, and the abdomen 
long and slender ; the fore wings are rather broad at the fringed margin, and pointed at the tip ; and the hind 
wings rather rounded. The Caterpillars have not been described. There is but one British species. 
Lozogramma petraria (the Brown Silver Line, No. 11) is not a very common insect; but in June, and 
again in August, it may be taken in plenty wherever Fern abounds. 
The genus Mesogramma. The insects in this genus have the antenne simple in both sexes. The palpi 
are short ; the body is also short. The fore wings are rather triangular, the hind wings are small. The Cater- 
pillars are smooth, with pale stripes, and have ten feet. There is now only one British species allowed, though 
six were formerly assigned to the genus. 
Mesogramma lincolata (the Oblique Striped, No. 12). This is by no means a rare species. It is very 
variable, one of the varieties having been considered a species, as Phibalapteryx virgata. The Caterpillar is 
described as reddish brown, with a broad yellow line on each side, and a brown head. It feeds on Galiwn 
verwm, and the perfect insect is found from May to the middle of August, especially on heaths, where it is 
in many places abundant. 
