122 THE GENERA OF BRITISH MOTHS. 
There is a pale variety, formerly known as P. cultraria, in which the bands across the centre of the wings consist 
of two narrow lines instead of shaded bars, as in the true species. 
The genus Drepana. This genus is distinguished from the last by having the anterior wings simply 
hooked, without any minor denticulations, and they are carried erect when in repose. The males have the 
antenne more deeply pectinated than in the preceding genus. The Caterpillar is of similar character, but 
without the pointed tubercle on the last segment. There are four British species. ’ 
Drepana falcataria (the Pebble Hook-tip, No. 3). The Caterpillar of this moth feeds on the foliage of 
several trees, such as the Trembling Poplar, the Sallow, Alder, Oak, &c. The perfect insect appears in June and 
August, and is not uncommon. 
The other species are D. sicula (the Scarce Hook-tip), D. hamula (the Oak Hook-tip), which has the fore 
wings full dark brown, with two lighter bands, and a black central mark, and D. waguicula, much smaller, with 
a broad dark band across all four wings. 
The genus Cilix is strongly distinguished from either of the preceding genera by the form of the wings, 
which, instead of being hooked, are bluntly rounded. In the Caterpillar stage, however, the affinity is remark- 
ably shown in the form, which ‘is of the same lacertine, or lizard-like character as those of the other genera 
assigned to this small and remarkably distinct family. 
Cilix spinula (the Chinese Character, No. 5). The Caterpillar of this pretty moth feeds on the Black- 
thorn, and the moth appears throughout the summer, being a very common species. 
The Tuirp FAmiy of Lepidoptera Semidiurna is that of the Pyralide. The insects comprised in the genera 
grouped together in this family are all of comparatively small size ; but several of them present very heterogeneous 
features, either in the perfect or preparatory stages. The antenna are generally more or less ciliated in the 
males. The wings are placed in a triangle when in repose. The front pair of legs are often very long, and those 
of the males frequently furnished with singular brushes of hairs, capable of expansion or retention ; these are the 
Fan-footed Moths, as they are popularly called. The Caterpillars are in general long, and slightly hairy, having 
sometimes three and sometimes four pair of ventral feet : but they never assume the looping movement in 
walking, like those of the Geometride. Some of the species are what are termed Domestic Insects, being found 
in dwellings, or out-houses, and feeding upon flour, grease, &c. The Caterpillars of other species feed only on 
aquatic plants, some of them living below the surface of the water, and being furnished at the sides with a 
peculiar breathing apparatus, formed of filaments, or branchie, which perform the function of extracting oxygen 
from the water. 
The genus Hypena. This genus is at once distinguished by the elongated palpi, which have the appear- 
ance of a forked proboscis, from which this group is popularly known as ‘‘ the Snouts.” The antenne are slender, 
and pubescent in the males ; the abdomen is thin, and tufted on the first segment, and the wings are in some species 
furnished with raised tufts of scales in the centre. The Caterpillars are slender, hairy, and have three pairs of 
ventral feet. The pupa is pointed, and formed in a silken web among leaves. There are three British species. 
Hypena proboscidalis (the Snout, No. 6). The Caterpillar of this species (No. 7) feeds on Nettles in July. 
The moth appears in the following June and July, and is common everywhere. 
The other species, H. rostralis, has the fore wings much more bluntly formed at the fringed edge, and has 
a broad central dark band, bordered with lighter, im which is a small ring of white round a black dot. This 
is one of the earliest moths of the season. 
H. crassalis (the Beautiful Snout, No. 8) has the fore wings dark brown, except a bright dash of cream 
colour at the base, and a pale border, in which are cream spots, with central specks of black. It is not uncommon, 
but rather local. There are several varieties, formerly deemed distinct species. 
The genus Macrochila. In this genus the most marked character is the tuft of hairs on the front feet of 
the males. They have also very long palpi, like the preceding. The antennw are either ciliated or pectinated in 
the males : the wings are without the tufts of scales of the preceding genus. The Caterpillars have all four pair of 
ventral legs perfect. 
Macrochila cribralis (the Dotted Fan-foot, No. 9). The Caterpillar of this, the only British species, is 
unknown. The moth is taken in fens about the end of July. It has been recently observed in some abundance 
at Cambridge, and more sparingly at Wicken Fen and at Ranworth. 
