THE GENERA OF BRITISH MOTIIS. 
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addition to the long dash of the colour at their back edge. It appears in August and November, and is found in 
the New Forest, in Epping Forest, and in several woody districts in the southern counties. There are above 
thirty varieties that have received names as species. The allied species, P. Hastiana, is nearly as variable, 
and both these species are closely related to Hiibner’s genus Lelectis. 
The other species are generally divided into the following sections, the first of which, agreeing with 
Hiibner’s genus Lopes, contains P. umbrana, P. maccana, and P. rufana. The second contains a single species 
(P. Lipsiana), agreeing with Hiibner’s genus Acalla. The third contains six species, agreeing with Hiibner’s 
genus Acleris, These are P. favellaceana, P. Schalleriana, P. comparana, P. permutana, P. variegana, and 
P. eristana ; all exceedingly variable, and of very difficult definition, 
The genus Paramesia. The insects assigned to this genus have the palpi very little longer than the head ; 
the fore wings of elongate proportion, less strongly arched than in Peronea at the front edge as they spring from 
the shoulder, and they are slightly concave in the middle. They have raised tufts of scales like the last genus. 
The tail of the males is tufted. There are two British species, 
Paramesia ferrugane (the Rusty Rough-wing T, No. 11). The Caterpillar of this species is pale green, 
with the head and second segment black or brownish. It feeds in curled Birch leaves in July and August. The 
There are four 
Moth is found from July to October, and sometimes in the spring, being a very common speci 
named varieties, once regarded as species. 
The other species are P. aspersana (the Red Rough-wing T), which is more strongly marked with brown, 
and the female much smaller than the male, and P, Shepherdana. 
The genus Zeras. The insects in this group have the palpi rather long ; the head is tufted in front, and 
the front wings have the unmistakable character of a semicircular notch or indent at the front edge, which 
appears artificially cut out, from which the group has received the expressive popular name of the Notch-wings. 
There is but one British species of the genus Zeras now admitted in our Catalogues, all the others being at 
present considered mere varieties, 
Teras caudana (the Notch-wing T). This curious insect, though rare near London, is tolerably common 
in the northern counties. The Caterpillar is pale green, with the head yellow. It feeds on Salloy. The 
varieties are numerous, and differ not only in markings, but even in the form and depth of the singular 
excavation at the edge of the front wing. 
The genus Cheimatophila. The insects assigned to this genus have the wings glossy, the front edge 
straight, and are further distinguished by always appearing late in the autumn, or in the winter. There is only 
one species, which varies considerably in size. 
Cheimatophila mixtana (the Winter T, No. 125). This species is taken in the New Forest and some 
other localities, late in the autumn or in mid-winter. 
The genus Dictyopteryx. The insects assigned to this genus have the palpi short, and the wings 
not notched at the front edge, but rather concave at the back. They are generally of a pale buff or yellowish 
colour with delicate pencillings. 
i Dictyopteryx contaminana (the Chequered Pebble T). The Caterpillar of this prettily chequered species 
is green with black spots ; and the head is dark brown, It feeds within the stems of rushes, upon the pith, It 
is very abundant. 
The closely allied species, D. wliginosana, with the preceding very nearly accords with the characters of 
M. Guénée’s genus Peronea ; while the two others, D. Leflingiana and D. Lorskaleana, agree better with the 
characters assigned by the same author to the genus Dictyopteryx. 
The genus Cresia. The insects assigned to this genus have the palpi longer than the head; the fore 
wings rather long ; the edge of the front wings arched in front, but nearly straight at the back. The Caterpillars 
are white, with black heads, and generally feed on the Rose, to the leaves of which they may often be seen 
suspending themselves by a silken thread. 
Cresia Holmiana (the Holmian T, No. 14). The Caterpillars of this species, Nos. 15 and 16, aro 
represented as feeding on the foliage of the Rose, or suspended from it by a web. The Moth appears in June, and 
is common everywhere. 
