158 THE GENERA OF BRITISH MOTHS. 
antenne simple in the male, often having a tuft of scales near the base; labial palpi generally long and porrected ; 
the anterior wings slightly folded in repose, but not so much as those of the typical Crambide. The Caterpillars 
feed either in the stems or on the foliage of plants. Those of a few of the species preferring dried animal substances. 
They generally spin a silken gallery to protect the course of their ravages. 
The genus Nephopteryx. The general characters assigned to this genus are, antennz of the males curved at 
the base, and haying in the curve a tuft of long scales. The fore-wings are moderately narrow with distinct markings 
of astriped character ; but the only two British species differ so much that they are placed in two distinct sections 
of the genus, A. Dioryctria and B. Nephopteryx. Both these species as well as many others of the Crambidae 
are popularly known as ‘‘Horns” or Knot-horns, from the length and conspicuous character of the palpi, and 
the knot-like appendage of scales at the base of the antenne. 
Nephopteryx Abietella (the Pine Knot-horn, No. 2). The Caterpillar of this species, according to Zeller, 
is pale dull pinkish, grayer on the back, or sometimes greenish ; the spots are reddish brown. It feeds in Fir 
cones and decayed wood in November and December. The Moth appears in June, and appears to be rather widely 
distributed though not common. It has been recently taken at Scarborough, York, and other places. This 
species belongs to the division Dioryctria. 
The other species, NV. Roborella, belongs to the second division (Nephopteryx). It is a later species than 
the other, not appearing before August. There are two very distinct varieties of this genus formerly named 
N. legatea and N. cristea. 
The genus Eurhodope. The only British species assigned to this genus has the antenne partially clothed 
at the base with long scales, and also strongly curved. The palpi are rather long, and point upwards. The fore- 
wings are oblong, and partially folded in repose. Some authors place species assigned to this genus in the genus 
Pempelia, 
Eurhodope carnelia (the Rosy Veneer, No. 3). The Caterpillar of this pretty species is unknown. The 
Moth appears in July, and seems to frequent the coasts ; itis however rather rare. It has been taken recently 
at Dover, and at Ventnor. There is a variety formerly known as the Phycis carnea of Treitschke, and the number 
of synonyms by which the species has been known would fill a page of this work. 
The genus Pempelia. In this genus the perfect insects have the labial palpi as long as the head. The 
maxillary palpi scarcely visible. The antenne of the males are setaceous, and in some species having tufts of 
long scales near the base. The body is rather robust, and the fore-wings are folded when in repose. There are 
seven British species. 
Pempelia Betule (the Birch Knot-horn, No. 4). The Caterpillar of this species, according to Zeller, is 
nearly black, with two pale yellow lines down the back, and a pale line of the same colour at the side. It feeds 
on Birch in May and the Moth appears in June and July. It is a rare species. It was formerly taken in 
Darenth Wood, and more recently near Manchester, and at Bristol. 
The other species are, P. ornatella, P. dilutella, P. hostilis, P. fusca, P. formosa and P. palumbella. 
Among these P. dilutella found in chalky places, and the rosy tinged P. formosa are most likely to attract the 
attention of collectors ; fusca and palwmbella are found in high and heathy situations. 
The genus Acrobasis. The insects assigned to this genus have the labial palpi rather short, and pointing 
upwards. The antenne of the males have a large tuft of long scales at the inside of the base. The fore- 
wings are folded in repose. There are eight British species, distinguished principally by the different colour 
of the basal portion of the wings. 
Acrobasis tumidana (the Warted Knot-horn, No. 5). The Caterpillar of this species, according to 
Treitschke, is dusky purple with many slender white stripes, and a broad lateral stripe of white marbled with pale 
brown. The head and second segment are brown spotted with black. It feeds on the foliage of the Oak in 
May and June. The Moth appears in July and August. It is rather rare, but has been taken recently at Bristol, 
Lewes, Lyndhurst, and other places. This species may be easily distinguished from the others of the genus by the 
orange tone of the basal portion of the anterior wings. 
The other species are A. consociella, and A. angustella, the first having the anterior wings reddish gray, 
and the second of nearly the same tone as the rest of the wings ; the wings being at the same time narrower than 
in the two other species. 
