85 THE YOUNG COLLECTOR'S 



NoctucB ; their caterpillars feed on the roots of plants, and are 

 often very destructive. Most of the species of Agrotis have 

 brown fore wings, and brown or white hind wings ; but the 

 genus Triphcena, including the Yellow Undervvings, has brown 



Yellow Underwing (Trij>hana Orlona). 



fore wings, and yellow hind wings, with a black border. These 

 moths may often be met with by day in dark corners, among 

 long grass, or strawberry beds, etc. 



The species of Cticullia, belonging to the family Xylinidce, 

 are brown or grey moths, called " Sharks " by collectors. 

 They have rather long, narrow, and often pointed wings, and 

 long bodies. They expand nearly two inches, and fly over 

 flowers in the evening ; but their long, simple antennae, which are 

 not thickened in the middle, will at once prevent any danger 

 of their being mistaken for small Sphingida, to which they have 

 some outward resemblance. 



The Gamma Moth (Phtsia Gamma) > belonging to the family 



Gamma Moth (Plusia Gamma). 



Plusida, is one of our commonest Noctua, and is, perhaps, the 

 most frequently observed of any, as it flies over flowers by day 

 as well as at dusk. It has violet-grey fore wings, in the middle 



