30 LLOYD'S NATURAL HISTORY. 



GENUS MAMESTRA. 



Mamestra, Ochsenheimer, Schmett. Eur. iv. p. 76 (1816) ; 

 Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. ii. (2), p. 127 (1825); Guenee, 

 Spec. Gen. Lepid. Noct, i. p. 188 (1852). 



These are comparatively large, dark-coloured Moths, with 

 simple antennae. The fore-wings have the hind margin 

 rounded, hardly oblique, and entire, or slightly dentated ; 

 the abdomen is stout, longer than the hind-wings, 

 crested at least on the first segment, and tufted at the 

 extremity. The larvae feed on low plants, and conceal them- 

 selves during the day. The pupa is subterranean, and 

 enclosed in an earthen cocoon, as usual in the Family. 



The most conspicuous species of the genus is here figured, 

 but the commonest and most destructive is the Cabbage 

 Moth, Mamestra brassiccz (Linn.), [which much resembles M. 

 persicarm^ but is brown rather than black, and has the white 

 mark on the fore-wings much less distinctly defined. 



THE DOT. MAMESTRA PERSICARI^. 



Noctua persicaria, Linnaeus, Faun. Suec. p. 319, no. 1208 

 (1761); Esper, Schmett. iv. (2) i. p. 390, Taf. 129, figs. 

 1-3 (1790?); Hiibner, Eur. Schmett. iv. pi. 13, fig. 64 

 (1799?) 



Mamestra persicaria* Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (2), p. 156 

 (1825) ; Stephens, 111. Brit. Ent. Haust. ii. p. 196 

 (1829); Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 227, pi. 36, 

 figs. 8, a, b (1881) ; Buckler, Larvae of Brit. Lepid. iv. 

 pi. 66, figs. 4-4 c (1891). 



The Dot is found throughout the greater part of Europe. 

 It expands from an inch and a half to nearly an inch and 

 three-quarters. 



