38 LLOYD'S NATURAL HISTORY. 



GENUS AGROTIS. 



Agrotis, Hiibner, Tentamen, p. i (1810?); Ochsenheimer, 

 Schmett. Eur. iv. p. 66(1816) ; Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. 

 v. (i), p. 125 (1825); Guene, Spec. Ge"n. Lpid. Noct. 

 i. p. 257(1852). 



This genus includes a great number of species, in which 

 the fore-wings are rather long, with the claviform stigma well 

 marked. The hind-wings are broad, of an iridescent grey or 

 whitish colour, and are folded beneath the fore-wings, which 

 slightly overlap above them. We will notice two species, 

 one of which is the commonest and most destructive species 

 in Europe ; while the other, which is very similar to some of the 

 larger European species, forms an important article of food 

 with some Australian tribes. 



THE COMMON DART. AGROTIS SEGETUM. 



Noctua segetum, Denis & Schiffermiiller, Syst. Verz. Schmett. 



Wien. p. 81, no. 12, and p. 252, no. 3, Taf. la, fig. 3, 



Taf. ib, fig. 3(i776). 

 Noctua fuscosa, Esper, Schmett. iii. (i), p. 324, Taf. 64, fig. 4 



(1782 ?) 



Noctua segetis, Hiibner, Eur. Schmett. iv. fig. 146 (1799?) 

 Agrotis segetum, Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (i), p. 155 (1825); 



Stephens, 111. Brit. Ent. Haust. ii. p. 115 (1829); Kirby, 



Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 204, pi. 36, fig. 7 (1880); 



Buckler, Larvae of Brit. Lepid. v. pi. 71, figs, i-i b (1893); 



Barrett, Lepid. Brit. Isl. iii. p. 228, pi. 125, figs, i-i g 



(1896). 



The Common Dart, or Turnip Moth, is common in Europe 

 and Northern Asia. It measures from an inch and a quarter 

 to an inch and three-quarters across the wings. 



