60 LLOYD'S NATURAL HISTORY. 



with the abdomen rather slender, pointed, and furnished with 

 an ovipositor in the female. The wings are usually orna- 

 mented with sharply-defined markings, and are sloped very 

 much when the insect is at rest. 



The larvae are rather brightly coloured, and roll themselves 

 up in the leaves of trees, like those of Tortrices. Some, like 

 certain of the Orthosiincz, are called " Cannibals " by 

 collectors, for they are very fond of attacking and devouring 

 other larvae. 



The moths, which appear in July and August, fly actively 

 at dusk. 



GENUS COS MI A. 

 Cosmia, Hiibner, Tentamen, p. i (1816); Ochsenheimer, 



Schmett. Eur. iv. p. 84 (1816); Treitschke, Schmett. 



Eur. v. (2), p. 379 (1825); Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. 



Noct. ii. p. 8 (1852). 



The species of Cosmia are comparatively small Noctucz> 

 with simple antennae, approximating and slightly ascending 

 palpi, a short proboscis, smooth thorax, and a moderately 

 slender abdomen as long as the hind-wings. The wings are 

 rather long and broad, and the fore-wings are marked with 

 oblique or angulated pale lines, often rising in pale spots on 

 the costa. 



The larvae are smooth, with well-marked incisions, and live 

 in a bunch of leaves drawn together with silk. The pupa is 

 very tapering at the tip, and is found between leaves, or in a 

 cocoon on the surface of the ground. 



THE LESSER-SPOTTED PINION. COSMIA AFFINIS. 



Noctua affinis, Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. (ed. xii.) i. (2), p. 848, 

 no. 144(1767); Esper, Schmett. iv. (i), p. 414, Taf. 134, 

 fig. i (1790?); Hiibner, Eur. Schmett. iv. fig. 201 (1799?). 



