HEXIOTHIS. 8 1 



slight cocoon in the ground on July 25th, and the moth 

 emerged on August 9th. It is a common species in the 

 Southern United States, and some authors consider it to be 

 identical with the West Indian C. virescens (Fabr.). 



GENUS HELIOTHIS. 



Heliothis^ Hiibner, Tentamen, p. 2 (1810?); Ochsenheimer, 

 Schmett. Eur. iv. p. 91 (1816); Treitschke, Schmett. 

 Eur. v. (3), p. 215 (1826); Guenee, Spec. Gen. Lepid. 

 Noct. ii. p. 177 (1852). 



This genus includes species of moderate size, and of rather 

 varied colours, which fly by day. The antennae are simple 

 and pubescent, or ciliated ; the palpi ascending, and approxi- 

 mating, with the last joint distinct. The front of the head is 

 convex, and the proboscis is well-developed. The thorax and 

 abdomen are smooth and downy, and the latter is obtuse at 

 the extremity. The legs are long, and the front and hind 

 tibiae are set. with small spines. The wings are rather broad, 

 and entire, and there is a conspicuous dark band on the under 

 side of the hind-wings. 



The larvae, which are long, with a large head, feed openly 

 on low plants, preferring the flowers. Several of them are 

 noted for their cannibalistic propensities. 



The pupae are conical and subterranean. 



These moths belong rather to warm climates than to cold, 

 and several species are almost cosmopolitan, and extremely 

 destructive abroad, but very rare in England. Such are 

 H. armiger (Den. & Schiff.) and H. peltiger (Hiibner). The 

 species noticed below, which is the type of the genus, though 

 not very abundant, is less rare with us. It is found flying by 

 day in clover fields. 



16 o 



