NOCTU^E QUADRIFID^E. 99 



and generally another near the base. On the costa is a pale 

 area, succeeded by another transverse line rising from a dark 

 spot at the apex of the wings, and beyond this is a distinct 

 white zig-zag line. The fringes are white, intersected by two 

 fine yellow lines. The outer half of the wings is either 

 striated with red, or with red and grey, or is simply 

 yellowish-white. The hind-wings are yellowish-white, with 

 white fringes, and are sometimes dusted with ashy-grey. 



The larva is said to feed on the shoots of thistles. 



The moth appears in June. 



DIVISION II. NOCTU^: QUADRIFID^E. 



Larvae with the front pairs of pro-legs generally more or less 

 imperfectly developed, and looping in gait. They feed on 

 low plants or trees, but never beneath the ground, or in the 

 stems of plants. 



Pupa usually enclosed in a silken cocoon ; rarely subter- 

 ranean ; frequently covered with a bluish effloresence. 



Imago with long ascending palpi, with the last joint long, 

 and sometimes spatulate. Wings generally very large in pro- 

 portion to the size of the body, with the median nervure generally 

 four-branched. The hind-wings frequently participate in the 

 markings of the fore-wings. Wings more or less expanded in 

 repose. 



This is a very large group of Noctua, and includes the bulk 

 of the exotic species. For this Division, I propose to follow 

 Guenee's arrangement almost in its entirety, for any modifica- 

 tions which have been proposed have been suggested only in 

 works dealing with local faunae. 



Guenee divides the Quadrifidce into eight tribes, of 

 which he gives the outline sketch ; 



H 2 



