NOCTtLE VARIEGATVE. 103 



by a red or buff crescent. The moth differs considerably in 

 the length and breadth of the wings. 



This Moth, which is a native of North and Central America 

 and the West Indies, was first described from Cuba ; it expands 

 from two to three inches. 



II. NOCTILE VARIEGATE. 



This Division, which is fairly well represented in Europe, is 

 divided by Guenee into eight families, as follows : 

 A. Abdomen crested, or terminating in diverging pencils of 

 hair. Wings more or less angulated, with distinct lines 

 and spots. 



a. Abdomen crested. Hind-wings without markings, and 

 concave, dentated, or polygonal. Antennae simple. Eriopidce. 



b. Abdomen with two diverging pencils of hair at the tip. 

 Hind-wings with the discoidal nervure well marked. Antennae 

 of the male ciliated for half their length Eurhipida. 



c. Abdomen slightly crested. Wings scarcely angulated, 

 shining; hind-wings with the median nervure three- branched. 



Placodida. 



B. Abdomen inflated. Wings conical, usually furnished with 

 one or more velvety prominences on the inner margin. 



a. Larvae with the first pairs of pro-legs short or wanting. 

 Palpi curved, but slender. Wings often marked with metallic 

 spots Plusitdce. 



b. Larvae with sixteen legs. Wings with no metallic spots. 

 Palpi very thick Calptdce. 



c. Larvae resembling those of Notodontidce. Wings silky, 

 not metallic. Antennae long, pectinated to half their length in 



the male ,Hemiceridcz. 



C. Wings entire, thick. Abdomen stout, conical. Palpi 



straight, beak-like Hyblceida. 



