no LLOYD'S NATURAL HISTORY. 



GENUS PLUSIA. 



Plusia, Hiibner, Tentamen, p. 2 (1810) ; Ochsenheimer, 

 Schmett. Eur. iv. p. 89 (1816); Treitschke, Schmett. 

 Eur. v. (3) p. 134 (1826) ; Guenee, Spec. Gn. Lpid. Noct. 

 ii. p. 324 (1852). 



The genus Plusia, the type of which is the Burnished Brass 

 Moth, P. chrysitis (Linn.), is represented by numerous species 

 in all parts of the world. They are moderately sized moths, 

 with the thorax and abdomen crested, and rather pointed fore- 

 wings, with metallic spots, often resembing letters ; or metallic 

 lines or blotches. There is no tooth on the inner margin, and 

 the stigmata are not bordered with raised scales. The hind- 

 wings are usually light brown, and rounded. The larvae, which 

 feed on low plants, are much attenuated in front, and the first 

 two pairs of pro-legs are absent. The pupae are soft, and are 

 enclosed in loose silken cocoons. 



Many of the moths fly by day, and often at dusk. They 

 hover over flowers, and their flight is rapid when disturbed ; 

 but much less so than that of the Humming-bird Hawk Moth 

 {Macroglossa stellatarum). (Cf. antea, vol. iv. p. 8.) 



THE BURNISHED BRASS MOTH. PLUSIA CHRYSITIS. 



Noctua chrysitis, Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. (ed. x.), i. p. 513, no. 90 

 (1758); id. Faun. Suec. p. 311, no. 169 (1761); Esper, 

 Schmett. iv. (i), p. 186, Taf. 109, figs. 1-5 (1789?); 

 Hubner, Eur. Schmett. iv. fig. 272 (1799?), figs. 662, 663 

 (1804?). 



Plusia chrysitis, Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (3), p. 169 (1826); 

 Stephens, 111. Brit. Ent. Haust. iii. p. 105 (1830); Kirby, 

 Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 263 (1881) ; Buckler, 

 Larvae of Brit. Lepid. vi. pi. 102, fig. 3 (1895). 



