ti4 LLOYD'S NATURAL HISTORY. 



case of hibernated specimens, the moth appears in a fortnight 

 or three weeks. 



The larva has not proved injurious in Britain, but has been 

 so at times on the Continent, when it has appeared in large 

 numbers. 



PLUSIA MICROGAMMA. 



(Plate CXXIX., Fig. 2.) 



Noctua microgamma, Hiibner, Eur. Schmett. iv. fig. 698 



(1818?) 



Plusia microgamma, Treitschke, Schmett. Eur. v. (3), p. 198 

 (1826) ; Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 266 

 (1882). 



This species is a native of Eastern Europe, and is also 

 found in some parts of Germany. It expands about an inch 

 and a quarter. 



It is pale ashy-grey. The fore-wings are divided into three 

 areas by two silver transverse lines bordered with blackish. 

 The basal area, the costa, and the upper part of the marginal 

 band are very pale. The first transverse line first becomes 

 distinct below a whitish nervure, after which the central area 

 is darker. On this part stands a silver mark like a comma, 

 one of the arms of the usual y mark being wanting. There 

 are two stigmata towards the pale costa, of which the 

 orbicular is oval and indistinct, and the reniform is bordered 

 with black, with a silver centre. The marginal area is 

 broad, with a metallic lustre, and is darkest towards the sub- 

 marginal line. This is dull white, moderately curved, with 

 two obtuse teeth in the middle. Beyond this there are no 

 markings as far as the fringes, which are striped with dark and 

 light grey, and bordered with two white lines. The hind- 

 wings are pale yellow with a broad black marginal band, and 

 yellow and black fringes. 



