262 LLOYD'S NATURAL HISTORY. 



GENUS VITESSA. (PyralidcB f) 



Vitessa, Moore, Cat. Lepid. Ins. E. Ind. Co. ii. p. 299 (1858) ; 



id. Lepid. Ceylon, iii. p. 255 (1885); Walker, List Lepid. 



Ins. Brit. Mus. xxxi. p. 219 (1864); Hampson, Faun. 



Brit. Ind. Moths, iv. p. 145 (1896). 



A genus of large and handsome East Indian species, with 

 moderately long palpi, and broad wings. The abdomen is 

 expanded toward the tip, and strongly tufted. The genus is 

 of doubtful position, and should probably be placed in a 

 separate family. It was originally referred to the Lithosiida, 

 or to the Hypsidce. 



VITESSA SURADEVA. 

 (Plate CLIL, Fig. 4.) 



Vitessa suradeva, Moore, Cat. Lepid. Ins. E. Ind. Co. 

 ii. p. 299, no. 687, pi. vii. A, fig. 7 (1858) ; Hampson, 

 Faun. Brit. Ind. Moths, iv. p. 146, fig. 83 (1896). 



This Moth is a native of Northern India. It expands 

 from about two inches and a half to two inches and three- 

 quarters. 



Mr. Moore's description runs as follows : " White. Fore- 

 wings yellow at the base, with four basal spots disposed 

 in two transverse rows, a patch across the middle of the 

 wing, which encloses a white spot, and broadly along the 

 veins to the exterior margin glossy black ; hind-wings with 

 anterior margin narrowly, and outer margin broadly, black. 

 Antennae, third joint of palpi, and spots on the thorax, black ; 

 head, thorax, a large abdominal tuft, first and second joints of 

 the palpi, and femur of anterior legs beneath yellow ; abdomen 

 white, with black bands, that at the extremity being broad. 

 Legs black, spotted with white ; cilia glaucous." 



