CATOCALA. 441 



pale patch in cell beyond the reniforra, which has a black outline 

 and a black-edged pale patch below it ; the postmedial line highly- 

 angled and dentate, with a deep narrow sinus above inner margin ; 

 a marginal series of black an:l ochreous specks ; an indistinct 

 dentate submarginal line. Hind wing with the bands as in 

 flavescens, but blacker. Underside with the medial and outer 

 bands black. 



The form tapestrina, from Simla and Sikhim, is larger and more 

 richly coloured. Fore wing with some greenish grey round the 

 reniform, and the spot below it small. Hind wing deeper orange 

 and black. 



Hub. N. America ; Europe ; N.W. Himalayas ; Sikhim. Exn 

 54-70 millim. 



2362. Catocala distorta, Butl. ILL Het. vii, p. 77, pi. 132, fig. 4. 



Differs from nymplicea in the thorax and fore wing being duller 

 and more uniform fuscous brown; the latter not variegated and 

 without the patches in and below cell ; the postmedial line not 

 dentate, but with a deep sinus from it to below end of cell and 

 slight angle above inner margin. Hind wing with the medial 

 band narrower on disk. 



Hob. Kulu. Exp. 52 millim. 



SECT. II. Hind wing crimson. 



2363. Catocala prolifica, Wlk. Cat. xiii, p. 1211 j Butl 111. Het. vi, 



pi. 110, tig. 9 j C.fyS. no. 2280. 



Catocala afghana, Swinh. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1885, p. 352, pi. 9, 

 fig. 8 ; C. 8f S. no. 2274. 



Head and thorax brownish black, irrorated with grey ; abdomen 

 fuscous. Fore wing brownish black, irrorated with grey, and 

 suffused with black on basal, costal, and medial areas ; indistinct 

 double ante- and postmedial waved lines, the latter excurved beyond 

 cell ; traces of a submarginal line and marginal series of spots. 

 Hind wing crimson, with obliquely curved medial black band, 

 expanding into patches in parts; a marginal black band with 

 sinuous inner edge, and widest at apical area ; a white patch at 

 apex, the cilia whitish. Underside of fore wing white, with ante- 

 medial and medial black bands conjoined at inner margin ; the 

 outer area black, widest at apex ; hind wing crimson, the costal 

 area white ; the black bands as on upperside. 



The form afyhana has the head, thorax, and fore wing paler and 

 suffused with olive-brown instead of black. 



Hob. Afghanistan ; Biluchistan ; N.W. Himalayas ; Sikhim. 

 Exp. 92 millim. 



2364. Catocala nupta, Linn. Syst. Nat. xii, p. 841. 

 Catocala pacta, Hiifn. Berl. Mag. iii, p. 210. 

 Noctua concubiiia. 'Borkh. Schmett. Eur. iv, p. 21. 



