ON A DELTOID MOTH NEW TO BRITAIN. 73 



somewhat darker in its ground colour than the rest, and gives 

 an idea of a slightly-defined broad transverse band or fasciae. 

 The outer margin is bounded by a broken black line, or lines, 

 and the cilee are faintly marked with alternate brown and dull 

 pale spots. The posterior wings are very slightly sinuous on their 

 outer margin, and of a uniform smoky, black-brown hue. The 

 palpi are long and rather upturned. The antennae are moder- 

 ately long and very slender. These parts, with the body, are of 

 a dull, brownish-black peppered appearance. 



The main varieties of this moth are formed by the greater or 

 less distinctness of the pale, grey, and clay-coloured markings. 

 The three figures in the Plate (fig. 1, 2, 3) represent three vari- 

 eties passing gradually from the darkest, and least strongly 

 marked to the lighest or most distinct that I have myself seen. 

 The intermediate, though not the least distinctly marked (fig. 

 2), is from the British example. The other figures are from 

 the Italian specimens. I still more distinctly marked variety is 

 represented by Hiibner (I.e., fig. 179). This species though thus 

 very variable may by readily distinguished from its nearest (at 

 present known) British ally (Hypena rostralisjnok only by its 

 more pointed upper wings, but, especially, by the strongly angu- 

 lated black transverse line near the middle of each ; the nose-like 

 point (above referred to) being a strong and characteristic 

 feature. 



Entomologists should look out for the caterpillar on Parietaria 

 officinalis (Pellitory of the Wall) on old walls, stony banks, 

 and rocks, near buildings, as well as for the moth, which would 

 probably be found in dark corners, on shady walls, in verandahs 

 and unused rooms. I have little doubt but that it will be again 

 found in this county if carefully looked out for, and very likely 

 in other parts of the south of England also. 



The example above described was found by myself towards the 

 end of September, 1884, at rest on the wookwork of a doorway 

 in a shaded place in the flower-garden at Bloxworth Rectory. 



The plate accompanying this paper has been kindly drawn 

 for me by my nephew, Frederick 0, P, Cambridge. 



