MOTHS. 195 



Hydrocampa Nymphceata, Linn., is an example of a small family 

 of Pyrales whose caterpillars feed on water-plants; it is brown 

 with white spots, and is common everywhere near water. 



Margaronia, Hiibn., includes species of moderate size (from an 

 inch to an inch and a half in expanse), and generally of a pure 

 white or green colour, with a yellowish line running along the 

 costa of the fore wings. 



Botys, Latr., is a genus of very great extent, but the species 

 are not very varied, being generally of a grey or yellow colour. 

 The Small Magpie Moth (Botys Urticata, Linn.), which is common 

 among nettles, is an exception, being white, with two marginal 

 rows of almost confluent black spots, and some tawny and black 

 spots towards the base of the fore wings. Botys Amplalis, Gu6n., 

 is a yellow South American species, with black and brown 

 markings, and a purplish blotch towards the tip of the fore wings. 



Megastes Grrandalis, Gu6n., is a large species more resembling a 

 Noctua than a Pyralis ; it is brown, with semi-transparent markings, 

 and is found in South America. 



Scoparia, Haw., is a large genus of rather small grey species, 

 with brown markings; they are generally found resting on the 

 trunks of trees, on walls, etc. 



SUB-SECTION VI. Cramli. 



Wings long (fore wings narrow, hind wings broad) and folded 

 round the body in repose ; palpi long ; antennae, legs, and abdomen 

 long and slender. 



The larvae of the first family (the Galeriidce) are parasitic in 

 the nests of bees. ApJiomia Sociella, Linn., one of the commonest 

 species, is brown, with the costa broadly green ; it expands about 

 an inch and a half. This family is of very small extent. 



The Phycidce, or Knot-Horns, derive their name from the 

 males of several species being provided with a conspicuous tuft 

 near the base of the antennae. Zophodia Convolutella, Hiibn., figured 

 as an illustration of this family, is grey, with two zigzag white 

 lines, broadly surrounded with blackish, on the fore wings. Its 

 larva lives between leaves of bramble and gooseberry, but feeds on 

 the unripe fruit. It is, however, not a very abundant insect on 

 the Continent, and is unknown in Britain. 



The Cliilonidw are a small family of long- winged brown or grey 

 moths, the larvae of which feed in the stems of the reed and of 

 other water-plants. 



