252 POPULAR ENTOMOLOGY. 



LEPIDOPTERA. NOCTUID^E. 



SCOLIOPTERYX. 



Generic Distinctions. Antenna short, bipectinated in the male, 

 slightly serrated in the female; proboscis rather short; palpi 

 long and scaly, first joint short, the others rather long ; head and 

 thorax crested ; anterior wings deeply cut, the other pair slightly 

 dentated. 



SCOLIOPTERYX LIBATRIX. Herald Moth. The expanse 

 of the wings is about an inch and a half; the thorax and an- 

 terior wings are reddish-grey, with a red patch at the base, 

 a round white spot on the disc, and two white transverse 

 bands, from the outer edge to the apex ; the colour is grey, 

 and the red patch is sprinkled with minute yellow dots ; the 

 under wings are brownish, darker towards the hinder mar- 

 gin. The caterpillar is slender, of a green colour, with a 

 white line on each side. This beautiful Moth is very 

 abundant in the south, frequenting those neighbourhoods 

 where the willow and poplar grow, as the larvse feed on 

 those trees ; it is sometimes seen in July, but is named the 

 Herald Moth, from its appearing in profusion during 

 October, thus heralding the approach of winter. 



