252 POPULAR ENTOMOLOGY. 



LEPIDOPTERA. NOCTUHLE. 



SCOLIOPTERYX. 



Generic Distinctions. Antennae 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 

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

 base, a round white spot on the disc, and two white trans- 

 verse 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 

 margin. 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. 



