4 VARIETIES OF NOCTUJG 



less, the same localities as Solaris. It has been remarked, however, 

 that this species becomes more common as one gets south, whilst the 

 opposite is the case with its congener (solaris) " (' Noctuelles,' vol. vi., 

 p. 220). I have before mentioned Mr. Stainton's remark, that it is 

 strange that all the specimens which have at present been taken in 

 England, have been var. albicollis. Fabricius' diagnosis is : " Noctua 

 Isevis alis deflexis basi albis apice fuscis : litura duplici alba " 

 (' Mantissa,' p. 144). It is figured in Newman's ' British Moths,' p. 

 443. 



ft. var. insolatrix, Hb. Guenee treats this as a variety of albicollis, 

 Fab. and writes: "The black spots have disappeared in a great 

 measure from the disc in the upper wings and have left those areas 

 which the black spots usually occupy of an ochreous colour: the 

 black, however, remains at the apex where it forms a large spot which 

 extends on the fringe and to the inner angle before the subterminal. 

 The remainder consists only of more or less numerous small spots, of 

 which two on the costa indicate the origin of the lines. The border 

 of the inferior wings is narrower, although I have never seen it so reduced 

 as in Hiibner's figure, and there is no trace whatever of black on the 

 disc " (' Noctuelles,' vol. vi., pp. 220-221), to which Guenee adds : " It 

 is chiefly in southern countries that this variety is found, which pre- 

 sents all the essential characters of the type, and which cannot form a 

 separate species" (1. c., pp. 221). Staudinger's diagnosis is: " Al. 

 ant. fascia media subnulla flavescente " (< Catalog,' p. 131). Of 

 Hiibner's figure I made the following description : " Anterior wings 

 white, with the space between the complete basal and elbowed lines 

 yellow ; the complete basal and elbowed lines with fuscous streaks on 

 the costa and inner margin. The orbicular indistinct, renif orm reddish 

 with a white margin, the claviform reddish-fuscous ; the subterminal 

 greyish, edged with fuscous ; a fuscous apical patch. Hind wings 

 white, ochreous on margin with the outer edges of nervures fuscous " 

 (' Sammlung europ. Schmet.,' figs. 684-5). 



2. Family: Erastridce, Gn. 



Of this family Guenee writes : " The Erastrides, in the perfect 

 state, are small moths which very much resemble Geometers, but which 

 have no less the general facies and all the characters of Noctuelles. 

 The stigmata and the ordinary transverse lines are generally very well 

 marked, the abdomen carries almost always well-developed crests. 

 Lastly, the shape of the wings in repose, is that of all Noctuelles, ex- 

 cept that the upper wings, in completely covering the lower wings, 

 only form a very flattened roof. These small lepidoptera remain 

 clinging to the trunks of trees, or they are found resting under the 

 leaves, from whence they fly when the bushes are shaken. They are 

 found in almost every part of the world, and the greater part of the 

 European species is well known " (< Noctuelles,' vol. vi., pp. 224-225). 

 We have only three British species in this family. It is very much 

 restricted also on the Continent of Europe. 



Erastria, Och., venustula, Hb. 



In this beautiful species I fail to trace any noticeable variation 

 beyond the fact that the blotch on the inner margin is larger, darker, 



