THE 



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quarter. Most of these have grey, reddish, or yellowish fore wings, and whitish hind wings, and the 

 abdomen is rather short. They may be met with in spring and autumn, and frequent the flowers of 

 the sallow and the ivy. One of the largest species is the Satellite (Scopelosoma satellitia), which 

 sometimes expands nearly two inches. The fore wings are reddish, and there is a white or orange 

 spot in the middle, between two small dots. The hind wings are reddish-white. The caterpillar 

 is blackish, with white lines on the back, and white spots on the sides. It feeds on a vai-iety 

 of trees, but will also devour any other caterpillars in whose company it may find itself. 



The Hadenidce are a group of Moths much resembling the Apamidte, and generally with the pale 

 subterminal line forming a very distinct W. But the beautiful Angleshades Moth (Phlogophora 

 meticulosa) is an exception. The triangular and slightly dentated fore wings are olive-brown, or 

 ochreous, varied with rosy, and the outer pale line is indistinct ; the hind wings are yellowish-white. 



The Xylinidce are a small family, including, among other genera, the genus Cucullia. The 

 Moths belonging to it are called "Sharks" by collectors, and their fore wings and abdomen are long and 

 pointed. The former are generally ochreous or greyish, with hardly any markings, the costa and 

 hind margin alone being bordered with a darker colour. In some Continental species, however, the 

 fore wings are beautifully marked or streaked with silver, and sometimes with green. These Moths 

 expand about one inch and a half. 



The Heliothidce are day-flying insects, and one of the commonest species is the Beautiful Yellow 

 Underwing (Anarta myrtilli), which is found on heaths. The fore wings, which expand about an 

 inch, are red, with white lines, and the hind wings are orange, bordered with black. Two other 

 species are found in Scotland ; but many others are found in Lapland, and other countries in the 

 north of Europe and America. Of these, some have yellow, and others white hind wings. 



Several of the Plusidte are also day-flying Moths. The well-known Gamma Moth, or Silver Y 

 (Plusia gamma), is one of these. The fore wings are violet-grey, with a silvery Y-shaped mark in 

 the middle. The hind wings 

 are of a paler grey, without 

 markings. Other species of 

 Plusia fly in the evening, 

 among which is the Burnished 

 Brass Moth (P. ckrysitis), the 

 fore wings of which are pale 

 brown, but almost covered by 

 a large irregular brassy-green 

 patch. Most of the other 

 species of the genus are either 

 marked or spotted with silvery, 

 golden, or brassy in a similar 

 manner. 



The Amphipyridce are a 

 small family with rather short 

 and broad wings ; and as the 

 British representative of it, 

 we have chosen a larger Moth 

 than any Noctuw yet noticed 



Mormo maura a dark grey insect, with blackish bands, measuring about two inches and a 

 half across the wings. It is very common in gardens on summer evenings, and often flies into 

 houses. Its flight is rather heavy, and it is called " The Old Lady " by collectors. 



The Catocalidce, so called from two Greek words, meaning " beautiful beneath," are the largest 

 and handsomest NoctiuK found in Europe. The fore wings are grey, varied with lighter and darker 

 zigzag lines and blotches, assimilating them to the appearance of the lichen-covered trunks of trees, on 

 which they prefer to rest. But the hind wings are black, with a pale blue band across, in the rare 

 Clifden Nonpareil (Catocala fraxini), while the other species have red hind wings, with black borders, 

 and a black band across the middle. They are all large insects, measuring from two and a half to 

 247 



GREAT OWL MOTH OF BRAZIL. 



