140 LEPIDOPTERA. 



Lemiodes pulveralis, Hiibner. 

 Lemiodes pulveralis, Iliibn. 109; Tr. ; Dup ; H.-S. 



The genus Lemiodes [Lemia], created by Guenee and 

 adopted by Duponcbel, seems a very natural one. It con- 

 tains but the one species now added to our British fauna by 

 the indefatigable Mr. Meek. The pubescent antennae, the 

 remarkably small head and eyes, the shortness of the middle 

 and posterior legs, &c., readily separate it from Scopula, the 

 group which comes nearest to it; indeed, it would be excusable 

 to mistake this Pt/7'alis at first sight for a geometer; Du- 

 ponchel has compared it with the " waves," and even 

 M. Guenee himself sees nothing absurd in the comparison. 

 In fact the size, shape and markings of the wings greatly add 

 to the illusion. 



The earlier stages of Lemiodes are not known, but the 

 perfect insect frequents marshy places, where tall herbs, such 

 as reeds, rushes, sedges, &c. grow, in which localities, say 

 our continental neighbours, the insect is easily disturbed by 

 day. 



Curiously enough (see Ent. Mo. Mag. vi.) this extra- 

 ordinary Pyralis was no sooner turned up in one spot than 

 it was met with in another. Mr. E. G. Meek captured a 

 specimen (a ? ) in the Isle of Wight, in company with Botys 

 Jiavalis. Soon after, his brother ''Joe" took a $ and a $ 

 at Folkestone, and a fourth (a ? ) was subsequently taken by 

 Mr. E. G. Meek in the last-named locality. 



Ljemiodes has been in our lists before, but erroneously ; 

 for though Stephens, in his " Illustrations" (Haustellata, iv. 

 55), includes it, remarking " my specimens were taken in 

 June, at Darenth Wood, several years ago ; Maldon Park, 

 G. Wailes, Esq.," he omits it from his B. M. Catalogue, 

 and refers these examples to Botys fuscalis. Now, at any 



