232 
Mrs. T. Vernon Wollaston on 
with a number of dirty-white spots and patches. The tuber¬ 
cular spots are visible as horny warts ; and the bristle which 
they each emit is strong and erect. When quite full-grown 
the fore part of each segment assumes a much darker colour, 
causing the whole hue to be more pronounced. 
Plusia limberina , Gudn. 
This is certainly one of the most abundant Noctuas in the 
island, and it is one which is more particularly plentiful at 
intermediate altitudes. It often swarms at Plantation, fre¬ 
quenting much the same plants as its congener. In the cater¬ 
pillar-state it is especially destructive to the geraniums and 
many other low-growing garden shrubs. 
Plusia limberina occurs in Central and Southern Africa, 
and it has likewise been met with in Madagascar. 
Plusia Dalei , E. Woll. 
Expanse 1 inch 6 lines to 1 inch 8 lines. With the 
palpi slightly more compressed than in P. limberina , and 
having the wings fuller and more robust, with their outer 
margin scarcely sinuated. The fore wings of a rich mottled 
golden brown, and having a very similar silver mark on 
the disk to that of the preceding species; but the oblong 
silver spot is not generally confluent with the letter-like 
marking. There are three interrupted transverse lines, the 
first one of which is near the base and abbreviated pos¬ 
teriorly, the second midway between it and the silver 
marking, the third being beyond the reniform. Parallel 
with the outer margin is a cloudy space, more often broken up 
into two or three ill-defined blotches. Above the anal angle 
is usually a pale-coloured dash, which in rather worn speci¬ 
mens is very distinct, and gives a good deal of character, as 
it were, to the wings, causing the insect when flying to 
be readily distinguished from P. limberina. The orbicular 
stigma is not discernible; but the reniform one (which is 
obscured) is slightly outlined at its lower extremity with an 
interrupted silvery line. Hind wings smoky brown, but 
rather paler near the base. Thorax of a palish uneven brown, 
with a dark crest posteriorly. Body very pale ochreous- 
brown, and with two dark crests near the base. 
This handsome Plusia is not uncommon in various parts of 
the island. At Plantation I used often to meet with it (par¬ 
ticularly towards the evening during rainy weather), hovering 
over geraniums, and more especially over the flowers of the 
Pittosporum trees. I also have had it brought to me from the 
Barn, secured from amongst the serubwood ; so that the species 
