90 BRITISH MOTHS 



with a small black V-likc mark in the centre towards the costa ; the veins are luteous ; the antenna; have the 

 rays yellowish ; and tlie thorax and abdomen are wliite (or deep tawny or fulvous, as described by Mr. Haworth). 

 The caterpillar is dirty reddish or brown, with eight tufts on the back, of which the two anterior and three 

 posterior are whitish. It feeds on the lime, and the moth appears in the middle of August. The chrysalis is 

 green, with a l)lack spot on the thorax. The species is extremely rare in this country ; but has been found near 

 Darenth, Kent. 



STILPNOTIA *, Westwood. (LEUCOMA, p. Stephens. LIPARIS, p. Boisduval.) 



If any weight is to be given to the peculiarities in the larva state in the determination of the genera of this 

 family, Bombyx Salicis, Linn, must be separated from the preceding, as its caterpillar is destitute of tufts of 

 hairs on the back, in which respect it approaches Porthesia ; but the abdomen of the perfect insects of that 

 genus are tufted, and the entire habit is different, B. Salicis having long satin-like semi-transparent wings, the 

 anterior pair of which exhibit a character which I do not find in any of the adjoining groups, namely the greater 

 distance of the terminal branches of the subcostal vein from the costa, and the much greater length of the 

 terminal branclilet (as clearly represented in our figure 2) ; whereas in the other adjacent Arctiidse the terminal 

 branchlets are so close to the costa that the apical one is almost obsolete. The palpi are very short and pointed. 



SPECIES 1.— STILPNOTIA SALICIS. Plate XVIII., Fig. 2, 3, 4. 



SvNONYMEs. — I'halcena (Bombi/,i) Salicis, Linnaius ; Albin, pi. 84, fig a— d ; Wilkes, 21, pi. 41 ; Ilurris, Aurelian, pi. 5 ; Donovan, vol. 1, 



pi. ;U1 ; Stephens (Leucoma S.) ; Wood, InJ. Ent. t. 7, fig. 64. 



This species measures from I^ to 2 inches in the expanse of the wings, which are of a pure white colour, and 

 glossy, like satin ; the branches of the antennas black ; the body black, thickly clothed with white hairs ; and 

 the legs wliite, with black rings. 



The caterpillar is pilose and black, with a row of white dorsal patches, and small red lateral spots. The 

 chrysalis is black, clothed with long white hairs, and inclosed in a semi-transparent cocoon. The caterpillar feeds 

 on willows and poplars in June ; and the moth, which is extremely abundant, appears in July. 



PORTHESIA t, Stephens. (EUPROCTIS, Hubner.) 



Like Stilpnotia, the caterpillars of this genus are destitute of dorsal tufts ; but have long whiskers, or pencils 

 of hairs, at the sides of the head. The moths have short opaque glossy wings ; the abdomen tufted in both sexes, 

 but more especially in the female; the down at its extremity being employed to envelop the eggs when deposited; 

 the antenna; are short, and the legs very downy. The fore wings in the males differ in colour on the two surfaces. 



SPECIES 3.— PORTHESIA CHRYSORRH.EA. Platk XVIII., Fig. 7 and 8. 



?u(U .^a^' Synonymes. — Phalama {Bomhii.r)cliriisorrha:a, humxHs; Albin, 1 Donovan, l,pl. 10; AVood, !nd. Ent. t. 7, fig. 65 — 65. 

 pi. 87, fig. e— i ; Wilkes, pi. 59 ; Harris, Aurelian, pi. 25, fig. p— 3 ; | Bomby.v aarijiuus, Esper ; Haworth (male). 



This species varies from 1} to l± inch in the expansion of its wings, which, as well as the body, are of a pure 

 white ; the branches of the antenna3 and tail golden-coloured. The male differs in having the under side of the 



* Derived from the Greek, in allusion to the shining wings of the moth, 

 t Derived from the tireck, and alluding to the destruction often produced b_v the caterpillars. 



