114 



BRITISH MOTHS 



grey colour, with two obscure dusky spots near the base, and with a curved dusky streak before, another 

 between, and a third beyond tlie stigmata, which are obscure ; the subapical bar is very much waved, and 

 bordered next the margin with paler grey. These stripes terminate on the costa in pale marks, and are 

 succeeded by several whitish dots ; the hind wings are paler, with a slight dusky marginal bar. The caterpillar 

 is dusky brown, with the head pale, and various pale, longitudinal, dorsal and lateral stripes. The perfect insect 

 has been found near Darenth, in June, by Mr. Stephens, and on Wimbledon Common, in July, by Jlr. Douglas. 



AGROTIS, OCHSENHEIMEK. 



This is one of the most difficult of all the groups of NoctuidEe, the species not only being subject to great 

 variation in colour and marking, so that they have been greatly confused, but likewise presenting such striking 

 variations in structure, as to render it difficult to form satisfactory generic characters. The palpi extend slightly 

 beyond the head, and are straight or but little elevated ; the apical joint small and oval, when denuded, 

 distinctly visible ; the scales terminating in a truncated manner at the tip. The antenuEe are long, and often 

 bipectinated in the males, the pectinations often not extending to the tip ; in other species they are only 

 thickened, and producing fascicles of hair beneath ; in the females they are simple, and pubescent on the under side. 

 The frontal tuft is thick, and exhibits several depressions ; the thorax is robust and square, with the neck and 

 tippets generally elevated ; the abdomen is rather depressed and not crested ; the fore wings are obtuse at the tip, 

 and with the apical margin entire ; when at rest they are carried horizontally on the back ; they are often orna- 

 mented with three stigmata ; the hind wings are rounded and entire, and often shining. 



The caterpillars are fleshy grubs of a livid colour, and of a subvermiform appearance, but little attenuated 

 at each extremity, with numerous small black verrucose points ; but rarely marked with stripes, and furnished 

 with a horny plate on the neck ; they feed on the roots and leaves of low herbage, hiding themselves by day 

 either under stones, &c., or in holes which they form for themselves. The chrysalides are shining, cylindric-oonic ; 

 they undergo their transformations in the earth, in a very slightly-formed cocoon. Some of the species are 

 ver)' destructive to various culinary vegetables, perforating the roots, especially those of lettuce, turnips, as well 

 as corn and grasses. 



Section 1. — Antennas more or less strongly pectinated in the males. 



DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XXIIl. 



Insects. — Fig. I. Agrotis ffiqua (tlie pearly uiiderwing). 

 " Fig. 2. Agrotis suffusa (tlie dark sword-giass). 



" Fig. 3. Agrotis scgetum (the common d.-irt). 4. The Caterpillar. 5. A dark female varietv. 



" Fig. 6. Agrotis corticea (the heart and club). 



" Fig. 7. Agrotis annexa, a female, (the tawny shoulder). 



" Fig. 8. Agrotis cinerea, male, (the lighl.feathered rustic). "J. The female. 



" Fig. 10. Agrotis lunigera. 



" Fig. II. Agrotis valligcra (the Archer's dait). 



" Fig. 12. Agrotis Radiola (the shuttle-shaped dart). 



" Fig. 13. Agrotis alpina. 



Plant. — Fig. 14. Ranunculus bulbosus (the common Crowfoot or Buttercup). 

 The whole of the genus Agrotis is comprised in Plates 23 and 24, the present plate containing all those which have the anteana; of the 

 males pectinated ; an<l the foUoniug all those where the antenna? are only ciliated. 



A. aiijua and A. Radiola are from specimens in the British Museum. A. scgetum and .\. valligcra are from specimens sent me by 



