,.„ DRITISII MOTHS 



loO 



MECOPTERA, GlLvek. SCOPELOSOMA, Clrtis. CERASTIS, b. Boisduval. 



Like the typical CAxx, the type of this genus has the body depressed, but the fore wings are longer and more 

 oblique at the tips and are likewise deutated. The palpi are very short, with the terminal joint concealed beneath 

 the scales. The antcnnce arc setaceous, each joint producing spreading hairs beneath in the males. The curious 

 character, observed by Mr. Curtis, of two tufts of long hairs at the base of the abdomen beneath, is not, as he 

 supposes, peculiar to the type of this genus ; it is figured from another species in Kirby and Spence, vol. iv. 

 pi. 29, fio-. 21 ; and other instances are mentioned in my Modern Class, of Ins. vol. ii. p. 395. It is, I believe, 

 peculiar to the males. Hence, as well as from the hybrid nature of Jlr. Curtis's generic name, I have rejected it 

 in favour of M. Gucneo's name, Jlecoptera, proposed about the same time. The caterpillar when young resides 

 on the elm and other trees, but when older it descends the tree and feeds upon low plants adjacent ; it will 

 also devour other raterpillavs when placed together in a box. 



SPECIES 1.— .MECOPTERA SATELLITIA. I'i-ateXXX., Fig. 9. 



S.NONVME3. — PAn/. Noel. SateUltia, Linn. ; Fab. ; Hubncr ; Hawortb ; Donovan, vol. 5, pi. 168; Stepbens ; Curtis, Brit. Ent. pi. 635 ; 

 Woud, Ind. Ent. pi. 11, fig. 20S. Woc.tua transversa, Hiifuagle. 



Tiiis species measures about l^V inch in the expanse of the fore wings, which are of a reddish chestnut colour, 

 with cloudings of a richer colour ; a slender angulated dark striga is near the base of the wings, followed by a 

 nearly straight one ; beyond tliis is a dusky wave, on the outside of which is placed a small, somewhat triangular 

 white dot, accompanied by a speck of the same colour at each of its outer angles ; these vary in colour from white 

 to yellow, and even brown, and are succeeded by a waved striga, between which and the apex of the wings are 

 several alternate paler and d.-irker arched undulations. Tlic hind wings are brown, with pale cilia. The moth 

 appears in the autumn, from September to November, and the caterpillars are nearly black, with several paler 

 longitudinal streaks, and the belly brownish buff, the first segment striated with pale colour. (It is represented 

 crawling from beneath a leaf at the foot of our 30th plate.) Thej' vary, however, to green or yellowish orange, 

 with a pale dot and a white lateral line above the feet. It is not a very connnon species, but occurs in various 

 ])arts of the south of England. 



AMPHIPYRA, OciisE.NHEiMER. PHILOPYRA, .\. Guenee. 



Tins and several allied genera form a very distinct group amongst the Noctuidae, characterised by their recurved 

 palpi, corresponding with the extended genus Amphipyra, of Ochsenheimer, a name which Mr. Stephens has 

 restricted to the Noctua pyramidea, of Linuneus, which was, however, placed by Ochsenheimer amongst his less 

 typical species, his type being N. Tragopoginis ; hence has arisen some confusion in the works of Stephens, 

 Boisduval, and Gucnee. N. pjTamidea is characterised by having the palpi recurved upwards as high as the 

 top of the eyes, with the terminal joint long and acute ; the antennaj slender, and but slightly ciliated ; the 

 abdomen depressed, conical, and tufted ; the fore wings dentate at the tip, with the disk varied in its markings, 

 and the hind wings bright-coloured. The caterpillar feeds upon the leaves of forest trees, and is of handsome 

 appearance as to its colours, with a conical protuberance near the extremity of the body. 



