ISO BRITISH MOTHS 



cilia is brown with a rosy tinge, and the hind wings are pale brown, with the margin more dusky. Rare but 

 found in Kent and Essex, as well as in Norfolk, at the end of July. 



SPECIES 2.— MIANA STRIGILIS. Plate XXXVIII., Fig. 2, 3, 4. 



Noctua (Erata^ Esper. 

 Noctua merelricula, BorkhauscD. 



Noctua JEthiops, Haworth ; Stephens ; Wood, Ind. Ent. 

 fig. 276. 



Synonymfs. — Phalcena Noctua strigiliSj Linn.; Fabr,; Treit- 

 sclike ; Hawortli ; Stephens; Wood, Ind. Ent. pi. 13, fig. 274. 



Noctua prtEdiincuta, Wien. Verz. Ilubner ; Haworth, 



Noctualatniticula, Hiworlh; Hiibner; Stephens; Wood, Ind. Ent. 

 fiff. S/S. 



Tiiis very variable species measures about an inch in tlie expanse of the fore wings, which in some individuals 



are much mottled with grey, black, and olive brown, especially towards the base ; the apical portion, beyond the 



third ordinary striga, being almost white, except along the margin. Such specimens constitute the typical variety, 



N. strigilis. Others having the wings almost of a uniform reddish brown, with darker inarkino-s, the central 



portion being darkest, have been named N. latruncula ; whilst some are so uniformly brownish black, that they 



have obtained the name of N. TEthiops. These leading varieties (to which a number of intermediate ones mio-ht 



be added) are represented in our figures 2, 3, and 4. In all these we find the basal portion exhibiting indications 



of the two anterior strigre, more or less distinct, and edged with black ; the costa is also varied with darker dots. 



The stigmata are pale and distinct, the space between them dark, with black lines, and behind them is a forked 



black line, connecting the second and third strigEe, the latter being much curved, and formed of a series of minute 



black arches. The fourth striga is distinct and undulating, and the margin marked with a row of black dots. 



In the dingy varieties the terminal striga is of a rusty tint. This is rather a common species, flying in the months 



of .June and July, and being widely dispersed. The caterpillar is dcS' -ibed as ashy white, with a dorsal and two 



lateral lines of violet and black spiracles, vpith the head small and yellowish brown. It has been found by 



Mr. H. Doubleday, who at first regarded it as that of one of the Tortrices, which it much resembles ; they 



feed on grass, nettles, sallows, &c., and produce the different varieties described above, proving the identity of the 



species. 



SPECIES 3.— MIANA HUMERALIS. Plate XXXVIII., Fig. 5, 6, 7, 8. 



Synonymes. — Noctua humeralis, Haworth ; .Steplictis ; Wood, I Noctua bicoloi-ia, Borkiiausen. 

 Ind. Knt., pi. 13, fig, 277. Noctua terininalis, Haworth ; Stephens j Wood, Ind. Ent. pi. 13, 



iVoc(!(a /«n(Hfu/o, HUliner; Treitschke ; Duponchel ; Boisduval ; 278. 



IJoiibleday. i Noctua mrata, (variety) Esper. 



This is another extremely variable species, generally rather smaller than tiie preceding, measuring from ten to 

 twelve lines in the expansion of the fore wings, which in the typical variety have the basal half brown-coloured 

 (•r blackish, with clouded markings, whilst the apical portion is ashy white, with the apical margin brown, through 

 which runs the terminal undulating striga ; in this variety the antennae are brown, and the posterior wings brown 

 with the base ashy. In other varieties the general colour of the wing is more uniform, and either pale reddish 

 brown or dull straw-coloured, with the central portion darker and bearing the characteristic markings; others, again, 

 have the wings reddish, with the apical margin blackish and undulated, and withred dish antennse ; in all, the 

 anterior stigma is remote from the base of the wing, and very oblique : and the posterior one is of moderate size, 

 and is generally followed, especially towards the hinder margin of the wings, with a pale striga, and there is a 

 marginal row of black dots : the hind wings vary in tint, according to that of the fore wings, but Lave the 

 margin duskj'. 



This is a rather common species, especially along the southern coast of England and the Isle of Wight, where 

 I have taken the typical variety in profusion. It occurs also in other and distant parts of the country. 



