58 ACIDALIA. By L. B. Prout. 



A. rubiginata. Variable in colour, but easily distinguished, in all its known forms, from the species 

 which most nearly resemble it in size, markmgs and structure on account of the bright, deep rufous or ochreous 

 shades which always characterize it both above and beneath, and which are always wanting in the other allies. 

 The antennal joints are not strongly thickened and the fascicles of cilia in the (J are slender and but little 

 longer than the diameter of the shaft. The (J hindtibia is moderately thickened, with a hair-pencil, and with 

 a fringe of hair-scales on the outer side, the tarsus not materially abbreviated, its length beuag almost or about 

 equal to that of the tibia. The first Ime (present, as usual, on the f orewing only) is strongly curved ; the second 

 is more gently curved near the costa of the forewing, is variable both in strength, thickness and degree of undu- 

 lation, but usually distinct; the third is nearly parallel with the distal margin and is not or only very feebly 

 denticulate; the space between these two lines is nearly always a little lighter or clearer than the rest of the 

 wing; the distal "area is usually more or less darkened, at least sufficiently to render the pale subterminal 

 ]uie well visible; the discal spots are minute, that of the forewing usually obsolete. Under surface similar, the 

 forewing without first liiae, but with a more distinct discal dot. The eggs are usually laid in heaps and in an 

 upright position and are somewhat cylindrical, but broader at the micropylar end ; they are very distinctly ribbed 

 longitudinally, the ribs numbering about 1 6, and much more finely ribbed transversely ; the micropylar end is strong- 

 ly rounded, the micropyle very distinctly stellate in form. When first laid the egg is bright green, but in a few 

 hours it changes to greenish-yellow with purple longitudinal lines. The larva is slender, slightly thicker 

 posteriorly and tapering regularly, the head notched, the skin rough; the colour is some shade of grey, with a 

 fine dark dorsal line of somewhat variable thickness, at times wideniiig ont m the middles of the middle seg- 

 ments. It has been found on thyme, heath and other plants, but is more often obtained by breeding from the 

 egg. The moth is double brooded, appearing in May and June and again in August or even September. It 

 usually frequents dry rough fields or heaths, hidmg durmg the herbage by day, but often becoming more active 

 ruHf/inato. in the afternoon. At night it is strongly attracted by light. — rubiginata Hufn. (= TuhTica.ta. Schiff. = vittata 

 Thnh. = domialla Geoff. = variata Vill.) (4h) is the ordinary European form, characterized by the purple- 

 red or red-brown colouring, which is generally very bright in freshly bred specimens, but is liable to fade. The 

 variation, apart from the shade of colour, consists chiefly in the strength and sometimes the position of the 

 median line; this is usually nearer to the outer line than to the inner, but sometimes central. Sometimes the 

 entire wmgs, exceptmg the space between the median and postmedian lines, are strongly irrorated with dark 

 scales. Second-brood specimens seem to be on the whole smaller and darker. Europe (except the Arctic 

 ochraceata. Region) to Armenia, also in the Altai, Tarbagatai and Ala Tau Mountains. — ochraceata Stgr. is an ochreous, 

 not reddish form which prevails in S.E. Russia, Transcaucasia and the Taurus, but occasionally appears also 

 haliinodren- with the type form as a more aberration, halimodrendrata Ersch. (= halimodendronata Fuchs) (4 h), which is 

 era a. ^^^so more ochreous than the type form, is distinguished further by its somewhat larger size and by havmg a 

 tinge of reddish; in Erschoff's figure, the first line on the hindwing precedes the discal spot. Represents 

 rubiginata in Western Turkestan, from the Caspian Sea to Issyk-Kul. 



lurhidarin. A. turbidaria Hbn. (= macraria Guen. = lutosata Ebr.) (4 h) is closely related to rnhiginata but differs 



in its duller colour (pale greyish ochreous, more or less densely dusted with fuscous), in having the black discal 

 spots more sharply expressed and in other slight characters. The nature of the antennal ciliations shows no 

 tangible differences and the structure of the hindleg is similar m the two species. Hubner's figure, the type 

 of the name, is scarcely recognizable, and either represents a rare aberration or possibly a distinct species. 

 But until specimens are met with similar to this figure, Herrich-Schaffer's determination should be accept- 

 ed, and it is neither necessary nor desirable to provide even^a varietal name for the ordinary form. Distributed 

 in Southern Europe and from Asia Minor to Persia. My specimens, from Turkey, are all very heavily dusted 

 with fuscous, forming a striking contrast to the follo\\ang race. Should it prove that this dark form also is 

 turhulen- localized, it will require a distmctive name. — turbulentaria 8tgr. (= coUata Warr.) is a much lighter form, 

 iaria. (.jjg fuscous dusting so greatly reduced that the colour closely resembles that of the two following. Usually, 

 however, some of the dark dusting remams m the distal area, particularly between the postmedian line and 

 the pale subterminal, which latter is thereby rendered distinct. The forewing beneath also generally remains 

 more or less infuscated. Recorded from most parts of Europe which lie south of about 40" N. lat. and also 

 habenata. from Sj^ria. According to Staudinger it possibly represents a summer form of turbidaria. — ab. habenata 

 Warr. is simply an extreme development in which the dark dusting whicli usually remaiias in turbulentaria 

 has almost entirely disappeared. 



manifesta. A. matiifesta Prout (5g). Similar to turbidaria turbulentaria but recognizable at once by the much 



larger, very striking black discal dots, as well as by the more oblique central band. Rather clear pale 

 straw-colour, with slight, sparse, minute dark speckles only visible with the lens. Markings grey, variable in 

 distinctness, but usually rather weak. First line of forewing about as in the two preceding species. Median 

 shade rather thick, but sometimes faint ; rather obliquely placed, on the forewing usually passuig close to or touching 

 the central spot distally, on the hindwing proximal to it, sometimes touching, sometimes further removed. 



