18 



ANACRONICTA; PANTHAUMA; XANTHOMANTIS. By W. Warren. 



16. Genus: Anacronicta gen. nov. 



Differs from Acronicta in the antennae of the o" 1 bearing short sessile fascicles of cilia; in vein 5 of 

 hindwing rising from close to 4 and equally strong; and in the eyes being hairy. — Butler made the 

 genus Aplectoides for these insects, but unfortunately named as type a North American insect, condita Gnen., 

 which is not congeneric with the Japanese insects. 



caliginea. A. caliginea Btlr. (= nitida Gvaes. nee Bt/r.) (3 k). Forewing purplish fuscous, lightened with 



ochreous grey ; reniform stigma yellowish externally, followed by a pale greyish ochreous space. Apparently 

 a common species in Eastern Asia, occurring throughout Amurland, in China, Japan and Gorea. - - Larva, 

 as recorded by Graeser, very thick, beset with long pale brown tufts of hairs, somewhat resembling those 

 of J. aceris, feeding on Epilobium angustifolium. 



nitida. A. nitida Btlr. (3k). Forewing paler than in caliginea Btlr., whitish or ochreous grey, with the 



markings clearer: a thick black streak above vein 4 from reniform stigma to submarginal line, which forms 

 moupinensis. above it a pale spot; found in Japan and W. China. — moupinensis Leech is smaller, vinous brown in 

 colour, with only the typical black markings visible; the thorax ashy grey, conspicuous from its contrast 

 with the darker wings; from Moupin, W. China. This form may be identical with the insect described by 

 Graeser as Graphiphora lichenodes (doubtfully referred by Staudinger to the genus Aplectoides Btlr.), and 

 which is said to expand 35 mm; if so, Graesers name would stand. 



obscura. A. obscura Leech (3c ?). Forewing blackish fuscous on a grey ground; no conspicuous pale space 



beyond reniform stigma; found only in Central and West China. 



17. Genus: Panthauuia Stgr. 



Antennae of d* strongly bipectinated ; thorax and palpi hairy; tongue slight; eyes naked; second 

 segment of abdomen with lateral tuft of hairs; otherwise hardly differing from Panthea Hbn. 



egregia. p. egregia Stgr. (4a). Forewing whitish grey, with a green tinge; basal third blackish, bounded by 



a jagged-edged dark fascia; inner and outer lines double; the latter starting from a black costal blotch; 

 orbicular stigma absent; hindwing dull whitish, with double dark streak above anal angle. Recorded only 

 from E. Siberia. 



18. Genus: Xanilioiiiaiitis 



gen. 



Antennal pectinations in the d 1 long and thin. Thorax and patagia hairy, tufted behind; abdomen 

 with tufts of hair on segments 2 to 6, those on 3 — 5 longest. Tongue well developed. Eyes hairy. Fore- 

 wing broad with prominent apex and oblique outer margin. 



cornelia. X. Cornelia Stgr. (= honrathi Graes.) (4a). Forewing silky blackish; the inner cross line deep 



black, dentate and distinct: the outer less plain, broader and wavy; the median shade connected with the 

 inner line before vein 2 by a small pale yellow spot. Hindwing glossy, bright yellow; a spot in the cell, 

 the narrow marginal border, and the fringes black: the fringe of the inner margin yellow. A handsome 

 species, found in E. Siberia. 



2. Subfamily: Metachrostinae. 



Like the Acronictinae the subfamily Metachrostinae is separated from the rest of the Noctuidae by the 

 habits of the larvae. These subsist solely, as far as is known, on various species of lichens, resting concealed by 

 day in holes and crevices and rambling abroad only after dark, when their food becomes softened by the dew and 

 moisture of the night. I have seen it stated that the larvae should be looked for only when the weather is wet; 

 hut it is more probable that the few individuals then seen have been driven out of their shelters by heavy rains 

 succeeding a dry spell, than that they come forth of their own accord to feed by day. Such, at least, is my own 

 experience with the two species which alone occur commonly in Britain. 



The larvae themselves are of a soft and flabby consistence, with sparse short hairs growing from the small 

 warts; feeding up in the early summer, and pupating in situ in a spun cocoon in the shelter of holes and ledges. 

 The coloration of the larvae is not protective, --a fact which affords additional reason for their nocturnal feeding: 

 but that of the imago corresponds in a remarkable manner with the different hues of the lichen-covered surface on 

 which they rest. 



Up to the present the subfamily has contained only a single genus ; the greater development of the dorsal tufts 

 in Staudingkk's Bryomoia hardly seems to warrant its separation, and I have included the only species melarhlora 

 Stgr. in Metachrostis. Until quite recently the genus has gone by the name of Bry'ophila Tr.; but the older name 

 of Metachrostis Win., revived by Mkyuick in his Handbook, appears absolutely unassailable and I have therefore 

 called the subfamily Metachrostinae. 



