444 LEPIDOPTEKA. 



into three nearly equal parts by two transverse bands, each 

 composed of two wavy dark brown lines; in the middle 

 space are situated the two ordinary spots, together with a 

 third oval spot, which touches the anterior band ; these spots 

 are encircled with dark brown, and the kidney-spot bears a 

 dark brown lance-shaped mark on its hinder part ; the hind- 

 most third of the wing is crossed by a broad pale band, aiid 

 is ornamented by a narrow wavy or festooned line, and 

 several small blackish spots near the margin. The hind 

 wings are pearly white, and semitransparent, shaded behind, 

 and veined with dusky brown. The thorax is brown or 

 gray-brown, with the edge of the collar blackish. The abdo- 

 men is gray. The wings expand two inches or more. 



Another of these moths is the counterpart of the cequa and 

 agricola of Europe. It also resembles the telifera in form, 

 but is destitute of the lance-shaped spot on the fore wings ; 

 and hence I have named it Agrotis inermis, the unarmed 

 rustic-moth. The fore wings are light brown, shaded in the 

 middle and towards the hinder margin with dusky brown ; 

 they are crossed by four more or less distinct, wavy bands, 

 each formed of two blackish lines ; the kidney-spot is dusky ; 

 and there are several blackish spots on the outer thick edge 

 of the wing. The hind wings are pearly white in the middle, 

 shaded behind and veined with dusky brown. The thorax is 

 reddish brown, with the collar and shoulder-covers doubly 

 edged with black. The abdomen is gray. It expands two 

 inches. 



The reaping rustic {Agrotis messoria), as it may be called, 

 is the representative of the corn-rustic {Agrotis segetum) of 

 Europe. The fore wings are reddish gray, crossed by five 

 wavy blackish bands, the first two of which, and generally 

 the fourth also, are double ; the two ordinary spots, and a 

 third oval spot near the middle of the wing, are bordered 

 with black. The hind wings are whitish, becoming dusky 

 brown behind, and have a small central crescent and the 

 veins dusky. The head and thorax are chinchilla-gray ; the 



