SYNGRAPHA; PLUSIOPALPA. By M. Gaede. 
257 
may lead to temporary confusion. Phytometrinae is an analogous denomination to Geomefrinae and Dendromeirinae, 
which however only refer to Oeometrids. — Of this well defined subfamily about 250 species are known today, which 
is not a very large number when compared to most other subfamilies of the Noctuids. Nevertheless one must 
recognise, by their universal distribution, that they are well adapted to the present conditions prevailing on 
this globe. Among them we find pronounced high alpine forms and also inhabitants of the hottest and even 
of the most moist lowlands. Of all lepidopterous forms they extend furthest into the polar regions. In the ex¬ 
ceedingly barren Greenland, that is so poor in insect life, certain Plusia (as for instance Phytometra parilis) 
penetrate furthest of all insects into polar regions. In the typical arctic plains in Labrador, that are devoid 
of all tree life, the Plusia are still common. In S. America they extend to Patagonia and again in Chile far into 
antarctic circles and in Australia the richly bespangled Phytometra argentifera Gn. extends to Tasmania, that 
is to say to the most southerly point of the indo-australian territory. In New Zealand the well-known Phyt. 
chalcytes occurs, partially exceedingly commonly, where it is known as '''Plusia chalcites” and it is found even 
on the remote South Sea Islands as far as Tahiti, the Marquesas and Oahu Islands. It has penetrated in the 
indian Ocean as far as the Keeling Islands and Madgascar. There is scarcely a spot in the inhabited globe, 
where Plusias are not to be found. 
The metallic spangles, to which the Plusianae owe their name, occur in nearly all species, but the mark¬ 
ings naturally vary a great deal. The most common form is a “y” shaped mark on forewings, that may be 
varied to form a semicolon. On the other hand in some of the others, large patches are covered with golden 
or bronze metallic gloss. Whilst a number of such richly marked species {chrysitis, zosimi, aurea, orichalcea) 
or others with large spot marks {chryson, festucae, bractea), occur in palaearctic regions, the aethiopean Plusiids 
have very modest decorations with the exception of the corresponding Madagascar form to the palaearctic orichalcea 
F. [aurifera Hbn.). This and the type form, which occur over the whole of Africa are more richly marked with gold. 
The larvae are easily recognisable by their somewhat geometrid-like form of proceeding (as they have 
but 12 legs). They mostly feed on non-poisonous low growing plants and herbs and as a rule feed by day. 
The imagines also, especially in the more northerly and in high alpine localities fly by day, visiting flowers 
in the sunshine. They are good fliers and very nimble. Occasionally they occur in swarms on widely removed 
islands, as for instance Phytom. rjamma in the year 1873, when on 15th to 20th July, the insects arrived in 
thousands and flew all over the island by day and by night (Gaetke, MS.). The species with intensive gold 
markings generally only fly at dusk and appear immediately after the sun has gone down. A few fly by day, 
or are easily disturbed and settle a few yards away. They settle in an upright jiosition, but then quickly turn 
round and come to rest head downwards closing their wings over the body with an energetic and abrupt move¬ 
ment of the wings. Except for the fact that the golden patches on the wings, when at rest, may appear sur¬ 
prising to their enemies, the Plusiids do not appear to have any protective disguise and Rangnow observed 
that large Aeschnidae pursued them with great success in northerly regions. 
1. Genus: Hbn. 
This Genus is represented in palaearctic regions by 5 species and was therefore dealt with in Vol. 3, 
p. 345; subsequently a sixth (pyrenaica Hmps.) was added. Of the total of approximately 3U species, all the 
others with the exception of 4 are from North America. Only one single species, that is otherwise also palae¬ 
arctic occurs in Africa. 
S. circumflexa L. (Vol. 3, pi. 64 c). This species was already described in Vol. 3, 347. In Africa it drcumflcxa. 
occurs in the palaearctic Canary Islands and has also been found in South West, South and East Africa, as 
well as in Abyssinia. 
2. Genus; Plusiopalpa Holl. 
This Genus, which consists of 2 species is distinguishable by the highly erect palpi, the long terminal 
pointed segment of Avhich is hairy anteriorly and posteriorly. Type: adrasta Fldr. 
P. camptogamma Hmps. (31 a). Thorax fuscous, abdomen grey-brown. Forewing violaceous fuscous, campto- 
A narrow silvery mark below end of cell, the lower tip bent inwards and prolonged upw'ards to the lower edge . tjumma 
of cell, conjoming there with the projecting angle of the antemedian line. The latter consists of a fine pale line, 
that encloses a slightly paler basal area. Above the inner margin coppery brown distally of antemedian line to 
the silver mark. Postmedian line indistinct, excurved below costa, somewhat inwards below the silver mark. 
Submarginal line grey, touching the outer margin at vein 6, then straightly to anal angle, proximally dark 
brown. Narrowly pale at outer margin. Hindwings coppery brown. 34 mm. East-Afrika. Only 1 $ known. 
P. adrasta Fldr. (= dichora Holl., crassipalpus Hmps.) (31 a). Thorax and forewings yellowish fuscous, adrasta. 
abdomen ochreous white, only the tufts brown. Forewings with a slight bronze gloss. Inner line brownish 
with grey inner edge, turning inwards below cell; distally thereof in cell a black dot. At base of vein 2 there 
