PHYTOMETRA. By M. Gaede. 
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below the cell. A diffuse dark brown sj)ot at disco-cellular with a band to inner margin. Postmedian line some¬ 
what more distinct, faintly undulate, vertically to inner margin. Submarginal line very indistinct. Hindwings 
grey-brown, widely dark at margin. 30 mm. From 1 $ from Johannesburg. 
Ph. obtusisigna Wkr. This species really belongs to the Indian territory, where it is widely distributed ohiuHiHKjna. 
and it is therefore dealt with fully in Vol. XI. We must however refer to it here, as 1 specimen has been captured 
in Natal. Body and forewings pale violet brown. Antemedian line white with fuscous edge, proceeding out¬ 
wards, only incurved in cell. Orbicular stigma with white edge, narrow and oblique. Below the cell an oblique 
white cuneiform mark. Reniform stigma dark brown, constricted in centre. A coppery brown spot below the 
cell distally of the white spot. Postmedian line double, brown, incurved behind the cell. Submarginal line white, 
with coppery brown inner edge. Hindwings coppery brown. On forewings sometimes there is a white spot 
similar to that of limbirena. 24—32 mm. The larva green with white dorsal lines, striations adjoining and 
white lateral sj)ots. The sj)iracles of the central segments are dotted with black. 
Ph. chalcytes Es'p. (Vol. 3, 5, pi. 64 g, h). The species is dealt with in Vol. 3, p. 349. It occurs in Mada- chalcijicti. 
gascar and Mauritius, besides in southern Europe. 
Ph. acuta Wkr. (31 d). Hampson classifies this species far removed from chalcytes. It is slightly larger, acidu. 
more of a pale violet-brown than bronze-yellow. Otherwise it closely resembles chalcytes. A fine oblique silvery 
mark occurs at disco-cellular. Postmedian line more acutely dentate behind the cell and on submedian fold 
than in chalcytes. 35—40 mm. It occurs throughout Africa, south of the Sahara. 
Ph. signata F. {= diminuta Wkr.) (31 d). The silver mark in this and the following species is like that sUjnata. 
of limbirena, but intersected. Postmedian and submarginal lines are more undulate in signata, less pale and 
distinct than in geminipuncta (31 d). Body and wings fuscous. Forewings darker in median area, glossly bronze, 
especially before postmedian line at inner margin. Antemedian line white, proceeding somewhat outwards at 
subcostal nervure, then vertically and inwards over the inner margin. Below the cell a silver “U” and distally 
a spot. Reniform stigma boldly bent and constricted in centre. Postmedian line white, very indistinct anteriorly, 
straight to vein 2, then inwards, below sharply incurved and at vein 1 widely outwards. Submarginal line very 
indistinct, boldly undulate. Hindwings coppery brown. A dark spot in centre of outer margin. 24—30 mm. 
Common in Africa south of the Sahara, in India and extending to the Fiji Islands. It also occurs on palaearctic 
territory at Teneriffe, in Central China and JaiDan. 
Ph. indicator Wkr. (31 e). Thorax and abdomen ochreous brown. Forewings dark chocolate-brown, indicator. 
especially in median area below the cell. Antemedian line silvery white, inwards below the cell. Orbicular 
stigma small with silvery edge. Below the cell an extended silver “V”, its inner branch extending to antemedian 
line, the outer branch almost to postmedian line. Reniform stigma with silver edge, indented in centre. Also 
postmedian line is silvery with brown edge. Only the submarginal line is blackish with a few silvery scales 
outwardly. Hindwings ochreous white, browner at margin. 26—28 mm. West and South Africa, Mauritius. 
Probably only a form of the palaearctic daubi Bsd. 
The following species without the lateral brush of hairs on abdomen. 
Ph. geminipuncta Hmps. (31 d). Thorax and forewings fuscous with violaceous sheen. Antemedian line gemini- 
silvery white, vertical below cell, almost conjoined at lower edge of cell with the silver “U” mark, distally of which puncta. 
there is a silver dot. Orbicular stigma as an oblique rectangle with pale edge. Reniform stigma indistinct. 
Postmedian line pale brown, with dark inner edge, faintly excurved behind the cell, slightly inwards on submedian 
fold, distally pale violet. Submarginal line excurved at vein 7, then straight. Towards the centre of outer 
margin a double black spot. Hindwings smoky brown, paler at base. 28—30 mm. Transvaal, Natal. 
Ph. dalei Wall. (31 e) from St. Helena is classified here by Hampson. One might describe it as a fiesh- dcdci. 
coloured pulchrina (Vol. 3, pi. 64 k) or iota (pi. 64 i). The postmedian line is unusually pointed and prolonged 
inwards on submedian fold. 40 mm. Since 5 specimens were sent to the British Museum about 60 years ago, 
the species has not been found again. It may have been exterminated by the destruction of the virgin vegetation. 
Ph. sestertia Fldr. (31 e). This was placed here erroneously by Hampson, as the ^ has a brush of hairs, sestertia. 
It is easily recognisable and differs from all other species by the two large silver spots and the white margin. 
Base and inner margin of forewings are also white, the space aroiind the stigmata being blackish, costa brown. 
Antemedian line silver, commencing below the cell. The grey-brown orbicular stigma adjoins the upper silver 
mark and has a white spot that extends to costa. Reniform stigma fuscous with black edge. A postmedian line 
is indicated by white dots on vein 4—1. The submarginal line is white, dentate, incurved between vein 4—2, 
with inner black-brown edge and proximally thereof a grey-brown and white spot to reniform stigma. Hind¬ 
wings coppery brown. 28—30 mm. West, South and East Africa. 
Ph. clarki Hmps. (31 e). Also erroneously classified by Hampson in this group, as the F a brush ctarki. 
of hairs. Body dark violaceous grey. Forewings almost completely suffused with dark coiDpery gloss. Ante¬ 
median line silver, obliquely inwards from the cell, appearing as a streak on costa. The silver mark and the 
