Full. 13. I. 1931. 
PREFACE. By Dr. M. Draudt. 
1 
Phaiaenae, Noctuiform Moths. 
Preface. 
By Dr. M. Draudt. 
In considering the palaearctic Noctuidae we are dealing with the same geographical territory as set out 
in Vol. 1 of the Supplement. Consequently the large increase in the number of palaearctic Noctuidae and 
especially the last groups of the same, the Hypeninae, is excluded as these have chiefly been found in Formosa 
from whence most of the new descriptions emanate. Formosa decidedly does not belong to the palaearctic group. 
Thanks to the excellent methods of capture and research Noctuidae show a rich addition of many 
genuine species, subspecies and local forms. Nearly throughout, a reasonable limit has been set in denominations 
of new aberrations and an excessive subdivision has only taken place in very few species. The generally more 
uniform colouration and the very similar type of markings do not encourage nomenclature. Consequently 
the new names are chiefly for genuine species and or subspecies and this is an agreeable result of the Work of 
the last years. 
The additional knowledge has been particularly rich in regard to north african discoveries which are 
consequent upon the intensive research of Oberthur, Rothschild and Titrati. We have here quite an 
astonishing wealth of forms. A considerable quantity of new information has been added from the Far East 
and Japan, and latterly especially also from Spain through the active collecting mainly by austrian collectors. 
The handling of the subject matter in Vol. Ill of the original work did in many respects not give 
complete satisfaction. The text was too brief and insufficient in regard to many of the descriptions. Frequently 
also the german translation of the original english text was unsatisfactory, or the translation did not express 
that which was intended. Further the colour designations in the two languages do not express identically the 
same because the english expression indicates a different shade than in the german translation. We mention 
for instance the word “purple”. As has been proved in the meanwhile many species and forms were not 
properly dealt with and others were quite omitted. Every effort will be made to remedy these deficiencies and 
omissions in the Supplement. 
What has just been said in regard to the text also applies but in a greater degree to the handling of the 
plates. One must admit that just in representing Noctuidae one meets with a large measure of difficulty both 
from the standpoint of the drawing as well the colouring. It is only in the rarest cases that it is possible to 
give a perfect representation such as would be possible by an expert draughtsman, like Citlot. In the main 
volume in general all the Noctuidae which occur also in England were illustrated from english specimens. In 
many cases this explains a certain divergence in the appearance in comparison to the usual continental forms. 
Thanks to the collaboration of many public institutes it has now often been possible to replace poor illustrations 
by new ones taken from original specimens. In this regard the unique and comprehensive collection of Pungeler 
in the Berlin Museum has rendered most valuable services. Pungeler had promised shortly before his death 
to give me every help in dealing with the Noctuidae. Unfortunately his premature death cancelled these hopes, 
but fortunately the documents and records which formed the basis of his collection and are a testimony to his 
unusual care and discernment are at my disposal. We also owe a debt of gratitude to the Museums in Munich, 
Dresden, Stuttgart and Tring, and further to many other well known collectors, especially Mr. Otto Bang- 
Supplementary Volume 3 1 
