
AND THEIR TRANSFORMATIONS. 45 
SPECIES 1—HEPIALUS HECTUS. Puare VIII., Fie. 1 and 2. 
Synonymes.— Phalena (Noctua hecta), Linneus ; Donovan, vol. Hepialus Jodutta, Haworth, female, (but possibly not of Schrank 
8, pl. 274, fig. 3; Hiibner, Bomb., fig. 208, 209. and Hiibner, which Boisduval gives as a variety of H. Carnus.) 
Hepialus hectus, Fabricius, Godart, Haworth, Curtis, Stephens, Gazoryctra hecta, Hiibner, Verz. bek. Schm. 
Boisduval ; Wood, Ind. Ent., pl. 5, fig. 5. 5. Chelonus hectus, Leach, MSS. 
Noctua nemorosa, Esper. Var. 
This elegant species varies from 1 to 13 inch in the expansion of its fore wings, which in the males are of 
a brightish orange colour, with three rows of interrupted golden spots, margined with dark lines (whence its 
common name of the golden swift) running obliquely across the wing, and a small basal spot of the same 
colour ; the middle fascia being most distinct but elbowed, and the spots of irregular size, and the third fascia 
consisting of small marginal dots ; the hind wings dusky brown. The female has the fore wings dirty ashy 
coloured, with the golden bars replaced by pale brown bars; the first and second being obscurely forked towards 
the front margin. The markings vary considerably in different individuals ; and in fine specimens of the male, 
the hind wings are also spotted with golden colour. 
The males of this species are remarkable for having the posterior tibize densely bearded with long hairs, and 
wanting tarsi; and it has been supposed that this structure most probably enables the individuals of that sex to 
perform their very curious pendulum-like flight. This species is not very uncommon in various parts of the 
country, and appears in June. 


SPECIES 2.—HEPIALUS HUMULI. Puare VIII., Fic. 7, 8, 9. 
Synonymes.—Phalena (Noctua) Humuli, Linneus; Donovan, | Hepialus Humuli, Fabricius ; Stephens ; Wood, Ind. Ent., pl. 9, 
| fig. I—1. 
Gorgopis Humuli, Hiibner, Verz. bek. Schmett. 
vol. 8, pl. 274, fig. 1, 2; Harris, Exposition, pl. 4, fig. a—d. 
The sexes of this curious but most abundant species differ from each other more remarkably in colour than 
almost any other species of British moths; the males having the wings on the upper side of a clear pearly white, 
while in the females the fore wings are of a fine yellow colour, with orange markings. It varies from 13 to 3 
inches in the expansion of the fore wings, which in the males have a pale yellowish margin, and are dusky on 
the under side, with broad orange margins. The hind wings in the female are dusky at base, but become 
orange along the margin. 
This species ig found about the middle of June frequenting grassy places, over which the male may often be 
observed performing its singular pendulum flight; and as this is frequently perceived in old churchyards, the 
insect has obtained the name of the ghost moth. Like the preceding species, it is the males alone which fly in 
this curious manner ; and in this sex the hind tibie are similarly furnished with a long brush of hairs, but the 
tarsi are not wanting. The caterpillar feeds on the roots of the common hop. 

SPECIES 3.—HEPIALUS LUPULINUS. Pare VIII., Fie. 3, 4, 5. 
+ . . — : : re a lone 
Synonymes.—Phalena (Noctua Lupulina), Linneus ; Harris, Hepialus Angulum, Haworth. Variety. 
pl. 22, fig. 1 5 Fabricius (Hepialus l.); Stephens; Curtis; Wood, 
Ind. Ent., t. 5, fig. 4. 4; Boisduval. 
Hepialus fuscus, Haworth. Variety. 
Bombyx Flina, Wien. Verz. ; Hiibner, Bomb., fig. yA pe Ee 
Hepialus obliquus, Fabricius, Haworth, Variety. 
Hepialus nebulosus, Haworth. Variety. 
Phalena hecta, Harris, pl. 22, fig. 1. 
Triodia Lupulina, Hiibner, Verz. bek. Schmett. 
| 
| 
This common dull-coloured insect varies from an inch to an inch and a half in the expansion of its fore wings, 
which are of a clay or fulvous colour in the males, with a longitudinal white line in the middle, towards 

a 
path be RSE SEER ES Tt 
