








botice 
4 
vay 

92 BRITISH MOTHS 
Seitosoma Urtica? Haworth, Stephens, Wood, Ind. Ent. pl. 7, fig. 74, and our pl. 18, fig. 16, appears 
to me to be another variety of Sp. Menthastri, from which it is chiefly distinguished, according to Mr. Stephens, 
by “the antenna being white, with dusky radii, the abdomen very slightly fulvescent, and the greater purity of 
the white colour of the wings.” This description is evidently made from Mr. Stephens’ male specimen ; but it 
is to be observed, contrary to Mr. Stephens’ description, that the antennze of the males of Menthastri, in fine 
condition, are white, with dark rays. Mr. Stephens further mentions that his specimen differs from Sp. Papyratia 
in form, whereas the Urtice of the continental authors is identical with Papyratia. 

SPECIES 2.—SPILOSOMA LUBRICEPEDA. Puare XVIII., Fie. 17, 18, 19. 
Synonymrs.—Phalena (Bombyx) lubricepeda, Linneus; Mar- 
24, fig. 35,a—e; Wilkes, pl. 49; Harris, Aurelian, pl. 17, fig, 
sham ; Linn. Trans. 1], pl. 1, f. 2 ; Donovan, 16, pl. 568; Albin, pl. 
g—e; Wood, Ind. Ent. pl. 5. fig. 76. 
This abundant species measures from 13 to 12 inch in the expanse of its fore wings, which are of a yellowish 
buff colour, varying in depth of tint, with an interrupted oblique row of spots beyond the middle, and various 
other spots, one being on the costa towards the base, and another beyond the middle ; a spot being also mostly 
visible at the extremity of the discoidal cell. The hind wings are rather paler, with two or three black dots. 
The head and thorax are buff, and the abdomen orange, with black spots. 
The spots on the wings are very variable, being sometimes almost obsolete and sometimes dilated and 
running together into long patches, as in our fig. 19, which represents a specimen of the supposed species, 
Sp. radiata, of Haworth. I possess a specimen from Mr. Haworth’s cabinet exactly intermediate between these 
two extremes. | 
The caterpillar is brown and hairy, with the sides paler, the dark back separated by two blackish longitudinal 
lines. It feeds on various herbaceous plants in August, and the moth appears in the following June. 
SPECIES 35.—SPILOSOMA PAPYRATIA. 

Puate XVITII., Fie. 15. 
Synonymes.—Phalena papyratia, Marsham in Linn, Trans., 1, 
pl. 1, fig. 4; Donovan, vol. 16, pl. 571: Albin, pl. 21, fig. 30, e—h ; 
Wood, Ind, Ent. pl. 7, fig. 75. 
Bombyx Urtice, Hiibner; Esper; Ochsenheimer ; Godart. 
This rare species measures rather more than ]4 inch in the expanse of the wings, which are of a pure white 
hue ; the anterior with two or four spots on the disc, and a slight row of dots near the tip ; often, however, wanting : 
the hind wings, occasionally, with a very few dark dots. The antenne of the males are white, with black rays. 
The abdomen is orange-coloured, with black spots, and the tip white. 
The caterpillar is brown and fulvous, with a few black spots. It feeds upon various water-plants, and the 
moth appears in June in marshy places, but is of comparatively rare occurrence. 
CYCNIA, Hisner. (DIAPHORA, Sreruens.) 
This genus differs from the preceding in the semi-transparency of the wings, which differ remarkably in colour 
in the opposite sexes, and in the slightly spotted abdomen, The palpi are small, with the third joint of equal 
length with the preceding ; the antennz in the males are but moderately bipectinated. 
SPECIES 1.—CYCNIA MENDICA. Puare XVIII., Fie. 20, 21, 22. 
Synonymes.—Phalena (Bombyx) mendica, Linneus; Marsham ; Linn. Trans. 1, pl. 1, f. 3; Donovan, vol. ii. pl. 388; Harris 
Aurelian, pl. 35, fig. m ; Wood, Ind. Ent. pl. 7, fig. 77-78. 
This singular species varies from 14 to 14 inch in the expansion of the wings. 
The mate is entirely brown ; 

