





BRITISH MOTHS 
114 
grey colour, with two obscure dusky spots near the base, and with a curved dusky streak before, another 
between, and a third beyond the stigmata, which are obscure ; the subapical bar is very much waved, and 
bordered next the margin with paler grey. These stripes terminate on the costa in pale marks, and are 
succeeded by several whitish dots ; the hind wings are paler, with a slight dusky marginal bar. The caterpillar 
is dusky brown, with the head pale, and various pale, longitudinal, dorsal and lateral stripes. The perfect insect 
has been found near Darenth, in June, by Mr. Stephens, and on Wimbledon Common, in July, by Mr. Douglas. 


AGROTIS, OcusenHEIMeER. 
This is one of the most difficult of all the groups of Noctuidew, the species not only being subject to great 
variation in colour and marking, so that they have been greatly confused, but likewise presenting such striking 
variations in structure, as to render it difficult to form satisfactory generic characters. The palpi extend slightly 
beyond the head, and are straight or but little elevated; the apical joint small and oval, when denuded, 
distinctly visible ; the scales terminating in a truncated manner at the tip. The antennz are long, and often 
bipectinated in the males, the pectinations often not extending to the tip; in other species they are only 
thickened, and producing fascicles of hair beneath ; in the females they are simple, and pubescent on the under side. 
The frontal tuft is thick, and exhibits several depressions ; the thorax is robust and square, with the neck and 
tippets generally elevated ; the abdomen is rather depressed and not crested ; the fore wings are obtuse at the tip, 
and with the apical margin entire ; when at rest they are carried horizontally on the back ; they are often orna- 
mented with three stigmata; the hind wings are rounded and entire, and often shining. 
The caterpillars are fleshy grubs of a livid colour, and of a subvermiform appearance, but little attenuated 
at each extremity, with numerous small black verrucose points; but rarely marked with stripes, and furnished 
with a horny plate on the neck; they feed on the roots and leaves of low herbage, hiding themselves by day 
either under stones, &c., or in holes which they form for themselves. The chrysalides are shining, cylindric-conic ; 
they undergo their transformations in the earth, in a very slightly-formed cocoon. ‘Some of the species are 
very destructive to various culinary vegetables, perforating the roots, especially those of lettuce, turnips, as well 
as corn and grasses. 
Section 1.—Antenne more or less strongly pectinated in the males. 

DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XXIII. 
Insects.—Fig. 1. Agrotis equa (the pearly underwing). 
Be Fig. 2. Agrotis suffusa (the dark sword-grass). 
es Fig. 3. Agrotis segetum (the common dart). 4. The Caterpillar. 5. A dark female variety. 
“ Fig. 6. Agrotis corticea (the heart and club). 
sg Fig. 7. Agrotis annexa, a female, (the tawny shoulder). 
& Fig. 8. Agrotis cinerea, male, (the light-feathered rustic). 9. The female. 
a Fig. 10. Agrotis lunigera. 
a Fig. 11. Agrotis valligera (the Archer’s dart). 
as Fig. 12. Agrotis Radiola (the shuttle-shaped dart). 
A Fig. 13. Agrotis alpina. 
Prant.—Fig. 14. Ranunculus bulbosus (the common Crowfoot or Buttercup). 
The whole of the genus Agrotis is comprised in Plates 23 and 24, the present plate containing all those which h 
males pectinated ; and the following all those where the antenne are only ciliated. 
ave the antenne of the 
A. equa and A. Radiola are from specimens in the British Museum. A. segetum and A. valligera are from specimens sent me by 

