


180 BRITISH MOTHS 
cilia is brown with a rosy tinge, and the hind wings are pale brown, with the margin more dusky. Rare, but 
found in Kent and Essex, as well as in Norfolk, at the end of July. 
SPECIES 2.—MIANA STRIGILIS. Prats XXXVIII., Fre. 2, 3, 4. 
Synonymrs.—Phalena Noctua strigilis, Linn.; Fabr.; Treit- Noctua grata, Esper. 
schke ; Haworth ; Stephens; Wood, Ind. Ent. pl. 13, fig. 274. Noctua meretricula, Borkhausen. 
Noctua preduncula, Wien. Verz. Hiibner ; Haworth. Noctua Aithiops, Haworth; Stephens; Wood, Ind. Ent. 
Noctualatruncula, Haworth; Hiibner; Stephens; Wood, Ind. Ent. | fig. 276. 
fig. 275. 
This very variable species measures about an inch in the expanse of the fore wings, which in some individuals 
are much mottled with grey, black, and olive brown, especially towards the base ; the apical portion, beyond the 
third ordinary striga, being almost white, except along the margin. Such specimens constitute the typical variety, 
N. strigilis. Others having the wings almost of a uniform reddish brown, with darker markings, the central 
portion being darkest, have been named N. latruncula ; whilst some are so uniformly brownish black, that they 
have obtained the name of N. Athiops. These leading varieties (to which a number of intermediate ones might 
be added) are-represented in our figures 2, 3, and 4. In all these we find the basal portion exhibiting indications 
of the two anterior strigze, more or less distinct, and edged with black ; the costa is also varied with darker dots. 
The stigmata are pale and distinct, the space between them dark, with black lines, and behind them is a forked 
black line, connecting the second and third strigze, the latter being much curved, and formed of a series of minute 
black arches. The fourth striga is distinct and undulating, and the margin marked with a row of black dots. 
In the dingy varieties the terminal striga is of a rusty tint. This is rather a common species, flying in the months 
of June and July, and being widely dispersed. The caterpillar is described as ashy white, with a dorsal and two 
lateral lines of violet and black spiracles, with the head small and yellowish brown. It has been found by 
Mr. H. Doubleday, who at first regarded it as that of one of the Tortrices, which it much resembles ; they 
feed on grass, nettles, sallows, &c., and produce the different varieties described above, proving the identity of the 

species. 
SPECIES 3.—MIANA HUMERALIS. Pratre XXXVIII., Fie. 5, 6, 7, 8. 
Synonymes.— Noctua humeralis, Haworth; Stephens; Wood, | Noctua bicoloria, Borkhausen. 
Ind. Ent., pl. 13, fig. 277. | Noctua terminalis, Haworth ; Stephens ; Wood, Ind. Ent. pl. 13, 
Noctua furuncula, Hiibner; Treitschke ; Duponchel ; Boisduval ; | 278. 
Doubleday. | Noctua erata, (variety) Esper. 
This is another extremely variable species, generally rather smaller than the preceding, measuring from ten to 
twelve lines in the expansion of the fore wings, which in the typical variety have the basal half brown-coloured 
or blackish, with clouded markings, whilst the apical portion is ashy white, with the apical margin brown, through 
which runs the terminal undulating striga ; in this variety the antenne are brown, and the posterior wings brown 
with the base ashy. In other varieties the general colour of the wing is. more uniform, and either pale reddish 
brown or dull straw-coloured, with the central portion darker and bearing the characteristic markings; others, again, 
have the wings reddish, with the apical margin blackish and undulated, and withred dish antennz ; in all, the 
anterior stigma is remote from the base of the wing, and very oblique; and the posterior one is of moderate size, 
and is generally followed, especially towards the hinder margin of the wings, with a pale striga, and there is a 
5 
marginal row of black dots: the hind wings vary in tint, according to that of the fore wings, but have the 
margin dusky. 
This is a rather common species, especially along the southern coast of England and the Isle of Wight, where 
I have taken the typical variety in profusion. It occurs also in other and distant parts of the country. 

