This extensive assemblage of moths, commonly known as noctuas, and locally
as "millers," "owlets," and "buzzards," has been divided by Staudinger into
five sub-families--Acronyctinæ, Trifinæ, Gonopterinæ, Quadrifinæ, and
Hypeninæ. These divisions are here adopted, and the arrangement of species
is adhered to pretty closely, except in the Trifinæ, where it has been
considered necessary to make sundry alterations so as to fall more in line
with later classification, at least so far as concerns genera.
The eggs of species in this family are round and somewhat flattened in
shape, and the shell is fluted or netted. Some few examples of these have
been figured.
Most of the larvæ conceal themselves during the day, in the ground, among
low herbage, or in spun-together leaves, and only leave their retreat at
night to feed. Most kinds change to the chrysalis state underground, but
some pupate among leaves or in chinks of tree bark, etc.
With some few exceptions the moths fly only at night, by far the larger
number will visit the sugar patch, and others come readily to flowers or to
light.
Distribution abroad will only be referred to where this is restricted in
Europe, or extends far beyond European limits.