Plate XXIV. fig. 3.
ORDER: Lepidoptera. SECTION: Nocturna. FAMILY: Lithosiidæ.
GENUS. DEIOPEIA, _Stephens_. Euchelia. _Boisduval._ Eyprepia p. _Ochs_.
DEIOPEIA BELLA. Alis anticis albidis, fasciis sex punctorum nigrorum
fasciis fulvis divisis; posticis rubris apice nigris. (Expans. Alar. 1
unc. 9 lin.)
SYN. Phalæna (Tinea) bella, _Linn. S. N._ 2. 884. _No._ 348. _Fabr. Ent.
Syst._ III. 1. 479. _No._ 223. _Gmel. Linn. S. N._ 2447. 348. _Oliv. Enc.
Méth._ 5. 99. 256.
HABITAT: New York.
{47}_Upper Side._ Antennæ black and filiform. Head with a small black
spot between the antennæ. Thorax and abdomen white; on the former are
several small black spots. Anterior wings of a fine yellow, with several
white, narrow, irregular bars crossing them; having on each several small
black spots; cilia white, and above it is a row of small black spots that
almost joins it. Posterior wings faint scarlet, externally edged with a
narrow black border; cilia white.
_Under Side._ The anterior wings fine scarlet, inclining along the
anterior edge to yellow; where are several angular black spots, each
lengthening as it approaches the tips; along the external margin is a row
of small black spots. Posterior wings scarlet, edged with the same black
border as on the upper side; on the anterior edge are two white spots,
with black ones in their centres.
In the 'Systema Naturæ' this and the preceding most nearly allied species
were placed far apart in the genera Noctua and Tinea. This species appears
in May and August. The caterpillar is of the same colours as the anterior
wing of the moth, and feeds on the blue lupine.