This is a very rare moth in England, but is found
over the greater part of the world. It expands about
one and a half inches.
The fore-wings are a brownish yellow, with darker
indistinct markings. The hind-wings are lighter yellow
in colour, with a dark semi-lunar spot in the middle,
and have a dark marginal border. The antennæ are long
and fine. The caterpillar was found on the potato-plant
and proved to be one of the cannibal species. It fed
occasionally on the food provided, but seemed generally
to prefer its companions in captivity, feeding at night,
and so had to be separated from them. The larva is
reddish brown in colour, with a yellowish stripe on the
sides, and it is very commonly found in Teneriffe during
the early spring months.