PLATE IV.--FIG. 10 (Female).
This moth is allied to the Aspilates Gilvaria, but is
probably an insect peculiar to the Canaries. It measures
in expanse about one inch. It is of a pale buff-colour,
the female being of a much intenser shade than
the male. The hind-wings in both sexes are much
lighter in colour than the fore-wings. The fore-wings
of the female have a slate-blue narrow band of colour,
extending from near the apex to the base of the
upper margin, forming a semicircle. Within the
semicircle, and near the upper margin, is a small
slate-blue dot. The hind-wings have also a band of
varying width and of the same colour extending across
them, and a slate-blue dot is seen near the top of the
upper margin above the slate band. The male has
similar markings, but they are much paler, and not
nearly so well defined. The antennæ of the male are
feathered, of medium length; those of the female are
longer and finer. At first sight this moth might be
deemed a variety of Sterrha Sacraria. The female was
taken at Guimar about 1000 feet above the sea.
Several male specimens were taken near Orotava, at a
somewhat higher altitude. This moth, being unknown
at South Kensington, has been named as above by the
author.
BRYOPHILA var. RAVULA (Hübn).
A small moth, about one inch in expanse, with a
slender body. The fore-wings are dark brown, with
the base, tip, and inner margin whitish. The centre of
the wings is suffused with red, and two transverse lines
of darker colour cross them. The larva is blue with a
black line on the back and a zigzag yellowish-red stripe
on the sides, bordered below with black. It feeds on
lichens growing on walls. It is not a British species,
but is met with in Southern Europe.
BRYOPHILA ALGÆ (Fabr.).
This is a small moth, with the same characteristics as
to size and form as the last described. The fore-wings
are green, varied with brown and blackish in the
position of the claviform stigma. It has dark transverse
lines, and the hind-wings are brownish grey.
The larva is bluish-grey, with a grey stripe on the back.
It feeds on lichen, and inhabits Central and Southern
Europe, and Western Asia, but is a great rarity in
England.
AGROTIS SPINIFERA (Hübn).
This is a moth somewhat larger than the last-described,
with rather a stout body. It is fawn-colour, the abdomen
pale-brown, and the margin of the fore-wings
has several black spots. The hind-wings are whitish.
It inhabits South-Western Europe, but is not met with
in England.
SESAMIA NONAGRIOIDES (Lef.).
The body of this moth is stout, the fore-wings are
nearly rectangular at the tips, without any distinct
pattern. The antennæ and tongue are short. The
fore-wings are greyish-yellow with a black discal spot,
and an outer row of black dots. The hind-wings are
white. It inhabits Spain, North Africa, and Madeira,
but is not a British species. The larva lives on the
stalks of maize, corn, and sugar-cane.