THE NATURAL HISTORY OF BRITISH INSECTS; EXPLAINING THEM IN THEIR SEVERAL STATES, WITH THE PERIODS OF THEIR TRANSFORMATIONS THEIR FOOD, OECONOMY, &c.

TOGETHER WITH THE HISTORY OF SUCH MINUTE INSECTS AS REQUIRE INVESTIGATION BY THE MICROSCOPE.

THE WHOLE ILLUSTRATED BY COLOURED FIGURES, DESIGNED AND EXECUTED FROM LIVING SPECIMENS.

BY E. DONOVAN.

VOL. IX.

LONDON: PRINTED BY BYE AND LAW, ST. JOHN'S SQUARE, CLERKENWELL, FOR THE AUTHOR, And for F. and C. RIVINGTON, No 62, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH-YARD. MDCCC.

[figure]


[Page]THE NATURAL HISTORY OF BRITISH INSECTS.
PLATE CCLXXXIX. SPHINX ATROPOS. DEATH HEAD, or BEE TIGER MOTH.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae thickest in the middle. Wings deflexed, the outer margin declining towards the sides.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Wings entire; posterior pair yellow, barred across with brown. Abdomen yellow, with black rings.

  • SPHINX ATROPOS: alis integris: posticis luteis; fasciis fuscis, ab­domine luteo: cingulis nigris. Lin. Syst. Nat. 2. 799. 9.—Mus. Lud. Ulr. 348.
  • [Page 4] Reaum. Ins. 1. tab. 14.
  • Roes. Ins. 3. tab. 1. 1.
  • Hasselquist. Itin. 407. 104. 105.
  • Schaeff. Icon. tab. 99. fig. 1. 2.
  • Esp. Ins. 2. tab. 7.
  • Sulz. Ins. tab. 15. fig. 88.
  • Albin. Ins. tab. 6.
  • Wilks. pap. 9. tab. 1. B. 1.

The Sphinx Atropos is a magnificent creature, and the largest of the European Lepidopterous Insects. The characteristic marks of this species are very singular; on the thorax in particular the figure of a human skull is strongly depicted. These Insects have been deemed a presage of some approaching calamity, by the peasantry in countries where they have appeared by chance; and Linnaeus has himself named it after one of the three Fates, of the Heathen My­thology.

This species seems no where common. In this country it is rare. We have an English Specimen in the winged state, and once met with its larva, of a full size, but it died before it became a pupa.

[figure]


[Page 5]PLATE CCXC. THE LARVA OF SPHINX ATROPOS. DEATH HEAD, or BEE TIGER MOTH.

This Specimen was found on the Jasmine, the latter end of August. It is said to feed also on Potatoes and Green Elder. It appears in the Fly state in July.

[figure]


[Page 7]PLATE CCXCI. PEDICULI COLUMBAE. PIGEON'S LOUSE. APTERA.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Six Feet. Eyes two. Mouth contains a sting. Antennae length of the Thorax.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Body slender, thickest towards the end, whitish, a ferruginous line along each side.

  • PEDICULUS COLUMBAE: corpore filiformi ferrugineis postice clavato. Fab. Syst. Ent. 809. 31.
  • Pediculus oblongus filiformis albicans, corporis lateribus utrinque ferrugineis. Geoff. Ins. 2. 599. 7.
  • Pulex Columbae Majoris. Redi de Insectis tab. 2. fig. 1.

This is the kind of Louse found on the common Pigeon. It differs specifically from those of other Birds and Animals, as may be conjectured from its significant name, P. Columbae.

[Page 8]It is supposed that almost every creature has its peculiar species of Pediculi, but not more than fifty distinct species have been hitherto ascertained; and nearly the whole of these belong to the feathered tribe. Redi, Linnaeus, Fabricius, and other Authors distinguish many of these Insects by the names of those creatures they infest, as P. Vulturis, Orioli, Cuculi, Cygni, Pavonis, Phasiani, &c. &c.

FIG. I. Natural Size. FIG. II. Magnified.

[figure]


[Page 9]PLATE CCXCII. PAPILIO CARDUI. PAINTED LADY BUTTERFLY.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae clubbed. Wings erect when at rest. Fly by day.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Wings indented, above orange variegated with black and white; beneath, four eyes on the posterior pair.

  • PAPILIO CARDUI: alis dentatis fulvis albo nigroque variegatis: posticis subtus ocellis quatuor. Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 774. 157.—Fn. Sv. 1054
  • —Fab. Ent. Syst. T. 3. p. 1. 104. sp. 320.
  • Schaeff. Icon. tab. 97. fig. 5, 6.
  • Ernst. Pap. Europ. 1. tab. 7.
  • Albin. Ins. tab. 56.
  • Cram. Ins. 3. tab. 26. fig. E. F.
  • Reaum. Ins. 1. tab. 26. fig. 11, 12.
  • Hoeffn. Ins. tab. 7. fig. 3.

The Painted Lady Butterfly is a local species, and therefore not very common. In some seasons, these Insects appear in consider­able numbers, and then again are not seen for several years. They [Page 10] were taken in abundance in the summer of 1795, in many parts of the kingdom, and particularly in Manchester; but since that time, few, if any, have been met with.

In point of beauty, this species has an immediate claim to the notice of English Entomologists. Its larva feeds on nettles, thistles, docks, and other herbage by the sides of ditches, and changes to the pupa state about the middle or latter end of July; the winged Insect ap­pears twelve days after.

[figure]


[Page 11]PLATE CCXCIII.

FIG. I. PHALAENA ULMATA. SCARCE ELM MOTH.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae taper from the base. Wings in general deflexed when at rest. Fly by night.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Antennae setaceous. Wings white, with a double row of pale black spots across the middle: a ferruginous brown spot at the base, and another at the posterior margin of the first pair: a similar spot in the interior margin of the second pair also.

  • PHALAENA ULMATA: seticornis alis albidis: fasciis duabus ferru­gineo fuscis; postica maculari. Fab. Ent. Syst. 3. p. 2. p. 176. Sp. 171.
  • Phalaena pantaria pectinicornis alis albis: fascia maculari flavicante, abdomine luteo nigro punctato. Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 863. 218.

This species bears some affinity to the Phalena Grossulariata, or Currant Moth. It is very rare, and has been hitherto found only in Yorkshire. It appears the third week in June. The larva feeds on the elm: it is green, streaked with black, and has a black head; the pupa blueish.

FIG. II. PHALAENA MARGINATA.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Antennae setaceous. Wings white, with a deep irregular brown margin of interrupted spots.

  • PHALAENA MARGINATA: seticornis alis omnibus albis: margine exteriori limbo fusco interrupto. Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 870. 257.—Fn. Sv. 1279.
  • Sulz. Ins. tab. 16. fig. 96.
  • Geoff. Ins. 2. 139. 60.
  • Clerk. Phal. tab. 2. fig. 5.

Phalaena Geometra Marginata* is rather common. It lives on the nut, and is found in the winged state in May.

FIG. III. PHALAENA PRUNARIA, Var. FEMALE ORANGE. MOTH.

Male, Plate 23. Br. Ins.

The male of Phalaena Prunaria is represented and described in the early part of our British Insects; but it differs so considerably from the singular variety of the same species now before us, that we pre­sume to introduce it in the annexed plate of Geometrae.

[figure]


[Page 15]PLATE CCXCIV. MUSCA SOLSTITIALIS.

GENERIC CHARACTER. The mouth formed by a soft fleshy proboscis, with two lateral lips. No palpi.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Antennae furnished with a lateral hair. Wings white, with four somewhat connected black bars across. Scutellum yellow.

  • MUSCA SOLSTITIALIS: antennis setariis, alis albis: fasciis quatuor connexis nigris, scutello flavo. Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 999. 127.—Fn. Sv. 1879.
  • Degeer. Ins. 6. 42. 16. tab. 2. fig. 10, 11.
  • La mouche des tetes de Chardons. Geoff. Ins. 2. 499. 14.

Found in the middle of summer on thistles, and is an elegant object for the microscope.

[figure]


[Page 17]PLATE CCXCV. PAPILIO COMMA. PEARL SKIPPER BUTTERFLY.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae clubbed at the ends. Wings erect when at rest. Fly by day.

Plebeii Urbicolae.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Wings entire, divaricated, brown, having a black streak along the middle of the anterior pair. Beneath, spotted with white.

  • PAPILIO COMMA: alis integerrimis divaricatis fulvis: punctis albis lineolaque nigra. Linn. Syst. Nat. p. 793. 256.
  • HESPERIA COMMA: Fab. Ent. Syst. t. 3. p. 1. p. 325. 233.
  • PAPILIO COMMA: Wien. Verz. 159. 4.

In the beginning of August, 1772, a brood of these Insects were taken near Lewes in Sussex, by the late Mr. Green; and we believe no other specimens have been taken since that period.

It is not very unlike the Papilio Sylvanus of Fabricius, but may be readily distinguished from it by the square spots on the under-side being perfectly white.

[figure]


[Page 19]PLATE CCXCVI. SPHINX PINASTRI. PINE HAWK MOTH.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae thickest in the middle. Wings deflexed when at rest. Fly slow, morning and evening.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Wings entire. Greyish white: three contiguous black lines in the middle of the anterior pair. Abdomen brownish, with bands of white.

  • SPHINX PINASTRI: alis integris canis: anticis lineolis tribus con­fertis nigris, abdomine fusco: cingulis albis. Linn.
  • Syst. Nat. 2. 802. 22.—Fn. Sv. 1088.
  • Fab. Ent. Syst. T. 3. p. 1. p. 367. 35.
  • Esp. Ins. 2. tab. 12.
  • Roes. Ins. 1. phal. 1. tab. 6.
  • Reaum. Ins. 1. tab. 13. fig. 8.

We have only a traditionary report that Sphinx Pinastri has been sometimes found in Scotland; but as it is generally admitted, on that authority, to a place in the cabinets of English Insects, we cannot refrain inserting it in the present work.

It is an European Insect, and in particular is found in the Pine forests of Germany. Roesel has figured it with the larva and pupa, [Page 20] in the plate above quoted; and as we may, perhaps, never meet with it in that state, we conceived the copies of them in the annexed plate, would at least be satisfactory to such subscribers as have not the works of that German author.

[figure]


[Page 21]PLATE CCXCVII. CIMEX BICOLOR. BLACK AND WHITE FIELD BUG.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Rostrum inflected. Antennae longer than the thorax. One wing-case folded over the other. Feet formed for running.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Black. Wing-cases variegated with black and white; a semi-circular white space in the middle. Wings transparent and whitish.

  • CINEX BICOLOR: niger elytris albo variis, alis albis. Linn. Syst.
  • Nat. 2. 722. 55.—Fn. Sv. 936.—Fab. Ent. Syst. T. 4. p. 121. sp. 161.
  • La Punaise noire à quatre taches blanches. Geoff. Ins. 1. p. 470. sp. 73.
  • Schaeff. Icon. tab. 41. fig. 8. 9.
  • Stoll. Cimic. tab. 32. fig. 224.
  • Petiv. Gazoph. tab. 14. fig. 7.

The natural size is represented at Fig. I.

[figure]


[Page 23]PLATE CCXCVIII. PHALAENA TRIPLACIA. SPECTACLE MOTH.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae taper from the base. Wings in general deflexed when at rest. Fly by night.

* * Noctua.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Thorax crested. Wings deflexed; first pair greyish, with a double ferruginous arch; at the base, and another in an opposite direction near the apex.

  • PHALAENA TRIPLACIA: critata alis deflexis; anticis arcu duplici contrario maculisque tribus glaucis intermediis. Linn.
  • Syst. Nat. 2. 854. 175.—Fn. Sv. 1202.
  • Fab. Ent. Syst. T. 3. p. 2. 117. 354.
  • Degeer. Ins. 1. tab. 6. fig. 20. 21.
  • Merian. Europ. tab. 97.

This Insect is remarkable for a fanciful kind of marking that encircles the eyes, and seems to resemble a pair of spectacles. It is found in the winged state the fourth week in June.

[figure]


[Page 25]PLATE CCXCIX. PHALAENA ROBORIS.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae taper from the base. Wings in general deflexed when at rest. Fly by night.

* * Noctua.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Wings deflexed, greyish: two undulated white waves across the anterior pair: a white space in the middle, having a lunar black mark in its center.

  • PHALAENA ROBORIS: laevis alis deflexis cinereis: strigis duabus undatis albis, macula centrali nivea: lunula nigra. Fab. Ent. Syst. 3. p. 2. p. 35. sp. 90.

A scarce species; it is found on the nut-tree.

[figure]


[Page 27]PLATE CCC. TIPULA POMONAE.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Head lengthened out. Upper jaw arched. Palpi two, curved, longer than the head. Proboscis short, and bent inwards.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Shining black. Wings whitish, with a central dark spot in the anterior margin. Thighs ferruginous.

  • TIPULA POMONAE: glabra nigra alis lacteis: puncto nigro, femo­ribus ferrugineis. Fab. Ent. Syst. T. 4. p. 249. sp. 74.

We met with both sexes of this uncommon Insect in Coombe Wood, Surry, in the beginning of June, 1798.—The specimen Fabricius described was taken in this country also, May 13, on a fruit-tree.

[figure]


[Page 29]PLATE CCCI. CICINDELA RIPARIA.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae setaceous. Jaws advanced and armed with teeth. Eyes prominent. Thorax roundish and margined.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Greenish, bronzed, with many excavated round spots on the wing-cases.

  • CICINDELA RIPARIA: viridi-aenea, elytris punctis latis excavatis.
  • Fn. Suec. 741. Gmel. Linn. Syst. T. 1. p. 4. p. 1925. sp. 10.
  • Cicindela viridi-aenea maculis rotundis excavatis griseo-viridibus.
  • Degeer. Ins. 4. p. 117. n. 4. t. 4. f. 9.

We found this beautiful species in some plenty in a little marshy spot behind the town of Newton, on the sea shore of Glamorgan­shire. Gmelin says it is found in wet places, and observes that its colour often varies.

It is a minute insect, and is represented magnified in the annexed plate.

[figure]


[Page 31]PLATE CCCII. PAPILIO AGLAJA. SILVER SPOT FRITTILARY BUTTERFLY.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae clubbed at the ends. Wings erect when at rest. Fly by day.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Wings dentated, fulvous, with black spots. Twenty silver spots on the under side of the posterior wings.

  • PAPILIO AGLAJA: alis dentatis fulvis nigro maculatis: subtus 21. maculis argenteis. Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 785. 211.—Fn. Sv. 1064.—Fab. Ent. Syst. T. 3. p. 1. p. 144. sp. 442.
  • Wilks Pap. tab. 2. a. 12.
  • Esp. Pap. 1. tab. 17. fig. 3.
  • Schaeff. Icon. tab. 7. fig. 1, 2.

A very beautiful and not uncommon British species; the Larva feeds on the Violet, &c.; it is of a dirty black colour, spotted with brown, and armed with long spines, as in P. Antiopa. This Larva is found in May, changes to the pupa state the latter end of the same month, and appears twenty-one days after a winged insect.

[figure]


[Page 33]PLATE CCCIII. DYTISCUS 2 PUNCTATUS. TWO SPOT BOAT BEETLE.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae either setaceous, or furnished at the end with a perfoli­ated capitulum. Hind feet formed for swimming, and hairy.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Black brown. Thorax yellow with two black points: wing-cases variegated with yellow and brown.

  • DYTISCUS 2 PUNCTATUS: ater thorace flavo: punctis duobus nigris, elytris flavo fuscoque variis. Fab. Ent. Syst. T. 3. p. 1. p. 192. sp. 22.

Fabricius describes this as a German insect. It has not been figured by any author, and is uncommon in Great Britain. Lives in the water.

[figure]


[Page 35]PLATE CCCIV. PHALAENA ABISINTHII. WORMWOOD MOTH.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae taper from the base. Wings in general deflexed when at rest. Fly by night.

* Noctua.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Thorax crested. Wings deflexed: white, fasciated and spotted with black in a somewhat quadrangular manner.

  • PHALAENA ABISINTHII: crista alis deflexis canis: faciis punc­tisque in tetragonum positis nigris. Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 845. 133.—Fn. Sv. 1182. Fab. Ent. Syst. T. 3. p. 2. p. 88. sp. 261.

Phalaena Abisinthii is certainly an elegant species, and particularly interesting as a native of this country. A few years since it was very highly esteemed by collectors of English natural history, and at pre­sent it holds a distinguished rank amongst the more valuable insects of our cabinets. Has been found on some wormwood in Bunhill­fields, about twenty years ago.

[Page 36]The larva is beautifully variegated with red, and tender shades of green and yellow on a whitish ground: it feeds on the wormwood, and becomes a pupa within a case, or spinning. Found in the winged state in July.

[figure]


[Page 37]PLATE CCCV. CERAMBYX OCULATUS.

* * Saperda.

GENERIC CHARCTER. Antennae articulated, tapering towards the ends. Thorax either armed with spines, or gibbous. Wing-cases throughout of equal breadth.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Cylindrical: Thorax without spines, yellow, with two black spots. Wing-cases grey with linear streaks of excavated black points.

  • CERAMBYX OCULATUS: thorace mutico cylindrico luteo: punctis duobus nigris, elytris fastigiatis linearibus nigris. SAPERDA. Linn. Faun. Suec. 664.—Cerambyx ferrugineo-rufus, elytris nigro cinereis punctis excavatis nigris. Uddm. Diss. 31—Gmel. Linn. Syst. T. 1. p. 4. p. 1841. sp. 60.
  • SAPERDA OCULATA. Fab. Ent. Syst. T. 1. p. 2. p. 308. Schaeff. Icon. tab. 128. fig. 4.

This insect is described and figured, by some of the continental writers on entomology, as a native of France, Italy, and Germany, but has not, we believe, been hitherto noticed as a British species. Like other local insects it is said to be extremely common in the Isle of Ely, Cambridgeshire, and perhaps is not found in any other part of the country.

[figure]


[Page 39]PLATE CCCVI. PHALAENA QUADRA. SPOTTED FOOTMAN MOTH.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae taper from the base. Wings in general deflexed when at rest. Fly by night.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Thorax smooth. Wings depressed, yellow, with two dark blue spots on the anterior pair.

  • PHALAENA QUADRA: laevis alis depressis luteis: anticis punctis duobus cyaneis. Linn Syst. Nat. 2. 840. 14.
  • —Fab. Ent. Syst. T. 3. p. 2. p. 24. sp. 54.
  • Schaeff. Elem. tab. 98. fig. 5.
  • Roes. Ins. 1. phal. 2. tab. 17.

The larva of this species rarely occurs, and the winged Insect is not common. Linnaeus has taken his specific character of this Moth from the four blue spots on the anterior wings: it is therefore neces­sary to observe, that the other sex has no such spots, and has erro­neously been made a distinct species by the same author, because it was destitute of them.—Found in the winged state in May and June.

[figure]


[Page 41]PLATE CCCVII. PHALAENA POPULI. DECEMBER MOTH.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae taper from the base. Wings in general deflexed when at rest. Fly by night.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Brown: an irregular pale streak across the anterior pair, and a smaller one near the base. A single pale streak across the posterior pair.

  • PHALAENA POPULI: fusca antice pallida, alis reversis fuscescen­tibus: striga sesquialtera repanda albida. Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 818. 34.—Fn. Sv. 1101.
  • —Fab. Ent. Syst. T. 3. p. 2. p. 429. sp. 70.
  • Wien. Verz. 58. 9.
  • Roes. Ins. 1. phal. 2. tab. 60.

We seldom meet with this interesting species, for it is found both in the larva and perfect state in the season, when few collectors are disposed to seek for it. It feeds on the white-thorn, becomes a pupa in November, and the Moth appears in December as its trivial English name implies.

[figure]


[Page 43]PLATE CCCVIII. STAPHYLINUS ERYTHROPTERUS.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae moniliform. Elytra not half the length of the abdomen. Wings folded, and concealed under the elytra.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Black. Wing-cases, antennae, and legs red.

  • STAPHYLINUS ERYTHROPTERUS: ater, elytris, antennarum basi pedibusque rufis.—Fn. Suec. 842. Gmel. Linn. T. 1. p. 4. p. 2027. sp. 4.
  • Fab. Ent. Syst.
  • Degeer. Ins. 4. p. 21. n. 6.
  • Schaeff. Elem. tab. 117.
  • —Icon. tab. 2. fig. 2.

Found in general in moist or sandy places.

[figure]


[Page 45]PLATE CCCIX. PHALAENA CORYLI. NUT-TREE TUSSOCK MOTH.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae taper from the base. Wings in general deflexed when at rest. Fly by night.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Wings deflexed greyish: a broad ferruginous space across the an­terior wings, marked in the middle with two black points encircled with white.

  • PHALAENA CORYLI: alis deflexis glaucis: fascia ferruginea; puncto nigro albo annulato, thorace variegato.
  • Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 823. 50.—Fn. Sv. 1123.—Fab.
  • Ent. Syst. T. 3. p. 2. p. 444. sp. 114.
  • Degeer Ins. 1. tab. 18. fig. 4. 5.
  • Roes. Ins. 1. phal. 2. tab. 58.
  • Albin. Ins. tab. 90.

Found on the nut-tree in Coombe Wood in the larva state in May: and formed a fine web within the leaves, where it became a pupa. The Moth appeared in July.

[figure]


[Page 47]PLATE CCCX. PHALAENA VERNARIA. GREEN HOUSE-WIFE MOTH.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae taper from the base. Wings in general deflexed when at rest. Fly by night.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Antennae feathered; setaceous at the apex. Wings angulated, green, with two equidistant whitish bars across: margin of alternate spots of brown and white.

  • PHALAENA VERNARIA: pectinicornis alis angulatis virescentibus: strigis duabus albis repandis, antennis apice setaceis.
  • Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 858. 195.—Fn. Sv. 1227.
  • Fab. Ent. Syst. T. 3. p. 2. p. 129. 169. sp. 3.

A very common and pretty little species. Is found on the jas­mine and honeysuckle.

[figure]


[Page 49]PLATE CCCXI. PHALAENA PRONUBA. YELLOW UNDERWING MOTH.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae taper from the base. Wings in general deflexed when at rest. Fly by night.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Thorax crested. Wings incumbent. First pair variegated brown and grey. Second pair yellow, with a black band near the margin.

  • PHALAENA PRONUBA: cristata, alis incumbentibus, posticis rubris, fascia atra submarginali. Fab. Syst. Ent. 603. 55.
  • —Sp. Ins. 2. p. 222. 73.
  • Phalaena pronuba. Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 842. 121.—Fn. Sv. 1167.
  • Phalaena antennis setaceis, alis brunneis aut cinereis, posticis luteis, fascia maginali nigra. Degeer. Ins. Vers. Germ. 2. 1. 288. 1.
  • Goed. Ins. 1. tab. 14.
  • Frisch. Ins. 4. tab. 32.
  • Ammiral. tab. 8.
  • Schaeff. Icon. tab. 196. fig. 1. 2.
  • Geoffr. Ins. 2. 146. 76.

The larva of this beautiful, though common Moth, is found in the month of May, feeding on the roots of grass, &c. &c.; changes to the pupa, and appears in the winged state in August.

[figure]


[Page 51]PLATE CCCXII. PAPILIO EUPHROSYNE. PEARL BORDER FRITILLARY BUTTERFLY. LEPIDOPTERA.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae clubbed at the end. Wings erect when at rest. Fly [...] day.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Wings indented. Upper side fulvous brown with black spots. [...] border of silver spots on the underside.

  • PAPILIO EUPHROSYNE: alis dentatis fulvis nigro maculatis: subtus maculis novem argenteis. Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 786. 214. Fn. Sv. 1069.
  • Fab. Ent. Syst. T. p. 1. p. 147. sp. 450.
  • Geoffr. Ins. 2. 44. 11.
  • Degeer. Ins. 2. tab. 1. fig. 10. 11.
  • Esp. pap. 1. tab. 18. fig. 3.

An elegant species. Is common in woods, and appears in the [...]inged state in May.

[figure]


[Page 53]PLATE CCCXIII. CARABUS NITENS. SHINING CARABUS.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae setaceous. Thorax heart-shaped truncated at the apex. [...]lytra margined.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. AND SYNONYMS. No wings. Elytra rugged, with several longitudinal ridges, green margin reddish gold. Legs black.

  • CARABUS NITENS: apterus elytris porcatus scabris viridibus: margine aureo, pedibus nigris. Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 669. 6.—Fn. Sv. 185.
  • Carabus nitens. Eab. Ent. Syst. T. I. p. 131. sp. 30
  • Carabus nitens. Paykull. Monogr. 24. 12.
  • Carabus aureus. Degeer. Ins. 4. 94. 9.
  • Schaeff. Icon. tab. 51. fig. 1.
  • Sulz. Hist. Ins. tab. 7. fig. 3.

The Carabus nitens is a very rare and recently discovered species [...]n Great Britain. It is less uncommon in other parts of Europe, [...]nd especially in Germany, from whence the English collectors are usually furnished with specimens for their cabinets.

The smallest figure denotes the natural size.

[figure]


[Page 55]PLATE CCCXIV. SPHINX PORCELLUS. SMALL ELEPHANT HAWK MOTH. LEPIDOPTERA.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae thickest in the middle. Wings deflected when at rest. Fly slow, morning and evening.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Wings entire, variegated with yellow and purple. Body red, with white spots on the under side.

  • SPHINX PORCELLUS: alis integris flavo purpureoque variis, abdo­mine subtus sanguineo albo punctato. Linn. Syst.
  • Nat. 2. 801. 18.—Fn. Sv. 1090.
  • Fab. Ent. Syst. T. 3. p. 1. p. 373. 52.
  • Roes. Ins. 1. phal. 1. tab. 5.
  • Albin. Ins. tab. 9.
  • Esp. Ins. 2. tab. 19.
  • Geoff. Ins. 2. 88. 12.

A specimen of this Insect in the winged state was found in Hyde Park this summer; it is one of the scarcest of the British Sphinges, and was found by Harris many years since in ‘meadows—Osterly Wood, near Brentford, May 27th.’

[Page 56]The larva is of an uniform dull brown, with three eye-shaped spots on each side, and is furnished with a tail; it feeds on the epilobium, and changes to Chrysalis about the end of July.

[figure]


[Page 57]PLATE CCCXV. RAPHIDIA OPHIOPSIS. NEUROPTERA.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Head depressed or flat. Mouth armed with two teeth, and fur­nished with four palpi. Three stemmata. Wings deflected. An­tennae long as the thorax, anterior part of which is lengthened out and cylindrical. Tail of the female terminated by a flexible crooked bristle.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Thorax cylindrical; a brown marginal spot on each wing.

  • RAPHIDIA OPHIOPSIS: thorace cylindrico, alis macula marginali fusca.
  • RAPHIDIA OPHIOPSIS. Linn. Syst. Nat.
  • Raphidia notata. Fab. Spec. Ins. 1. p. 402. 106. sp. 1.
  • Roes. Ins. 3. tab. 21. fig. 67.
  • Scopoli, Carn. 711.
  • Schaeff. Icon. tab. 95. 1. 2.
  • — Elem. tab. 107.

We can scarcely conceive what motive induced Fabricius to con­found the Raphidia Ophiopsis and notata as one species in his last work, after having described both with accuracy in his former pub­lication: it appears indeed, that his names were erroneous, and his synonyms misapplied; but it was needless to correct one error by committing another.

[Page 58]The first species of Raphidiae known, was figured in the works of Roesel, Die Fleine Landhaelsige. Lanlibelle fig. 6. 7. pl. 21, it was described in the Fauna Suecica, by Linnaeus, under the specific name Ophiopsis; and again in the Systema Natura of the same author, with a reference to the only figure of it then extant, that of Roesel. Hence it appears that the true Raphidia Ophiopsis of Linnaeus, is that figured by this author. In later editions, the works of Sulzer, Schaeffer, Geoffroy and Scopoli, were added to the synonyms, but the figures thus quoted, evidently include two species, one with wings perfectly clear, the other having a marginal black spot on each. Linnaeus seems to have considered the two as varieties of the same species, but he is evidently mistaken, for the two sexes of both kinds are now clearly ascertained.

Fabricius has followed Linnaeus in his Species Insectorum, has indiscriminately adopted all the synonyms, and thereby confounded all the figures of the two Raphidae that have been noticed by authors on European Insects, under the name of Ophiopsis: and after this he describes that very species which has spots on the wings as a new and unfigured kind, under the name of notata. Thorace cylindrico alis macula marginali fusca. Habitat in anglia. Had he referred to the volumes of Roesel, he must have known that his notata was the Linnaean Ophiopsis, and if either Insect was new, it must certainly be that destitute of spots.

Gmelin in his Systema Natura perpetuates the same error; he follows the Species Insectorum of Fabricius, and gives the characters thus: "R. Ophiopsis alis immaculatis. Fab." & ‘R. notata, alis macula marginali fusca. Fab.’ but whilst the works of Gmelin are preparing for publication, Fabricius alters his opinion; and in the last work. Syst. Ent. emendet et aucta, abolishes his specific cha­racters, and merely says there is no difference between his former species "Raphidia notata, nullo modo distincta." Fab. Ent. Syst. T. 2. p. 99.

[Page 59]As we have all the species described by those authors before us, we shall endeavour to restore them to order, and that by retaining the former descriptions of Fabricius, changing the names, and di­viding the synonyms, for both are sufficiently characteristic; that with marginal spots is figured by Roesel, Schaeffer and Scopoli, and the immaculated or clear-winged kind by Geoffroy and Sulzer. The first we deem the true R. Ophiopsis, and the latter as a distinct insect, which may be called the Raphidia Immaculata with propriety.

Both species of this singular creature are extremely rare. Geoffroy, speaking of the unspotted kind, says he never found it but twice, and then in woods *. The larva is unknown; in the pupa state it is furnished with legs, and runs fast.

[figure]


[Page 61]PLATE CCCXVI. PHALAENA GONONSTIGMA. SCARCE VAPOURER MOTH.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae taper from the base. Wings in general deflexed when at rest. Fly by night.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Wings incumbent, brown. Two white spots on the first wings; one placed on the anterior, and the other nearly opposite, on the posterior margin. Female without wings.

  • PHALAENA GONONSTIGMA: acis incumbentibus fuscis: maculis duabus albis oppositis, foemina aptera. Linn. Syst.
  • Nat. 2. 826. 57.—Fab. Ent. Syst. T. 3. p. 1. p. 477. sp. 217.
  • Roes. Ins. 1. phal. 2. tab. 40.
  • Albin. Ins. tab. 90.

The Phalaena Gononstigma, and Phalaena Antiqua are very similar both in the larva and winged state, as well as in the extraordinary appearance of the apterous female. Hence former collectors of English insects denominated them trivially the Scarce and Common Vapourer Moths. It is evident from those allusive names, that the [Page 62] latter was more frequently taken than the other; at this time Pha­laena Antiqua is found very common, but the latter so rarely, that we never met with it, in the winged state, till this summer.

Once found the larva on an oak in Coombe Wood, Surry, but it died soon after.

[figure]


[Page 63]PLATE CCCXVII. PHALAENA PERSICARIAE.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae taper from the base. Wings in general deflexed when at rest. Fly by night.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Thorax crested, wings deflexed, dark and clouded. A white kidney-shaped spot, with a yellow lunar pupil in the middle on each.

  • PHALAENA PERSICARIAE: crista alis deflexis fusco nebulosis: stig­mate reniformi albo; pupilla lunari flava. Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 847. 142.—Fn. Suec. 1208.
  • Geoff. Ins. 2. 157. 94.
  • Ammir. Ins. tab. 157.
  • Roes. Ins. I. phal. 2. tab. 30.

A very common insect; and is often observed near fruit trees.

[figure]


[Page 65]PLATE CCCXVIII. PHALAENA DIDACTYLUS. BIFID-WING PLUME MOTH.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae taper from the base. Wings in general deflexed when at rest. Fly by night.

* Alucita. Linn.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Wings divided into plumes, brown, barred with white. Anterior wings consists of two feathers, posterior pair of three.

  • PHALAENA DIDACTYLUS: alis fissis fuscus: strigis albis anticis bifidis, posticis tripartitis. Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 899. 454.—Fn. Sv. 1453.
  • Pterophorus Didactylus. Fab. Ent. Syst. T. 3. p. 2. p. 345. sp. 200.
  • Geoff. Ins. 2. 92. 2.
  • Wien. Verz. 145. 2.
  • Schaeff. Icon. tab. 93. fig. 7.
  • Elem. tab. 104.

The larva of this very singular creature is said to feed on the convolvulus and Geo rivali. We have considered it as one of the scarcest species of the Plume-Moths found in this country: our specimen was taken in Epping Forest, in June It is a most beau­tiful object for the microscope.

[figure]


[Page 67]PLATE CCCXIX. SPHINX LOTI. FIVE SPOT BURNET SPHINX.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae thickest in the middle. Wings deflected when at rest. Fly slow, morning and evening.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Anterior wings greenish, with five red spots. Posterior wings red, bordered with fine blue.

  • ZYGAENA LOTI: alis anticis viridibus: punctis quinque rubris, posticis sanguineis: limbo cyaneo. Fab. Ent. Syst. T. 3. p. 2. p. 387. sp. 5.
  • SPHINX LOTI. Wien. Verz. 45. 3.
  • Schaeff. Icon. tab. 16. fig. 6. 7.
  • Sphinx Lonicerae. Esp. Ins. 2. tab. 24. fig. 1.

This beautiful little species may be easily confounded with the Sphinx Filipendula, figured in the sixth plate of this work; its ge­neral resemblance is striking, and it differs chiefly in the number of red spots that adorn the superior wings. Sphinx Filipendula has in­variably six spots on each wing, and the latter as constantly only five.

[Page 68]Some readers may be inclined to deem it a mere variety of the sort, from its general appearance, but it will be perceived by the synonyms quoted above, that all the continental writers on the sub­ject admit it as a distinct species; nor can we for a moment hesitate to agree in the same opinion.

It is rare in this country, and the larva unknown, or at least is undescribed.

[figure]


[Page 69]PLATE CCCXX. PAPILIO JANIRA. MEADOW BROWN BUTTERFLY.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae clubbed at the end. Wings erect when at rest. Fly by day.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Wings dentated above, brown beneath, first pair yellowish, with a black eye-shaped mark, second pair brownish, with two smaller eye-spots.

  • PAPILIO JANIRA: alis dentatis fuscis; anticis subtus luteis; ocello utrinque unico, posticis subtus punctis tribus.
  • Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 744. 156.—Fn. Sv. 1053.—
  • Fab. Ent. Syst. 3. p. 1. 241. 752. Schaeff. Icon. tab. 273. fig. 1. 2. 5. 6.—Geoff. Ins. 2. 49. 17.
  • [...] PAPILIO JURTINA: alis dentatis fuscis: anticis supra litura flava ocello utrinque unico. Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 774. 155.—Fn. Sv. 152. Roess. Ins. 3. tab. 34. fig. 7. 8.

Linnaeus described the two sexes of this Butterfly as distinct Species under the names of Janira and Jurtina. The first is the male and the latter the female insect.

[Page 70]The larva is hairy, green, with a lateral white line and bifid tail, and feeds on grass. It is very common in the winged state, fre­quenting meadows, &c. whence it is called the Meadow Brown Butterfly.

[figure]


[Page 71]PLATE CCCXXI.

FIG. I. I. CHRYSOMELA CORYLI. COLEOPTERA.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae composed of globular articulations which become larger towards the ends.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Black. Thorax and wing-cases testaceous brown, without spots.

  • CHRYSOMELA CORYLI: Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. p. 598. 88.—Fn. Suec. 555.
  • Cryptocephalus. Gmel. Linn. Syst. Nat. T. 1. p. 6. 1704. sp. 28.
  • CRYPTOCEPHALUS CORYLI: niger, thorace elytrisque testaceis immaculatis. Fab. Spec. Ins. 1. p. 142. n. 24.

We have frequently observed this species amongst the Insects of Germany, where it is probably not uncommon. In England it is very rare, having been found only by the Rev. John Buriel of Letherinset, near Holt, Norfolk. In one sex the thorax is red, in the other black.

FIG. II. II. CHRYSOMELA SERICEA.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Bluish green. Antennae black.

  • CHRYSOMELA SERICEA. Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. p. 598. n. 86.— Fn. Sv. 554.
  • Cryptocephalus. Gmel. Linn. Syst. 1. p. 6. p. 1706. Sp. 43.
  • Cryptocephalus fericeus: viridi-caeruleus antennis nigris. Fab. Sp. Ins. 1. p. 143. n. 32.

Found in June.

[figure]


[Page 73]PLATE CCCXXII.

FIG. I. I. PAPILIO ALSUS. LEPIDOPTERA.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae clubbed at the end. Wings in general erect when at rest. Fly by day.

Plebeii rurules.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Wings entire brown, without spots; beneath grey, with a row of eye-shaped spots.

  • HESPERIA ALSUS: alis integerrimis fuscis immaculatis subtus cinereis, striga punctorum ocellatorum. Fab. Ent. Syst. T. 3. p. 1. p. 295. 125. Schaeff. Icon. 2. tab. 165. fig. 1. 2.

This pretty Insect is found late in June. Its larva is unknown.

FIG. II. II. PAPILIO IDAS.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Wings entire brown. An equal marginal row of red spots both on the upper and underside. A black spot in the middle of the anterior wings.

  • PAPILIO IDAS: alis integris fuscis, fascia marginali utrinque rubro­maculata, anticis macula media nigra.

This insect must not be confounded with the Papilio Idas of Linnaeus. The Linnaean P. Idas is evidently the female of P. Argus, a circumstance unknown to that author, who considers them as a distinct species from their very dissimilar appearance. In one sex the upper surface is brown, and in the other a fine blue; this is not, however, peculiar to the P. Argus, for several of the Papilio tribe known amongst English collectors by the trivial name Blues differ in the same manner.

We suspect that our Insect has not been described by any author; it is certainly unnoticed by Fabricius in his last System of Entomo­logy, and the specific name Idas omitted. This name is therefore preferred for our Insect, which seems to approach nearer to the female Argus described by Linnaeus as Idas, than to any other. Found in May.

[figure]


[Page 75]PLATE CCCXXIII. SCARABAEUS LURIDUS.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae terminate in a club, which is divided longitudinally into laminae or plates.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Scutellum, thorax and head black. Wing-cases pale brown, striated, and somewhat tessellated with linear black marks.

  • SCARABAEUS LURIDUS: scutellatus capite tuberculato ater, elytris griseis nigro striatis. Fab. Ent. Syst. T. 1. p. 29. Sp. 91.
  • SCARABAEUS LURIDUS. Oliv. Ins. 1. 3. 90. 100. tab. 18. fig. 68. and tab. 26. fig. 168.
  • Scarabaeus tessellatus. Myll. Zool. Dan. Jabl. Coleopt. 2. tab. 18. fig. 3.

Fabricius describes this species from a specimen in the cabinet of Sir J. Banks, and notes its habitat England. From this circum­stance we may infer that it is not common in other countries, though we are certain it is a native of Denmark and Germany.

[figure]


[Page 77]PLATE CCCXXIV. PHALAENA SPONSA. CRIMSON UNDERWING MOTH.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae setaceous. Wing deflexed when at rest. Fly by night.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Thorax crested. Anterior wings greyish, undulated, spotted with brown. Posterior pair crimson, with two black bars across. Abdomen grey.

  • PHALAENA SPONSA: crista, alis planis cinerascentibus fusco undu­latis: posticis rubris; fasciis duabus nigris, abdo­mine undique cinereo. Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 841. 118. Roes. Ins. 4. tab. 19.

In the description of Phalaena Nupta, we have offered some re­marks on the Sponsa, Nupta, and Pacta of Linnaeus and Fabricius; and have only to add in this place, that an accurate figure of P. Pacta is given in Fuesl. Archiv. tab. 15. fig. 3. This figure is smaller than the species found in Great Britain, and in particular has the upper surface of the abdomen crimson, as authors have de­scribed it.

[Page 78]The Synonyms of the three species, as they stand in the works of Linnaeus and Fabricius, are very incorrect. We venture to retain that to Roesel's plate, vol. 4. t. 19. in which the larva we have figured is given.

The Caterpillars feed on the tops of the highest Oaks, change to the pupa state in June, and appears a winged Insect early in the month following.

LINNAEAN INDEX TO VOL. IX.

COLEOPTERA.
  • Scarabaeus luridus Plate 322
  • Chrysomela coryli Plate 321 Fig. 1.
  • — sericea Plate 321 Fig. 2.
  • Cerambyx oculatus Plate 305
  • Cicindela riparia Plate 301
  • Dytiscus punctatus Plate 303
  • Carabus nitens Plate 313
  • Staphilinus Erythropterus Plate 308
HEMIPTERA.
  • Cimex bicolor Plate 297
LEPIDOPTERA.
  • Papilio Cardui Plate 292
  • — Janira Plate 320
  • — Jurtina Plate 320
  • — Aglaja Plate 302
  • [Page]Papilio Euphrosyne Plate 312
  • — Comma Plate 295
  • — Alsus Plate 322 Fig. 1. 1.
  • — Idas Plate 322 Fig. 2. 2.
  • Sphinx Pinastri Plate 296
  • — Porcellus Plate 214
  • — Loti Plate 319
  • Phalaena Populi Plate 307
  • — gonostigma Plate 316
  • — roboris Plate 299
  • — persicariae Plate 317
  • — sponsa Plate 324
  • — pronuba Plate 311
  • — Coryli Plate 389
  • — triplacia Plate 298
  • — absinthii Plate 304
  • — Quadra Plate 306
  • — Ulmata Plate 293 Fig. 1.
  • — marginata Plate 293 Fig. 2.
  • — prunaria Plate 293 Fig. 3.
  • — vernaria Plate 310
  • — didactylus Plate 318
NEUROPTERA.
  • Raphidia Ophiopsis Plate 315
DIPTERA.
  • Tipula pomonae Plate 300
  • Musca solstitialis Plate 294

ALPHABETICAL INDEX TO VOL. IX.

  • Absinthii, Phalaena, Wormwood Moth Plate 304
  • Aglaja, Papilio, Silver Spot Fritillary Butterfly Plate 302
  • Alsus, Papilio Plate 322
  • bicolor, Cimex, black and white Field Bug Plate 297
  • Cardui, Papilio, Painted Lady Butterfly Plate 392
  • Comma, Papilio, Pearl Skipper Butterfly Plate 295
  • Coryli, Phalaena, Nut-tree Tussock Plate 309
  • Didactylus, Phalaena, bifid-wing Plume Moth Plate 318
  • Erythropterus, Staphilinus Plate 308
  • Euphrosyne, Papilio, Pearl Border Fritillary Butterfly Plate 312
  • gonostigma, Phalaena, Scarce Vapourer Plate 316
  • Janira, Papilio, Meadow Brown Moth Plate 320
  • Idas, Papilio Plate 323 Fig. 2. 2.
  • Jurtina, Papilio Plate 320
  • Loti, Sphinx, Five Spot Burnet Moth Plate 319
  • marginata, Phalaena Plate 293 Fig. 2.
  • nitens, Scarabaeus, Shining Carabus Plate 313
  • oculatus, Cerambyx Plate 305
  • ophiopsis, Raphidia Plate 315
  • persicariae, Phalaena Plate 317
  • pinastri, Sphinx. Pine Hawk Moth Plate 296
  • pomonae, Tipula Plate 300
  • populi, Phalaena, December Moth Plate 307
  • parcellus, Sphinx, Small Elephant, Hawk Moth Plate 314
  • [Page]pronuba, Phalaena, Yellow Underwing Moth Plate 311
  • prunaria, Phalaena, Female Orange Moth Plate 293 Fig. 3.
  • 2. punctatus, Dytiscus, Two-spot Boat Beetle Plate 303
  • Quadra, Phalaena, Spotted Footman Moth Plate 306
  • riparia, Cicindela Plate 301
  • roboris, Phalaena Plate 299
  • solstitialis, Musca Plate 294
  • Sponsa, Phalaena, Crimson Underwing Moth Plate 324
  • triplacia, Phalaena, Spectacle Moth Plate 298
  • Ulmata, Phalaena, Scarce Elm Moth Plate 293 Fig. 1.
  • Vernaria, Phalaena, Green Housewife Moth Plate 310

This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal. The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.