  EREBUS ODORA.Plate III. fig. 1. Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: NoctuidÆ. Genus. Erebus, Latr. Thysania, Dalm. Noctua, Fabr. PhalÆna (Attacus), Linn. Drury. Erebus Odora. Alis dentatis fuscis, nigro undatis, anticis ocello atro auriformi fulvo marginato; posticis sesquialtero. (Expans. Alar. 7½ unc.) Syn. PhalÆna (Attacus) Odora, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. p. 811. No. 11. Sloan. Jam. 2. t. 236. f. 13. 14. Noctua Odora, Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 2. p. 10. No. 8. Gmelin, Linn., S. N. 2529. 11. Cramer, Ins. tab. 169. fig. A. B. Oliv. Enc. MÉth. 8. 252. 7. Habitat: Jamaica, Antigua, and other West Indian Islands (Drury). Surinam (Fabricius). Upper Side. The body and wings are of a dark brown. The latter are scolloped, the anterior having, near their anterior margin, towards the middle, a black eye on each, shaped like a human ear, whose iris is of a dark orange colour; and, near the anal angle, towards the external edge, is a black scolloped line, running half way up the wing, joining to which (under it) is a bar of a very soft and delicate brown colour, differing from the general tint of the wings. The posterior wings have, on each, near the external edge, a mark somewhat like a large eye; upon whose under edge are two semi-eyes, one black, the other the same colour as the wings. Many agreeable shades, of a lighter colour, and ingrailed lines, run across all the wings. Under Side. The head, breast, and legs, are the same colour as the upper side; except the thighs of the fore legs, which are red. There is very little variety of colours on this side, except a purplish hue, visible when held in a declining direction. Drury notices another insect, also received by him from Saint Christopher's, of smaller size, and differing only in having a narrow indented bar, of a flesh colour, crossing the upper and lower wings, and which, he thinks, may possibly be the other sex of the insect here figured; considering also, that the references to LinnÆus and Sloane, apply rather to the smaller insect. Fabricius states, that the female of Odora is distinguished by having a fascia, composed of three waved white lines, in the middle of the wings. SPILOSOMA ACREA.Plate III. fig. 2. ?. 3. ?. Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: ArctiidÆ, Steph. Genus. Spilosoma, Stephens. Arctia p. Schrank. Eyprepia p. Ochsenheim. Bombyx p. Fabr. Spilosoma Acrea. Alis niveis (postieis ? fulvis), punctis nigris, costalibus majoribus; abdominis dorso fulvo nigro maculato. (Expans. Alar. ? 2 unc.—? 2¾ unc.) Syn. ? PhalÆna (Bombyx) Acrea, Drury, App. v. 2. ?. Phal. (Bomb.) Caprotina, Drury, App. v. 2. Bombyx Acria, Fab. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 451. No. 137. Abbot and Smith, Ins. Georg. tab. 67. (exclus. Syn. Fabr. B. lubricepidÆ). Arctia Pseuderminea (Peck), Harris in Massachus. Agricult. Repos. vol. 7. p. 328. and tab. annex. Habitat: New York, Maryland, Virginia (Drury). Male..—Upper Side. The antennÆ and eyes are black; the thorax and extremity of the body cream colour; he abdomen yellow, spotted on the top and sides with black. The anterior wings are cream coloured, spotted with black. The number of spots very uncertain, except five which are placed on the anterior edge, and six on the external one. The cilia yellow, as are the posterior wings, on each of which are three black spots, two near the external edge, and one near the middle. Under Side. The breast and thighs are yellow; the abdomen and legs the same, chequered and spotted with black. All the wings are yellow, spotted in the same manner with black, as on the upper side. Female.—Upper Side. The head and thorax white. The abdomen yellow, with black spots on the sides and top, the extremity being white. All the wings are white, with black spots, whose number is very variable; but, on the anterior edges of each anterior wing, are placed five, and on the external edges, six. Under Side. The legs are black and white, the thighs yellow; the abdomen white, spotted with black. All the wings are white, with black spots, most of which, observed on the upper side, being seen on this. This species is closely allied to the common British species, Spilosoma lubricepida, and Menthrastri; but is of larger size, the spots being also larger. The two figures given by Drury, are now ascertained to be the sexes of the same species, as, indeed, our author had surmised might be the case. It appears to be a very common species, and is stated by Drury to breed twice a year, namely, in June and September. The caterpillar is very hairy, and when young is white; as it advances in age, it acquires a fox colour, and, in its last skin, becomes almost black. Dr. Thaddeus W. Harris, a distinguished American entomologist, to whom I am indebted for many valuable insects of that country, has published a very interesting notice, in the work above cited, upon this insect, under the title of "The Natural History of the Salt-marsh Caterpillar," under which name the larva of this insect is commonly known, and which is exceedingly destructive to grasses of various kinds. He states, that when nearly full-fed, "they become very voracious, and continue eating all the day and night without intermission. Soon they leave the meadows, aggregated in great numbers, and commence the wandering state, or begin to run, as is the phrase, devouring everything in their progress; corn-fields, gardens, and even the coarse and rank |
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