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VI. On the Genera and Species of the Lepidopterons Subfamily Ophiderinee inhabiting
the Indian Begion.^ By F. Mooee, F.Z.S. etc.

Eeceived January 19th, read January 20th, 1880.

[Plates XII.-XIV.]

XHE genus Opkideres was fii'st characterized in 1832, in the 'Voyage de 1' Astrolabe '
("Entom." p. 245), by Dr. Boisduval, who described a single species from Brazil under
the name of O-i^finceps. In Guerin's ' Iconogr. Regn. Anim.' (" Ins." pi. Ixxxix. f. 1), he
further figured a Madagascar species as 0. imperator, which he redescribed and figured
(the male) in 1833, in the ' Faune Entom. Madagasc. Bourb. et Maur.' p. 99, pi. xiv.
fig. 3.

In 1852 M. Guence, in the ' Spec. Gen. des Lep. Noctuelites,' iii. p. 109, recharac-
terized the genus, including in it and describing all the then known species of the
group. This arrangement was followed by Mr. Walker in 1857, in the British-Museum
' Catalogue of Lepidoptera Heterocera,' and has been continued by all subsequent
writers.

Having made a recent examination of the several species of this interesting group
of Moths, I submit the result in the following pages, treating therein, however, only of
the species of the Indian Region. The species being much diversified in the form of
the external outline of the fore wings, and also in the shape of the terminal joint of the
palpi, as well as exhibiting a dissimilarity in the pattern of markings in the sexes, I have
found it necessary to group them under various genera, and to restrict the genus
Ophideres to its type, namely 0. princeps. Of six of the species described, figures are
here given of the larva and pupa, copied from original drawings made in India by
Mr. A. Grote, Sir W. Elliot, and Mr. S. N. Ward, and from others made in Java by
the late Dr. Ilorsfield.

Tliis group of Moths has hitherto been placed by entomologists between the families
Catocalidse and Erebida3 ; they have, however, closer affinity to the Ophiusidaj, their
larvsc also agreeing better with those of the latter in form. The genus Lagoptcra is
very closely allied to them. I therefore place them, together with the subfamily
Phyllodinse, between the Bendida3 (of which family Iltolodes caranca is a well-known
insect) and the Ophiusidaj.

VOL. XI. — PART in. No. 1. — March, 1881. l

64 ME. F. MOOEE ON THE OPHIDERIN^ OF THE INDIAN EE&ION.

Genus Otheeis, Hiibner.

Othreis, Hubner, Verz. bck. Sclimett. p. 264 (1816).
Corycia, Hubner, ib. j). 2G5.
Ophideres (part), Giicuce, Walker.

Fore wing elongated ; costa nearly straiglit, slightly arched near the end, apex acute ;
exterior margin oblique and slightly convex hindward, even in the male, scalloped in
the female ; posterior margin short, with a fringed lobe near base, and slight excava-
tion beyond ; costal vein extending to near apex ; first and second branches of subcostal
at equal distances before end of cell, thiid starting from the second at a short distance
beyond the cell and forked near the apex, fifth anastomosed to third near its juncture
with the second, sixth from angle below end of the cell ; discocellular very slender,
recurved ; two upper median branches from angles above lower end of the cell, third
from its end, and fourth at one third ; submedian bent near the base. Hind wing broad,
anterior margin extending beyond angle of fore wing ; exterior margin convex, with a
slight subanal angle, abdominal margin sliort ; costal vein recurved, extending to apex;
subcostal with two branches from end of the cell ; discocellular very slender, deeply
concave ; upper median branches from pointed angles at end of the cell, lower conti-
guous ; three submedians. Body robust, densely clothed above ; fore femora and tibige
thickly pilose beneath, the latter furnished beneath with an elongated, pouched, glan-
dular spur ; middle and hind legs less pilose, with spurred tibiae and spined tarsi ; palpi
large, long, ascending, second joint clothed with short adpressed hairy scales, third
joint slender, long, and with a slight hairy tuft above. Antennaj filiform, long, thick-
ened towards the base.

Larva semilooped, cylindrical, sparsely covered with minute hairs ; with sixteen feet,
but the first pair of vcntrals rudimentary ; eleventh segment thickened at the dorsal
extremity and surrounded by a tubercular spot. When at rest holds the head uji and
also the last segments ; frequently curling the anterior segments up in fi'ont. Changes
to pupa in a canopy of growing leaves fixed together and lined witli a net-like web ;
pujia fastened by the tail.

//Otheeis fullonica. (Plate XII. figs. 1, la, larva and pupa; Plate XIII. figs. 1, 1 a,
imago, c? ? .)

Phaloena B.fuUonica, Linn. Syst. Nat. il. p .812 (1767) ; Clerck, Icones, pi. xlviii. figs. l-J. (Seba,

Ins. t. 42. f. 13, 14?).
Ophideres fullonica, Giien. Noct. iii. p. Ill; Walker, Catal. Lep. Het. Brit. Mus. xiii. p. 1222.
Noctua dioscoreee, Fabr. Syst. Ent. p. 593, Spec. Ins. ii. p. 212, Mant. Ins. ii. p. 137, Eut. Syst.

iii. 2, 16, 26, ? .
Phal. N. pomona, Cramer, Pap. Exot. 1. pi. 77. f. C, ? .
Othreis poifiona, Hiibner, Verz. bek. Schmett. p. 264.
Ophideres cajeta, Walk. Catal. Lep. Het. B. M. xiii. p. 1223 (nee Cramer).

ME. F. MOORE ON THE OPHIDEEIN^ OF THE INDIAN REGION. 65

Male. Fore wing dark ferruginous-brown or vinous-brown, numerously covered with
either ochreous, dark green, or greyish strigae, whicli on the exterior border form irre-
gular fascife and terminate in a straight streak to the apex ; an ante- and a postmedian
oblique transverse darker brown line, the interspace glossy and suffused generally with
purple-brown, the reniform mark being more or less unglossed. Hind wing orange-
yellow, with a broad black apical marginal band and row of pale yellow cilial spots ; a
large broad curved black discal band. Thorax, head, palpi, and legs above dark brown ;
abdomen orange-yellow ; legs and abdomen beneath paler ; a yellow spot on tibiaj and
tarsal joints ; palpi black-tipped.

Female. Fore wing brighter-coloured, mottled grey and brown, strigae paler grey;
discal area and fascitr; on exterior border chalybeous-grey ; postmedian line irregularly
sinuous, with a prominent white dentate spot on its middle and narrow lunules below
it ; reniform mark triangular, and more or less black ; a minute black orbicular spot.
Hind wing and body as in male.

Expanse 3 to 4| inches.

Hab. India, N. W. Ilima/ai/as [Masnri, KussowUe), Lucknoiv, Umhalla, E. Himalayas
(Darjilinrj), Cac/iar, Allipore, W. and E. G ha ids {Bomhai/, Malabar, Madras); Ceylon;
Andamans ; Malay peninsula ; Pcnaug ; Sumatra ; Java ; Formosa ; Shanghai.

From the above-cited localities (specimens from which have been examined) it
will be seen that this species has a very extended range of habitat. Specimens have
been also occasionally recorded as having been taken on board ship in the eastern seas,
many miles from land. It also occurs at Moreton Bay, Australia; and an allied (or
probably the same) species, was taken by Mr. Wallace on Ke Island. Other closely
allied species from New Hebrides and Navigators' Islands, and another from Sierra
Leone, are in the British-Museum Collection.

This insect is stated to be dreaded by the Australian colonists on account of the mis-
chief the imago causes to tlie orange plantations — perforating the ripening fruit with
its proboscis, and thus causing them to soon fall to the ground and rot.

This insect has been reared by Mr. A. Grote at Allipore, near Calcutta, from larvae
feeding on Mcnispermum (jlahnim. Sir W. Elliot reared it at Vizagapatam on Coc-
culus acuminatus and C. cordifolius ; and in Java it was frequently reared by Dr.
Horsfield from larvae feeding on the Tayungan [EpihatJicrium, sp.) and on the Buntia
Silit {Leschenaultia, sp.) from November to April, being most abundant in the latter
month.

Major A. M. Lang, in his Entomological Note-book, gives the following account of
the rearing of the larva of this species at Lucknow in 1866 : —

" September 8th. Took from the middle of the underside of a leaf of (? Menispcrmum)
a solitary, spherical, smooth, unsculptured, translucent, light-yellowish e^^^, about 3-"' in
diameter. Four or live more found on the 13th, all on the underside. On the 11th a

l2

66 ME. F. MOORE ON THE OPHIDEEIN^ OF THE INDIAN REGION.

minute Geometi'iform larva was hatched ; it was very active, dropping itself by a silken
thread when disturbed ; transpai'ent, yellow and blackish in alternate belts, sparsely
covered with hairs; fourteen legs (those on 6th segment wanting); head disproportion-
ately large, holding the head up and also the two last segments.

" On the loth it changed to a shining, translucent green, the anterior and posterior
segments very much more pale and yellow, 4'" long ; head now the smallest segment,
dull pale testaceous, the rest of the segments a pale translucent yellow, which, how-
ever, in segments 2 to 9 inclusive, look green — a light bright grass-green — the colour
seeming to come from the inside; on the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 10th segments are pale
brown lateral patches ; every segment has apparently ten black tubercular spots, each
caiTying a hair ; legs black.

" On the 14th it changed to a velvety black, of the same form and attitude as before ;
a Vermillion spot on each side of the 5th and 6th segments, on the 5th each spot accom-
panied by an anterior white speck ; white lateral markings on 10th and 11th segments.

" On the 17th it changed to a black, with rufous and white ocelli where the Vermil-
lion spots were in preceding stage, and several rufous and white specks.

" On the 20th it changed to a most handsome variegated rufous and black, with
innumerable lilac, white, and rufous scattered specks.

" On the 25th it spun a leaf loosely across itself, on a bush above ground, and turned
into pupa.

"On October 8th the perfect insect {0 . fuUonica) emerged."

This insect has also been reared at Canara by Mr. S. N. Ward, from whose MS. is
the following extract: — " Larva with sixteen feet, but the first pair of ventrals almost
obsolete and retractile. Body cylindrical, smooth, and velvety to the touch, but with
scattered minute hairs over all the body; 11th segment much thickened at the extre-
mity, falling off abruptly behind, and surmounted by a red currant-like spot. The
colour of the larva changes considerably, but is always either pinkish or brownish-
purple, or a rich yellow-brown, with dark stripe down the back, a double one on top,
and near the bottom of sides ; another quite at bottom, and another down middle of
belly. On 5th and 6th segments are eye-spots, white, with a tinge of rich yellow above,
brown below, and surrounded by a black ring ; on 9th and 10th segments is a saddle-
like white mark. Head moderate-sized, rather oblong and reddish brown. Changes to
pupa between growing leaves, which it knits together with a very tough net-like web,
and lines it with one much finer and softer ; pupa fastened by the tail, which is fur-
nished with a treble forked bristle in middle with hooks turned outwards, and small
bristle on each side hooked inward. Pupa conical, front part rather flattened, and
upper part of thorax rather sharper than usual, but not carinated ; it is engine-turned
all over except articulations, which are soft ; they are red ; but all the rest is fine shining
bronze-colour. Feeds on the Hordee suppoo. September and October. Changes in
twenty-two days."

ME. F. MOOEE ON THE OPHIDEEIN^ OF THE INDIAN EEGION. G7

Otureis cajeta. (Plate XIII. figs. 2,2a, 6 2 .)

Phalaena Noct. cajeta, Cramer, Pap. Exot. i. p. 48, pi. xxx. i. KB, ^ ,C, ^ .

Corycia cajeta, Hiibuer, Verz. bek. ScLmctt. p. 263.

Ophideres cajeta, Gueiiec, Noct. iii. p. 112, (J ? .

Ophideres multiscripta. Walker, Catal. Lcp. Het. Brit. Mus. siii. p. 1220, ? .

31ale. Fore wing dark umber-brown, suffused with greyish fawn-colour externally,
greyest at the posterior angle ; a few grey strigoe disposed on basal and costal areas, and
a basal and subapical cluster of green or cream and dark brown scales ; veins alternate
pale and black-speckled ; an equidistant curved antemedian and a postmedian transverse
blackish double line, prominent and pale-centred in some, indistinct in others ; a small
pale-circled dark orbicular spot, and pale-bordered, dark, elongated, lunular, reniform
mark. Hind wing orange-yellow ; a black apical marginal band, with row of yellow cilial
spots, and a short, black, curved, discal band. Thorax, head, palpi, and legs above
brown, legs with white spots.

Female. Fore wing bro\vnish fawn-colour, numerously covered with black, pale-grey-
bordered, speckled strigte, which are thickly disposed along the costa, and form irregular
fasciae across the disk ; posterior angle broadly grpyish, above which is a small dentate
whitish spot; reniform mark prominent, angled hind ward and black-lined ; a minute
black, pale-circled, orbicular spot. Hind wing and body as in male.

Expanse 3 to 3^ inches.

Hab. S. India {Malabar and Madras) ; Ceylon.

This species has a limited range, the specimens under examination having Ijeeu
either from South India or Ceylon. It is very rare. A single specimen is in the
Banksian Cabinet in the British Museum ; but there are none in the General Cabinet.

" Larva feeds on the Muttee {Terminalia, sp.). Found in September. Makes a sliglit
web within a canopy of li^ ing leaves. Pupa plum-colour, with a thick bloom or powder
which comes off when touched ; front part smooth, top of thorax rounded ; the tliree
first segments of thorax very much humped, the succeeding ones decreasing in size like
steps ; extremity blunt and rounded, with several hooked bristles disposed like a bow-
string." [S. N. Ward, MS. Notes.)

Othreis ancilla. (Plate XII. figs. 2, 2a, larva and pupa; Plate XIII. figs. 3, 3«
imago J ? .)

Phalcena Noct. ancilla, Cramer, Pap. Exot. ii. p. 84, pi. cxlix. f. F (1779), ? .

Ophideres ancilla, Gueuee, Noct. iii. p. 11 1, ? ; Walker, Catal. Lep. Het. Brit. Mus. xiii. p. 1221, ? .

PItalana striyatn, Donovan, Ins. lud. pi. liv. (1800), ? .

Othrei.^ homa'ena, Hiibner, Verz. bek. Sehmett. p. 264.

Ophideres Zi////(eosa, Walker, Catal. Lcp. Ilet. Brit. Mus. xiii. p. 1227 (1857), J" .

68 ME. F. MOORE OX THE OPHIDERINiE OF THE INDIAN EEGION.

Male. Fore wing deep ferruginous-brown, with numerous darker brown strigEE ;
crossed by indistinct greenish-brown fascije, which are bordered with glaucous-grey or
purple ; a subbasal, an antemedian, and a postmedian transverse oblique lilack line ; a
brown-bordered reniforni mark. Hind wing orange-yellow ; marginal black band atte-
nuated hindward, cilial spots yellow ; a short black bilobed discal band. Thorax, head,
palpi, fore and middle legs deep ferruginous-brown ; abdomen and hind legs orange-
yellow.

Female. Fore wing dark purple-brown, strigae darker, transverse fasciae glaucous-
purple, postmedian transverse oblique black line sinuous hindward, a broad longitudinal
irregular green band extending below the cell from near base to beyond postmedian
line ; reniform mark partly green. Other parts as in male.

Expanse 2\ to 3 inches.

Hah. India {Allahabad, Bombay, Canara, Nilgiris, Darjiliiig) ; Ceylon.

" Larva half-looper ; sixteen legs, the first ventral pair being so slightly developed as
to be useless for the purpose of progression; cylindrical, the 11th segment raised, and
the apex surmounted by a single blunt red tubercle raised above the skin, behind which
the body slopes abruptly down towards the anal legs ; spiracles oval and black. General
colour dusky purplish-brown, dotted with numerous minute cobalt-blue spots regularly
arranged, and witli large yellow oval patches on the 4th, 5th, and 6th segments, those
on the sides of the 5th and 6th being in the shape of ocelli, the iris yellow, pupil azure
blue, surrounded by black; the 9th and 10th segments also patched witli yellow irre-
gularly more or less. Changes to pupa beneath a canopy of living leaves fastened
lirmly together and thinly lined with a bed of silk ; pupa fastened by the tail ; of an
orange-colour, beautifully burnished and rough like shagreen ; the lower part of the
thorax is much compressed, in fact quite sharp. Found during June, July, and August
and sparingly in October and November below the Ghats, and in July and August above
the Ghats." (*S'. iV". Ward, i¥<b'. Kates.)

Has been reared by Dr. Thwaites, in Ceylon, from larva feeding on Menispermum ;
Mr. S. N. "Ward reared the larva, in Canara, upon Cocculus villosus.

Othreis smaragdipicta.
Ophideres smarar/dipicta, 'Wa.lker, Cat. Lep. Het. Brit. Mu.s. xiii. p. 1229 (1857), $ .

Female. Fore wing deep ferruginous-brown, with a purplish tinge, varied with black
striga?, which are darkest and thickly confluent on tlie costa and disk ; an irregular-
shaped longitudinal bright green band extending from the base below the cell, its broad
basal centre being brown ; some green strigic along the costa, and a thick cluster below
the apex and along exterior border. Hind wing orange-yellow, marginal black band
broad, extending paler along the costa and suffusing the base ; a short black bilobed

ME. F. MOOEE ON THE OPUIDERIN^ OF THE INDIAN REGION. 69

discal band. Thorax, head, palpi, fore legs in front, and tarsi beneath dark ferruginous-
brown, thorax grey-speckled ; abdomen above orange-yellow, beneath blackish.

Expanse 3 inches.

Uah. Borneo. In coll. British Museum.

Khadira, n. gen.

DifFei's from Othreis in the fore wing having a decided falcate apex, the hind niartciu
with shorter and more deeply excavated space between the angles ; the hind wing also
shorter; the palpi having the third joint slender and not tufted at the apex, the second
joint also being more slender; fore tibiae less tufted, and tarsi more spinous.

Khadira AURANTiA. (Plate XIII. fig. 4.)
Ophideres aurtnttia, Moore, Proc. Zool. See. 1877, p. 607.

Hale. Fore wing dark ochrey-red, with numerous short transverse grey strigae, veins
alternate grey- and black-speckled ; a narrow black oblique band from apex to middle
of excavation on hind margin ; the oblique band, two inner and two outer transverse
dusky fascice bordered inwardly with purple-grey : hind wing pale orange-yellow, with
a black, short, curved, narrow submarginal band, and broader, short, constricted discal
band. Thorax, head, palpi, fore legs in front, and antennae ochrey-red; abdomen pale
orange-yellow. laiderside orange-yellow; fore wing with a dusky patch at the apex,
and two blackish short curved oblique discal streaks above posterior angle ; hind wing
with a sliort black discal spot and an indistinct dusky outer fascia.

Expanse 4 inches.

Ilab. South Audamans. In coll. British Museum.

Adris, n. gen.

Fore wing : costa arched beyond the middle, convex at the end, the apex being i)ro-
duced into a lengthened point ; exterior margin very oblique, convex, the angle very
acute ; posterior margin very short in the male, lobe much produced, excavation beyond
short. Hind wing prolonged anteriorly, the exterior margin slightly concave below the
apex; veins similar to those in Otlireis. Palpi larger and stouter than in the other
genus, more laxly clothed, the third joint with a large, flattened, dense tuft above.
Fore tibiae in male more deusch clothed with longer lateral hairs.

Type A. tyrannus.

^Osldris tyrannus. (Plate XIII. fig. 5, 6 .)

Ophideres tyrannus, Guenee, Noct. iii. p. 110 (1852) ; Walker, Catal. Lcp. Hct. Brit. Mus. xiii.
p. 1221.

Male. Fore wing dark ochreous-brown, with indistinct darker transverse sinuous
fasciae bordered with chalybeous purple ; sparsely covered with dark red-brown delicate

70 JIE. F. MOOEE ON THE OPHIDEEIN^ OF THE INDIAN EEGION.

transverse strig^ ; veins black-speckled ; a narrow blackish antemedian line and an
oblique postmedian line from the apex, each with paler inner border, the latter also
bordered externally at the apical end with green speckles ; a small black orbicular spot,
and distinct green-speckled reniform mark ; a small black subbasal spot and cluster of
green speckles. Hind wing ochreous-yellow, the base tinged with brown ; a narrow
curved black submarginal band (entirely separated from the outer margin), and a short
broader bilobed discal band. Thorax, head, palpi, and legs above dark ochreous-brown,
abdomen ochreous-yellow.

Female. Fore wing ochreous-green, numerously covered with red-brown delicate
strigse, transverse lines red-brown ; some greyish-speckled spots towards the apex and
on the disk, and a similarly coloured marginal patch from posterior angle. Hind wing
and body as in male.

Expanse 4 inches.

Hah. India {Simla, Darjiling, Bombay) ; China {Shanr/hai) ; Japan.

" Taken in forests at Simla ; disturbed from the thickets in broad daylight it dashes
off very suddenly and swiftly with a blind headlong flight, like a frightened owl."
{Major A. M. Lamj, MS. Notes.)

Adeis kutilus, n. sp.

Male. Fore wing ferruginous, crossed by darker wavy greyish-bordered fascife ; an
indistinct antemedian transverse line and a prominent postmedian oblique black line ;
a cluster of green speckles near the base, another on reniform mark, and a few along
outer border of the oblique line. Hind wing orange-yellow, an elongated narrow curved
black submarginal band, and a small short black lobate discal spot. Thorax, head,
palpi, and fore legs in front ferruginous ; abdomen above and beneath, and legs yellow.

Expanse 3^ inches.

Eah. Ceylon. In coll. Dr. Thwaites and F. Moore.

" Larva feeds on Menispermacese." {I)r. Thwaites, MS. Note.)

PuRBiA, n. gen.

Both sexes with shorter wings ; fore wings broad, the exterior margin straight below
the apex, oblique, even, lobe of hind margin very broad, more so than in any other of
the group, the excavation being also very concave. Palpi similar to those in A. tijrannus,
but the second joint broad at its apex ; fore tibise very densely tufted.

ME. F. MOORE ON THE OPIUDEELS.E OF THE INDIAN EEGION. 71

PURBIA DISCEEPANS. (Plate XIV. fig. 1, cT .)

Ojjhideres discrepans,Vfa\keT, Catal. Lep. Het. Brit. Mus. xiii. p. 1227 (1857), cJ .
Ophidnres archon, Fekler, Reisc der Novara, Lcp. jil. cxiii. f. 3 (1873-1), ? .

Male. Fore wing pale purplish-brown or fawn-colour, with a few black speckles
along the costa and on the veins ; crossed by three very indistinct and incomplete nar-
row brown bands, the outer sinuously recurved and bordered externally by clusters of
greenish scales ; an indistinct greenish subbasal spot and a green-speckled reniform
mark. Hind wing orange-yellow, with broad black apical marginal band, the row of
cilial spots and apical angle being white ; a short broad curved black discal band.
Thorax, head, palpi, and legs purplish brown ; abdomen orange-yellow.

Ftincde. Differs in having a narrow wliitc reniform mark, and two short linear white
spots on middle of the disk.

Expanse 3 to of inches.

Hah. India [Malabar) ; Siam ; Singapore ; Java.

M^NAS, Hiibner.

Mcenus, Hiibner, Verz. bek. Schmctt. p. 204 (1816).
Op/ildercs (part), Guenee, Walker.

Fore wing elongated, trigonal; costa slightly arched towards the end, apex acute;
exterior margin oblique, straight ; posterior margin long, with a tufted angle near base ;
slightly curved to the end. Palpi short, compactly clothed with short scales; apical
joint small, very short, and conical. Larva similar in form to that of OtJireis.

M^iSfAS SALA^NiA. (Plate XII. figs. 3, 3«, oh, larva and pupa ; Plate XIV. fig. 2,
imago.)

Phal(£na Noct. sa/amiiua, Cramer, Pap. Exot. ii. p. 117, pi. clxxiv. f. A (1779); Clerck, Icones,

pi. xlviii. f. 5, G.
Noctua salaminia, Fabr. Ent. Syst. iii. 2, p. 17 (1793).
Manas salaminia, Iliibuer, Verz. bek. Scluuctt. p. 264-.
Ophideres salaminia, Guenee, Noct. iii. p. 115 ; Walker, Catal, Lcp. Het. B. M. xiii. p. 1225.

Male and Female. Fore whig dark green witli golden reflections; a broad purplish-
grey costal band extending from near base of hind margin to the apex, and a nanow
similar band on exterior border, the costal band with numerous short green and ocnre-
ous transverse strig«, which are confluent along the costal border, the exterior band
with paler purplish-green inner border ; a distinct red line along the discal portion of
the lower median vein. Hind wing orange-yellow, with a black apical marginal band
and yellow cilial spots, and a short black bilobed discal band. Thorax, head, palpi,
and front of fore legs ochreous-green ; abdomen and legs orange-yellow.

Expanse 3 to 3J inches.
VOL. XI. — PART in. No. 2. — Ma)-eh, 1881. m

72 ME. F. MOOEE ON THE OPHIDEKIN^ OF THE INDIAN REGION.

Hah. India (Iu(ssowlie, Darjiling, Khasias, Calcutta, Nilgiris, Madras) ; Ceylon ;
Singapore ; Java ; Formosa ; Shanghai ; Japan.

A widely distributed species, which has also been taken at sea in north of Bay of
Bengal in October. A specimen from Australia is in the British-Museum collection.

Larva reared on Menisjjermum glabrum at Allipore, by Mr. A. Grote. In Ceylon the
larva is also found on the same plant. Dr. Horsfield reared it in Java during February
and March from larva feeding on a species of Cist^us.

Vandana, n. gen.

Fore wing less angular in form than in Mannas salaminia, the costal border more
arched, and the hind wing with a greater width of lobe at the base ; second joint of the
palpi longer, and the third joint very long and slender.

Vandana dividens.

Ophideres dividens, YfaXkcr, Catal. Lep. Het. Brit. Mus. xiii. p. 1228 (1857), ?.

Female. Fore wing pale fawn-colour, greenish and darkest along the costa, and with
a slight rosy tinge, base tinged with pale olive-green; crossed by a dark sap-green
oblique band, which is attenuated at the apex and dilating in width to posterior mar-
gin, the inner border of the band even, and the outer border irregular hindward ;
reniform mark black, elongated longitudinally, angled at the lower end of the cell, and
divided by a pale line along the discocellular vein ; a pale sap-green narrow fascia
outside the oblique band. Hind wing orange-yellow, marginal black band broad, with
small yellow cilial spots ; short black bilobed discal band also broad. Thorax, head,
palpi, legs, and body beneath brownish fawn-colour ; abdomen above orange-yellow.
Underside : fore wing brown, with an oblique medial band, and base of hind margin
only yellow ; hind wing with the marginal brown band extending broadly along the
costa to the base.

Expanse 3|- inches.

Hab. Java. In Coll. British Museum.

EnYTiA, Hiibner.

Rhytia, Hiibuer, Verz. bek. Sclimett. p. 261 (1810).
Ophideres (part), Gueuec, Walker.

Fore wing in male and female with the exterior margin even, and angled outward
in the middle; palpi very long, the third joint with broad clavate tufted tip. Larva
similar in form to that of Othreis, but with slight dorsal protuberance on the 5th, 6th,
7th and 11th segments.

ME. F. MOOEE ON THE OPHIDEEIN.E OF THE INDIAN EEGION. 73

-pEHTTiA COCALE. (Plate XII. figs. 5, 5«, larva and pupa; Plate XIV. figs. 5, 5a,
imago d ? .)

Pfia/. Noct. cocalus, Cramer, Pajj. Exot ii. p. 59, pi. cxxxiv. f. B (1779), ^ .

Rhijtia cocale, Iliibuer, Verz. bek. Schmctt. p. 264.

Ophhleres cocahis, Giienec, Noct. iii. p. 115, 6 .

Noctua ?)iactilat(i, "Wcher, Obscrvat. Eutom. p. Ill (1801), ? .

Ophidcres plana, 'SYtdkcr, Catal. Lcp. Ilct. Brit. Mus. xiii. p. 1,2.20, ^ .

Male. Fore wing ochreous green, numerously covered with slender black transverse
strigse, those across the disk and on exterior margin grey-bordered ; crossed by a curved
antemedial and an oblique postmedial black line, both with chalybeous-grey inner
border; reniform mark indistinct: hind wing orange-yellow, with broad black mar-
ginal band and small white cilial spots and narrow streak at apex. Thorax, head,
palpi, and legs in front ochreous-green, palpi with a lateral linear grey streak ; abdomen
and legs above orange-yellow, beneath greyish.

Female. Darker ochreous green, with a cluster of creamy-white spots on the disco-
cellular area, another series below the cell, a large patch at the posterior angle, and a
slender linear broken spot below the apex : hind wing and body as in male.

Expanse 2f to 3 inches.

Hah. India (Coromandcf, S'dhet) ; Java.

This species has a similar pattern of markings to B. hiipcrmnestra, but may easily be
distinguished from it by the absence in the hind wing, in both sexes, of the two black
discal spots, and in the black marginal band extending to the anal angle, the inner
border of which is much less irregularly sinuous, and the row of cilial spots also are
much smaller ; the fore wing in the male has the two transverse lines more curved,
and the clusters of spots in the female are more confluent. It has been reared in Java
by Dr. Horsfield from larva feeding on a species oi Epihntliet'ium.

■I-Ehytia hypermnestea. (Plate XII. fig. 6, larva; Plate XIV. figs. 4, 4(7, imago

d ?.)

PJiahena Noct. hi/pei'mncstra, Cramer, Pa]3. Exot. iv. pi. cecxxiii. f. A, B (1782).

Wiytia hypernmesfra, Hiibner, Verz. bek. Sobmett. p. 264.

Ophideres hypermnestra, Guenee, Noet. iii. p. 116; Walker, Catal. Het. Brit. ]Mas. xiii. p. 1225.

Male. Fore wing ochreous-green, numerously covered with slender blackish trans-
verse strigEe ; crossed by a distinct antemedian and an oblique postraedian brown line ;
an indistinct dusky brown suff'uscd reniform mark ; a curved grey streak below the
apex, and grey strigse above posterior angle ; transverse lines with chalybeous-grey
inner border. Hind wing orange-yellow, with broad marginal black band, white cilial
row of spots and apical angle ; and two small black discal spots, the upper one oval,
the lower recurved. Thorax, head, palpi, and fore legs in front ochreous-green, palpi

74 ME. F. MOOEE ON THE OPHIDEEIN.E OF THE INDIAN EEGION.

with a lateral linear grey streak ; abdomen and legs above orange-yellow, beneath
grey.

Female. Fore wing darker green, with a series of cieamy-white spots on the disco-
cellular area, another series below the cell, a large patch at the posterior angle, and
two small slender spots below the apex, all partially crossed by slender brown strigse.

Expanse 3 to i>\ inches.

Hah. India {Bomhaij, Canara, Nilcjiris, Larjilmg, Khasia) ; Burmah (3loulmci>i) ;
Andamans ; Ceylon.

" Larva semilooper, cylindrical, elongated, slightly humped on the 4th, 5th, 6th, and
11th segments. Legs fourteen, with a rudimentary pair on 6th segment. Colour dusky
purplish-brown, blotched with very dark brown, and spotted with minute dots of cobalt-
blue ; on each side of 5th and 6th segments is a large ocellus, the iris bright yellow in
front and vermillion behind, pupil purplish-brown, with a crescent of cobalt-blue, and
with a centre which is considerably darker than the rest ; besides these the body is
extensively marked with black and yellow patches of different shapes. Changes occupy
twenty-six days." (*S'. J\\ Ward, M.S. Notes, Canara.)

Aegadesa, n. gen.
Ophideres (part), Guenee, Walker.

Fore wing in male and female with the exterior margin oblique and scalloped
throughout its length ; palpi shorter, and the third joint slender. Larva similar in
form to that of Othrcis.

1

-Aegadesa m.vterxa. (Plate XIL figs. 4, 4 a, h, c, d, larva and pupa ; Plate XIV. fig. 3,
3 a, imago, d' 2 .)

Phalmna Nod. materna, Linnajus, Syst. Nat. ii. p. 810 ; Drury, Ins. ii. p. 2-1, pi. xiii. f. 4 ; Cramer,

Pap. Exot. ii. pi. 17-i. f. B ; iii. pi. 267. f. E.
Noctua materna, Fabr. Spec. Ins. ii. p. 212; Mant. Ins. ii. p. 137 ; Ent. Syst. iii. 2, p. 16.
Rhytia materna, Hiibuer, Yerz. bek. Schmctt. p. 204.

Triphana materna, Vfesiwooi^, Nat. Libr. xxxvii. Exotic Moths, p. 201, pi. xxv. fig. 2.
Ophideres materna, Boisduval, Faun. Ent. Madag. Bourb. ct Maur. Lep. p. 100; Guenee, Noct. iii.

p. 113: "Walker, Catal. Lep. Ilet. Brit. Mus. xiii. p. 1221.
Noctua hybrida, Fabricius, Syst. Ent. p. 593.

Male. Fore wing greenish-grey, covered with greenish-brown or purple-brown trans-
verse confluent striga3 ; a short curved dark brown antemedian costal line and a distinct
oblique postmedian line ; between the lines are three purple-glossed, plumbeous, longi-
tudinal streaks, the upper short and near the costa, the next from lower angle of the
cell, the third below the cell ; reniform mark trilobed, purple-black ; a narrow grey
streak curving below the apex and spreading irregularly to the posterior angle. Hind

MR. F. MOORE ON THE OPIIIDERIN.E OF THE INDIAN REGION. 75

wing orange-yellow, with a narrow black marginal band and prominent white cilial
spots ; a single small black discal spot. Thorax greenish grey, head and palpi above
brown, palpi black-tipped ; fore legs brownish above ; abdomen and legs orange-yellow.

Female with darker and more prominent strigte, the three longitudinal discal streaks
much larger, broader, contiguous, purple-glossed, and narrowly divided and bordered
with white ; hind wing and body as in male.

Expanse 2^ to of inches.

Ilab. India (Kussmvlie, Lucknov), AUahahad, Katch, Kattywar, Bombay, Canara,
Madras, Calcutta, Balasore) ; Ceylon ; Java.

This insect has also been taken in the island of Madagascar. A specimen from
Abyssinia, collected by Mr. Jesse, and another from Gambia are in the collection of
the British Museum. It has also been taken at sea in the north of the Bay of Bengal.

"Larva, after last change, 2\ inches long; half Geometrous, long, cylindrical, stout,
with the penultimate segment much elevated, and the anterior ones strong ; ground-
colour red-brown, darker at the hinder and foremost segments, more of an olive-brown
in the middle ; dorsal line well defined and bistre-colour, on either side of Avhich a
similar line, bearing on 5th and 6th segments a splendid ' ocellus,' the upper part of
which is primrose, with the lower half purplish brown, with a lilac pupil ; sides and
middle of back variegated irreguLirly with lilac and yellow spots and yellow fascia ; on
penultimate segment a coral-coloured protuberance, spotted with lilac here and there,
with on either side a broad yellow fascia; abdomen lighter than back, with a dark
ventral line ; legs all red-brown, tipped with black ; anal legs very long ; head dark
coral-colour ; stigmates violet.

" In state of repose it curls the head and 4th and 5th segments right under the
body, forming a circle.

"Turned into pupa 28th Sept., between the leaves. Imago came out 7th October.
Period on the Aving Sept., Oct.; Lucknow." [Capt. 11. L. Be la Chawnette, MS. note,
1860.)

Mr. S. N. Ward, in his MS. notes on the Lepidoptera of Canara, says the " larva
feeds on the Amoordah Beeloo, changing to pupa among the leaves, which are fastened
together with coarse yellow threads, the changes occupying fifteen days. Found from
September to December."

Larva reared on Menisjpermum glahrum at Allipore, by Mr. A. Grote. Sir W. Elliot
reared it on Cocadus cordifolius ; and in Java Dr. Horsfield reared the lar\a on both
Leschenaultia and Epibatherium.

VOL. XI. — PART III. No. 3. — March, 1881.

76 ME. F. MOORE ON THE OPHIDEEIN.E OF THE INDIAIS REGION.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLATES.

PLATE XIL

Fig. 1. Othreis fullonica, larva (Allipore, A. Grote), p. 04.

Fig. la. ,, „ pupa (Java, Ilorsjield), p. 64.

Fig. 2,2a. Othreis ancilla, larva and pupa (Canara, Ward), p. 67.

Fig. 3. Mw7ias salaminia, larva (Allipore, A. Grote), p. 71.

Fig. 2)a,b. ,, „ larva and pupa (Java, Horsfield), p. 71.

Fig. 4, 4 a. Argadesa materna, larva (Vizagapatam, Elliot), p. 74.

Fig. i,h,c,d. „ „ larva and pupa (Allipore, A. Grote), p. 74.

Fig. 5, 5rt. Hhtjtia cocale, larva and pupa (Java, Ilorsjield), p. 73.

Fig. 6. „ liyj)ermnestra, larva (Canara, Ward), p. 73.

PLATE XIII.

Fig. 1. Othreis fullonica 6 \ fig. Iff, 2 : p. 64. Fig. 4. Khadira aurantia, p. 69,

Fig. 2. „ cajeta 6; fig. 2a, S : p. 67. Fig. 5. Adris tijrayimis 6 , p. 69.

Fig. 3. „ ancilla 6 fig. 3«, ? : p. 67.

PLATE XIV.

Fig. 1. Purhia discrepans d , p. 71. Fig. 4. Ehytia hypermnestra 6 ; fig. 4r/, $ : p. 73.
Fig. 2. Mccnas salaminia, p. 71. Fig. 5. „ cocale d ; fig. 5«, 2 : p. 73.

Fig. 3. Argadesa materna d ; fig. 3 a, ? : p. 74.

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