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The Butterflies And Moths Of Teneriffe

A. E. Holt White

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THE BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS OF TENERIFFE.

THE BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS OF TENERIFFE.

BY A. E. HOLT WHITE. EDITED BY RASHLEIGH HOLT WHITE, VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE SELBORNE SOCIETY. ILLUSTRATED FROM THE AUTHOR’S DRAWINGS. London: L. REEVE &amp; CO., Publishers to the Home, Colonial and Indian Governments , 6, HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT GARDEN. Teneriffe : HAMILTON &amp; CO., SANTA CRUZ. 1894 [ All rights reserved. ] London: L. REEVE &amp; CO., Publishers to the Home, Colonial and Indian Governments , 6, HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT GARDEN. Teneriffe : HAMILTON &amp; CO., S

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PREFACE.

PREFACE.

When the author left England, in the autumn of 1892, for a winter’s sunshine in Teneriffe, it was by no means her intention to write on the Lepidoptera of that Island. Soon after her arrival, however, she was struck by two things; the want of any sort of interesting out-door occupation (other than somewhat desultory riding expeditions) experienced by her companions in exile, and the absence of any account of the Lepidoptera of the Canary Islands, which would enable collectors to name their speci

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INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.

Many persons who know little or nothing about butterflies may be tempted to make a collection of them when they find themselves in a semi-tropical land, which yields in great profusion such beautiful creatures, whose brilliant colouring when grouped together has so pleasing an effect. To such, a slight sketch of the life of a butterfly may not be unacceptable. Butterflies and moths belong to the order Lepidoptera or Scale-winged insects. The different stages of growth of these insects are called

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HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS ON NETS, BREEDING-CAGES, Etc.

HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS ON NETS, BREEDING-CAGES, Etc.

As some difficulty is experienced in Teneriffe by persons who arrive there without already being provided with materials for collecting Lepidoptera, the description of a few useful expedients resorted to may be of service. A moderate knowledge of the Spanish language is a very useful help towards obtaining any small necessaries, but the Spanish shop-keepers are most obliging, and understand quickly by the help of a very few words what is wanted. A butterfly-net is one of the first requisites, so

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KILLING AND SETTING BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS, RELAXING-SPECIMENS, Etc.

KILLING AND SETTING BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS, RELAXING-SPECIMENS, Etc.

Butterflies , when netted, can be easily killed by a prolonged sharp pinch under the thorax before being taken from the net, and do not need to be put into a poison-box. The pinch should be given between the finger and thumb, the wings of the insect being kept in an upright position. Moths must be put into a poison-bottle or box, and left there from twelve to twenty-four hours. Some varieties die much quicker than others. Various kinds of poison are used for the boxes and bottles, but cyanide of

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PIERIS CHEIRANTHI.

PIERIS CHEIRANTHI.

Plate I .—Fig. 2. This is a large creamy-white butterfly peculiar to the Canary Islands. It is found in some numbers on and near the coast of Teneriffe from April to September; the time of its appearance, however, varies somewhat in different years. The larva is smooth, and has a ground-colour of grey, finely dotted over with black spots. There is a yellow stripe on the back and along each side. It feeds on the nasturtium gregariously, and the pupa attaches itself, head downwards, to a wall near

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PIERIS WOLLASTONI.

PIERIS WOLLASTONI.

Plate I .—Fig. 1. This butterfly is allied to the Cheiranthi, but is a distinct variety, only recently met with in this island. Mr. Butler, of the British Museum, has named and fully described this insect, which has hitherto only been found in Madeira, but is now for the first time enumerated in the list of Teneriffe Lepidoptera. It is somewhat smaller than the Cheiranthi, measuring not more than two and a half inches in expanse. The reverses of the female (which is illustrated) and of the male

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PIERIS RAPÆ.

PIERIS RAPÆ.

The common English variety, Small Cabbage White. The fore-wings are creamy white, with an irregular blackish mark at the tip. The male generally has a black spot in the middle of the wing, the female having two; and both sexes have two black spots on the underside, which is of a yellowish colour, thickly dotted with small black atoms. All the markings vary greatly, however. The larva is dull green, with a yellowish stripe on its back and yellow dots on the side. It generally feeds on the cabbage

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PIERIS DAPLIDICE.

PIERIS DAPLIDICE.

This butterfly resembles the rare English specimen Bath White. It is very common in some years, [2] and found in most localities from February to October. It seems mostly to frequent rough poorly-cultivated fields. The wings are white, the fore-wings having a large black spot in the middle, and being bordered with black encircling distinct white spots. The markings of the under-side show through on the hind-wings, and these have black markings on the edges in the female. The underside has a grou

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EUCHLOË CHARLONIA (Donzil).

EUCHLOË CHARLONIA (Donzil).

Plate I .—Fig. 4. This butterfly was seen near Orotava, 500 feet above the sea-level, during the first week in May by the author, who, however, was not fortunate enough to secure a specimen. Several specimens of this species, which is rare in the Canary Islands, have been netted in the island of Fuerteventura, and two of them have been presented by Mr. E. H. Hodges, of Rugby, to the British Museum, from which the illustration has been drawn. It measures in expanse about an inch and a half. The g

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APORIA CRATÆGI.

APORIA CRATÆGI.

This specimen is the rare English Black-veined White butterfly. It has undoubtedly been netted in Teneriffe, though it has not been personally observed by the author. In flight its similarity to other white specimens is so great that it may often be passed unnoticed. It is said to be local and uncertain in appearance, being seen chiefly during the summer months about the fields and gardens. The wings are entirely of a white cream colour, and are alike on both sides, the veins being black, and th

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RHODOCERA CLEOBULE.

RHODOCERA CLEOBULE.

Plate I .—Fig. 3. This finely-coloured and beautiful butterfly resembles the English Brimstone, but is quite a distinct variety, being of squarer form and having no decided point at the angle of the hind-wings. It is peculiar to the Islands. The male is a most brilliant sulphur yellow, the fore-wings being of a deeper shade than the hind ones. The hind-wings have a deep orange spot about the centre. The female differs from the male in being of a much paler shade of yellow, with quite a tinge of

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COLIAS EDUSA.

COLIAS EDUSA.

Plate I .—Fig. 5 (female). This specimen is the English Clouded Yellow. The wings measure from two to two and a half inches across, the female being somewhat larger than the male. Both sexes have the same broad black margin on the fore and hind-wings, but the male differs from the female in having no irregular yellow spots marked on these black borders, which are seen in the female. The hind-wings of the female are of a somewhat darker shade of yellow, tinged with green, than those of the male,

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COLIAS v. HELICE.

COLIAS v. HELICE.

Plate I .—Fig. 6. A pale yellowish-white variety of the former specimen. It is very rare, and is found in May and during the summer months, though very seldom met with in England. [3] It is slightly smaller than the Colias Edusa, and has been found so small as to measure only an inch across the wings. Don Ramon Gomez has one in his collection of this size. The markings vary considerably, and the bright orange spot in the centre of the hind-wing, as seen in the illustration, is replaced occasiona

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LYCÆNA BÆTICA.

LYCÆNA BÆTICA.

A commonly found blue butterfly, measuring from one to one and a half inches across the wings. It is rarely met with in England. The insect has a slender tail at the lower angle of each hind-wing, surmounted by two black dots. The margins of both wings have a slight black or dark brown band. The under-sides of both wings are of a grey-brown colour streaked and slightly spotted all over with faint white lines. On the lower angle of each hind-wing the two black spots on the upper side are replaced

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LYCÆNA WEBSIANA.

LYCÆNA WEBSIANA.

Plate I .—Figs. 7 and 8. This is a smaller blue butterfly than that just described, measuring about one inch across the wings. It is peculiar to the Islands, and is known by some lovers of Entomology as the “Peak Blue.” It is not, however, found on the Peak alone, but is netted in barrancos and gardens at a much lower altitude; it frequents the pine forests in large numbers, and has been also found on the south coast of the Island of Teneriffe, at Guimar (see Appendix B ), so it may be fairly co

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LYCÆNA LYSIMON.

LYCÆNA LYSIMON.

This is the smallest specimen of blue butterfly found in Teneriffe, being not quite one inch in expanse. The female is rather a browner blue than the male. The colouring on the upperside is of a most beautiful uniform blue, all the wings having a margin of brown; and a slight white fringe at the edges. The underside of all the wings is grey, rather freely dotted over with darker spots, encircled by greyish white. It is very commonly found on all grassy fields and lanes, and quantities flutter qu

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LYCÆNA ASTRARCHE v. ÆSTIVA.

LYCÆNA ASTRARCHE v. ÆSTIVA.

Plate II .—Fig. 6. A small dark copper, the expanse of wings being about one inch, or rather more. It is not found in England. On the upperside on all the wings there is a marginal band of bright copper, the fore-wings have a black spot about the centre of each. A fringe of white edges all the four wings. The under widely differs from the upper side in colouring and markings. The ground colour is light grey, freely dotted over with black spots encircled by white. All four wings have the same bri

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POLYOMMATUS or CHRYSOPHANUS PHLÆAS.

POLYOMMATUS or CHRYSOPHANUS PHLÆAS.

A copper butterfly, and a common English specimen, measuring from one to one and a half inches across the wings. The fore-wings are of a bright copper red, with large square black spots distinctly marked, and an outer band of brown. The hind-wings are dark brown, having a marginal copper band on the outer edge, which in some specimens is surmounted by a few blue spots. The underside of the fore-wings is pale copper, the hind-wings being grey, with minute black or dark brown spots, and traces of

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THECLA RUBI.

THECLA RUBI.

This small butterfly is called in England the Green Hair Streak, It is said to have been netted in the Island during the summer months, and its appearance is believed to be well authenticated. The larva is green, with a yellow line on the back, bordered with darker, and followed by a line of pale triangular spots, and a yellow line on the sides: it lives on brambles, &amp;c. The fly expands about one inch; it is of a uniform brown colour above, and a uniform green below, with a row of white

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DANAIS PLEXIPPUS, formerly ARCHIPPUS.

DANAIS PLEXIPPUS, formerly ARCHIPPUS.

Plate II .—Fig. 1. The largest butterfly found in the Islands, measuring from four to four and a half inches across the wings. The larva is very bright in colour, having transverse bands of blackish violet, gold, and white alternately. It has four black horns or fleshy spikes along its back, and when full grown measures about two inches in length, and it is rather stout and smooth. The pupa, green when first turned, and suspending itself by the tail only, has a bright gold band half-way round it

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DANAIS CHRYSIPPUS.

DANAIS CHRYSIPPUS.

Plate II .—Fig. 2. This butterfly is widely dispersed over Europe, Asia, and Africa, but it is not found in England. It is of the same colour as the last described specimen, but is not so large, measuring in expanse from two and a half to three and a half inches. The tips of the fore-wings are broadly marked with black, shading off to brown, crossed with a band of white spots. Four of these spots are of a quadrilateral form, and much larger than the rest. The outer margins of all four wings are

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DANAIS ALCIPPOIDES.

DANAIS ALCIPPOIDES.

Plate II .—Fig. 3. This butterfly, a variety of the Chrysippus, is rare in Teneriffe. It is found commonly in Africa and Western Asia, and is a transition variety between the Chrysippus and Alcippus. It has whitish hind-wings, rather silvery looking, with orange markings within the black border. The hind-wings have less white upon them than those of the Alcippus. It is similar in all respects and habits, mode of feeding, etc., to the Chrysippus, and is found gregariously with it. When kept colle

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DANAIS DORIPPUS v. KLUGII.

DANAIS DORIPPUS v. KLUGII.

This is the fourth variety of the genus Danais, and is authentically claimed as one of the Teneriffe butterflies, though by no means commonly found. It varies from the Chrysippus in having no brown apical patch on the fore-wings, and it also has no band of white spots across them. It measures from two and a half to three and a half inches across the wings. It is not an inhabitant of England, but is commonly found in North Africa and Western Asia....

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ARGYNNIS MAIA (Cram), or PANDORA.

ARGYNNIS MAIA (Cram), or PANDORA.

Plate III .—Figs. 1 and 2. This butterfly is one of the most beautiful Fritillarys, and is also one of the largest of Teneriffe butterflies, measuring in expanse from three and a half to four inches. It mostly frequents woods and meadows, not often being met with below an altitude of fifteen hundred feet above the sea. It is found in South Europe, and is also met with in Africa. The time of its appearance commences in May, and continues during the summer months. The larva is purplish-brown with

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ARGYNNIS LATHONIA.

ARGYNNIS LATHONIA.

Plate III .—Figs. 3 and 4. This exquisite butterfly, which is about two inches in expanse, is known in England, where it is accounted a great rarity, by the common name Queen of Spain Fritillary, and it is not very commonly found in Teneriffe. The caterpillar is a greyish brown with a white dorsal line, spotted with black, and having two brownish lines on the sides. The spines are reddish and the legs yellow. It feeds on the heartsease, violet, etc. The upper surface is a tawny orange colour wit

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PYRAMEIS ATALANTA.

PYRAMEIS ATALANTA.

Plate III .—Fig. 7. This richly-coloured butterfly, known in England as the Red Admiral, is very rare in the Canary Islands. The ground-colour of the upper surface of the fore-wings is a velvety black, shading off to brown at the base. A bright red oblique band crosses the wings, and four large oblong white spots, with four or five smaller ones, are grouped on the apex. These again are bordered by several faint blue spots, quite at the tip. The hind-wings are blackish brown, with a broad red mar

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PYRAMEIS CALLIRHOE, or VULCANIA.

PYRAMEIS CALLIRHOE, or VULCANIA.

Plate III .—Fig. 6. This is the most common butterfly of the Pyrameis genus found in the Islands. It is similar in colouring to the last described, but it has a much broader red oblique indented stripe on the fore-wings. The white apical markings are not so many or large, and it has no blue spots on the tips of the fore-wings. The habits and locality of the caterpillar and chrysalis are so like those of the Atalanta, that description is not needed. In rearing many specimens, two butterflies prov

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PYRAMEIS CARDUI.

PYRAMEIS CARDUI.

Plate II .—Fig. 5. This insect, which is the English Painted Lady, might at first sight be taken for a faded Atalanta. The caterpillar lives generally solitary on hollyhock, nettle, or mallow, curling itself up in a leaf It is of a grey-brown colour, thickly sprinkled with hairs, a yellow line fringed by reddish dots runs along each side. It is found in most localities up to a considerable elevation, from February till well on into the summer. The butterfly is of a tawny red colour, shading off

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PYRAMEIS v. HUNTERA.

PYRAMEIS v. HUNTERA.

Plate II .—Fig. 4. This is a scarce variety in Teneriffe of the butterfly just described. It is commonly found in America, and some few insects have been taken in England. It is similar in colouring to the Cardui, but somewhat brighter. The flight of the insect is steadier, and this, together with the brightness in colour, distinguishes it from others of the same family when seen flying in company. It is found in barrancos and gardens, and has been netted in a locality about 600 feet above the s

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PARARGE XIPHIOIDES.

PARARGE XIPHIOIDES.

Plate III .—Fig. 5. This is not an English butterfly, though it is somewhat similar to the Speckled Wood Argus (Parage Ægeria). It is very commonly found in the Islands in most localities up to three or four thousand feet above the sea. It measures in expanse from two and a half to three inches. Those found early in the year are of a smaller and duller colour than those netted later on. It is of a rich brown colour, the fore-wings being freely marked with orange-yellow spots. The hind-wings are

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EPINEPHELE HISPULLA, or FORTUNATA (Alph.).

EPINEPHELE HISPULLA, or FORTUNATA (Alph.).

This brown butterfly resembles the English Large Meadow Brown (E. Janira), but is of a richer colour and larger size, measuring in expanse about two and a half to three inches. The female, which differs largely from the male in colour and markings, is of an ashy-brown colour, the fore-wings being orange-tawny, leaving only an uneven marginal band of grey-brown. There is an apical eye of black, with a small white centre. The hind-wings are ashy-grey, with a marginal orange-tawny band. The body an

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HIPPARCHIA STATILINUS.

HIPPARCHIA STATILINUS.

Plate II .—Fig. 7. This is a brown butterfly common in many parts of Southern and Central Europe, though not found in England. It is a rare insect in Teneriffe, and is only met with high up in the mountains, chiefly at Vilaflor, and on the south part of the island, about July and August. It measures in expanse from two to three inches, and is of a uniform brown colour, having a few white markings, which vary much in different specimens, on the fore-wings. Two large brown spots are seen at the ou

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HESPERIA ACTÆON.

HESPERIA ACTÆON.

Plate II .—Fig. 8. This is a small Skipper, the only member of this family found in Teneriffe. It resembles the English Lulworth Skipper, and frequents damp places near the water-courses, though somewhat partial and scarce. In a limited spot near Orotava it has been found in quantities; and at Tacoronti, where butterflies abound, some have been taken. The whole surface is of an orange-bronze colour with slight brown markings. The antennæ are short and club-like; the head is large, and the body t

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LIST OF BUTTERFLIES FOUND IN TENERIFFE.

LIST OF BUTTERFLIES FOUND IN TENERIFFE.

* Marked thus are illustrated. Part II ....

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ACHERONTIA ATROPOS.

ACHERONTIA ATROPOS.

Plate IV .—Fig. 1. This is the largest moth found in the Canary Islands, known as the Death’s Head, very rarely met with in England. It measures from five to six inches in expanse. The ground-colour of the fore-wings is brown, varied with zig-zag lines of whitish yellow and light brown. There is a white dot in the centre of each, and they are dusted all over with minute white dots. The hind-wings are orange, with two black marginal bands on the lower edge. The head is dark brown or black, marked

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SPHINX CONVOLVULI or BATATÆ.

SPHINX CONVOLVULI or BATATÆ.

This moth is found in England, and all over Europe. It is a large moth, measuring about five inches across the wings. All four wings are of a variegated grey -brown colour, the body having a longitudinal grey stripe, increasing in width at the base, and five stripes of pink and black across it alternately. The antennæ are somewhat longer and more slender than those of the Death’s Head moth. They are feathered, and grey in colour, terminating in a sharp point. The insect is provided with a very l

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DEILEPHILA TITHYMALI.

DEILEPHILA TITHYMALI.

Plate IV .—Fig. 4. This beautiful moth is peculiar to the Canary Islands, although allied species are found over the greater part of Europe. [6] It expands from three to three and a half inches. The fore-wings are silvery grey in colour, having dark olive-grey markings, and a long stripe of this colour, increasing in width towards the body, from the apex to the base. The hind-wings are a rich pink, having a marginal band of dark brown, and a fine white line on the outer edge. The antennæ, which

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CHŒROCAMPA CELERIO.

CHŒROCAMPA CELERIO.

Plate IV .—Fig. 2. ( Sharp Winged Hawk-Moth. ) This beautiful moth is somewhat allied to the last described, the colour being similar, but the body is longer and more tapering. It is found in England, and in most countries where the vine grows, on which it feeds. The fore-wings are greyish brown with a silvery grey stripe from the apex to the base; the outer lower margin is bordered by a similar stripe. The hind-wings are of a rosy pink colour, veined with, and having a marginal band of brown. T

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MACROGLOSSA STELLATARUM.

MACROGLOSSA STELLATARUM.

( Humming Bird Hawk-Moth. ) This moth is common in England and most parts of Europe. Its fore-wings are brown, with faint longitudinal lines of a darker shade; the hind-wings are orange tawny, fringed with light brown. It measures in expanse about two inches. The head and body are brown, the abdomen spotted with black and white, rather liberally feathered. The antennæ are brown, being thinnest at the base, and gradually thickening to the extremity. It is seen in the daytime, as well as evening h

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RHYPARIOIDES RUFESCENS.

RHYPARIOIDES RUFESCENS.

Plate IV .—Fig. 5. This pretty moth is peculiar to the Islands, measuring rather more than two inches across the wings. It is red in colour, the hind-wings being brighter than the fore-wings. These latter are marked with longitudinal dark stripes in the female, dark spots being substituted for the stripes in the male. The head is dark red, shading off to lighter red on the richly-feathered body. The antennæ are red, being thicker and more feathered in the male than the female. The caterpillars a

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DASYCHIRA FORTUNATA.

DASYCHIRA FORTUNATA.

Plate IV . —Fig. 11. In colour a dull grey moth. The fore-wings are ash-coloured, variegated with whitish on the upper side. The reniform spot is rust-coloured in the male and whitish in the female. The transverse lines are black and dentated, the submarginal line maculated. The hind-wings are grey, with a slight lunule in the middle; the underside uniform grey. The body is less stout than the D. Fascelina (Linn.). The abdomen is long in the male and longer in the female. The antennæ are pectina

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DEIOPEIA PULCHELLA.

DEIOPEIA PULCHELLA.

Plate IV .—Fig. 9. This beautiful little moth, expanding about one and a half inches, is a very rare insect in Teneriffe at the present time, though two or three years ago it was found in great abundance near, and along, the coast during the spring months. [7] It has yellowish white fore-wings freely spotted with black, alternated with oblong red spots, not so numerous. The hind-wings are pearl-white, having a small blackish brown spot towards the top, and a marginal indented border of the same

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PSEUDOPHIA TIRHACA (Cram); wrongly called TYRRHÆA.

PSEUDOPHIA TIRHACA (Cram); wrongly called TYRRHÆA.

Plate IV .—Fig. 3. This is not an English species, but is met with in Europe and North Africa. It is not very commonly found in Teneriffe. The fore-wings are green, with a central reddish-brown spot, the outer margin having an indented band of the same colour. The body and hind-wings, richly feathered, are a beautiful straw yellow, the latter having a dark brown graduated band near the lower margin. It expands about two inches and a half. The larva is grey, with a pale grey stripe on the sides,

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CALOCAMPA EXOLETA.

CALOCAMPA EXOLETA.

( Sword-Grass Moth. ) This moth is an English species. It measures in expanse between two and three inches, and is of a soft violet grey tinge, the fore-wings having a variety of brown markings. The caterpillar feeds on the Euphorbia, and has been found gregariously with the Tithymali on that plant. It is met with, however, on peas and potatoes, and can be reared on the leaves of any of these plants. The larva is bright green, with two lines of black and white spots down each side of the back. T

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TRIPHÆNA PRONUBA.

TRIPHÆNA PRONUBA.

( Common Yellow Underwing. ) This is a common moth in England and Europe, but is rather a scarce species in Teneriffe. It expands a little more than two inches. The fore-wings are dark brown, having a few irregular markings of a lighter shade. The hind-wings are bright yellow, with a dark brown marginal band on the lower edge. The body is a somewhat lighter brown, and the antennæ are long and fine. The caterpillar is brown, and it feeds on a variety of low-growing plants in the barrancos, and ma

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PLUSIA AURIFERA.

PLUSIA AURIFERA.

Plate IV .—Fig. 6. This moth is closely allied to the Chrysitis, which is found in England, differing, however, in the shape of the gold markings. [8] The fore-wings have a bright golden marginal band of varying width across them, from the apex to the base. It is found in rough places, and can be easily netted when hovering over clover-flowers or similar low-growing herbage at dusk. The hind-wings are grey-brown, shading off to a lighter tint towards the body. The antennæ are long and fine. The

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PLUSIA TRIPARTITA (Hufn.) URTICÆ (Hübn).

PLUSIA TRIPARTITA (Hufn.) URTICÆ (Hübn).

Known in England as the Spectacle Moth. It is met with in the day-time as well as at dusk, like many others of the genus Plusia. Its fore-wings are dark grey, varied with greenish-white in the basal and marginal areas; the sub-terminal line is marked below the costa with black arrow-heads in front, and is bordered with deep black behind. It is common in the greater part of Europe and Northern Asia. The larva, which is greenish brown, has two white lines on the back, and slender white and green l

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PLUSIA CIRCUMFLEXA.

PLUSIA CIRCUMFLEXA.

Similar somewhat to the English Gamma, or silver Y moth, but a distinct variety, and found largely in Europe. The fore-wings are dark ashy-grey, with bronze markings, and have a pale golden mark in the middle resembling the letter r. The hind-wings are brown, of a lighter shade towards the base. It measures in expanse about two inches; the antennæ are long and fine. The larva, which is green with a yellowish stripe at the sides, feeds on the potato and other low-growing plants, and is found duri

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PLUSIA ERIOSOMA.

PLUSIA ERIOSOMA.

This is the fourth species described here of the large genus Plusia. It is a much brighter golden-brown colour than the last described specimen, measuring about one and a half inches across the wings. The fore-wings are golden-brown, having two distinct gold spots about the centre. The hind are of the same tint as the fore-wings, darker at the margin, and shading off lighter towards the base. It is found in India, but is not a European species....

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HELIOTHIS ARMIGERA.

HELIOTHIS ARMIGERA.

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 genera

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HELIOTHIS DIPSACEA.

HELIOTHIS DIPSACEA.

This is a small moth, about one to one and a half inches in expanse, and found throughout the greater part of Europe, Northern and Western Asia, and North Africa. It frequents high ground in the spring and summer, living in rough places and in clover-fields. The fore-wings are of light olive-brown shade, with dark markings across them. The hind-wings are dark olive-brown, fringed with yellow, and having two large yellow uneven spots about the centre, with a similar one on the brown margin. The b

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PRODENIA LITTORALIS.

PRODENIA LITTORALIS.

A moth, expanding about one inch and a half, found in Africa, but not in England. It has brown-grey fore-wings, with opalescent markings. The hind-wings are of a shining opalescent white. The larva is brown, feeds on the potato-plant, and appears during the early spring. The moths are seen a month or six weeks later; those bred in captivity appear simultaneously with those out of doors....

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PERIDROMA SAUCIA.

PERIDROMA SAUCIA.

Rather a fine moth, inhabiting Europe, though not found in England. It expands about two inches or more. The fore-wings are dark brown, sometimes suffused with a reddish tinge at the upper margin. The hind-wings are of a greyish pearl-white colour, veined with brown, with a brown shade fringing the margins. The larva is greyish-brown, and feeds on the potato-plant, where it is found during the late winter and early spring. The average time for turning from the larva to the moth stage is from six

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TARACHE LUCIDA.

TARACHE LUCIDA.

Plate IV .—Fig. 8. This is a small moth, not very commonly found in Teneriffe. It is met with by day along the coast, and up to an altitude of 2000 feet or more in rough rocky places, in April and up to June or July. The prevailing colour is a blue-grey. The fore-wings have a large square patch of white on the upper margin, and a smaller dot of the same colour towards the middle. The hind-wings are fringed with white, and have two or three patches of the same colour along their margins. In the m

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STERRHA SACRARIA.

STERRHA SACRARIA.

A pretty little moth, about one inch in expanse, commonly found in the Canary Islands. It is widely dispersed over Europe and Asia, and is a rare inhabitant of England. The fore-wings are sulphur-yellow, tinged with bright red at the apex, and having a red line running from the tip to the middle of the inner margin. The hind-wings are pale yellowish white. It frequents rough places among short herbage, and is found on and near the coast in the early spring and during the summer. The larva is gre

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OMMOTOSTOLA SACCHARI.

OMMOTOSTOLA SACCHARI.

A pale buff moth, measuring in expanse about two inches. The specimen described was netted at Guimar, Teneriffe, in May. It is somewhat common. The fore-wings and body are buff, the latter being rather richly feathered. The hind-wings are cream-white; the antennæ are rather thick, of a medium length. It is not an inhabitant of Europe. The larva has not been observed....

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HYPENA OBSITALIS.

HYPENA OBSITALIS.

Not an English moth, but an inhabitant of South Europe, North Africa, and Asia. It measures in expanse about one inch. The fore-wings are brown, varied with pale yellow and black markings. The hind-wings are grey, shading lighter at the base. It makes its appearance in the spring, and is very commonly found in dwelling-houses or surrounding out-houses in the evening. The larva is green, with a white stripe on the sides....

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HYPENA LIVIDALIS.

HYPENA LIVIDALIS.

A smaller moth than the last specimen described. The fore-wings are olive-brown, violet-grey towards the margins. The two colours are separated by an oblique whitish line from the apex to the middle of the inner margin. The hind-wings are grey, shading off lighter to the base, and are veined with brown. It is not an English species, but is very commonly found in Teneriffe, on rough ground, among cactus, &amp;c., in the early spring, at no great distance from the coast. It inhabits South Euro

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OMPHACODES DIVINCTA.

OMPHACODES DIVINCTA.

Plate IV .—Fig. 7. A pretty little sea-green moth (geometra) found in South Africa, but very rarely met with in Teneriffe. It was netted in a rough place among cactus-plants in April at dusk, about 500 feet above the sea level. It measures about one inch in expanse; the fore-wings and upper part of the body are of a beautiful bright sea-green colour when first netted, but the insect quickly fades. The hind-wings are paler green, and all four wings are fringed with white. The antennæ are short an

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ASPILATES COLLINARIA. (Holt-White.)

ASPILATES COLLINARIA. (Holt-White.)

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 semic

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BRYOPHILA var. RAVULA (Hübn).

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....

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BRYOPHILA ALGÆ (Fabr.).

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....

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AGROTIS SPINIFERA (Hübn).

AGROTIS SPINIFERA (Hübn).

This is a moth somewhat larger than the last-described, with rather a stout body. It is fawn-colour, the ab domen 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....

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SESAMIA NONAGRIOIDES (Lef.).

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....

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ACIDALIA CONSOLIDATA.

ACIDALIA CONSOLIDATA.

One of the large genus of Acidalia, a small and delicate moth. The wings are yellowish-white, finely dusted with black. The fore-wings have five and the hind-wings four brownish yellow transverse bands. It expands about one inch. It is not a British species....

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ZONOSOMA PUPILLARIA (Hübn).

ZONOSOMA PUPILLARIA (Hübn).

A small moth, with the tips of the fore-wings pointed. The wings are greyish yellow, finely and indistinctly speckled with purplish brown, with a small brown central spot centred with white, a row of black dots beyond the middle, and often a dull red, zigzag central shade also. This is a very variable species, inhabiting S. Europe, W. Asia, and N. Africa, but is not an inhabitant of England. The larva is very variable in colour, being dull green, brown, or reddish. It feeds on the cistus, arbutu

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TEPHRONIA SEPIARIA (Hufn).

TEPHRONIA SEPIARIA (Hufn).

A small moth, with narrow fore-wings, expanding about one inch. The fore-wings are ashy-grey, finely dusted with a darker shade. The hind-wings are paler, with two dark marginal bands. It is met with in Central and Southern Europe, but is very rare in Britain. The larva is brownish grey, with a paler line and two rows of pale spots on the back....

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EUPITHECIA PUMILATA (Hübn).

EUPITHECIA PUMILATA (Hübn).

The fore-wings are pointed, reddish grey in colour, and bordered by a brownish-red band. The larva is pale yellowish-green, with dark green or reddish-violet lines on the back, and a paler line on its sides. It feeds on the flowers of a great variety of plants, such as clematis, broom, convolvulus. It is widely distributed in Central and Southern Europe and W. Asia, but is not an inhabitant of Britain....

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LIST OF MOTHS FOUND IN TENERIFFE.

LIST OF MOTHS FOUND IN TENERIFFE.

* Marked thus are illustrated. In addition to the specimens above described, a list of twenty-one more names of Teneriffe moths is appended, which have been written upon by S. Alpheraky in the memoirs of N. M. Romanoff, vol. v., 1889. Several of the insects in this list were collected by the author, but as they were mostly very small brown or grey moths, and of but little interest to the ordinary collector, a description of them has been omitted. The difficulty of identification without illustra

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APPENDIX A.

APPENDIX A.

Mr. Scott Wilson , writing to the author of his visit to the Isle of Palma, states that the Queen of Spain Fritillary (Argynnis Lathonia) is very common in the meadows near the town of El Paso, 2000 feet above the sea level in May. In the same month he noticed the clouded yellow (Colias Edusa) in large numbers in the clearings amongst the pine-woods. A few specimens of the large Fritillary (Argynnis Maia) were secured by him at El Paso early in May, where the Vulcania was also found; of these la

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APPENDIX B.

APPENDIX B.

Under date July, 1893, the Rev. O. E. Benthall writes:— “As to the ‘blue’(Webbiana), I found it in abundance at Guimar about half a mile from the coast, where the barrancos shallow down before running into the sea. “Most of the specimens were rather wasted, so I suppose the best time for them would be a fortnight earlier than when we went there (April).”...

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APPENDIX C.

APPENDIX C.

Several of the Teneriffe moths, although similar to English and European species, assume rather a darker insular form. The Triphæna Pronuba, Calocampa Exoleta and Asopia Farinalis are examples of this. The Sterrha Sacraria is also met with marked with a much brighter red than in ordinary specimens, and showing great diversity in shade of colour, from red to almost yellow. Anyone wishing to acquire more knowledge on this subject should refer to “Observations on some remarkable Varieties of Sterrh

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APPENDIX D.

APPENDIX D.

The “Deilephila Daucus,” allied to “Lineata,” a North American species, is said to occur in Teneriffe, but the author has not seen a specimen. If such a species is really found in the island, it is more probably D. Livornica, which is common in South Europe and throughout Africa, and is found in Madeira. Either of the above species may be distinguished from D. Tithymali by the white lines on the wings, but D. Livornica has only four longitudinal white stripes on the thorax, whereas D. Daucus has

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DESCRIPTION OF PLATES.

DESCRIPTION OF PLATES.

PLATE I . Fig. PLATE II . PLATE III . PLATE IV . PLATE 1. A. E. Holt-White, del. R. Morgan lith. Vincent Brooks, Day &amp; Son Imp. L. Reeve &amp; C o . London. PLATE 2. A. E. Holt-White, del. R. Morgan lith. Vincent Brooks, Day &amp; Son Imp. L. Reeve &amp; C o . London. PLATE 3. A. E. Holt-White, del. R. Morgan lith. L. Reeve &amp; C o . London. Vincent Brooks, Day &amp; Son Imp. PLATE 4. A. E. Holt-White, del, R. Morgan lith. Vincent Brooks, Day &am

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