Butterflies and Moths (British)

Nepticula aurella

Fig. 241. – Aurella – Enlarged.

The family Nepticulidæ– the last of the Tineæ– contains a number of little moths, including the smallest of the Lepidoptera. Many of them are exceedingly beautiful, being decorated with various tints of a splendid metallic lustre, but their beauty is revealed only by the use of a magnifying lens, and they are so small that very great care and patience is required to set them properly.

They may be recognised by their short and thick antennæ, rather large head, broad fore wings, and narrow pointed hind wings.

The larvæ have no true legs, but have nine pairs of very imperfectly developed claspers. They are leaf miners, and are sometimes so abundant that several may be found in a single leaf.

The species we have selected has fore wings of a rich golden brown, with deep violet tips, and a broad bar of pale golden yellow beyond the middle. It may be found throughout the spring and summer. The larva excavates long irregular burrows in the leaves of the bramble.

APPENDICES

APPENDIX I

I have previously called the reader's attention to our classified list of butterflies and moths, and have hinted at one or two of the objects for which it is inserted. It contains the scientific and popular names of all the British Butterflies, Sphinges, Bombyces, Noctuæ, and Geometræ, arranged in their various families and genera; and in cases where two specific names are commonly applied to the same insect, both are given.

Its chief uses to the young entomologist are to show the relation which the insects bear one to another, and to supply a guide for the proper arrangement of the specimens in his cabinet.

The order adopted is that of South's 'Synonymic List of British Lepidoptera,' and it has already been mentioned that similar lists, printed on one side of the paper only, may be obtained from dealers in naturalists' appliances. These, cut up as required, supply very neat labels for cabinets or store boxes.

COMPLETE CLASSIFIED LIST OF BRITISH MACRO-LEPIDOPTERA

RHOPALOCERA (BUTTERFLIES)

PAPILIONIDÆ.

Papilio.

Machaon– Swallow Tail

PIERIDÆ.

Aporia.

Cratægi– Black-veined White

Pieris.

Brassicæ– Large White

Rapæ– Small White

Napi– Green-veined White

Daplidice– Bath White

Euchloë.

Cardamines– Orange Tip

Leucophasia.

Sinapis– Wood White

Colias.

Hyale– Pale Clouded Yellow

Edusa– Clouded Yellow

Gonopteryx.

Rhamni– Brimstone

NYMPHALIDÆ.

Argynnis.

Selene– Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary

Euphrosyne– Pearl-bordered Fritillary

Latona– Queen of Spain

Aglaia– Dark Green Fritillary

Adippe– High Brown Fritillary

Paphia– Silver-washed Fritillary

Melitæa.

Aurinia (Artemis) – Greasy Fritillary

Cinxia– Glanville Fritillary

Athalia– Heath Fritillary

Vanessa.

C-Album– Comma

Polychloros– Large Tortoiseshell

Urticæ– Small Tortoiseshell

Io– Peacock

Antiopa– Camberwell Beauty

Atalanta– Red Admiral

Cardui– Painted Lady

Limenitis.

Sibylla– White Admiral

APATURIDÆ.

Apatura.

Iris– Purple Emperor

SATYRIDÆ.

Melanargia.

Galatea– Marbled White

Erebia.

Epiphron (Cassiope) – Small Ringlet

Æthiops (Blandina) – Northern Brown (Scotch Argus)

Pararge.

Egeria– Speckled Wood

Megæra– Wall

Satyrus.

Semele– Grayling

Epinephele.

Ianira– Meadow Brown

Tithonus– Large Heath (Small Meadow Brown)

Hyperanthes– Ringlet

Cænonympha.

Typhon (Davus) – Marsh Ringlet

Pamphilus– Small Heath

LYCÆNIDÆ.

Thecla.

Betulæ– Brown Hairstreak

W-Album– White-letter Hairstreak

Pruni– Dark Hairstreak

Quercus– Purple Hairstreak

Rubi– Green Hairstreak

Polyommatus.

Dispar– Large Copper

Phlœas– Small Copper

Lycæna.

Bætica– Tailed Blue

Ægon– Silver-studded Blue

Astrarche (Agestis) – Brown Argus

Icarus (Alexis) – Common Blue

Bellargus (Adonis) – Clifden Blue

Corydon– Chalk-hill Blue

Argiolus– Azure or Holly Blue

Semiargus (Acis) – Mazarine Blue

Minima (Alsus) – Small Blue

Arion– Large Blue

ERYCINIDÆ.

Nemeobius.

Lucina– Duke of Burgundy

HESPERIIDÆ.

Syrichthus.

Malvæ (Alveolus) – Grizzled Skipper

Nisoniades.

Tages– Dingy Skipper

Hesperia.

Thaumas (Linea) – Small Skipper

Lineola– New Small Skipper

Actæon– Lulworth Skipper

Sylvanus– Large Skipper

Comma– Silver-spotted Skipper

Carterocephalus.

Palæmon (Paniscus) – Chequered Skipper

HETEROCERA (MOTHS)SPHINGES

SPHINGIDÆ.

Acherontia.

Atropos– Death's Head Hawk Moth

Sphinx.

Convolvuli– Convolvulus Hawk

Ligustri– Privet Hawk

Pinastri– Pine Hawk

Deilephila.

Euphorbiæ– Spurge Hawk

Galii– Bedstraw Hawk

Livornica– Striped Hawk

Chærocampa.

Celerio– Silver-striped Hawk

Porcellus– Small Elephant

Elpenor– Large Elephant

Smerinthus.

Ocellatus– Eyed Hawk

Populi– Poplar Hawk

Tiliæ– Lime Hawk

Macroglossa.

Stellatarum– Humming-bird Hawk

Fuciformis– Broad-bordered Bee Hawk

Bombyliformis– Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk

SESIIDÆ.

Trochilium.

Apiformis– Hornet Clearwing of the Poplar

Crabroniformis (Bembeciformis) – Hornet Clearwing of Osier

Sciopteron.

Tabaniformis (Vespiforme) – Dusky Clearwing

Sesia.

Scoliiformis– Welsh Clearwing

Sphegiformis– White-barred Clearwing

Andreniformis– Orange-tailed Clearwing

Tipuliformis– Currant Clearwing

Asiliformis (Cynipiformis) – Yellow-legged Clearwing

Myopiformis– Red-belted Clearwing

Culiciformis– Large Red-belted Clearwing

Formiciformis– Red-tipped Clearwing

Ichneumoniformis– Six-belted Clearwing

Musciformis (Philanthiformis) – Thrift Clearwing

Chrysidiformis– Fiery Clearwing

ZYGÆNIDÆ.

Ino.

Globulariæ– Scarce Forester

Statices– Forester

Geryon– Cistus Forester

Zygæna.

Pilosellæ (Minos) – Transparent Burnet

Exulans– Scotch Burnet

Meliloti– New Forest Burnet

Trifolii– Broad-bordered Five-spotted Burnet

Loniceræ– Narrow-bordered Five-spotted Burnet

Filipendulæ– Six-spotted Burnet

BOMBYCES

NYCTEOLIDÆ.

Sarothripus.

Undulanus– Tortrix Moth

Earias.

Chlorana– Cream-bordered Green

Hylophila.

Prasinana– Green Silver-lined

Bicolorana (Quercana) – Large Green Silver-lined

NOLIDÆ.

Nola.

Cucullatella– Short-cloaked

Strigula– Small Black Arches

Confusalis (Cristulalis) – Least Black Arches

Albulalis– Kent Arches

Centonalis– Scarce Black Arches

LITHOSIIDÆ.

Nudaria.

Senex– Round-winged Muslin

Mundana– Muslin Moth

Setina.

Irrorella– Dew Moth

Calligenia.

Miniata– Rosy Footman (Red Arches)

Lithosia.

Mesomella– Four-dotted Footman

Muscerda– Dotted Footman

Sororcula (Aureola) – Orange Footman

Lutarella (Pygmæola) – Pigmy Footman

Griseola (Stramineola) – Pale Footman

Deplana (Helveola) – Buff Footman

Lurideola (Complanula) – Common Footman

Complana– Scarce Footman

Sericea (Molybdeola) – Leaden Footman

Caniola– Hoary Footman

Gnophria.

Quadra– Four-spotted Footman

Rubricollis– Red-necked Footman

Emydia.

Cribrum– Speckled Footman

EUCHELIIDÆ.

Deiopeia.

Pulchella– Crimson Speckled

Euchelia.

Jacobææ– Cinnabar

Callimorpha.

Dominula– Scarlet Tiger

Hera– Jersey Tiger

CHELONIIDÆ.

Nemeophila.

Russula– Clouded Buff

Plantaginis– Wood Tiger

Arctia.

Caia– Tiger

Villica– Cream-spot Tiger

Spilosoma.

Fuliginosa– Ruby Tiger

Mendica– Muslin

Lubricipeda– Buff Ermine

Menthastri– White Ermine

Urticæ– Water Ermine

HEPIALIDÆ.

Hepialus.

Humuli– Ghost Swift

Sylvanus– Wood Swift

Velleda– Northern Swift

Lupulinus– Common Swift

Hectus– Gold Swift

COSSIDÆ.

Cossus.

Ligniperda– Goat

Zeuzera.

Pyrina (Æsculi) – Leopard

Macrogaster.

Castaneæ (Arundinis) – Reed Moth

COCHLIOPODIDÆ.

Heterogenea.

Limacodes (Testudo) – Festoon Moth

Asella (Asellus) – Triangle Moth

LIPARIDÆ.

Porthesia (Liparis).

Chrysorrhœa– Brown Tail

Similis (Auriflua) – Yellow Tail (Gold Tail)

Leucoma.

Salicis– Satin Moth

Lælia.

Cœnosa– Reed Tussock

Ocneria.

Dispar– Gipsy

Psilura.

Monacha– Black Arches

Dasychira.

Fascelina– Dark Tussock

Pudibunda– Pale Tussock

Orgyia.

Gonostigma– Scarce Vapourer

Antiqua– Vapourer

BOMBYCIDÆ.

Trichiura.

Cratægi– Pale Oak Eggar

Pœcilocampa.

Populi– December Moth

Eriogaster.

Lanestris– Small Eggar

Bombyx.

Neustria– Lackey

Castrensis– Ground Lackey

Rubi– Fox

Quercus– Oak Eggar

Trifolii– Grass Eggar

Odonestis.

Potatoria– Drinker

Lasiocampa.

Quercifolia– Lappet

Ilicifolia– Small Lappet

ENDROMIDÆ.

Endromis.

Versicolor– Kentish Glory

SATURNIIDÆ.

Saturnia.

Pavonia (Carpini) – Emperor

DREPANULIDÆ.

Drepana.

Lacertinaria (Lacertula) – Scalloped Hook Tip

Harpagula (Sicula) – Scarce Hook Tip

Falcataria (Falcula) – Pebble Hook Tip

Binaria (Hamula) – Oak Hook Tip

Cultraria (Unguicula) – Barred Hook Tip

Cilix.

Glaucata (Spinula) – Chinese Character

DICRANURIDÆ.

Dicranura.

Bicuspis– Alder Kitten

Furcula– Sallow Kitten

Bifida– Poplar Kitten

Vinula– Puss

Stauropus.

Fagi– Lobster

NOTODONTIDÆ.

Glyphisia.

Crenata– Dusky Marbled Brown

Ptilophora.

Plumigera– Plumed Prominent

Pterostoma.

Palpina– Pale Prominent

Lophopteryx.

Camelina– Coxcomb Prominent

Cuculla (Cucullina) – Maple Prominent

Carmelita– Scarce Prominent

Notodonta.

Bicolor– White Prominent

Dictæa– Swallow Prominent

Dictæoides– Lesser Swallow Prominent

Dromedarius– Iron Prominent

Trilophus– Three-humped Prominent

Ziczac– Pebble Prominent

Trepida– Great Prominent

Trimacula (Dodonea) – Marbled Brown

Chaonia– Lunar Marbled Brown

PYGÆRIDÆ.

Phalera.

Bucephala– Buff Tip

Pygæra (Clostera).

Curtula– Chocolate Tip

Anachoreta– Scarce Chocolate Tip

Pigra (Reclusa) – Small Chocolate Tip

CYMATOPHORIDÆ.

Thyatira.

Derasa– Buff Arches

Batis– Peach Blossom

Cymatophora.

Octogesima (Ocularis) – Figure of Eighty

Or– Poplar Lutestring

Duplaris– Lesser Satin

Fluctuosa– Satin Carpet

Asphalia.

Diluta– Lesser Lutestring

Flavicornis– Yellow-horned

Ridens– Frosted Green

NOCTUÆ

BRYOPHILIDÆ.

Bryophila.

Algæ– Tree Lichen Beauty

Muralis (Glandifera) – Marbled (Mottled) Green

Par– Scarce Marbled Green

Perla– Marbled Beauty

BOMBYCOIDÆ.

Moma (Diphthera).

Orion– Scarce Marvel-du-jour

Demas.

Coryli– Nut-tree Tussock

Acronycta.

Tridens– Dark Dagger

Psi– Grey Dagger

Leporina– Miller

Aceris– Sycamore

Megacephala– Poplar Grey

Strigosa– Grisette

Alni– Alder

Ligustri– Coronet

Rumicis– Knot-grass

Auricoma– Scarce Dagger

Menyanthidis– Light Knot-grass

Euphorbiæ (Myricæ) – Sweet Gale

Diloba.

Cæruleocephala– Figure of Eight

Arsilonche.

Albovenosa (Venosa) – Powdered Wainscot

LEUCANIIDÆ.

Synia.

Musculosa– Brighton Wainscot

Leucania.

Conigera– Brown-line Bright-eye

Vitellina– Delicate

Turca– Double Line

Lithargyria– Clay

Albipuncta– White-point

Extranea– American Wainscot

Obsoleta– Obscure Wainscot

Putrescens– Devonshire Wainscot

Littoralis– Shore Wainscot

Impudens (Pudorina) – Striped Wainscot

Comma– Shoulder-striped Wainscot

Straminea– Southern Wainscot

Impura– Smoky Wainscot

Pallens– Common Wainscot

Calamia.

Phragmitidis– Fen Wainscot

Meliana.

Flammea– Flame Wainscot

Senta.

Maritima– Silky Wainscot

Cœnobia.

Rufa– Small Rufous

Tapinostola.

Fulva– Small Wainscot

Hellmanni– Mere Wainscot

Extrema (Concolor) – Concolorous Wainscot

Bondii– Bond's Wainscot

Elymi– Lyme Wainscot

Nonagria.

Cannæ– Reed Wainscot

Sparganii– Iris Wainscot

Arundinis (Typhæ) – Bullrush

Geminipuncta– Twin-spotted Wainscot

Neurica– Nerved Wainscot

Brevilinea– Fenn's Nonagria

Lutosa– Large Wainscot

APAMEIDÆ.

Gortyna.

Ochracea (Flavago) – Frosted Orange

Hydrœcia.

Nictitans– Golden Ear

Petasitis– Butter-bur

Micacea– Rosy Rustic

Axylia.

Putris – Flame

Xylophasia.

Rurea– Clouded-border Brindle

Lithoxylea– Light Arches

Sublustris– Reddish Light Arches

Monoglypha (Polyodon) – Dark Arches

Hepatica– Clouded Brindle

Scolopacina– Slender Clouded Brindle

Dipterygia.

Scabriuscula (Pinastri) – Bird's Wing

Cloantha.

Polyodon (Perspicillaris) – Purple Cloud

Aporophyla.

Australis– Feathered Brindle

Laphygma.

Exigua– Small Mottled Willow

Neuria.

Reticulata (Saponariæ) – Bordered Gothic

Neuronia.

Popularis– Feathered Gothic

Heliophobus.

Hispidus– Beautiful Gothic

Charæas.

Graminis– Antler

Pachetra.

Leucophæa– Feathered Ear

Cerigo.

Matura (Cytherea) – Straw Underwing

Luperina.

Testacea– Flounced Rustic

Dumerili– Dumeril's Luperina

Cespitis– Hedge Rustic

Mamestra.

Abjecta– Crescent Striped

Sordida (Anceps) – Large Nutmeg

Albicolon– White Colon

Furva– Confused

Brassicæ– Cabbage

Persicariæ– Dot

Apamea.

Basilinea– Rustic Shoulder Knot

Connexa– Union Rustic

Gemina– Dusky Brocade

Unanimis– Small Clouded Brindle

Ophiogramma– Double Lobed

Leucostigma (Fibrosa) – Crescent

Didyma (Oculea) – Common Rustic

Miana.

Strigilis– Marbled Minor

Fasciuncula– Middle-barred Minor

Literosa– Rosy Minor

Bicoloria (Furuncula) – Cloaked Minor

Arcuosa– Dotted Buff

Phothedes.

Captiuncula– Least Minor

Celæna.

Haworthii– Haworth's Minor

CARADRINIDÆ

Grammesia.

Trigrammica (Trilinea) – Treble Lines

Stilbia.

Anomala– Anomalous

Caradrina.

Morpheus– Mottled Rustic

Alsines– Uncertain

Taraxaci (Blanda) – Rustic

Ambigua– Ambiguous

Quadripunctata (Cubicularis) – Pale Mottled Willow

Acosmetia.

Caliginosa– Reddish Buff

Hydrilla.

Palustris– Marsh Moth

Rusina.

Tenebrosa– Brown Rustic

NOCTUIDÆ.

Agrotis.

Vestigialis (Valligera) – Archer's Dart

Puta– Shuttle-shaped Dart

Suffusa– Dark Sword Grass

Saucia– Pearly Underwing

Segetum– Common Dart (Turnip Moth)

Lunigera– Crescent Dart

Exclamationis– Heart and Dart

Corticea– Heart and Club

Cinerea– Light Feathered Rustic

Ripæ– Sand Dart

Cursoria– Coast Dart

Nigricans– Garden Dart

Tritici– White-line Dart

Aquilina– Streaked Dart

Obelisca– Square-spot Dart

Agathina– Heath Rustic

Strigula (Porphyrea) – True Lover's Knot

Præcox– Portland

Obscura (Ravida) – Stout Dart

Simulans (Pyrophila) – Dotted Rustic

Lucernea– Northern Rustic

Ashworthii– Ashworth's Rustic

Noctua.

Glareosa– Autumn Rustic

Depuncta– Plain Clay

Augur– Double Dot

Plecta– Flame Shoulder

Flammatra– Black Collar

C-Nigrum– Setaceous Hebrew Character

Ditrapezium– Triple-spotted Clay

Triangulum– Double-spotted Square-spot

Stigmatica (Rhomboidea) – Square-spotted Clay

Brunnea– Purple Clay

Festiva (Conflua) – Ingrailed Clay

Dahlii– Barred Chestnut

Subrosea– Rosy Marsh

Rubi– Small Square-spot

Umbrosa– Six-striped Rustic

Baia– Dotted Clay

Sobrina– Cousin German

Castanea (Neglecta) – Grey Rustic

Xanthographa– Square-spot Rustic

Triphæna.

Ianthina– Lesser Broad Border

Fimbria– Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing

Interjecta– Least Yellow Underwing

Orbona (Subsequa) – Lunar Yellow Underwing

Comes (Orbona) – Lesser Yellow Underwing

Pronuba– Large Yellow Underwing

AMPHIPYRIDÆ.

Amphipyra.

Pyramidea– Copper Underwing

Tragopogonis– Mouse

Mania.

Typica– Gothic

Maura– Old Lady

ORTHOSIIDÆ.

Panolis.

Piniperda– Pine Beauty

Pachnobia.

Leucographa– White-marked

Rubricosa– Red Chestnut

Hyperborea (Carnica) – Mountain Rustic

Tæniocampa.

Gothica– Hebrew Character

Incerta (Instabilis) – Clouded Drab

Opima– Northern Drab

Populeti– Lead-coloured Drab

Stabilis– Common Quaker

Gracilis– Powdered Quaker

Miniosa– Blossom Underwing

Munda– Twin-spotted Quaker

Pulverulenta (Cruda) – Small Quaker

Orthosia.

Suspecta– Suspected

Upsilon– Dismal

Lota– Red-lined Quaker

Macilenta– Yellow-lined Quaker

Anchocelis.

Rufina– Flounced Chestnut

Pistacina– Beaded Chestnut

Lunosa– Lunar Underwing

Litura– Brown-spot Pinion

Cerastis (Glæa).

Vaccinii– Chestnut