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 caterpillar feeds on the tobacco-plant, and is found in barrancos, but it is most usually met with on potato-plants; it envelops itself in a leaf, drawing it together with silk-like threads, and so forming a case in which it turns to the chrysalis. It is found very nearly all the year round, but is met with in greatest numbers during the spring months.
[8]Alpheraky describes the Indian variety Chrysitina as a Teneriffe moth.