Upper Side. The body and wings are of a dark brown. The latter are scolloped, the anterior having, near their anterior margin, towards the middle, a black eye on each, shaped like a human ear, whose iris is of a dark orange colour; and, near the anal angle, towards the external edge, is a black scolloped line, running half way up the wing, joining to which (under it) is a bar of a very soft and delicate brown colour, differing from the general tint of the wings. The posterior wings have, on each, near the external edge, a mark somewhat like a large eye; upon whose under edge are two semi-eyes, one black, the other the same colour as the wings. Many agreeable shades, of a lighter colour, and ingrailed lines, run across all the wings.
Under Side. The head, breast, and legs, are the same colour as the upper side; except the thighs of the fore legs, which are red. There is very little variety of colours on this side, except a purplish hue, visible when held in a declining direction.
Drury notices another insect, also received by him from Saint Christopher's, of smaller size, and differing only in having a narrow indented bar, of a flesh colour, crossing the upper and lower wings, and which, he thinks, may possibly be the other sex of the insect here figured; considering also, that the references to Linnæus and Sloane, apply rather to the smaller insect. Fabricius states, that the female of Odora is distinguished by having a fascia, composed of three waved white lines, in the middle of the wings.
SPILOSOMA ACREA.
Plate [III]. fig. 2. ♀. 3. ♂.
Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: Arctiidæ, Steph.
Genus. Spilosoma, Stephens. Arctia p. Schrank. Eyprepia p. Ochsenheim. Bombyx p. Fabr.
Spilosoma Acrea. Alis niveis (postieis ♂ fulvis), punctis nigris, costalibus majoribus; abdominis dorso fulvo nigro maculato. (Expans. Alar. ♂ 2 unc.—♀ 2¾ unc.)
Syn. ♀ Phalæna (Bombyx) Acrea, Drury, App. v. 2.
♂. Phal. (Bomb.) Caprotina, Drury, App. v. 2.