The date shows when this volume we To renew thisi book couvcopy the call Nc\'o. and g. the librarian. HOME I Cornell University Library QL 561.T7S78 Insecta britannica. 3 1924 018 312 029 INSECTA BRITANNIC A. LEPIDOPTERA: TINEINA. H. T. STAINTON. LONDON: LOVELT, REEVE, HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT GARDEN. 1854. Q L-irL( T7S7Z 1*1 IE *f 5" A . 3 V- X 3 WELL [UNlV£tiSJTYI \jJBRArtV^ JOHN EDWARD TAYLOll, PKINTBR, LITTLB QUPIIN STltKKT, LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS. PREFACE. The object of this volume is to furnish descriptions of all the species of Tineina (a group of Lepidopteua) at present known to inhabit Great Britain, and at the same time to give as much information concerning their habits and transformations as the limited space would allow. Each species is carefully described from actual specimens, and each genus is founded on the micro- scopical investigation of all (or nearly all) the species comprised in it. In some few instances, to avoid a premature multiplication of genera, species are placed in a genus though not quite agreeing with its essential characters; in such cases care has been taken to point out wherein these differences consist, so that, should the further progress of the science require the creation of new genera, this will be facilitated by the details here given. The habits noticed are in most instances the result of personal research, al- though advantage has been taken of the observations of others where there was no doubt to what species they were intended to apply. The transformations of the species, from their great va- riety, offer an endless field of amusement ; and my object being to give full but concise details, general observations thereon are placed at the commencement of each genus. In every case where no observations occur concerning the larva of a species, it must be understood that we are still unacquainted with it. As a rule, ijo descriptions of larvae are introduced, as the space would not permit it. With reference to the synonymy, the works of the principal writers were carefully gone over, and the descriptions identified with known species, or set aside as undistinguishable. The synonymy of the species described in this volume is given more fully in the Catalogue of British Micro-Lepidoptcra (Tineina), which I have been conducting through the press, for the Trustees of the British Museum, simultaneously with this volume ; but neither did that Catalogue, any more than the present volume, admit of the introduction of critical disquisitions on the synonymy of the species. To have gone minutely and critically into the synonymy, to have described the larva of each species and its entire habits in detail, would have completely altered the design of this work ; but I purpose at no distant date, in conjunction with others, to edit a more detailed and voluminous work, 'The Natural History of the Tineina.' To avoid misconception, it is however necessary to remark that the present volume does not—cannot contain descriptions of all the British Tineina; the number of these is increasing upon us daily; all that has therefore been accomplished has been to de- scribe all the known and distinguished species : the latter expres- sion is used advisedly, for it frequently happens that a so-called new species is not really new, having lain dormant in our collec- tions for years, but mixed with some other species, from which we have only at length learnt to distinguish it. Consequently, in addition to the new species that will be met with in the course of a few years, it may be also found that many of the species of this volume are little groups of species, which further investiga- tions will enable us to separate ; and as the transformations of many species not now known to us will be discovered, this volume will gradually fall in arrear of the progressive science, and a new edition will become requisite. Of the ten plates, which have been carefully executed by Mr. Wing, eight illustrate the generic characters, one the various forms of the larvae, and one the perfect insects of several of the most important genera (especially representing those which have any peculiarity in their posture when in repose). It will be found by those who study this volume, that, even with the help of the descriptions and the plates, it will be a matter of considerable difficulty to name with certainty many species; those who do not associate with other entomologists are not aware to how great an extent the comparison of specimens with named collections is carried. To all who meet with any difficulties of this nature I offer my services ; and if they apply to me by letter or personally, their wants shall be immediately attended to. In order to be readily accessible without any previous appointment, I have followed the example of the late Mr. Stephens, and " my collections are thrown open for inspection, etc., every Wednesday evening, to any gentleman, upon the presentation of his card." In concluding the labour of my leisure hours of three succes- sive winters, I have to express my sincere thanks to all those who have assisted me, either by the loan of specimens (frequently unique), by the communication of original observations, or in the more laborious operations of denuding wings, preliminarily inves- tigating genera, or reviewing the descriptions of species : assistance on all these points has been so freely given, that I have felt my position more that of an Editor, taking advantage of the labours of others, than that of an Author; yet, at the same time, for all the errors and imperfections of this book I am solely responsible. H. T. Staintok. MounUJicld, Lewisham, July 1st, 1854. ;; — EXPLANATION OF THE CONTRACTIONS IN THE REFERENCES. Bjerk. N. A. H. -Bjerkandcr, Nova Guenee. — Guenee, Index Methodicus 1 1 ilin in-. Acta 1 Micro-LcpidopterorumEuropscorum. Bouche, Natur. — Bouchi, Naturge- Haw. L. B. — Haworth, Lcpidoplera schichte dcr Insekten. Britannica. H.-S.-Herrich-Schiiffcr,Systematische CI. I.—Clcrck, Iconcs Insectorum ra- Schmetterlinge von rioruni. Bearbeitung dcr Europa. Curt. B. B.— Curtis, British Entomo- Hub. Tin.; V.— Hubner, Sammlung logy. Europiiischer Schmetterlinge ; Ver- Don. B. I. — Donovan, Natural His- zeichuiss bekannter Schmetterlinge. tory of British Insects. Hummel, Ess. Ent.—Hummel, Essais Dougl. Ent. Trans.; Zool. —Douglas, Entomologiqucs. Transactions of the Entomological Hump, et West. B. M.—Humphreys Society of London ; Zoologist. and Wcstwood, British Moths, vol. ii. Dup. Cat.—Duponchel, Catalogue des Kollar, Verz. dcr uicd. ost. Schm. Ldpidopteres do France. Kollar, Verzeichuiss der niedcroster- rcichischen Schmetterlinge. Dup. L. P. xi. ; Sup. iv.—Duponchel, Lepidoptercs de France, vol. xi. ; and Lat. G. C. et I.; H. N.; R. A—La- Supplement, vol. iv. treille, Genera Crustaccorum et Iu- sectorum ; Histoire Naturolle des Edl.—Edleston. Crustace's et des Insectes ; le Regne Evers. —Eversmann, Fauna Lcpidoptc- Animal. rologica Volgo-Uralensis. Lewis, Ent. Mag.—Lewis, Entomolo- Fab. S. E. ; G. I. ; S. I. ; Man. ; E. S. gical Magazine. E. S. Sup.—Fabricius, -Systcma En- Lin. F. S. ; S. N.—Linneeus, Fauna tomologist ; Genera Iusectorum Suecica ; Systema Naturae. Species Insectorum ; Mantissa Iu- N. A. H.—Nova Acta Holinite. sectorum ; Entomologia Systematica Entomologia! Systematica: Supplc- Och. — Ochsenheimer, die Schmetter- mentum. linge von Europa. F.'v. R.—Fischer von Roslerstamm. Panz. I. G. — Panzer, Fauna Iusectorum Germanise. Four. —Fourcroy, Entomologia Parisi- Ratz. F. I. Ratzeburg, Forst Insecten. ensis. — G. et S. — Retzius, Genera et Frcy, N. B.—Freyer, Noue Beitrage Retz. Insectorum. zur Schmcttcrlingskunde. Species Roemer, G. I.—Rocmer, Genera Insec- Godai't. — Godart, Lepidoptercs J de torum Linuasi et Fabricii. Franco, vol. v. Rossi, Fauna Etrusca. Goeze, E. B.—Gocze, Eutomologische Rossi. — Beitrage, vol. iii. part 4. Schr. F. B.—Schrank, Fauna Boica. ;; CONTRACTIONS. Scriba, Beit. —Scriba, Bcitriige zu der Thuu. I. S. ; M. N. A. U.—Thunberg, Insckten Geschichte. Insecta Suecica ; Museum Natura- lium Acadcmiic Upsalicnsis. Scop. E. C. — Scopoli, Entomologia Carniolica. Treit. E. S.—Treitschke, die Schmet- terlinge von Europa. Sta. Cat. ; Sup. Cat. ; Ent. Trans. Zool.—Stainton, Catalogue of Bri- Vill. E. L. — Villcrs, Entomologia tish Tineida; and Pteropboridoe Fauna; Succicic descriptionibus aucta, Supplementary Catalogue of British Caroli Liunasi. Tineida; and Plcrophorida; ; Trans- W. V. — Systcmatisehes Verzeichniss actions of the Entomological Society dcrSchmetterlingcdcrWiencrgcgend. of London ; Zoologist. Zcll. Isis; L. E. ; Ent. Ztg —Zeller, Isis Step. H. ; Entom.— Stephens' Illustra- von Oken ; Liumca Entomolo- tions of British Entomology, Haus- gica ; Eutomologischc Zcitung. tella, vol. iv. ; Entomologist. Zett. I. L.—Zetterstedt, lusecta Lap- Tengst. F. F.-F. — Tengstrom, Bidrag ponica. till Finlands Fjaril-Fauna. Z. g. S.—Zinckcn, geuannt Sommcr. INSECTA BRITANNICA. LEPIDOPTERA. Aim quatuor, squamis imbricatcc. Os liaustellum maxillis cohmrentibus composiium. Larva pedibus ad summum 16 instructa. Metamorphosis perfccta. Synonyma. Lepidoplera, Linnsei, 1753, De Geer, aliommque auctorum. Glossata, Fabricii, 1775. Wings four, clothed with scales*, which are inserted on both sides of the membrane ; mouth a tubular tongue\ composed of the united maxilla protected on each side by the palpi J. The larva furnished at l/te most with sixteen legs, rarely with less than ten. Metamorphosis complete, i. e. the larva changes to a quiescent masked pupa, which differs both from the larva and from the imago. None of the insects of this order are liable to be mistaken for any other, but several of the Trichoptera approximate so closely to the Zepidojjtera, that it is with the greatest difficulty they can * Sonic species of the Psyehida: have all the wings clothed with hairs, and in some Bpecies of Incurcaria, Lampronia, Micropteryx, and NepHcula the posterior wings arc furnished with hairs instead of scales. The females ot lleterogyius, Psyche, and Talteporia, etc., are entirely destitute of wings. t In sonic of the Psyehida, and in Aglossa, the tongue is absent.