Page:Jardine Naturalist's Library Exotic Moths.djvu/211

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167

ARCTIA HEBE.

PLATE XIX. Fig. 1.

Shrank, b. ii. 152.—Bombyx Hebe, Linn. Hubner, Bo., pl. 30, fig. 129; Roesel, Insecten Belustigung, iv. t. 27, figs. 1, 2; Goedart, Pap. de France.

This insect, belonging to the same genus as the well known Great Tiger Moth of this country, has been mentioned by several authors as a native of Britain, but although occuring in several parts of the continent of Europe in some plenty, there is no authenticated instance of its having been found here. It is a handsome insect, measuring two inches and a quarter between the tips of the wings; the anterior pair of the latter deep black, with five irregular white bars, the two exterior ones united by a longitudinal white bar. The posterior wings are deep red, with several abbreviated irregular black fasciæ; the fringe likewise black. Head and thorax deep black, the collar bright red; abdomen of the same colour as the hinder wings; the apex and a broad dentate band down the back black.

Several varieties are described by Goedart; 1st, one in which the third band of the upper wings is