( 313 ) XXIII. On the natural affinities of the Lepidoptcra lather to referred to the (jenus Acronycta of authors. By AiiTHUii G. Butler, F.L.S., F.Z.S., &c. [Head November 511), 1879.] (Plate XI.) It is a g;eTierally-recognized fact amongst Lepldopterists that whilst the structure of the perfect insects decides to what genera they are referahle, the larval characters arc of greater importance as deciding in what family they ought to be placed ; thus Mr. Bates, in his classification of the Butterflies, founded his families entirely upon characters supplied by the early stages. A short 'time since Mr. F. ]\Ioore called my attention to the fact that the genus Dijttitero. (Ochs.) contained two series of species allied by structure, coloration, pattern and larval characters to genera already existing in the two widely-differing families Arctiidce and NotodontidcB ; the European D. ludijica representing the Notodontid ty\)Q and being nearly allied to Harpyio, Dicranura and other gjenera of " Puss-moths," and D. orion repre-senting the Arctiid type near to Ecpanilieria and Ardyees. Upon mentioning the above rather startling facts to Lord Walsingham he very kindly offered to bring his preserved larjie of D. orion to the Museum for me to see, and as they stand in the same drawer with the greater part of his beautiful series of larvro of Acronycta, I was enabled, with his lordship's permission, Avhilst verifying the conclusions arrived at by Mr. Moore, to examine into the natural affinities oi Acronycta. The family Bornhycoidee, so far as I can ascertain, Avas instituted by Dr. Boisduval and adopted by M. Guenee for the reception of a series of Xoctuiform moths having Bombyciform larva3 ; but the genus Acronycta as characterized by M. Guencc contains larva3 appertaining TRANS. ENT. SOC. 1879. — PART IV. (dEC.)
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