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Show 336 MR. E. BARTLETT ON A N E W MOTH. [Mar. 18, 4. Description of a New Moth, belonging to the Family Saturniidce. By E D W A R D B A R T L E T T. The very fine Moth which I now exhibit was obtained in the interior of Madagascar, by Mr. T. Waters, who is collecting zoological specimens on the west coast or Mozambique Channel. Mr. T. W . Wood (who has kindly made a most accurate drawing of the specimen, considering the damaged condition of the upper wings) informs m e that he has carefully examined the tailed Satur-niidae in the British Museum, and has found none which corresponds with it either in size or colouring. That which is most closely allied is Tropcea leto, a well-known East-Indian species. The present insect differs so much from its allies, not only in marking but in form, that it most probably represents a new genus. But the present specimen being deficient of antennae, the species may be called Tropcea madagascariensis until we are in possession of other examples. The measurement from the shoulder to the point of the tail is 8| inches ; expanse of upper wings 8 inches. The most extraordinary characteristic is the formation of the long delicate tail-like appendages to the hind wings, which have extremely narrow shafts, and are enlarged at the ends; their points have two spiral twists or folds, which give them a very graceful appearance. There are four distinct eye-like spots near the centre of each wing. The fore wings are of a very light buff colour, tinged with lemon-yellow, with the nervures brighter and rather conspicuous, they being of a pale rust-colour. The costal margin is dark brown, minutely dotted with greyish white, paler towards the apex. The ocellus is attached to the costal band by a very short band of the same colour, and it is nearly in the centre of the wing. There is a blotch of red-brown, nearly black, at the apex. There are also two distinct parallel rust-coloured transverse lines near the hind margin, which run from the inner margin to the apex ; and there is a transverse bar near the base of the upper wing of a pale reddish brown, tinged with lilac, and almost divided into two by a whitish line. A black spot is in the centre of the ocellus, the outer half of which is pale buff, tinged with lemon, the inner half gradually shaded with dark brown from the spot inwards, with a light lilac semicircle separating it from the circle of rusty red ; the outer margin of the ocellus is nearly a black circle. The hind wings are also pale buff, tinged with lemon-yellow, with narrow blackish-brown marginal bands, which extend nearly to the points of the tails ; these are of a bright red-rust on the central portion, their ends being enlarged and folded, very pale buff. The ocellus is similar to that on the fore wings, but smaller and rather lighter in colouring, and nearly in the centre of the wing; the nervures are very faint. Head pale buff; thorax and abdomen bright orange-buff. Length 21 inches. A dark band across the front of thorax, corresponding in colour with the costal margins, and uniting with them at their bases. |
