The Hermit

S. briseis L. (= janthe Pall., daedale Bgstr.) (42b). Very variable in size and markings; recognizable by the flat triangular club of the antenna and the pale costal margin of the forewing. The dark wings are traversed by a band which is usually composed of narrow transverse spots, bearing a distinct apical ocellus and a second similar spot before and somewhat below the middle of the distal margin. Band of the hindwing sometimes shaded. On the underside the male has large dark angular spots at the base of both wings, the female having the hindwing beneath generally uniformly brownish or grey; North France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, and the adjacent districts of Russia. — meridionalis Stgr. (42b) is the South-European form, which is especially common on the Mediterranean coasts of Europe. The white spots composing the band of the forewing are broader than in specimens from Central Europe. — magna Stgr. is the from East Europe, which flies also in some districts of Asia Minor; in size like meridionalis, but the band somewhat broader and purer white, especially on the hindwing. — ab. pirata Esp. (42 f) has the size of the previous, but the band is ochreous; occurs among white-banded specimens in South and East Europe, and Anterior Asia, being especially large in the last country. — major Oberth. …