THE DOUBLE-SPOT BROCADE (_Miselia bimaculosa_).

Stephens, referring to this species in 1829, states that he had only seen

one British specimen. This was in the British Museum, "to which it was

presented by Dr. Leach; it was captured near Bristol, I believe, in July,

1815." Barrett notes {290} a specimen, said to have been taken by Peter

Bouchard, in the collection of the late Dr. Mason. This is all that there

seems to be known concerning this species in Britain. The specimen figured

on Plate 141, Fig. 4, is continental.

THE MERVEILLE DU JOUR (_Agriopis aprilina_).

The pretty green moth, with white-edged black markings, shown on Plate 141,

Fig. 1, is widely distributed over the greater part of the British Isles.

It occurs in oak woods, or in localities where oak trees are plentiful. The

caterpillar is of an obscure greenish-grey coloration, sometimes inclining

to brownish; a white line along the back, and a dark one low down on the

sides; over the back spreads a series of blackish marks showing a more or

less diamond pattern. It feeds in the spring and until June on oak leaves,

and often rests by day on the trunks, in the chinks of the bark. The moth

flies in September and October, rather earlier in Scotland.

FLAME BROCADE (_Rhizotype_ (_Trigonophora_) _flammea_).

The earliest record of this species (Plate 141, Fig. 6) in England dates

back to 1855, when five specimens were obtained at sugar in a locality near

Brighton, in Sussex. The next year, and subsequently, it was found, not

only in the original place, but also in the Lewes and Shoreham districts.

Later it was met with in other localities in the county, and for several

years captures were made in most of its known haunts. For some years past,

however, it seems to have disappeared from Sussex, and is not known to

occur in any other part of the British Isles.

The caterpillar is ochreous brown, tinged with reddish; a dull brownish

diamond pattern, and three lines along the back, the central line paler

than the others; the spiracles and usual dots are white, ringed with

brownish. Another form is green, as also are both forms in the younger

stages. It feeds from December to April on pilewort (_Ranunculus ficaria_),

_R. repens_, and other kinds of buttercup. When full grown it is said to

prefer ash or privet. The moth flies in late September and October.

[Illustration]

Pl. 140.

1, 4. RANNOCH SPRAWLER.

2, 3. BLACK-BANDED MOTH.

[Illustration]

Pl. 141.

1. MERVEILLE-DU-JOUR MOTH.

2, 3. GREEN-BRINDLED CRESCENT.

4. DOUBLE-SPOT BROCADE.

5. SMALL ANGLE SHADES.

6. FLAME BROCADE.

7. ANGLE SHADES.

{291} THE SMALL ANGLE SHADES (_Euplexia lucipara_).

The pale reniform mark on the outer edge of the blackish central area is

the prominent feature of this pinkish- or purplish-brown moth. (Plate 141,

Fig. 5.) The caterpillar is green, or pinkish-brown, and velvety in

appearance; three indistinct lines and some dusky V-shaped marks on the

back; a white line along the sides; usual dots white, and the spiracles

black. It feeds in August and September on most low plants, birch, sallow,

bracken, etc. It is often destructive to ferns in the garden or

conservatory; usually selecting the choicer kinds, and as its depredations

are carried on only at night, the culprit escapes detection. The moth flies

in June and July, and a few specimens sometimes appear in the autumn.

Generally distributed and often common in the South. The range abroad

extends to Amurland, Japan, and North America.

THE ANGLE SHADES (_Phlogophora meticulosa_).

The moth shown on Plate 141, Fig. 7, is, when newly emerged from the

chrysalis, an exceedingly pretty creature. After death the pinky-brown

colour remains, but the olive green of the triangular central band, and

border of outer margin, fades and distinctly mars the pleasing effect of

the general colour scheme. Sometimes the central band and outer border are

red, and in such specimens the ground colour is more rosy. The caterpillar

is green or brown, minutely dotted with white; a pale central line and

dusky V-shaped marks on each side of it; the outer arm of the V more

distinct than the inner; the line along the dark {292} ringed spiracles

whitish; head green or brown freckled with darker. It feeds on groundsel,

dock, bracken, and almost anything in the way of an herbaceous plant; often

attacks geraniums in the greenhouse as well as outdoors. Has been found in

almost every month of the year, but perhaps most common in July, August,

and September. The moth also occurs at all seasons of the year, but seems

to be most frequent in May and June, and sometimes in September and

October. It is found throughout the British Isles. Both this species and

the last mentioned, when resting on herbage, paling, or tree stem, chiefly

the former, sit with the wings folded in to the body, but each fore wing is

broadly wrinkled or folded throughout its length. In this position the moth

is very like a crumpled decaying leaf, and for such may be readily

mistaken.

THE OLD LADY (_Mania_ (_Mormo_) _maura_).

From its habit of creeping behind curtains, shutters, etc., and otherwise

disposing itself in dwelling-houses during the day, as well as in summer

houses and other buildings, this moth (Plate 142, Figs. 1[male], 3[female])

must often come under observation. The caterpillar is ochreous brown with a

darker diamond pattern on the back; the central line is ochreous, but much

broken, and on each side of it there is a series of pale oblique streaks;

the spiracles are reddish ochreous, edged with black, and the line along

them is ochreous; head pale brown, glossy. The general colour varies to

greyish or purplish brown. It feeds on various low herbage in the autumn,

and on the young shoots and leaves of sallow, hawthorn, birch, etc., in the

spring after hibernation. The moth flies in July and August, and is

generally common in the south of England. Sometimes it abounds even in the

London suburbs, and in 1904 it was seen pretty frequently during August

flying, in the evening, low down along the roads and in gardens all over

the southern district. The species is also {293} found more or less

frequently throughout England northwards, and well into Scotland, as least

as far as Clydesdale. Renton records it as common at sugar in

Roxburghshire, and White gives the Forth and Tay districts. Widely

distributed in Ireland, common in some parts.

THE GOTHIC (_Nænia typica_).

This moth (Plate 142, Fig. 2) is common in gardens, as well as along the

weedy wayside and hedgerow in all parts of England and Wales, Scotland to

Sutherland, and in Ireland. The caterpillar (Plate 139, Fig. 2) varies in

colour from brownish-grey to pale ochreous brown, or greenish grey,

freckled with darker; three pale lines on the first ring, and partly on the

second; some pale oblique streaks on the sides, and blackish marks on rings

ten and eleven, the latter more or less united behind; head of the body

colour darker marked. It feeds on all kinds of herbage, also on the leaves

of sallow, sloe, apple, etc. When young in large companies on the underside

of leaves. August to May. The moth flies in June and July.

THE CRESCENT (_Helotropha leucostigma_).

Of this purplish-brown species the typical form (Fig. 1), and the pale

banded form, var. _fibrosa_, Hübn., are shown on Plate 143. The

caterpillar, according to Buckler, is slaty brown, inclining to olive drab

above; three paler lines on the back; the spiracles are black and the usual

dots black-brown; head warm brown, very glossy; plate on first ring glossy

black, that on the last ring blackish brown. It feeds in the stems of

_Cladium mariscus_, sedge (_Carex paludosa_), and yellow flag (_Iris

pseudacorus_). May to July. The moth is out in late June, July, and August.

It inhabits fens and marshy ground, and seems to be found in such

localities throughout the British Isles, including the {294} Hebrides and

Shetlands. Abroad the range extends to Amurland, China, Japan, also North

America.

THE EAR MOTH (_Hydroecia_ (_Gortyna_) _nictitans_).

On Plate 143 are shown a more or less typical specimen of this species

(Fig. 3); the reddish spotted var. _erythrostigma_, Haw. (Fig. 4); and two

examples of the marsh or saltern form, _paludis_, Tutt (Figs. 5, 6), for

which specific rank has been claimed. Specimens found in marshes,

especially those by the sea, are usually somewhat larger than normal, but I

cannot see that they otherwise differ from forms of _nictitans_. The

caterpillar is greenish pink with pinkish grey stripes on the back and

sides; spiracles black, and usual dots dark brownish; head pinkish

ochreous, plate on ring one of the body yellowish brown. It feeds from May

to August on grasses, chiefly the lower part of the stems. The moth flies

in August and September, and is sometimes seen in the daytime on the

flowers of thistle and ragwort, etc., but far more frequently at night,

when it also visits sugar more or less freely. Usually common in marshy

places throughout our islands. The range abroad extends to Amurland, Corea,

Japan, and North America.

THE ROSY RUSTIC (_Hydroecia_ (_Gortyna_) _micacea_).

This moth (Plate 143, Figs. 8, 9) is also widely spread over the British

Isles, occurring most freely on the coast, but not uncommonly inland. It

appears in the autumn, and is frequently seen at light, and although not

very partial to sugar it occasionally visits that attraction as well as

ragwort blossom, etc. The caterpillar is dull smoky pink, with a faintly

darker central stripe; the usual dots dark brown, and the spiracles black;

head, and plates on first and last rings of the body ochreous brown. May to

August on dock, plantain, feeding in the stems and down into the roots.

Sometimes it attacks the potato, eating down the stalk into the tuber. The

range abroad extends to Amurland.

[Illustration]

Pl. 142.

1, 3. OLD LADY MOTH.

2. GOTHIC MOTH.

[Illustration]

Pl. 143.

1, 2. THE CRESCENT.

3, 4. EAR MOTH.

5, 6. EAR MOTH, _saltern form_.

7. BUTTERBUR MOTH.

8, 9. ROSY RUSTIC.

{295} THE BUTTERBUR (_Hydroecia_ (_Gortyna_) _petasitis_).

This is a larger species than the last, and more dingy in coloration. Its

chief haunts, among the butterbur (_Petasites_), are in the northern

counties from Cheshire to Durham. It was first met with by Stainton in 1846

at Falkirk in Scotland, and Doubleday named and described it in 1847. An

account of its caterpillar feeding in the roots of the butterbur was

published by N. Cooke in 1850, and by 1855 the northern collectors had

reared and distributed large numbers of the moths among their confrères in

other parts of the country. The species is still common in the north of

England, but continues scarce and very local in Scotland. Odd specimens

have been reported from the eastern counties and once from Somerset. The

caterpillar is greyish white with black dots; head, and plate on first ring

of the body brown. July and August. The moth occurs among its food plant in

August and September. (Plate 143, Fig. 7.)

THE FROSTED ORANGE (_Ochria ochracea_).

Except that it sometimes visits a strong light, and may then be captured,

this moth (Plate 144, Figs. 1[male], 2[female]) is most easily obtained in

its early stages. The caterpillar is pale ochreous white with conspicuous

black dots; head ochreous brown, the plate on first ring of the body is

blackish with white lines upon it. It feeds in the stems of thistles,

burdock, hemp-agrimony, etc. April to July, or later. The brownish

chrysalis may be found in stems of the plants, generally low down near the

ground. The moth, also known as _flavago_, Schiff., occurs from August to

October in most places, especially marshy ground, where {296} thistles

flourish, throughout England and Wales. It is found in Scotland up to

Perthshire and Aberdeen. Only recorded from Wicklow, Galway, Sligo, and

Clare, in Ireland.

REED WAINSCOT (_Nonagria algæ_ (_cannæ_)).

This moth (Plate 144, Fig. 4) varies in size and also in the colour of the

fore wings, which range from a pale ochreous, through reddish shades, to

sooty brown. The cross lines are indicated by black dots. The black dotted

greenish caterpillar has a brown head and a whitish green plate on first

ring of the body. It feeds from May to July in the stems of reed-mace

(_Typha latifolia_), often called the bulrush or catstail; also in the true

bulrush (_Scirpus lacustris_). Fig. 5, Plate 148, shows the chrysalis in

its characteristic position when in the stem, that is with the head

upwards. The moth flies, in August and September, at dusk, over and among

the reeds; the males especially freely responding to the attraction of

light. Its chief localities are in the fens of Norfolk and Suffolk, but it

has also occurred in Mid-Sussex.

WEBB'S WAINSCOT (_Nonagria sparganii_).

This moth also varies in the colour of the fore wings, from almost whitish

through various shades of ochreous and red. The main veins are shaded with

grey, and the median one has black dots upon it, chiefly at the end of the

cell; the outer margin with a row of large or small black dots. (Plate 144,

Fig. 3.) The caterpillar is yellowish green with darker lines; head and

plate on first ring of the body pale brown. It feeds in July and August in

stems of bur-reed (_Sparganium_), reed-mace, and yellow flag. Fig. 6, Plate

148, shows the chrysalis in its natural position in the stem. The hole in

the stem from which the moth escapes is also clearly in evidence above the

chrysalis. {297} The moth flies among reeds, etc., in August and September.

Its chief localities in England are in East and South-east Kent, in which

county the first British specimens were obtained by Mr. Sydney Webb in

1879. In 1899 a specimen reared from a caterpillar found in a stem of

_Typha_, was recorded from Suffolk (Woodbridge district); and in 1901 the

species was recorded from South Devon. It is also not uncommon "between Old

Head of Kinsale and Glandore," Co. Cork, Ireland.

THE BULRUSH WAINSCOT (_Nonagria typhæ_).

The fore wings of this species (Plate 144, Fig. 5), usually of a pale

whity-brown colour, in some specimens are reddish tinged; or they may be

almost uniformly reddish brown or blackish (var. _fraterna_, Treit.). The

row of black spots on the outer area are wedge-shaped and are placed just

before the margin. The caterpillar is pale ochreous more or less tinged

with pink; a paler line along the spiracles; head and plate on first ring

of the body red-brown. July to August, in stems of _Typha_. The moth flies

in August and September, and although it may be netted when on the wing at

dusk, or at light, it is obtained in better condition by rearing it from

the chrysalis, which may be found in the stems (Plate 148, Fig. 3), those

of the previous year for choice, of reed mace. Generally distributed in

England up to Yorkshire; it has been recorded also from Northumberland and

the Scottish border. It is common in southern Ireland, and found northwards

up to Sligo, Tyrone, and Armagh.

THE TWIN-SPOTTED (_Nonagria geminipuncta_).

This species, shown on Plate 144, Figs. 6, 7, varies in colour from pale

brown, more or less suffused with grey, through darker, or reddish brown to

blackish (var. _nigricans_, Staud.). {298} In the brown typical form the

reniform mark is represented by two dark-edged white dots, the upper one

often tiny or absent (var. _unipuncta_, Tutt), or both may be absent (var.

_obsoleta_, Tutt). The caterpillar in pale ochreous, pink-tinged, a pale

line along the spiracles; head dark brown. May and June, in stems of reeds

(_Phragmites_). The chrysalis lies in the reed stem with the head towards

the oval hole above it from which the moth escapes. In August the moth may

be found in its haunts in the south and east of England. These are marshes,

often near the sea, in Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Essex, the Thames valley,

Sussex, Hants, and the Isle of Wight, Wiltshire and Somerset.

THE BROWN-VEINED WAINSCOT (_Nonagria dissoluta_).

The popular name applies more especially to the ordinary form of this

species known as _arundineta_, Schmidt. (Plate 144, Fig. 8.) The dark brown

or black typical form (_dissoluta_, Treit. = _hessii_, Boisd.) is local and

uncommon; in fact until 1900 it had not been noted in England for a number

of years, and specimens were only known from Yaxley. In the year just

mentioned however, several examples of it were recorded from Suffolk, taken

in the Needham Market district; and in 1905 specimens were reported from

the East Kent marshes. Var. _arundineta_, the _neurica_ of some authors,

occurs in the fens of Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridge, and Lincolnshire; also

in marshes in Essex and Kent; and is said to have been taken in Middlesex

and Lancashire. The caterpillar is dirty white, light reddish on the back;

raised dots black inclining to brown on front three rings; spiracles white

edged with black; head dark brown; plate on first and last rings of the

body brownish grey. It feeds in June in the stems of reed and turns to a

chrysalis in the lower part of the stem, head downwards in the direction of

the exit hole below it. (Plate 148, Fig. 1.) The moth flies in July and

August.

[Illustration]

Pl. 144.

1, 2. FROSTED ORANGE MOTH.

3. WEBB'S WAINSCOT.

4. REED WAINSCOT.

5. BULRUSH MOTH.

6, 7. TWIN-SPOTTED WAINSCOT.

8. BROWN-VEINED WAINSCOT.

9. FENN'S WAINSCOT, 10. _aberration sinelinea._

[Illustration]

Pl. 145.

1, 2. LARGE WAINSCOT.

3, 4. FEN WAINSCOT.

5, 6. FLAME WAINSCOT.

7, 8. SILKY WAINSCOT.

9, 10, 11. SMALL RUFOUS MOTH.

12, 13, 14. SMALL WAINSCOT.

{299}

THE SMALL RUFOUS (_Coenobia rufa_).

Varies from pale ochreous white, through reddish shades, to a greyish

brown. (Plate 145, Figs. 9 to 11.) The caterpillar is described by Hofmann,

as pale reddish above and whitish below, with minute dark dots on the back

and a fine blackish line along the sides; head and plate on first ring of

the body brown and glossy. May and June, in stems of the jointed rush

(_Juncus lamprocarpus_). The moth flies in July and August, and occurs in

fens and marshes. At one time it was not uncommon in marshy localities

around London, and it is still to be obtained in Richmond Park, Surrey. In

some years it abounds in the Norfolk and Cambridge fens, and in others is

hardly seen. It is also to be found more or less frequently but always

local in Suffolk, Essex, Berks, Kent, Sussex, Isle of Wight, Dorset (Isle

of Purbeck), Devon, Somerset, Gloucester, North and South Wales, Cheshire,

and Yorkshire; Argyllshire in Scotland; Ireland.

THE SILKY WAINSCOT (_Senta maritima_).

In its typical form (Fig. 7) the moth shown on Plate 145 is whity-brown,

clouded with grey and sometimes tinged with brownish on the disc. The

orbicular and reniform stigmata are round and faintly outlined in whitish.

In var. _bipunctata_, Haworth, the stigmata are black and conspicuous: var.

_wismariensis_, Schmidt, has a blackish central streak from the base

broadening out towards the outer margin (Fig. 8): var. _nigristriata_,

Staud., has the fore-wings finely streaked with black; and var.

_nigrocostata_, Staud., has the front margin broadly black. The caterpillar

is ochreous grey with three fine interrupted, whitish lines on the back;

spiracles black with darker lines along their area; head dark brown and

shining. September to May, hiding by day in stems of reed (_Phragmites_)

and at night {300} feeding on the caterpillars and chrysalids of other reed

insects (Hofmann). The moth flies from late June to early August. It occurs

in the fens of Norfolk and Cambridge, but in the former county it has been

taken at Merton and King's Lynn. Dr. Wheeler states that it is usually

found in the thicker reed beds where stems of the previous year's growth

still remain. Specimens were obtained among reeds in the Harwich district,

Essex, in 1902, and the species has also been recorded from Tring,

Hertfordshire, Surrey, Sussex, and the Isle of Wight.

THE FLAME WAINSCOT (_Meliana flammea_).

The original British specimen, which Curtis in 1829 named, described, and

figured, was stated to have been taken "near Lewisham, towards Lee, in

July." Now it is only known to occur in Huntingdon, Norfolk, and

Cambridgeshire, chiefly in the fens; in Wicken fen in the latter county it

is most plentiful. (Plate 145, Figs. 5, 6.) The caterpillar is greyish

ochreous brown, rather paler beneath, with paler lines along the back and

sides, the central one edged on each side with darker; spiracles whitish,

outlined with black, and a greyish drab spiracular stripe with paler edges;

head shining, and faintly netted with darker grey. (Condensed from

Buckler.) Hides by day in the old stems of reed (_Phragmites_), and feeds

at night on the leaves, August to October.

THE SMALL WAINSCOT (_Tapinostola fulva_).

The fore wings vary in colour from almost whitish through various shades of

grey brown and reddish brown (Plate 145, Figs. 12 to 14). The caterpillar,

pale shining pinkish ochreous; central stripe pale, bordered on each side

with greyish brown. Head pale brown, marked with darker, shining. June and

July in stems of sedges (_Carex_). The moth flies in August and {301}

September, and is found in fens and marshy ground pretty well all over the

British Isles, including the Hebrides.

THE CONCOLOROUS (_Tapinostola extrema_).

This species (Plate 146, Fig. 3) was at one time subsequent to 1844, when

it was first discovered in Yaxley Fen, not at all scarce in that locality

and in other fens in Huntingdonshire and Cambridgeshire. It then

disappeared from all its old haunts, some of which were destroyed; but a

few years since it was met with again in Hunts, and apparently not

uncommonly.

BOND'S WAINSCOT (_Tapinostola bondii_).

The whitish moth shown on Plate 146, Fig. 4, was first taken at Folkestone,

Kent, by Dr. Knaggs, in 1859, and named and described by him in 1861. It

still occurs in that locality and also on the Devon and Dorsetshire coast,

the known localities being Charmouth, Lyme Regis, and Sidmouth.

The caterpillar is dirty white in colour inclining to brownish at each end;

a whitish line along the middle of the back; head brown. Feeds from August

to June in stems of _Festuca arundinacea_. The moth flies in June and July.

THE MERE WAINSCOT (_Tapinostola hellmanni_).

Present localities for this reddish species (Plate 146, Figs. 1, 2) are

Wicken and Chippenham fens, Chatteris and Whittlesford, in Cambridgeshire;

Monk's Wood in Hunts. Formerly Yaxley, where it was first taken in 1847,

used to be a noted locality, but the insect disappeared when the fen was

drained. It has been reported from Norfolk (Yarmouth), Lincolnshire,

Devonshire (Dartmoor), and Hertfordshire (Hitchin), chiefly in odd

specimens. The caterpillar has been described by Hofmann as

yellowish-white, or reddish above and paler beneath; plate {302} on first

ring of the body rather glossy, head glossy yellow brown. It lives from

autumn to June of the next year in stems of the wood smallreed

(_Calamagrostis epigeios_). The moth flies in July and August.

THE LYME GRASS (_Tapinostola elymi_).

The more or less brownish-tinged, whitish-ochreous species shown on Plate

146, Figs. 5, 6, was not recorded as a British insect until 1861. It is now

known to occur in England in many localities, but all on the east coast

from Norfolk to Durham. In the _Entomologist_ for 1894, it is recorded as

occurring at Montrose on the Forfarshire coast in Scotland. The caterpillar

is described by Buckler as pale flesh colour, with a rather darker stripe

along the back; spiracles black; head reddish-brown, shining; shining

yellowish-brown plates on the first and last rings of the body. It feeds on

the stems of lyme-grass (_Elymus arenarius_) in May and June. The moth

flies at early dusk over and among its food plants, and later on it settles

on the stems, from which it may be easily boxed.

THE BRIGHTON WAINSCOT (_Oria_ (_Synia_) _musculosa_).

This yellowish-clouded, whitish insect is a native of Southern Europe, Asia

Minor, Syria, and North-west Africa. Occasionally it has occurred in

England, and in the time of Haworth and Stephens one or two specimens seem

to have been recorded as British. In 1855 an example was captured at

Brighton, and others occurred in the same locality, and at Bexhill, Kent

(Jenner), between that year and 1860. A specimen was recorded from Brighton

in 1883, and one from South Devon in 1899. Reported from Wiltshire in 1910.

(Plate 146, Fig. 7.)

[Illustration]

Pl. 146.

1, 2. MERE WAINSCOT.

3. THE CONCOLOROUS.

4. BOND'S WAINSCOT.

5, 6. LYME GRASS MOTH.

7. BRIGHTON WAINSCOT.

[Illustration]

Pl. 147.

1, 2. COMMON WAINSCOT.

3, 4. SMOKY WAINSCOT.

5. SOUTHERN WAINSCOT.

6. STRIPED WAINSCOT.

7, 8. OBSCURE WAINSCOT.

9. DEVONSHIRE WAINSCOT.

10. SHOULDER-STRIPED WAINSCOT.

{303}

THE LARGE WAINSCOT (_Calamia lutosa_).

This species, shown on Plate 145, Figs. 1, 2, varies somewhat in the colour

of the fore wings, which is usually pale ochreous brown, but may be more or

less reddish tinged, or clouded with dusky; there is a row of black dots

beyond the middle of the wing, but these are sometimes faint or absent. The

range in size is considerable, some specimens are about the size of _L.

straminea_ whilst others will equal that of a large _N. typhæ_.

The caterpillar is whitish tinged with pink above, and with a dusky line

along the back; head reddish brown and glossy; plates on first and last

rings of the body shining pale brown. It feeds from April to June in the

stems of reed (_Phragmites_), causing the leaves of the affected stems to

whiten. The moth flies in August, September, and October, sometimes later,

and occurs in marshes, and on the banks of streams and ditches, in most of

the southern and eastern counties of England, and from Derbyshire to

Durham; in Scotland it has been recorded from Roxburghshire (near Kelso,

rare), Perthshire, Aberdeen, and Shetland. The species is widely spread in

Ireland.

THE FEN WAINSCOT (_Calamia phragmitidis_).

In the typical form this species (Plate 145, Figs. 3, 4) the fore wings are

whitish on the basal half, and incline to reddish on the outer half; var.

_rufescens_, Tutt, has these wings reddish all over, but somewhat darker on

the outer margin. The caterpillar is ochreous white with a slightly paler

stripe along the back, edged on each side with purplish; the spots are

black, as also are the spiracles; head and plates on the first and last

rings of the body black or blackish brown, glossy. It feeds from August to

June in stems of reed (_Phragmites_), and is said {304} to hatch from the

egg in the autumn. The moth flies in July and August, and is fond of the

flowers of grasses growing in its marshy haunts. It is common in the

Norfolk and Cambridge fens, and is found in suitable locations in

Huntingdon, Northampton, Lincoln, Yorkshire, Cheshire, and South

Lancashire, also in Berkshire, Suffolk, Essex, Kent, and Sussex.

THE COMMON WAINSCOT (_Leucania pallens_).

This common, often abundant species (Plate 147, Figs. 1, 2) is pretty

generally distributed over the British Isles. The typical coloration is

pale ochreous; ab. _arcuata_, Stephens, is pale brownish ochreous; ab.

_ectypa_, Hübn. = _rufescens_, Haworth, is reddish; and ab. _suffusa_,

Stephens, is also reddish, but powdered with blackish scales between the

veins, and chiefly so under the median nervure. The hind wings in all forms

are white in both sexes; but sometimes slightly tinged with greyish on the

outer margin in the female. The caterpillar (Plate 152, Fig. 1) which feeds

on grasses from August to May, is pale whity-brown freckled above with

pinkish brown; three whitish lines along the back, the central one narrowly

edged on each side, and the others on the inner side only, with blackish; a

greyish stripe along the sides with two pinkish brown lines above it; dots,

minute, black; head freckled with dark brown. Distribution abroad extends

to Amurland.

MATHEW'S WAINSCOT (_Leucania favicolor_).

This species (Plate 149, Figs. 1, 2) has been mainly found on the coasts of

North-east Essex and South-east Suffolk, but it has also been taken at

Hemley in Suffolk, and has been recorded from near Southend in Essex, and

Rochester in Kent. In 1906 six specimens were captured in the Isle of

Sheppey. So far as is known at present this is its range in England, and it

does not seem to occur anywhere abroad. It was first discovered by

Paymaster-in-Chief G. F. Mathew, in 1895, and was described by the late Mr.

C. G. Barrett in 1896.

[Illustration]

Pl. 148.

1, 1a. BROWN-VEINED WAINSCOT: _egg and chrysalis_.

2. TWIN-SPOTTED WAINSCOT: _egg, enlarged_.

3. BULRUSH MOTH: _chrysalis_.

4, 4a. FENN'S WAINSCOT: _caterpillar and chrysalis_.

5. REED WAINSCOT: _chrysalis_.

6. WEBB'S WAINSCOT: _chrysalis_.

7. DEVONSHIRE WAINSCOT: _caterpillar_.

[Illustration]

Pl. 149.

1, 2. MATHEW'S WAINSCOT.

3. THE DELICATE.

4. THE WHITE SPECK.

5. THE WHITE POINT.

6. THE COSMOPOLITAN.

{305} In the typical form the fore wings are of a smooth soft honey colour,

or colour of the honeycomb, having the nervures faintly perceptible, but

not paler; a black discal dot, and two more dots with some faint blackish

dashes indicate the usual second line. Tutt has named several forms, the

most important being ab. _lutea_, bright yellow buff with discal dot and

two dots beyond; and ab. _rufa_, deep reddish with discal dot and two

others beyond. Besides these there are ab. _ænea_, Mathew, deep orange,

with only one dot representing second line; and ab. _obscura_, Mathew,

cinnamon-brown, with smoky shading between some of the nervures. The hind

wings vary from whitish with darker nervures, to smoky grey; but the

fringes always remain whitish.

The caterpillar is a warm putty colour, or pinkish brown, mottled and

shaded with darker shades; three pale whitish brown lines on the back, the

central one bordered on each side by a darker shade, and the outer ones

shaded inwardly with darker and edged below by a darker line; a brown or

pinkish stripe above the spiracles, and a pinkish yellow stripe below them;

head yellowish-brown, shining, and dotted with darker colour. It feeds on

grasses from July to April (adapted from Mathew). The moth flies in June

and July, and frequents the flowers of the large grasses growing on salt

marshes. Sometimes specimens of a second brood appear in August or

September.

THE SMOKY WAINSCOT (_Leucania impura_).

The range of this common species (Plate 147, Figs. 3[male], 4[female]), in

the British Isles is almost the same as that of _L. pallens_, but it does

not extend further north than Moray in Scotland. The hind wings are greyish

or blackish grey. A form with reddish {306} fore wings is var. _punctina_,

Haw., which sometimes has a row of black dots on the outer margin. The

caterpillar is greyish ochreous above, greenish tinged beneath; a brown

stripe along the middle of the back is intersected by a very fine white

line; above the reddish black-edged spiracles is a brownish stripe; usual

dots black; head pale brown, shining, netted with brown and lined with

blackish. It feeds on grasses from August to May. The moth is out in July

and August; rather later in the north. Distribution abroad extends to

Amurland and Japan.

THE SOUTHERN WAINSCOT (_Leucania straminea_).

In its more usual form this species (Plate 147, Fig. 5) has pale

whity-brown or pale straw-coloured fore wings, and the black dots forming

the second line not infrequently absent, at least as regards some of them.

Var. _rufolinea_, Tutt, has the fore wings reddish ochreous, the rays

whitish, and the shade under the median nervure reddish. Var.

_nigrostriata_, Tutt, has the ground colour of the fore wings obscured by a

thick powdering of black scales. The hind wings in all forms are whitish,

sometimes greyish tinged. Generally there is a central black dot, and a

more or less complete series of black dots beyond it; but some, or all, of

these dots may be absent. The caterpillar, which feeds on the leaves of

reeds, _Phalaris_, and other coarse grasses from October to May, is

ochreous with an orange tinge, and dusted with grey; three white lines on

the back are broadly shaded with bluish grey; on the sides are two grey

shaded white lines; head shining brownish ochreous (Fenn). The moth flies

in July and August, sometimes earlier.

Hammersmith Marshes, a once noted locality for this, the Obscure Wainscot,

and other good species, have long since been built over; but the present

insect, and perhaps some of the other ancient inhabitants of the said

marshes, possibly still occur along the banks of the Thames. Anyhow, it

does lower {307} down in the Kentish marshes. It is found in most of the

eastern counties from Essex to Huntington and Lincoln, and also, but less

frequent, in Sussex, Devon, and Cornwall. Kane gives Dromoland, Co. Clare,

and Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, Ireland.

THE STRIPED WAINSCOT (_Leucania impudens_).

This is a rather larger insect than either of the last four species. The

fore wings are whitish ochreous, powdered with blackish scales, and often

tinged with pinkish. The black shading along the median nervure is

sometimes very conspicuous. The caterpillar is ochreous brown, with three

blackish-edged whitish lines on the back and dark stripes along the sides;

head pale brown marked with darker. It feeds on the leaves of the reed

(_Phragmites_) in June. The moth flies in July and August in fens, boggy

heaths, and marshy ground, and is found in such places in most of the

eastern counties, in Yorkshire, and from Berkshire and Kent to Devon, also

in South Wales and in Galway, Cork, and Kerry, Ireland. Abroad the range

extends to Siberia and Amurland. (Plate 147, Fig. 6.)

THE OBSCURE WAINSCOT (_Leucania obsoleta_).

This species (Plate 147, Figs. 7[male], 8[female]) will be recognized by

the fine blackish lines on the fore wings, the white dot at lower end of

the cell, and the row of black dots representing the second cross line. It

is a very local species, chiefly found among reeds in Norfolk and

Cambridgeshire, and may also occur in marshy places along the banks of the

Thames from Bucks to Kent. The caterpillar is greyish ochreous above and

paler beneath; three white lines on the back, the central one edged with

greenish on each side, and the others edged with brownish; the line along

the black-edged spiracles is greyish; head pale {308} brown striped with

darker. It feeds from August to October on the leaves of the reed

(_Phragmites_), hiding by day in the stems. It also hibernates in the reeds

when full grown, but does not change to the chrysalis state until the

spring. The moth flies in June and July.

THE SHORE WAINSCOT (_Leucania littoralis_).

The white line running through the pale ochreous brown fore wings is the

chief character of this species. (Plate 150, Figs. 4, 5.) The caterpillar

(Plate 152, Fig. 2) is whity-brown with three lines on the back, the

central one is whitish, shaded with dusky on each side, the others brown

edged with whitish; the spiracles are whitish, outlined in blackish; head,

and plate on first ring of the body, bone colour, shining. It feeds from

August to May on marram grass (_Psamma arenaria_), but will eat meadow

grass (_Poa_) and other kinds in confinement. The moth is out in June and

July, sometimes earlier or later. It is a coast species, occurring only on

sandhills where the marram grass flourishes, and in such localities is

found all round England and Wales; on the east coast of Scotland to

Forfarshire, and on the west to Clydesdale and Arran; and in Ireland on the

north, south, and east coasts.

FENN'S WAINSCOT (_Leucania brevilinea_).

On Plate 144, Fig. 9 represents the type of this specimen, and Fig. 10 ab.

_sinelinea_, Farn. This form, which has also been referred to as

"_alinea_," is without the typical black streak at the base of the fore

wings. The caterpillar is pale pinkish grey; dorsal line pale yellow or

bone colour; subdorsal stripes of the same colour, edged on each side by a

grey line, and each divided down the middle by a slender pale brown line;

spiracular stripe of a dull opaque yellowish white edged above with grey;

head, and plate on the first ring of the body, pale brown, the latter

striped with pale yellow (Barrett). It feeds in the upper part of reed

stems until nearly full grown, and then upon the leaves. April to July.

Barrett states that it prefers the reeds near small trees or bushes to

those growing in masses. The moth is out in July and August, and may be

netted as it flies at dusk along the edges of the reed beds, etc.; later on

it resorts to the honeydew-covered leaves of sallow and alder, and also

visits light. This species was first taken in 1864 at Ranworth in Norfolk;

it is now obtained in Barton Broad and several other localities in the

Norfolk fens, but not in any other part of the British Isles. It does not

appear to occur abroad.

[Illustration]

Pl. 150.

1, 2. BROWN-LINE BRIGHT-EYE MOTH.

3, 6. DOUBLE-LINE MOTH.

4, 5. SHORE WAINSCOT.

7, 8. CLAY MOTH.

[Illustration]

Pl. 151.

1, 2, 3. TREBLE LINES MOTH.

4. ANOMALOUS MOTH.

5. MOTTLED RUSTIC.

6. UNCERTAIN MOTH.

7. RUSTIC MOTH.

8. VINE'S RUSTIC.

9, 10. PALE MOTTLED WILLOW.

11. SMALL-MOTTLED WILLOW.

{309} THE SHOULDER-STRIPED WAINSCOT (_Leucania_ (_Cirphis_) _comma_).

The striking features of this moth (Plate 147, Fig. 10) are the white

median nervure, and the black streak below it, of the fore wings; there are

also black marks on the veins before the outer margin. The caterpillar is

very like that of _L. impura_, but there is a dark line on the back between

the central and outer whitish lines. It feeds on cocksfoot and other

grasses from June to August. The moth flies in June and July, and is not

uncommon in meadows and grassy places, even by the roadside. Except that it

does not, apparently, extend beyond Perthshire in Scotland, it seems to be

widely, or even generally, distributed over the British Isles. Abroad it

ranges to Siberia and Amurland.

_Leucania l-album._--Barrett, "Lepidoptera of the British Islands," vol.

ix. p. 450 (1904), remarks: "This species now seems to have made its way to

this country, though it is still doubtful whether it has established

itself. Mr. Eustace R. Bankes has captured a female specimen in South

Devon, and he mentions the occurrence of one or two other specimens. It is

a very pretty species, and widely distributed abroad." {310}

THE DEVONSHIRE WAINSCOT (_Leucania_ (_Cirphis_) _putrescens_).

So far as the British distribution of this species (Plate 147, Fig. 9) is

known, it seems to be confined to the coasts of South Devon and South

Wales. It was first noted at Torquay in the year 1859, and about twelve

years later was detected in Carmarthenshire. Abroad it occurs somewhat

locally in France, Italy, Dalmatia, and in North-west Africa.

The caterpillar is pale brown with three whitish lines on the back, the

central one edged on each side with blackish, the others shaded above with

blackish with black dots in the shading, and edged below by a blackish

line; all these lines become faint on the last three rings of the body; the

usual dots are black; head rather paler, somewhat shiny, the lobes

conspicuously edged with black, and the jaws marked with blackish. It feeds

on grasses from September to January. The figure on Plate 148, Fig. 7, is

from one of a few caterpillars kindly sent by Mr. J. Walker, of Torquay. He

writes: "They are full fed by the beginning of January as a rule, and

although they go down, they do not turn until the beginning of June." Mine

unfortunately died in the cocoon. The moth flies in July and August, and

favours particular coves and banks by the sea. It visits sugar, and also

the flowers of wild sage.

THE WHITE-SPECK OR AMERICAN WAINSCOT (_Leucania_ (_Cirphis_) _unipuncta_).

This moth (Plate 149, Fig. 4) is known in America, where it is exceedingly

abundant and destructive, as the "Army Worm." It ranges through India,

China, and Japan, and occurs in many other parts of the world, including

Madeira and the Canary Isles. It is rare in Europe, and appears to have

been noted in parts of Spain, Portugal, and France. Since Haworth described

and {311} named it _unipuncta_ in 1803 it has been renamed many times, and

was long known in England as _extranea_, Guenée. About a score have been

recorded as taken in the British Isles altogether, and of these two only in

Ireland; the others were captured in England and Wales, and nearly all on

the south or south-west coast, chiefly in the month of September. The most

recent being one in the New Forest, Hampshire, 1896, one in Devon, 1903,

one in 1907, and one in 1911. Also in Isle of Wight, 1912.

THE COSMOPOLITAN (_Leucania_ (_Cirphis_) _loreyi_).

Barrett accepted this species as British, chiefly on the strength of two

specimens captured at sugar by a sedgy ditch, nearer to Worthing than to

Brighton in Sussex; the date was 1862. More recent records are one specimen

at Torquay on September 27, 1900, and another, also in South Devon,

September 6, 1903. The former taken at sugar, and the latter netted when

"flying wildly over rough herbage at dusk." Ireland in 1908.

The species has a wide range through Southern and Eastern Asia, etc., but

in Europe it is only found in the south and along the Mediterranean. The

specimen shown on Plate 149, Fig. 6, is from India.

THE DELICATE (_Leucania_ (_Sideridis_) _vitellina_).

The first recorded British specimen of this species (Plate 149, Fig. 3) was

captured at Brighton, Sussex, some fifty odd years ago. The species has

occurred in and around that locality several times since, but seems to have

been found more frequently at Torquay and other places on the Devonshire

coast. It has also been recorded from the Scilly Isles, Cornwall, the Isle

of Wight, the New Forest, and Chichester; Kent, on the coast, and inland at

Canterbury, Sussex. In 1902, a year in which several specimens were

obtained on the south coast, {312} one example was taken at Navestock, in

Essex. August and September are the months during which it is seen in this

country, but abroad it occurs also in June and July. The caterpillar, which

feeds on grasses in the spring, is described by Hofmann as pinkish ochreous

with three white lines on the back and black dots between them, two on each

ring; below the black spiracles is a yellowish stripe; head brown with

black dots.

THE WHITE-POINT (_Leucania_ (_Sideridis_) _albipuncta_).

This species (Plate 149, Fig. 5) appears to have been confused with the

following one. It may be distinguished by its generally smaller size and

the pure white spot on the fore wings. The colour of the fore wings is

brownish red, rather than rusty tinged as in some reddish forms of _L.

lithargyria_; the second cross line is more distinct, and the series of

black marks beyond less so. The hind wings are paler than those of the next

species. The caterpillar is yellowish wainscot brown above, inclining to

flesh-colour on the sides and beneath; three white lines on the back, the

central one edged on each side by a wavy blackish line, the outer ones

edged above by a blackish line and below by a brownish line; a pale stripe

low down along the sides; head ochreous, shining, and lined on the face

with greyish. It feeds from autumn to spring on grasses. The moth is out

from August to October. It occurs more or less frequently, and chiefly on

the coast, in Kent (first taken at Folkestone, in 1868), Sussex, Hants,

Isle of Wight, South Devon, and Essex (Shoeburyness).

THE CLAY (_Leucania_ (_Sideridis_) _lithargyria_).

Two specimens of this species are shown on Plate 150, Figs. 7 [male], 8

[female]. The colour of the fore wings varies from pale ochreous brown,

often with a pink tinge, to a deep rusty red; the reniform stigma is

generally represented by a pale crescent with a white or whitish dot at its

lower end; the cross lines are rarely distinct, but a series of black dots

before the outer margin are usually well in evidence. The caterpillar is

pale brown tinged with pinkish or yellowish; central line white edged with

dark brown, and on each side of this is an interrupted broad blackish line

edged below with white; a whitish line below the blackish spiracles; head

and plate on the first ring of the body, pale brown, rather shining, the

former freckled with blackish. It is found in April and May on grasses,

probably after hibernation, The moth is out from late June to early August

and is common in woods, and woody places throughout the greater part of the

British Isles.

[Illustration]

Pl. 152.

1. COMMON WAINSCOT: _caterpillar_.

2. SHORE WAINSCOT: _caterpillar_.

3. CLAY MOTH: _caterpillar_.

4. BROWN RUSTIC: _caterpillar_.

5, 5a. DOUBLE LINE: _caterpillar and chrysalis_.

6. THE ANOMALOUS MOTH: _caterpillar_.

7, 7a, 7b. SMALL MOTTLED WILLOW: _eggs and caterpillars_.

[Illustration]

Pl. 153.

1, 3. REDDISH BUFF MOTH.

2. MARSH MOTH.

4, 5. BROWN RUSTIC.

6. _XYLOPHASIA ZOLLIKOFERI._

{313} THE BROWN-LINE BRIGHT-EYE (_Leucania_ (_Chabuata_) _conigera_).

This species (Plate 150, Figs. 1 [male], 2 [female]) ranges in the colour

of fore wings from pale ochreous brown to a dusky tawny hue; the cross

lines are sometimes very faint, but otherwise the markings are constant.

Var. _suffusa_, Tutt, is described as rusty red suffused with darker

scales, markings typical, but deeper in colour and more distinct. The

caterpillar is ochreous or greyish brown; three yellow lines on the back

are black edged; a yellow line along the sides is often edged with black,

and the line below the black spiracles is blackish; head pale brown marked

with black. It feeds on grasses, and may be found in April and May. The

moth appears in June and July and is pretty generally distributed. It is

regarded as a common species in South England, but in the north seems to be

rather local and most frequently found on the coast. In Scotland it does

not appear to have been noted north of Ross or in the isles. Abroad the

range extends through Northern and Central Asia to India and Japan. {314}

THE DOUBLE LINE (_Leucania_ (_Eriopyga_) _turca_).

The sexes of this species are shown on Plate 150, Figs. 3 [male], 6

[female]. The general colour of the fore wings may be paler or darker than

in the specimens shown. Sometimes the central area enclosed by the black

cross lines is darker than the other parts of the fore wings; var.

_obscura_, Tutt, has the fore wings obscure smoky grey, with a dull coppery

tinge, much suffused with dark scales; markings indistinct.

The caterpillar is pale brown freckled with darker; a whitish line along

the middle of the back is edged on both sides with blackish merging into

black at the ring divisions; a rather wavy, but less distinct, whitish line

on each side of the central one edged above with blackish; spiracles black

ringed with pale brown and set in a broad dark brown line below which the

colour is pinkish; head shining pale brown, freckled with darker on the

cheeks. It feeds on cocksfoot and various other grasses occurring in

woodlands. August to May. The moth, which inhabits woods and well-timbered

parks, is out in June and July. It is, perhaps, most frequent in the New

Forest, Hampshire, thence it is found more or less sparingly to Cornwall.

Sometimes not uncommon in Savernake Forest, Wiltshire, and occurs in

Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex (Epping Forest, etc.), Surrey (Richmond

Park). Recorded from Cheshire and from South Wales. In Scotland it is said

to have been taken at Newfield, Ayrshire. The only records from Ireland are

Clonbrock (1), and Merlin Park, Galway (2). Abroad it ranges to Amurland,

China, Corea and Japan.

TREBLE LINES (_Meristis_ (_Grammesia_) _trigrammica_).

The fore wings range in colour from whitish or greyish brown to ochreous

brown; the cross lines are usually distinct, {315} and the central one is

often broad. (Plate 151, Fig. 1.) In var. _approximans_, Haw., the cross

lines fall nearer together on the inner margin; and in var. _semi-fuscans_,

Haw., the basal half is greyish or reddish grey, and the outer half is

suffused with brownish (Fig. 2). Then there is a somewhat rarer form, with

dark grey, brown, or blackish brown fore wings, with the cross lines more

or less distinct, as in Fig. 3; or with the central one absent (var.

_bilinea_, Hübn.); or all the lines may be obscured by the dark colour.

Kane states that var. _obscura_, Tutt (= _bilinea_, Haw.), is pretty common

at Howth and other places in Ireland, and, according to Barrett, it is not

infrequent in Wales. The caterpillar is greyish or dingy reddish brown;

three pale lines on the back, the central one partly edged with black, and

the outer ones are broken and inwardly edged with blackish marks; the

stripe along the black spiracles is ochreous brown; head brownish. From

July to April on plantain and other low plants. The moth is out in June and

July. In Scotland it is local and rare, but has been recorded from

Clydesdale, Arran, and once from Perthshire. Local but widely distributed

in Ireland.

THE ANOMALOUS (_Stilbia anomala_).

A local species, but sometimes not uncommon on heaths, or in rocky places

by the sea. It is found from Surrey westward to Cornwall; and from

Staffordshire, in which county it has been seen in abundance on Cannock

Chase, it ranges into Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Cheshire, Wales (North

and South), Lancashire, Yorkshire (commonly at Saltaire), Durham (once),

and Cumberland. Generally distributed in Scotland, including the Orkneys.

It occurs in the Isle of Man, and seems to be pretty widely spread in

Ireland, but found chiefly on the coast. Abroad it seems to be only found

in France and in Central and Western Germany. In Southern Spain it is {316}

represented by var. _andalusiaca_, Staud., and in Syria by var. _syriaca_,

Staud. A typical male is shown on Plate 151, Fig. 4.

The caterpillar is green, inclining to yellowish between the rings of the

body; three lines on the back are whitish, edged with dark green; a stripe

low down on the sides is whitish, shaded above with dark green merging into

the ground colour; head shining bright green, obscurely mottled with

darker. In other forms the general colour is reddish or pinkish brown, with

the lines edged and shaded with darker brown; the head is ochreous brown,

mottled with darker brown. The green form is figured on Plate 152, Fig. 6,

but the browner forms are more frequent. It feeds on grasses from the

autumn until about March.

THE MOTTLED RUSTIC (_Caradrina morpheus_).

A specimen of this species is shown on Plate 151, Fig. 5. There is some

variation in the darker mottling and suffusion of the ochreous or pale

brown fore wings. The dark brown or blackish stigmata are generally

distinct. Hind wings whitish, tinged with smoky on the veins, and in the

female on the outer marginal area. The caterpillar is brownish or greyish

brown, inclining to ochreous on the back; central line whitish, with a

broken edging of brown; on each side of the central line there is a series

of blackish arrow heads; spiracles blackish; head dark brown, and very

glossy. It feeds from August and through the autumn on various low plants,

including goose-foot, knot-grass, dandelion, etc. The moth flies from June

to August, and occasionally there is a second flight in October. The

species is generally distributed and often common over the greater part of

England, but is less frequent in the more northern counties, and in Wales,

Ireland, and Scotland. Abroad the range extends to Amurland and Corea.

[Illustration]

Pl. 154.

1, 2, 3. COPPER UNDERWING MOTH.

4, 5. MOUSE MOTH.

[Illustration]

Pl. 155.

1, 2, 3. PINE BEAUTY MOTH.

4. WHITE-MARKED MOTH.

5, 6. RED CHESTNUT MOTH.

7, 8. HEBREW CHARACTER MOTH.

9, 10. HEBREW CHARACTER MOTH, _var. gothicina_.

{317}

THE UNCERTAIN (_Caradrina alsines_).

This species (Plate 151, Fig. 6) and the next one--The Rustic--are often

confused, but the present one may be recognized by the more ochreous tinge

of its fore wings, the more distinct markings, and the general rougher

appearance of all the wings. The hind wings are more smoky, or sometimes

brownish tinged.

The caterpillar is ochreous brown, frequently with a reddish tinge; three

whitish lines on the back, edged with black, the edging of the central one

interrupted at the ring divisions; a dusky area along the sides is edged

above and below by a black line; head ochreous brown. It feeds from

September to March on dock, chickweed, primrose, and various other low

plants. The moth flies in July and August, and, like most of its congeners,

is partial to the blossoms of privet. The species is widely distributed

over England, but seems to occur more commonly in the south and east. It is

also found in Wales, Scotland, and Ireland.

NOTE.--_C. superstes_, an inhabitant of Central and Southern Germany,

Hungary, Southern Europe, and Asia Minor, has been mentioned as British,

but the record needs confirmation.

THE RUSTIC (_Caradrina taraxaci_).

Compared with the last species, the one now considered (Plate 151, Fig. 7)

has browner fore wings, inclining to brownish or blackish, smoother and

glossy; and the markings are usually rather obscure. The hind wings are

silky, and whiter in the male.

The caterpillar is greyish brown, with an olive tinge; central line dark

brown, expanding on each ring; on either side of this is a brown-edged

white line; a light brown line along the spiracles; head ochreous brown. It

feeds from September to April on low plants, such as dock, chickweed,

plantain, etc. {318} The moth flies from late June to early August, and its

range in the British Isles is pretty much as in the last species, but more

generally distributed than _alsines_ in Ireland.

VINE'S RUSTIC (_Caradrina ambigua_).

The fore wings of this species (Plate 151, Fig. 8) are rather greyer than

those of the last, and the hind wings are shining white, tinged with

greyish brown in the female, especially on the veins.

Barrett describes the caterpillar as follows: "Plump, cylindrical; head

round, the lobes dark brown, but the face paler; dorsal region between the

subdorsal lines broadly yellowish brown, with slender, delicate, oblique

lines on each segment; dorsal line a row of black dots, one on each

segment; lateral space from the subdorsal lines to the spiracles darker

brown or umberous, containing a row of ovate, oblique, yellowish spots,

each rather raised into a knob by the wrinkling of the skin; spiracles

black; under surface, legs, and prolegs pale rosy brown, except the anal

prolegs, which are brown." It feeds from October to May on dandelion,

plantain, chickweed, and other low plants; also on lettuce and grass. The

moth flies in August and September. Sometimes the caterpillars will feed up

and attain the moth state the same year in November or December. The

species was not known to occur in England until some specimens were taken

by Mr. Vine at sugar, near Shoreham, Sussex, in 1879. Since that year it

has been taken more or less freely at several places on the south and

south-west coast, from Deal, in Kent, to Truro, in Cornwall.

THE PALE MOTTLED WILLOW (_Caradrina quadripunctata_).

The black spots on the front margin of the fore wings of this species

(Plate 151, Figs. 9, 10) are pretty constant characters, {319} and are

usually present even when most or all the other markings are absent. The

caterpillar is greyish brown, often tinged with green above; the lines are

faintly paler, and edged with darker; head blackish. It feeds from

September to May on grasses, seeds of plantain; also on peas and corn;

often common in stacks of wheat and other grain.

The moth flies chiefly in July and August, but it is sometimes seen as

early as May and as late as October. Generally distributed, and often very

common. Except that it does not occur in America the range abroad is almost

as extensive as that of the next species.

SMALL MOTTLED WILLOW (_Laphygma_ (_Caradrina_) _exigua_).

This species (Plate 151, Fig. 11) practically ranges over the globe. It is

the "Beet Army-worm" of American economic entomologists; whilst in South

Africa it is known in the early stage as "The Pigweed Caterpillar." In

Asia, and especially in India, where it is destructive to the indigo

plants, maize, etc., it is a familiar pest, but does not seem to bear a

common name. As regards our own country, it was apparently unnoticed until

somewhere about the middle of the last century, when a specimen was

captured in the Isle of Wight. Its occurrence here is always considered a

noteworthy event, but the records are very scanty except for the years

1896, 1897, 1900-03, and 1906. In the latter year there seems to have been

an invasion on quite a large scale, and captures in some localities on the

south and south-west coasts must have been in hundreds, whilst the species

was also taken in fewer numbers in Essex, Surrey, Wiltshire, Somerset,

Devon, and South Wales. A specimen occurred at Crosby, Lancs., in 1884. In

1903 one example was taken at Chester, Cheshire. At Keighley, Yorks, eight

were secured, which, added to three taken in other years, gives a total of

eleven specimens for the county. In Ireland one example was {320} obtained

at honeydew, September, 1899, at Timologue, Co. Cork.

The eggs (Plate 152, Fig. 7a) are laid in batches on a leaf, and more or

less covered with whitish hairs. Some deposited on Sept. 8, 1906, hatched

on the 20th of that month. When just hatched the caterpillar is greenish,

paler on the last rings; head and plate on first ring shining black; when a

week old a black plate appears on the last ring also. Later on the colour

varies from green to olive green, brownish, and dark greyish. Green

examples are figured on Plate 152, Fig. 7. The central line is ochreous,

and there are series of black bars and blackish marks on the back; along

the black-edged white spiracles is a pinkish brown band, edged above by an

interrupted black line; the pinkish brown colour runs up the front part of

each ring four to eleven; head blackish. The caterpillars were fed upon

plantain, dandelion, and groundsel, but they would eat the foliage of any

weed that was put in their cage. They formed fairly tough earthen cocoons

on, or just below, the surface; but, although they pupated, the moths

failed to emerge, probably because they were kept too dry. The ochreous or

pinkish brown colour of the orbicular stigma, and sometimes of the

reniform, distinguishes this moth; the hind wings are white with a very

distinct pearly gloss.

THE SMALL DOTTED BUFF (_Petilampa arcuosa_).

This pale whity-brown insect (Plate 134, Figs. 19 to 21) is often without

markings, and where these are present on the fore wings they comprise two

series of dusky dots representing two cross lines, and sometimes there is a

dot at the end of the cell. These wings may be shaded with brown, and

occasionally there is a dark band-like shade between the series of dots, in

the male as well as in the smaller and narrower-winged female. Var.

_morrisii_, Dale, seems to be a whiter form of this species. {321} The

caterpillar, which may be found in May and June in the flower stems of

_Aira cæspitosa_, is of a pale pinkish ochreous with three darker bars on

each ring, and a brown, glossy head. The moth flies in July and part of

August, and may be found, often in abundance, in most English and Welsh

counties, in Scotland to Aberdeenshire; and widely spread in Ireland.

THE REDDISH BUFF (_Acosmetia caliginosa_).

Both sexes of this reddish tinged grey-brown species are shown on Plate

153, Figs. 1 [male], 3 [female]. As will be noted, the female is much

smaller than the male. Except that it has been recorded from the Isle of

Wight and from Bloxworth, Dorset, in the past, this species is restricted

to certain portions of the New Forest, Hampshire. Even in these favoured

haunts its numbers have become far less than formerly. The moth is out in

July. Apparently it has no taste for sugar, neither does it seem to visit

blossoms of any kind. It may be disturbed from its retreat among the grass

by day, or netted as it flies at dusk. The caterpillar is stated by Hofmann

to live on saw-wort (_Serratula tinctoria_); it is sap-green, yellow at the

ring divisions, and marked with fine white lines.

THE MARSH MOTH (_Hydrilla palustris_).

The fore wings of the male of this species (Plate 153, Fig. 2) are greyish

brown in colour, and more or less tinged with violet; the cross lines are

dusky, and the reniform and orbicular stigmata are represented by black

dots, the former the larger; hind wings whitish with a smoky tinge. The

female is much smaller, darker, and the cross lines heavier; hind wings

blackish grey.

Stainton ("Manual," 1857) refers to a specimen taken at Compton's Wood,

near York, and this, no doubt, is the same as {322} that stated by Barrett

to have been captured in a moist place at Stockton-in-the-Forest, about

four miles from York, certainly before the year 1855. Then there is a

record of a specimen from Quy Fen, Cambridgeshire, in May, 1862. Seven

years later the late Mr. C. G. Barrett took a specimen as it fluttered

about a gas-lamp outside Norwich. In 1877 and 1878 the use of bright

collecting lanterns in Wicken Fen may have led to the capture of nearly

twenty Marsh Moths, anyway it seems to have been a record for the time.

Very few specimens were taken in the fens between the year last mentioned

and 1898, when the total secured by several collectors visiting the fens in

June of that year amounted to something like fifty examples, all males. Two

female specimens were captured in the Carlisle district, one in 1896, and

the other in 1897. No male was noted in that locality until 1899, when a

specimen was netted as it flew along a hedgeside at night, on May 20. Two

other males have since been taken there, in much the same way. The life

history of the species is little known. Hofmann describes the caterpillar

as reddish brown with white dots, and a white line along the middle of the

back; spiracles and head black. It feeds in the summer on low-growing

plants in meadows, and hides in the daytime on the underside of a leaf.

The range of the species abroad extends to Siberia and Amurland.

THE BROWN RUSTIC (_Rusina tenebrosa_).

Here, again, the female is smaller than the male, as will be seen on Plate

153, Figs. 4 [male], 5 [female]. Sometimes the general colour of the fore

wings is of a blacker tint, and in such specimens the fine black cross

lines are obscured.

The caterpillar is dark cinnamon brown; three whitish lines on the back,

the central one, most distinct on the front rings, is edged on each side

with dark brown, and the shading of the outer lines is interrupted by

oblique pale dashes; head, shining dark brown, almost blackish. It feeds on

grasses, and many low-growing plants from August to May. (Plate 152, Fig.

4.) The moth flies in June and July, sometimes earlier. The species is

generally distributed over nearly the whole of England, but more local in

the north than in the south. It is found in North and South Wales. In

Scotland it is locally abundant and widely distributed up to Ross, and

occurs in the Hebrides. It is also widely spread in Ireland, and common in

some parts.

_Umbratica_, Goeze, is said to be an earlier name for this species, and

will probably have to be adopted.

[Illustration]

Pl. 156.

1, 1a, 1b. HEBREW CHARACTER: _eggs, caterpillars and chrysalis_.

2, 2a. CLOUDED DRAB: _caterpillars and chrysalis_.

3. MOUSE MOTH: _caterpillar_.

[Illustration]

Pl. 157.

1-6. CLOUDED DRAB MOTH.

7, 8. LEAD-COLOURED DRAB MOTH.

9, 10. NORTHERN DRAB.

{323} THE COPPER UNDERWING (_Amphipyra pyramidea_).

The striking species shown on Plate 154, Figs. 1 to 3, varies somewhat in

the tint of its brown-coloured fore wings, and in the greater or lesser

amount of blackish shading on the central area; the latter is sometimes

quite absent, and not infrequently the outer marginal area is pale ochreous

brown. The hind wings, normally of a coppery colour, are occasionally

paler, and sometimes of a reddish hue.

The caterpillar is green with three interrupted whitish stripes on the

back; the dots are yellowish; and the stripe along the black-edged white

spiracles is whitish; the back of ring eleven is raised, forming a cone,

the apex of which is hornlike and slightly curved backwards; the head is

green. It feeds from April, or in forward seasons from March, to June, on

the foliage of oak, birch, sallow, plum, rose, and other trees and shrubs.

The moth flies from late July to September, and sometimes later. Although

somewhat local in Southern England, it is often common enough in the New

Forest, and most of the larger woods from Essex to Devonshire. Northwards

from Oxfordshire it becomes more local, less frequent, and even rare, {324}

except, perhaps, in Worcestershire (Malvern district, common) and

Herefordshire. Apparently not recorded from Scotland. In Ireland it is

sometimes plentiful in the south, but does not seem to occur north of Sligo

on the west, and Howth on the east.

THE MOUSE (_Amphipyra tragopogonis_).

The English name of this generally distributed, and usually common,

greyish-brown moth (Plate 154, Figs. 4, 5) applies more especially to the

mouse-like way it scuttles off when discovered in its retreat by the

collector. In colour, however, it is sometimes not unlike the familiar

little rodent. The caterpillar (Plate 156, Fig. 3) is green with white

lines and stripes along the back and sides; spiracles white, margined with

black; head yellowish-green. In another form the ground colour is pale

reddish brown. It feeds from April to June on sallow, hawthorn, and many

other plants. Barrett states that it is partial to the blossoms,

particularly yellow ones, of garden as well as wild plants. The moth flies

in July and August, sometimes later.

The range abroad extends to Central Asia and to the Atlantic States of

America.

NOTE.--Some recent authors refer this and the preceding species to

_Pyrophila_, Hübn.

THE PINE BEAUTY (_Panolis griseo-variegata_ = _piniperda_).

The general colour of the fore wings of this species (Plate 155, Figs. 1, 3

[male], 2 [female]) is ochreous brown, more or less reddish tinged;

sometimes greenish grey. The cross markings are bright or dull reddish

brown; the orbicular and reniform stigmata are white, or outlined in white,

sometimes connected by a white line along the median nervure; occasionally

these marks are united, forming a blotch. {325}

The caterpillar is green with three broad white lines along the back, the

outer ones edged above with black; a yellow, inclining to reddish orange,

stripe along the black spiracles; head reddish brown. It greatly resembles

the needles of the Scotch fir (_Pinus sylvestris_), upon which it feeds

from May to July. The moth is out in the spring and continues on the wing

until early May, and is often common at sallow bloom, where this occurs in

the immediate vicinity of pine woods; it also comes to the sugar patch not

infrequently, and may occasionally be seen on the trunks of fir trees, or

beaten from the boughs. The species seems to occur wherever there are fir

woods or plantations throughout England, Wales, and Scotland to Ross, and

is found locally in Ireland.

THE WHITE-MARKED (_Pachnobia leucographa_).

A portrait of this moth will be found on Plate 155, Fig. 4. The fore wings

are reddish brown, sometimes tinged with purplish, or clouded with

blackish. The reniform and orbicular stigmata are usually yellowish grey,

often only outlined, but not infrequently indistinct, and sometimes absent.

The cross lines are rarely well defined, although the second line may be

indicated by blackish dots flanked by whitish ones on the veins.

The caterpillar is green freckled with whitish; three whitish lines along

the back are edged with dark green, the outer ones with oblique dark-green

dashes spreading to the central line; head paler green. In another form the

general colour is pale reddish brown, lines yellowish, and dashes darker

reddish brown. It feeds on sallow, bilberry, dock, plantain, and other low

plants. May and June. The moth flies in March and April, and may be found

at sallow bloom around woods. The species is obtained more or less

frequently in Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Somerset, and Devon; also in

Buckinghamshire and in Suffolk. In Herefordshire it is local but not {326}

uncommon, and I have taken it in the Malvern district. British specimens

were first obtained near York. Porritt ("List of Yorks. Lep.," 1904) states

that it is still abundant in Bishop's Wood, and is found in other Yorkshire

localities; also occurs from Lancashire to Durham. In Ireland it has been

reported from Clonbrock, Galway.

THE RED CHESTNUT (_Pachnobia rubricosa_).

The fore wings of this moth (Plate 155, Figs. 5, 6) are purplish red and

more or less suffused with greyish. Sometimes these wings are more

distinctly reddish and without the greyish suffusion (var. _rufa_, Haw.).

The egg is pale straw colour, with a reddish-brown girdled dot. The

caterpillar (Plate 159, Fig. 3) is pinkish brown with three yellowish lines

along the back, the central one rather obscure; a yellowish stripe along

the sides; usual dots yellowish or whitish margined with blackish; head

yellowish brown, lined with darker brown. It feeds from April to June on

dock, dandelion, groundsel, and other low plants. The moth is out in March

and April, and is often not uncommon at sallow and plum blossom. It seems

to be pretty generally distributed throughout the British Isles, including

the Orkneys.

THE HEBREW CHARACTER (_Tæniocampa gothica_).

This species (Plate 155) varies in the general colour of the fore wings

from pale purplish grey to dark reddish brown. Figs. 7[male] and 8[female]

represent the more usual form. The black markings, often very conspicuous,

are in the somewhat smaller var. _gothicina_, reddish (Fig. 9). Sometimes

in Scotch specimens they are very indistinct or absent (Fig. 10).

The early stages are figured on Plate 156. The eggs (Fig. 1a) are laid in a

batch, two deep towards the centre of the {327} heap. In colour they are

whitish with a dark grey ring and dot. When five days old the young

caterpillars were pale whitish green with black dots; head and plates on

first and last rings of the body black. The nearly full-grown caterpillar

(Fig. 1) is green above and yellowish green below; three whitish lines on

the back and a yellowish stripe along the sides; usual dots black, ringed

with whitish; head shining yellowish, dotted with black. Feeding on dock,

dandelion, etc., it will also eat sallow and hawthorn, and the foliage of

other trees and bushes, in April, May, and June. The moth is common at

sallow bloom all over the British Isles. The range of the species abroad

extends to Amurland.

THE BLOSSOM UNDERWING (_Tæniocampa miniosa_).

A portrait of this species will be found on Plate 158, Fig. 8. The fore

wings are pinkish, or reddish grey, and the redder central area is often

tinged with orange; the hind wings are whitish, faintly shaded or tinged

with pink.

The full-grown caterpillar is bluish, inclining to black on the sides;

three yellow lines on the back, the central one broad; and a white blotched

yellow stripe along the sides; head shining black. (Adapted from Fenn.) The

eggs are laid in batches on the twigs of oak, usually just below a bud.

When the caterpillars hatch out they spin a web of silk under which they

live in company for a time; later on they separate, and then either

continue to feed on the oak or betake themselves to birch, hawthorn,

bramble, or some low-growing herbaceous plant. The "nests" of young

caterpillars are found chiefly on oak bushes rather than trees.

The moth flies in March and April, and generally occurs only in oak woods.

It is most frequently met with in the South of England--from Middlesex and

Essex to Hampshire; but it occurs in most of the southern counties, and

also northwards {328} up to Yorkshire. It has been found in Wales (Pembroke

and Dolgelly), and appears to be rare in Ireland, except at Glenmalure, Co.

Wicklow.

THE SMALL QUAKER (_Tæniocampa pulverulenta_).

Most specimens of this species (Plate 158, Figs. 9[male], 10[female]) have

the fore wings pale greyish ochreous, more or less mottled or dusted with

reddish brown. Occasionally these wings are pale grey (var. _nana_,

Haworth); or dark grey brown and more rarely blackish. The dingy brownish

dots representing the first and second cross lines are sometimes distinct

and not infrequently absent.

The egg is whitish with brown girdled dot.

The caterpillar is greenish grey and rather greener between the rings;

there are five yellow or whitish lines, that along the centre of the back

being the broadest, usual dots black and glossy; head greenish, much marked

with black: plates on first and last rings of the body black. It feeds from

April to June on oak, hawthorn, sallow, rose, etc. (Plate 159, Fig. 2.) The

moth flies in March and April, and is a constant visitor to the sallow

catkins, also to the blossoms of plum, damson, and sloe. It appears to be

common throughout England and Wales; more or less frequent in Scotland to

Moray; and is not uncommon in some districts of Wicklow and Galway, but

local and rather scarce in other parts of Ireland.

THE COMMON QUAKER (_Tæniocampa stabilis_).

The ground colour of the fore wings of this species (Plate 158, Figs. 1, 2)

ranges from whitish or pale grey brown through tints of reddish brown to

dark brown; the stigmata are outlined in pale ochreous, the centres often

darker than the general colour of the wings; the orbicular is of large size

and frequently {329} touches the reniform; the ochreous submarginal line is

usually inwardly edged with, and sometimes obscured by, blackish; very

often the submarginal line and the dusky central shade are the only

distinct cross markings.

The caterpillar is green, minutely dotted with yellow; three lines on the

back, and a stripe on the sides, yellow, the latter most distinct, edged

above with black, and united by a yellow bar on the last ring. It feeds on

oak, birch, sallow, beech, elm, etc., from April to June. The moth flies in

March and April, and is generally common throughout the British Isles,

except, perhaps, the islands of Scotland.

THE LEAD-COLOURED DRAB (_Tæniocampa populeti_).

The ground colour of the species shown on Plate 157, Figs. 7, 8, is usually

some shade of purplish grey, ranging from very pale to dark; the cross

lines are often indistinct, but occasionally they show up clearly; the

central shade, usually in evidence, is sometimes almost blackish and

broadened out to the second line; the orbicular and reniform have pale

margins but the centres are frequently no darker than the general colour.

The egg is greyish white with dark grey girdled dot.

When full grown the caterpillar is whitish or yellowish green, but always

whitish on the back: three white lines on the back, the central one rather

broad; head ochreous brown with a blackish spot on each side. It feeds from

April to June on aspen chiefly, but also on other kinds of poplar, hiding

by day between two leaves. The moth is out in March and April, and may be

found on the sallow catkins. It seems to be more or less rare in the South

of England, but it is locally not uncommon in many parts of the country

from Middlesex northwards to Yorkshire. Farther north it is again

infrequent, and this is also the case in Scotland and in Ireland. {330}

THE CLOUDED DRAB (_Tæniocampa incerta_).

Six specimens of this most variable species are shown on Plate 157, Figs. 1

to 6. To refer in detail to all the forms, named or otherwise, would occupy

much space, so that it can only be stated here that the general colour of

the fore wings ranges from pale greyish brown, through various shades of

reddish brown, to deep brown or purplish brown; the darker greys range

through slaty grey to purplish black. In all the lighter shades the wings

are usually much variegated, but they may be nearly or quite plain.

The egg is yellowish white with brown girdled dot.

The caterpillar is green, minutely freckled with whitish; three white lines

on the back, the central one broadest; a white stripe, edged above with

black, along the sides; usual dots black, minute, ringed with whitish; head

yellowish green with a few black dots. It feeds on sallow, oak, hawthorn,

also on apple, elm, etc. (Plate 156, Fig. 2.) The moth is generally to be

found at sallow-bloom in almost every part of the British Isles.

THE TWIN-SPOTTED QUAKER (_Tæniocampa munda_).

The fore wings range in ground colour from very pale ochreous (typical) or

pale greyish (var. _pallida_, Tutt), through reddish shades to a dingy

brown. The black or brownish twin spots on the middle of the submarginal

line are sometimes accompanied by others above and below them (var.

_geminatus_). In var. _immaculata_, Staud., the "twin spots," and also the

others, are absent. (Plate 158, Figs. 11, 12.)

The caterpillar (Plate 159, Fig. 1) is pale brown minutely freckled with

darker; a whitish line along the centre of the back finely edged with

black; a broad velvety black stripe along the sides, edged with whitish;

head reddish brown, freckled with darker. It feeds from April to June on

elm, oak, sallow, plum, etc. The moth is out in March and April, but a

specimen has been taken at "ivy bloom" in the autumn. Plum blossoms, as

well as the sallow catkins, are an attraction to this moth, and it will

also visit the sugar patch. The species probably occurs in most woodland

districts throughout the greater part of England and Wales. It seems to be

found in South Scotland, but is local and infrequent; in Ireland it is

widely spread in the north, but uncommon in the south.

[Illustration]

Pl. 158.

1, 2. COMMON QUAKER MOTH.

3-7. POWDERED QUAKER.

8. BLOSSOM UNDERWING.

9, 10. SMALL QUAKER.

11, 12. TWIN-SPOTTED QUAKER.

[Illustration]

Pl. 159.

1. TWIN-SPOTTED QUAKER: _caterpillar_.

2. SMALL QUAKER: _caterpillar_.

3, 3a. RED CHESTNUT: _caterpillar and chrysalis_.

{331} THE NORTHERN DRAB (_Tæniocampa opima_).

The dark form (var. _brunnea_, Tutt) (Plate 157, Fig. 10 [male]) has the

outlines of the orbicular and reniform stigmata, and the submarginal line

pale and distinct; sometimes the general colour is much blacker than in the

specimen shown. In the more typical greyish form (Fig. 9 [female]) the

central area is blackish or dark reddish brown. The caterpillar is olive

green above, inclining to yellowish beneath; three pale lines on the back,

and a yellow stripe along the black-edged white spiracles; head olive

green. It feeds from April to June on sallow, willow, birch, rose, etc. The

moth flies in March and April.

As suggested by the English name, this moth was supposed to be confined to

the northern counties from Cheshire to Cumberland and Northumberland, but

it occurs more locally in Herefordshire, Worcestershire (Wyre Forest),

Somerset, Gloucester, and Wales; also in Essex, Surrey, and Sussex. Renton

records it from Roxburghshire in Scotland, and Kane states that it is local

in Ireland.

THE POWDERED QUAKER (_Tæniocampa gracilis_).

In the ordinary English form of this species (Plate 158, Figs. 3 [male], 4

[female]) the fore wings are pale whity brown, more or {332} less tinged

with grey; the submarginal line, and the stigmata, are usually distinct,

but the other cross lines are only indicated by blackish dots on the veins.

In Ireland the specimens are creamy white and very often tinged with pink

(Fig. 5), but in the New Forest, Hants (Fig. 7), and in the marshes of

North Kent (Fig. 6), deep purplish grey, purplish brown, and reddish (var.

_rufescens_, Cockerel) forms occur.

The caterpillar is green, sometimes tinged with yellowish or with bluish;

usual spots whitish; three whitish or yellowish lines along the back and

one along the sides, the latter shaded above with dark green or blackish;

head ochreous brown. It feeds from May to July on meadow-sweet (_Spiræa_),

fleabane (_Inula_), purple loosestrife (_Lythrum salicaria_), yellow

loosestrife (_Lysimachia vulgaris_), sweet-gale, sallow, bramble, etc. The

moth is out in April and May, and is often plentiful at damson and plum

blossom, as well as sallow catkins. The species is widely distributed

throughout the greater part of the British Isles, but is perhaps more

generally common in the southern and eastern counties of England. The range

abroad extends to Japan.

PEUCEPHILA ESSONI, Hampson.

_Trans. Ent. Soc., Lond._, 1909, Part IV., Pp. 461-463, Pl. xvi., Fig. 1,

Dec. _Entom._, 1909, p. 258. See Appendix. {333}