(Photo by H. Main.)]
The British history of the grey tinged pale golden species, shown on Plate
22, Fig. 4, dates back only to 1890. In that year, on July 2, Mr. Christy,
of Watergate, Emsworth, found a specimen in his illuminated moth trap; this
was noted in the _Entomologist_ for August, 1890. From subsequent records
it appears that a specimen had been taken on the same date at a gas lamp
near Reading, by Mr. W. Holland; whilst one was captured, at a light, near
Tunbridge Wells on July 1. The earliest British specimen, however, was one
netted whilst hovering over flowers of _Delphinium_ at Dover, on June 25 of
the same year, but this was not announced until October. Since its arrival
here the species seems to have spread over England at a great rate, and it
has recently been reported from Cheshire. In some southern gardens the
caterpillars abound to such an extent that they are regarded as a plague.
On the continent it is said to feed on sunflower, artichoke, burdock, and
cucumber.
[Illustration]
2 Pl. 24.
1. SCARCE BURNISHED BRASS.
2. GOLD SPANGLE.
3, 4. GOLD SPOT.
5, 6. BEAUTIFUL GOLDEN Y.
7, 8. PLAIN GOLDEN Y.
[Illustration]
2 Pl. 25.
1. HERALD: _caterpillar_.
2. SMALL PURPLE-BARRED: _caterpillar_.
3. ROSY-MARBLED: _caterpillar_.
{65}
The caterpillar is green, dotted with white; a dark line along the back and
a white one along the sides. In the early stage it is black or sooty brown,
and hides itself among the spun together flower buds, or in a turned down
tender leaf. It feeds in May and June, occasionally found in late April,
after hibernation, and a second generation sometimes occurs in July and
August. Monkshood (_Aconitum_) and larkspur (_Delphinium_) are the usual
food plants, and it is curious to note that whilst some observers state
that larkspur alone is eaten, others say that monkshood is the only food.
The moth flies in June and July, and sometimes there is an emergence in
August and September. It visits the blossoms of various garden plants, and
is also attracted by light.
The caterpillar, represented on Plate 27, Fig. 1, was found with others on
larkspur in Mr. Herbert Smith's garden at Wallington, Surrey. The cocoon
and chrysalis is from a photo by Mr. H. Main. Another photo by Mr. Main
shows the young caterpillar constructing its retreat.
According to Duponchel this species occurred in Normandy, Central and
Northern Europe, as far back as 1829. A much paler form inclining to
silvery, var. _esmeralda_, Oberthur, is found in Ussuri, North China, and
other parts of East Asia.
THE BURNISHED BRASS (_Plusia chrysitis_).
Two forms of this metallic-looking species are represented (Plate 22); 5 is
typical and 6 shows the ab. _juncta_, Tutt. Between these are various
intermediate stages leading to the complete division of the central band.
The broken central band is a character of var. _nadeja_, Oberthur, from
Amurland and {66} Japan, but that form has also a more or less complete
series of ochreous-brown dots on the outer area. The metallic colour is
sometimes greenish in all forms.
The caterpillar is pale green, with a darker green line along the middle of
the back, bordered on each side by an irregular white line; an oblique
white streak on the sides of each ring from 4-11; a stripe low down along
the sides is white; head, yellowish tinged. It feeds on stinging nettle,
probably on other plants, and after hibernation attains full growth about
May. In favourable seasons caterpillars also occur in July and August. The
moth is out in June, July, and August, less frequently in September, and
may be found flying along the sides of hedges and ditches, especially where
flowering weeds are plentiful, throughout the British Isles; so far,
however, it has not been recorded from the Hebrides, Orkneys, or Shetlands.
THE SCARCE BURNISHED BRASS (_Plusia chryson_).
The more or less square golden (sometimes green-tinged) patch on the
velvety purplish brown fore wings, distinguish this species (Plate 24, Fig.
1) from any other British _Plusia_.
The caterpillar is green, with a darker line along the middle of the back,
and a fine white line on each side of it; there is a dark green stripe low
down along the sides, edged below with white, and oblique white lines run
from it to the central line on rings 3-11. It feeds on hemp-agrimony
(_Eupatorium cannabinum_), hibernates when small, and completes its growth
in May or early June.
The moth is out in July and August, and is said to be occasionally seen, on
sunny days, flying about, or resting on, the flowers of the hemp-agrimony
and other plants. Night, however, is its more usual time of activity, and
it may also be found at the blossoms of the larval food plant, and at those
of honeysuckle, etc. {67}
The species has been found, chiefly in the past in most of the southern
counties of England from Kent (Deal district) to Cornwall, also in
Gloucestershire, and in South Wales. Chippenham fen in Cambridgeshire is
the most noted locality for it in the present day, and it has been found in
Norfolk and Suffolk. There is even a record of a specimen having been
beaten out of honeysuckle near Preston, Lancs., but this happened nearly
forty years ago.
The range abroad extends to Amurland and Japan.
THE GOLD SPANGLE (_Plusia bractea_).
The purplish brown fore wings of this moth have a bright solid-looking
golden mark on the upper edge of a velvety, deep brown patch. This metallic
"spangle" varies a little in size and in shape, but not to any noteworthy
extent (Plate 24, Fig. 2).
The caterpillar is bright green, dotted with white, above, and dull darker
green below; there is a fine dark green line along the middle of the back,
some indistinct and irregular white lines followed by a whitish stripe
lower down, along the sides. It seems to feed upon a variety of low-growing
plants, among which are groundsel, dandelion, white dead-nettle (_Lamium
album_), and stinging nettle, also on honeysuckle, from August to May. In a
state of nature, it hibernates when small, and becomes full grown in May or
early June, but when reared from the egg it can be induced, by keeping it
in a warm place, to continue feeding, grow up quickly, pupate, and assume
the winged state in the late autumn. Under such artificial conditions it is
said to eat lettuce and plantain.
Normally, the moth is out in June and July, and has been met with in
August. Like all members of this group it is partial to flowers, and has
been frequently taken at those of the honeysuckle, although all sorts of
blossoms, down to the lowly _Viola cornuta_, have attraction for it. {68}
The species is more especially a denizen of Ireland and Scotland, but it
occurs in most of the northern counties of England, and has been recorded
from Worcestershire and Herefordshire; also from Carmarthenshire in South
Wales.
Abroad, its range extends to Central Asia; and in Amurland and Japan it is
represented by P. excelsa, Kretschmar.
THE GOLD SPOT (_Plusia festucae_).
In this species (Plate 24, Figs. 3 and 4) the fore wings are golden brown,
clouded with purplish brown; sometimes the purplish brown is confined
almost entirely to the broad area. Besides the large central metallic
marks, there are more or less conspicuous patches of metallic colour at the
base of the costa, on the middle of the inner margin, and towards the tips
of the wings. Usually the central spots are clearly apart, but I have one
example from Bishop Auckland, Durham, in which they are only separated one
from the other by a slender brown line.
The caterpillar is green, with a white-edged dark-green line along the
middle of the back, and some slender yellowish lines on each side of it; a
whitish or yellow tinged stripe low down along the sides; head, tinged with
brown.
It feeds on sedge, coarse grasses, bur-reed (_Sparganium ramosum_), and
yellow-flag (_Iris pseudacorus_); also said by Collins to eat water
plantain (_Alisma plantago_): April to June, and in some localities and
seasons, again in July and August. The black chrysalis is enclosed in a
rather long greyish cocoon, spun up on the undersides of the leaves of
sedge or reed; usually placed towards the tip of the leaf, which droops
over and so hides it.
The moth is out in June and July, and in some years there seems to be an
emergence in August and September; this has been more particularly noted in
Cheshire, where Arkle has had moths emerge in June, July, August, and
September. A second flight has been noted in Ireland by Kane and others;
and late examples have also been recorded from Scotland.
[Illustration]
2 Pl. 26.
1, 2. SILVER Y.
3. NI MOTH.
4, 5. SCARCE SILVER Y.
6, 7. MOTHER SHIPTON.
8, 9. BURNET COMPANION.
[Illustration]
2 Pl. 27.
1, 1a, 1b. GOLDEN PLUSIA: _caterpillars and chrysalis_.
2. DARK SPECTACLE: _caterpillar_.
{69} Although it has been recorded from some of the southern counties, it
is most frequent in the eastern and northern parts of England, and in South
Wales. Occurs throughout Scotland up to Moray; and in Ireland it is found
in most localities, though not often common, except by the sea in Co.
Kerry, and in Connamara, Co. Galway.
Abroad, it extends to East Siberia, Amurland, and Japan.
THE PLAIN GOLDEN Y (_Plusia iota_).
In typical specimens the metallic mark is V-shaped, with a dot below and a
little to one side (Plate 24, Fig. 8). In ab. _percontationis_, Treit.
(Fig. 7), these spots are united and form a Y-like mark. Sometimes the spot
is absent and the V-mark much reduced, and more rarely the V also
disappears (ab. _inscripta_, Esp.).
The larva is yellowish green, white dotted, with a white-edged darker line
along the middle of the back; a band composed of whitish irregular lines
runs along the sides, and a thin yellow line along the area of the
spiracles. It hatches from the egg in the late summer, hibernates when
quite small, and feeds up in the spring. The food plants comprise the dead
nettles (_Lamium_), woundwort (_Stachys_), mint, stinging nettle,
honeysuckle, hawthorn, etc. There is a record of sixteen larvae which
hibernated among dead leaves of _Lamium album_, resumed feeding on February
18, spun up April 23-25, and produced moths May 27-June 4. Usually the moth
is on the wing in June and July.
The species seems to be pretty widely distributed throughout the British
Isles to the Orkneys; it was not known to occur in the Hebrides until 1901,
when McArthur obtained it in the Isle of Lewis. {70}
THE BEAUTIFUL GOLDEN Y (_Plusia pulchrina_).
This species (Plate 24, Figs. 5 and 6) so closely resembles the last that
it has been considered a variety thereof; there is no question, however,
that it is quite distinct. The fore wings in both species are somewhat
similar in general tints, but the following points of difference
distinguish _pulchrina_--the darker colour is less evenly displayed, and
gives the wings a more mottled or marbled appearance; the cross lines,
especially those on the basal area, are almost invariably golden edged; the
second cross line is more acutely bent inwards above the inner margin, the
reniform has a more or less complete golden outline, and it is placed in a
dark cloud; the golden V-mark and dot below are generally thicker. As a
rule, the fringes of all the wings are more distinctly chequered, but this
feature cannot be relied on alone in separating one species from the other.
In ab. _percontatrix_, Aurivillius (= _juncta_, Tutt), the golden V and dot
are united and so form a Y-mark (Fig. 5).
The caterpillar is green with a broad central white stripe and several
finer white lines along the back; a yellowish-tinted white stripe low down
along the sides; head shining, marked with black on each side of the mouth.
This caterpillar has the bristles rather more in evidence than they are in
the larva of _P. iota_. It feeds on various low-growing plants, such as the
dead nettles, groundsel, etc., also on honeysuckle and bilberry.
The moth occurs in June and July, and is found more or less frequently all
over the British Isles to Orkney, but in England is more plentiful from the
Midlands northwards than in the southern counties.
The range abroad extends to Amurland.
THE NI MOTH (_Plusia ni_).
The present species (Plate 26, Fig. 3) bears a strong resemblance to a
small pale specimen of _P. gamma_; but, as {71} will be noted, the silvery
central Y-mark is differently formed. Here it is made up of a curve
somewhat like the letter U, and an oval or round spot, the latter very
close to and sometimes, as in the example figured, united with the former.
The caterpillar, which feeds on cabbage and other Cruciferae, also on
lettuce, tomato, etc., is green, inclining to yellowish green and dotted
with white; three white lines along the back, and a white stripe along the
sides. It is said to be more slender in form than the caterpillar of _P.
gamma_. (Plate 28, Fig. 1.)
The earliest British specimen was taken at flowers of red valerian in a
garden at Exeter, August, 1868. The next year a specimen occurred, also in
a garden, at Penzance. Then followed captures in Dorset, one 1885, and one
(Isle of Portland) 1888. Two caterpillars were found in the Isle of
Portland in 1894, and these produced moths in September of that year. At
least eight moths were secured at Penzance in 1894, and specimens were
subsequently reared from caterpillars found on cabbages in the gardens
around Lynwood. In May, 1896, one example of the moth was taken by Mr.
Percy Richards at Norbiton, Surrey. The last recorded capture appears to be
that by Mr. Finzi of a female specimen at Tenby, South Wales, on June 9,
1906. She deposited a few eggs in the collecting-box, and the caterpillars
that hatched from them were reared on broccoli and lettuce, and produced
moths, July 24-30.
_Plusia ni_ ranges through south-east and southern Europe, to Asia Minor,
North Africa, and the Canaries. In the Isle of Capri it is said to be
almost as common as _P. gamma_. _Brassicae_, Riley (1870), is a well-known
_Plusia_ in America, where it is classed among noxious insects. It is
somewhat larger and browner in colour than European _ni_, but in every
other respect it seems to agree so exactly that it can hardly be considered
specifically distinct. {72}
THE SILVER Y (_Plusia gamma_).
This species, represented by portraits of two specimens on Plate 26, Figs.
1 and 2, varies somewhat in the ground colour of the fore wings, which
ranges from a whitish grey through various tints of grey and brown to
velvety black. The melanic form last referred to is very rare, but I caught
one example of it at Eastbourne in the late summer of 1888, and I saw, but
did not secure, another near Esher in the autumn of 1906; one taken at
Dartmoor in September, 1894, is in Mr. F. J. Hanbury's collection.
Occasionally a purplish red tinge, often present below the silvery Y,
spreads over a larger area of the fore wings. The Y-mark is well defined as
a rule, but now and then specimens are found in which only the tail of the
Y is distinct.
The caterpillar varies in general colour from pale green to a dark olive
green approaching black. In the white dotted paler green forms there are
several transverse whitish lines, some of them wavy, between the yellowish
spiracular line and the dark green line along the middle of the back; head,
marked with black on each cheek. It will eat almost every kind of
low-growing vegetation, either wild or cultivated, and in some years may be
found throughout the summer. Small larvae were recorded as seen at the end
of October, 1901. The blackish chrysalis is enclosed in a whitish cocoon,
often placed under leaves of thistle, burdock, etc.
The moth is seen in the spring and early summer (most probably immigrants),
and again in the autumn, when it is generally more abundant.
This well-known migrating species has been observed in greater or lesser
numbers over the whole of the British Isles. Its distribution abroad
embraces the Palaearctic Region, North Africa, and North America. {73}
THE SCARCE SILVER Y (_Plusia interrogationis_).
Portraits of two examples of this species will be found on Plate 26, Figs.
4 and 5. The metallic central marks on the fore wings vary a good deal in
size and in form, and are sometimes almost absent; these wings have the
general greyish colour more clouded or suffused with blackish in some
specimens than in others. Kane states that Irish specimens, when freshly
emerged, have a tinge of violet purple, and Tutt notes some British
specimens as beautifully tinted with rose colour (ab. _rosea_).
The caterpillar, which feeds on heather (_Calluna_) and bilberry
(_Vaccinium_), is green inclining to blackish on the sides and underparts,
with six white lines along the back; two of which are irregular; the raised
dots are white and the bristles therefrom dark; head, green dashed with
purple, shining. (Fenn.) After hibernation it may be found without much
difficulty in May and June on its food plants, either in the daytime, or by
the aid of a lamp at night. Large numbers fall victims to parasitical
flies. (Plate 28, Fig. 2.) The white cocoons enclosing the black chrysalids
are spun up on or under the twigs of bilberry and heather. The moth is out
in July and August, and may be found on moorlands, in the north of England
from Shropshire (with Radnor) and Staffordshire on the west, and
Lincolnshire on the east, through Scotland to Sutherland, and in all
suitable localities in Ireland.
THE DARK SPECTACLE (_Abrostola triplasia_).
The fore wings of this moth are blackish grey inclining to purplish and
rather shining; the basal area is pale reddish brown, edged by a curved
dark chocolate brown cross line; a reddish grey band on the outer area
clouded with ground colour {74} and edged above the inner margin by a dark
chocolate brown curved line; raised scales on the central area and on the
cross lines. Two oval reddish brown marks on the front of the collar have
some resemblance to a pair of spectacles, hence the English name. (Plate
22, Fig. 2.)
The caterpillar is green, sprinkled with white dots; on rings 4, 5, and 11
are whitish-edged darker marks, and there is a dark line, also
whitish-edged, along the middle of the back between rings 5 and 11; a white
line on the back from ring 4 to the brownish head, and white-edged dark
oblique lines on the sides of rings 6 to 11; the line low down along the
sides is whitish with an ochreous tinge. A purplish brown form also occurs
(Plate 27, Fig. 2), in which the pale markings are ochreous tinged. It is
found from July to September on nettle and hops, the latter more
especially. The earlier caterpillars, in some years, attain the moth state
in August or early September, but the bulk of them remain in the chrysalis
state during the winter, the moth emerging in June or July of the following
year.
The species is not uncommon in most southern English counties, but becomes
less frequent or more local northwards from the Midlands to Cumberland,
Northumberland, and South Scotland. It occurs in Wales, and is widely
spread in Ireland.
The range abroad extends to Amurland.
THE SPECTACLE (_Abrostola tripartita_).
This species, known also as _urticae_, Hubner, has the basal and outer
marginal areas of the fore wings whitish grey, finely mottled with darker
grey; the central area is greyish brown, mottled with darker brown. The
spectacle mark in front of the thorax is whitish grey, ringed with black,
and the raised scales on the cross lines and central area of the fore wings
are more distinct in this species (Plate 22, Fig. 3). The {75} caterpillar
is pale green, with white-edged dark-green V-shaped marks along the back,
most in evidence on rings 4-11; two slender whitish lines on each side,
only distinct on rings 1-4; a white stripe low down along the sides, edged
above with dark green and with whitish streaks from it to the white edging
of the marks on the back. Head, green, rather shining, with dusky marks on
each cheek (adapted from Fenn). It feeds in July, at night, on the common
stinging nettle, from the foliage of which it may be beaten out, or, by
searching, found on the undersides of the leaves. In some years there is a
second brood in September.
The moth is out in June, sometimes late May, and, when there is a second
emergence, in August. Occasionally it is seen on fences, etc., but at night
it visits the blossoms of various plants, both wild and cultivated; the
flowers of spur-valerian (_Centranthus ruber_), honeysuckle, and woundwort
(_Stachys_) being especially attractive, as also they are to the Dark
Spectacle, and most of the species of _Plusia_.
Although apparently commoner in some counties than in others, this species
ranges over the British Isles to the Orkneys.
The distribution abroad extends to Amurland.
THE MOTHER SHIPTON (_Euclidia mi_).
The ancient fathers of British Entomology were sometimes happy in their
selection of names in the vernacular for those of our moths that were known
to them at the time, and the present species is a fair example of this.
Moses Harris first dubbed it the Shipton Moth, but afterwards changed the
name to the "Mask Moth." Both names refer to the peculiar shape of the
markings which adorn the fore wings and bear a more or less fanciful
resemblance to a grotesque mask, and even more closely to the profile of an
historical dame yclept {76} Shipton. This character, also supposed to be
like the letter M, hence the specific name _mi_, stands out very distinctly
in the paler specimens, but in some of the darker individuals it is
somewhat obscured. On the hind wings the spots are whitish or yellowish,
and those composing the central series are sometimes united, and form a
band. (Plate 26, Figs. 6 [male], 7 [female].)
The egg is greenish, and the caterpillar is pale ochreous-brown, with
darker brown lines along the back and sides: head, ochreous, with brown
lines. It feeds on clover and grasses, in July, August, and September, and
the chrysalis, which is covered with a whitish powder, is enclosed in a
brownish cocoon spun up in a blade of grass. All the early stages are
figured on Plate 30. The enlarged chrysalis, Fig. 1, is from a photo by Mr.
H. Main. The moth flies in May and June, and is often common in meadows, on
railway banks, and other sloping banks and such-like places where wild
flowers abound. The species is widely distributed over England, Wales, and
South Scotland; also Ireland.
The range abroad extends to Amurland.
THE BURNET COMPANION (_Euclidia glyphica_).
The ground colour of the fore wings is purplish brown, sometimes becoming
greyish on the outer area; the space between the dark brown or blackish
cross bands is sometimes filled up with the darker colour. Some specimens
are much greyer than others, and all the examples in a series from the Lake
district that I have seen were distinctly grey, with very dark bands. The
yellow on the hind wings sometimes inclines to orange, and sometimes it is
so pale as to be almost whitish; there is also variation in the amount of
black marking and shading on these wings. (Plate 26, Figs. 8 [male], 9
[female].)
The caterpillar is somewhat similar to that of the last species; it feeds
on clovers and trefoils in July and August, but so far does not seem to
have been noted to eat grasses.
[Illustration]
2 Pl. 28.
1. THE NI MOTH: _caterpillar_.
2. SCARCE SILVER Y: _caterpillar_.
[Illustration]
2 Pl. 29.
1. LUNAR DOUBLE STRIPE.
2. THE ALCHYMIST.
3. CLIFDEN NONPAREIL.
{77} The moth is on the wing at the end of May and in June, and inhabits
similar kinds of places to those mentioned for the last species, often in
company with it, and also with the Burnet moths. Widely distributed over
the greater part of the British Isles; common in some southern localities.
Its distribution abroad extends to Amurland, and in Japan it is represented
by the larger and paler form _consors_, Butler.
_Leucanitis_ (_Ophiusa_) _stolida_, Fab.--An example of this species, which
is a native of Africa and South Europe, was captured by Mr. J. Jager in the
neighbourhood of Dartmouth, S. Devon. It was in fine condition, and came to
sugar on September 23, 1903.
THE LUNAR DOUBLE STRIPE (_Pseudophia lunaris_).
The portrait of this species on Plate 29, Fig. 1, is taken from a Spanish
example. Exceedingly few British specimens have been recorded. The earliest
seems to be the following: "Among my cabinet specimens there is one example
of _Ophiodes lunaris_, captured at the Lowestoft Light in 1832. I conclude
this is a great rarity, having seen many cabinets without it.--E. Chawner."
_Entom._ vi. p. 147 (1872-73). Presumably this is the same specimen as that
mentioned by Stainton (1857), Newman (1869), and later authors, as taken in
Hants by Captain Chawner. In 1860 one example was obtained at sugar at West
Wickham; and in 1864 Bouchard caught two specimens at Killarney. On June
17, 1873, one came to sugar in Abbots Wood, Sussex; one at Brighton in
June, 1874, and another in Sussex, May, 1875. One specimen came to light in
Norfolk, May, 1878; and one to sugar at Folkestone, May, 1892. In June,
1901, a specimen was secured in Delamere Forest, Cheshire, also at sugar.
Dr. B. White's record of a capture at Perth makes a total of eleven
specimens. {78}
The caterpillar is ochreous brown, sprinkled and lined with reddish brown;
a stripe low down along the sides is reddish orange. It feeds, in July and
August, on the leaves of oak and poplar, but it has not been found in our
Isles.
THE ALCHYMIST (_Catephia alchymista_).
This moth seems to have been known as a British species to Haworth, but he,
and subsequently Stephens (1830), referred it to _Noctua leucomelas_, Linn.
At all events, Stephen's description of the specimen in Haworth's cabinet
bearing this name applies exactly to _C. alchymista_. In the _Ent. Ann._
for 1860 there is a figure of a specimen that was taken at sugar in the
Isle of Wight, September, 1868. Seven years later, one was captured in an
oak wood near Horsham, Sussex (June 4), and another found on the trunk of
an oak tree near Colchester (June 9). In 1882, a specimen was taken at
sugar in a wood near Dover (June), and on June 24, 1888, one came to sugar
at St. Leonards, Sussex. In the last-named year, two other specimens, said
to have been taken in the Isle of Wight, July, 1867, were recorded.
Fig. 2, Plate 29, represents a specimen from Dalmatia.
THE CLIFDEN NONPAREIL (_Catocala fraxini_).
This handsome species (Plate 29, Fig. 3) seems to have been known to quite
the earliest writers on, and delineators of, British moths, and a specimen
in the Dale collection, now in the Hope Museum, Oxford, was obtained in
Dorset in 1740. Stephens (1830) mentions captures in the years 1821, 1827,
and 1828. Since that time the occurrence of the species in the British
Isles, chiefly in single specimens, may be tabulated as follows:
England--London, 1842, 1870, 1872. Kent, 1889, {79} 1893, 1895, 1900.
Sussex, 1838, 1869, 1889, 1895. Isle of Wight, 1866, 1900. North Devon,
1895. Somerset, 1850. Shropshire, 1872. Suffolk, 1868, 1872, 1901, 1905.
Norfolk, 1846, 1872, 1894, 1900. Lincoln, 1872. Yorkshire, five specimens
in all, the most recent in 1896. Lancashire, six specimens, latest 1868.
Cheshire, four specimens, latest 1868. Scotland--1876 (Berwick); 1896
(Aberdeen and Orkney); 1898 (Roxburghshire). Ireland--1845, 1896.
It may be noted that during a period of seven years--1866 to 1872
inclusive--1867 and 1871 were the only years in which a specimen was not
recorded from some part of England.
The caterpillar is pale ochreous, tinged with greenish and freckled with
brown; head, pinkish, inclining to purplish above. It feeds on poplar in
May, June, and July. From eggs (obtained from abroad) the caterpillars
hatched April 27 till May 9, pupated between June 17 and 27, and the moths
emerged July 20 to August 4.
The range abroad extends through Central Europe to Scandinavia, and
eastward to Amurland.
_Catocala electa._
Only two specimens of this moth are known to have occurred in Britain. One
of these was taken at Shoreham, near Brighton, Sussex, September 24, 1875,
and the other at Corfe Castle, Dorsetshire, September 12, 1892. The
specimen shown on Plate 31, Fig. 1, is from Saxony.
In a general way this species is not unlike (_C. nupta_), but the fore
wings are smoother looking, of a softer grey coloration, and the black
cross lines are more irregular; the black markings on the crimson hind
wings are similar, but the inner edge of the marginal border is more even.
This Central European species ranges to Amurland and Corea, and is
represented in Japan by a larger form, _zalmunna_, Butler. {80}
THE RED UNDERWING (_Catocala nupta_).
[Illustration: FIG. 3.