THE DARK UMBER (_Scotosia rhamnata_).
The blackish oblique band on the fore wings of this ochreous brown species
(Plate 60, Fig. 7 [male], 8 [female]) is sometimes indicated only by the
blackish lines, the space between them being hardly darker than the general
colour. Sometimes all the wings are suffused with blackish brown, and in
such specimens the only distinct marking is the whitish submarginal line.
The caterpillar is green, with three lines along the back, the central one
dark green, and the others yellow; the hind wings are marked with purple,
and a stripe of the same colour runs along under the spiracles. In another
form the general colour is greyish with a reddish-brown stripe along the
back, and series of spots of the same colour along the sides. It may be
found in May and June, concealed between leaves that it has fastened
together to form a retreat.
The moth flies in late June and in July, and may be disturbed in the
daytime from buckthorn bushes. It is widely distributed, and often common
in the South of England, but is rare in the north; and has also been
recorded from South Wales.
NOTE.--This species has been referred to _transversata_, Hufnagel, and as
this is an earlier name it may have to be adopted. According to Prout, both
this and the preceding species should be placed in the genus _Philereme_,
Hubner.
SMALL PHOENIX (_Eustroma silaceata_).
In its typical form (Plate 63, Fig. 3) the blackish band of the fore wings
is entire, but in ab. _insulata_, Haworth (Fig. 4), this band is
interrupted by two whitish lines along the median veins, and so divided
into three or four portions, the smaller section placed between the lines;
occasionally, the dividing lines assume stripe-like proportions, and the
main portions are consequently smaller in size and further from each other,
but one "island" still remains. In another form, the lower outer corner is
distinctly separate from the costal portion; thus the band is broken into
four parts.
[Illustration]
2 Pl. 62.
1. THE TISSUE: _caterpillar_.
2. SCALLOP SHELL: _caterpillar_.
3. SCARCE TISSUE: _caterpillar_.
[Illustration]
2 Pl. 63.
1, 2. THE PHOENIX.
3, 4. SMALL PHOENIX.
5-7. THE CHEVRON.
8-10. NORTHERN SPINACH.
{163} The long caterpillar is green, with a reddish-brown stripe along the
back; this is broken up into spots, except on the first three rings; there
are some reddish-brown spots on the sides. It feeds on various kinds of
willow herb (_Epilobium_), and enchanter's nightshade (_Circaea lutetiana_)
in July, and sometimes in August and September.
The moth should be looked for in beech and other woods amongst the food
plants, from which, and the surrounding herbage, it is readily evicted. It
flies at twilight, and later on, when it has been known to visit the sugar
patch; it is also attracted by light. It is out in May and June, and
specimens of a second generation sometimes occur in the South. The species
occurs locally throughout England, probably Wales, and in Scotland up to
Ross. In Ireland, it is widely distributed and locally common in the North,
but apparently not noted in the South.
NETTED CARPET (_Lygris reticulata_).
The white veins and white lines passing through the blackish blotches at
the base and on the front margin of the fore wings, give these wings a
curious netted appearance; the hind wings are smoky grey, with two white
lines which appear to be continuations of the white second line and
sub-marginal of the fore wings. (Plate 61, Fig. 1.)
The caterpillar is green, inclining to yellowish, and more or less tinged
with pinkish, especially on the sides; three lines on the back, the central
one reddish, the others whitish; a central line along the pinkish
spiracles. It feeds at night on yellow balsam (_Impatiens
noli-me-tangere_), preferring the flowers, {164} seeds, and young foliage,
and rests by day on the undersides of the leaves: September and October.
(Plate 64, Fig. 2, after Hofmann.)
The moth is out in July and August, and, of course, will only be found in
localities where the balsam flourishes; these are very limited, and in
Britain are confined to Westmorland and the northern border of Lancashire,
and North Wales. The species was first introduced as British in 1861, when
the late Henry Doubleday recorded the capture of three specimens in August,
1856, on the border of one of the lakes in Westmorland, by his friend the
late Thomas H. Allis. It seems that other specimens had been taken at the
same time, but these passed into collections as the "second brood of
_silacearia_." The caterpillar is said to have been found in North Wales,
but has been more frequently obtained in the English Lake District.
The range abroad extends to Eastern Siberia, Amurland, Corea, and Japan;
but in the three last-named countries it is chiefly represented by var.
_aerosa_, Butt., a large form.
THE PHOENIX (_Lygris prunata_).
The English name here retained was given to this species (Plate 63, Figs. 1
[male], 2 [female]) by Harris, in 1775, but in 1782 he changed it to
"Clouded Carpet."
In ground colour the fore wings are pale brown, more or less clouded with
darker brown, or with reddish-brown; the basal patch, central band, and
blotch on outer margin below the tip of the wing, are all chocolate brown
clouded with blackish and edged with white. Hind wings, whitish, suffused
with smoky grey, except on front area; three dusky whitish-edged wavy
lines, inclining to blackish on the inner margin. The egg (Plate 67, Fig.
3) is yellowish when laid, and then changes to purplish with a whitish
bloom.
The caterpillar is green, varying to brownish; along the {165} middle of
the back is a series of purplish-edged, brown-centred, whitish, triangular
markings; the third ring is swollen, and has a black collar. It feeds at
night on the foliage of red and black currant, also on gooseberry, and may
be found in April and May, earlier or later according to season, sitting by
day upon the bushes.
The moth flies in July and August, and occurs in gardens, but is said to be
partial to sloe bushes and hedges. It is always more or less local,
although it is distributed over the greater part of the British Isles.
This species occurs in the Northern United States of America.
THE CHEVRON (_Lygris testata_).
The fore wings of this rather variable species (Plate 63, Figs. 5-7) are
yellowish or reddish grey, with a darker basal patch and central band; a
reddish blotch below the tip of the wing is edged with white, and the
central band is also outwardly edged with white. Hind wings, whitish, with
two lines, and dusky hind marginal border, the latter sometimes inclining
to reddish. Occasionally, the fore wings are entirely pale ochreous, and
the basal patch and the central band only very slightly darker, but the
limiting lines are reddish, and the patch under the tip of the wing is
bright orange red. Var. _insulicola_, Staud., from the isles of Scotland,
has the fore wings rather narrower, and suffused with purplish brown or
deep violet grey; the hind wings are smoky grey. The female is usually
smaller than the male, and often more yellow in colour.
Eggs, whitish brown, mottled with darker. The early stages are shown on
Plate 67, Figs. 2-2b.
The long caterpillar is pale yellowish brown, with three lines along the
back, the central one dark brown, and most distinct at each end; the others
are white, irregularly shaded above {166} with reddish; another white line
along the region of the spiracles. It feeds, in May or June (earlier or
later in some seasons), on sallow and birch. The moth is out in July and
August, and frequents heaths and bogs more especially, but is also found in
or around woods, and I have captured male specimens as they flew along
hedgerows bordering fields, at dusk, in Middlesex. The female is rarely
seen on the wing.
The species, which ranges through Central and Northern Europe to the Ural
and Altai, is generally distributed throughout the British Isles; it is
found also in the Atlantic States of America.
NORTHERN SPINACH (_Lygris populata_).
The fore wings are yellow, with a reddish or purplish-brown basal patch,
central band, and small patch on outer margin below tip of the wing, the
central band more or less clouded or mottled with yellow. Hind wings,
whitish, tinged with yellow. The female is usually smaller, the colour
generally paler, and the markings frequently only represented by cross
lines. Specimens from the Isle of Arran have the ground colour of fore
wings more or less dappled with brown of the same tint as that of the
central band and other markings; the hind wings are tinged with a smoky
hue. In other parts of Scotland the brown colour becomes more and more
general, until the fore wings are uniformly brown, and the hind wings
dusky. On the mountains in the north nearly black specimens occur, and
these seem to be referable to ab. _musauaria_, Freyer. (Plate 63, Figs.
8-10.)
The long caterpillar is variable in general colour, brown, mottled with
greyish, pale grey, reddish brown, or yellowish green; all have darker or
whitish lines along the back, and whitish or pinkish triangles or X-marks.
It feeds, in May and June (earlier in some localities, and later in
others), on bilberry, crowberry, and sallow; it may also be reared on
willow.
[Illustration]
2 Pl. 64.
1. DARK UMBER: _caterpillar_.
2. NETTED CARPET: _caterpillar_.
[Illustration]
2 Pl. 65.
1, 2. THE SPINACH.
3-5. BARRED STRAW.
6, 7. BARRED YELLOW.
8-10. BROKEN-BARRED CARPET.
{167}
The moth is out in July and August, and may be found on the leaves and
among the sprays of _Vaccinium myrtillus_ growing in woodlands (especially
the more ancient), bogs, and moorlands.
The species is widely spread, and generally abundant in suitable districts,
over the greater part of the British Isles; but it seems to be more or less
casual in England south of the Midlands, although its range runs through
Gloucestershire and Somerset into Devon. In the last-named county it
sometimes swarms at Martinhoe, on the edge of Exmoor.
The distribution abroad includes Eastern Siberia, Amurland, Labrador, and
North America.
THE SPINACH (_Lygris associata_).
The fore wings are pale ochreous, more or less clouded with darker; three
brownish cross lines. Hind wings, paler, with indication of cross lines on
the inner margin. Fringes of all the wings chequered with brown, most
distinct on the fore wings. (Plate 65, Figs. 1, 2.)
The long caterpillar is green, inclining to yellowish; three lines along
the back, the central one dark green and the others whitish; there is also
a whitish line low down along the sides. It feeds at night, in May and
June, on currant (_Ribes rubrum_ and _R. nigrum_), and may be found on the
underside of a leaf in the daytime. (Figured on Plate 67, Fig. 1, from a
coloured drawing by Mr. A. Sich.)
During July and August the moth flies in the evening, and after dark it
often comes to any bright illumination. It is essentially a garden insect,
and where currant bushes are there also spinach is often grown; hence it
was probably connected with the vegetable rather than the fruit when
Haworth named it _spinachiata_. The species seems to be found more or less
frequently in suitable spots through England. In Wales it has {168} been
recorded from Glamorganshire, and from Rhyl, Flintshire; in Scotland,
Renton states that it is common in Roxburgh gardens; and it is also noted
from Paisley. It has been doubtfully recorded from Ireland.
The range abroad extends to Amurland.
BARRED STRAW (_Cidaria pyraliata_).
In certain respects this species (Plate 65, Figs. 3-5) is not unlike that
last referred to. The fore wings are yellowish straw-colour, the cross
lines are brownish, but the central two are closer together, especially on
the inner margin, than they are in _associata_, and are straightly oblique
from the angle, or elbow, below the front margin; there is often a line of
brownish dots between the second line and the outer margin, and the fringes
are brown, not chequered. Occasionally there are darker clouds on the
second line, at the angle, and such clouds sometimes appear in the central
space. Not infrequently the markings are very faint. Staudinger and others
refer this species to _dotata_, L., but there seems to be some doubt in the
matter.
The caterpillar feeds, in April and May, on the common cleavers or
goose-grass (_Galium aparine_) of our hedgerows, etc., but it also eats _G.
mollugo_ and other kinds of bedstraw. It is to be found low down on the
stems.
The moth may be disturbed from the herbage along hedges and ditches in
lanes, and the borders of woods, but it seems most partial to the former.
The species is generally distributed, and often plentiful, in the southern
half of England; but although widely spread in the northern half, it is
only common locally. It occurs in Wales, both North and South; is common in
Roxburghshire and Clydesdale, and is said to be found on the Aberdeenshire
coast and in West Ross. In Ireland it is widely distributed, {169} and
sometimes abundant; but more frequent on the coast than inland.
The distribution abroad includes Eastern Siberia and Amurland.
BARRED YELLOW (_Cidaria fulvata_).
This very pretty, and most distinct, little species (Plate 65, Figs. 6, 7)
does not vary very greatly; there is certainly some modification in the
general colour, and in that of the markings, but in both it is only a
matter of tint.
The caterpillar is somewhat wrinkled, and in colour is green, with three
greyish lines along the back, the central one double; the ring divisions
are yellow, and there is a yellow line low-down along the sides. It feeds
at night, in May and June, on the leaves of wild rose, and does not object
to the garden kinds. (Plate 69, Fig. 3, after Hofmann.)
The moth is out in June and July. It hides by day under leaves in hedges,
and although not often induced to get on the wing at that time, the male
commences its evening flight at an early hour. It is generally a common
species in England and Wales; it occurs here and there through Scotland, up
to the Orkneys; and although somewhat local, it is common enough, where
found, in Ireland.
BROKEN-BARRED CARPET (_Cidaria corylata_).
The fore wings have an olive-brown basal patch and central band, both are
edged with white, wavy lines, and the band is contracted below the middle.
(Plate 65, Fig. 9), and often broken at this point (Fig. 10); the inner
marginal portion sometimes very small; the space between the basal patch
and central band is pale brown, and so also is the outer marginal area; but
there are dark clouds and white marks beyond the {170} white wavy
submarginal line. Variable in tint and in marking, the variety generally
known as _albocrenata_, Curtis (Plate 65, Fig. 8), is perhaps most frequent
in Perthshire and Sutherland. Two other examples of the Scottish form,
which Staudinger has named _effusaria_, are depicted on Plate 61, Figs. 8,
9.
The caterpillar is green, inclining to yellowish; three stripes on the
back, the central one reddish brown and broad, but only distinct at each
end, the other paler green; spiracles, white, placed in a reddish-brown
stripe, which is sometimes broken up. It feeds on sloe, birch, oak, and the
foliage of other trees, and may be found from July to September, and even
later.
The moth is out in May and June, and is to be beaten from hedges, or may be
found at rest on tree-trunks, palings, etc.
Generally distributed, but not extending to the Scottish Isles.
Abroad, the range spreads to Amurland and Japan.
COMMON MARBLED CARPET (_Cidaria truncata_).
Six examples of this very variable species are shown on Plate 66, and these
have been selected to illustrate the more important forms. There are a
number of modifications of each of the forms, and several of these have
been named. Fig. 1 of our plate represents the typical form, and this is
Haworth's _centumnotata_ (Common Marbled Carpet); Fig. 2 is ab.
_commanotata_ of Haworth (Yellow Marbled Carpet); Fig. 3 is ab.
_perfuscata_, Haworth (The Brown Marbled Carpet), and Fig. 4 is a
modification of the same form. A specimen from Arran is shown in Fig. 5;
this example agrees fairly well with that figured in Wood's _Index_ as
_concinnata_ from Arran. In his description of the form, Stephens does not
mention fulvous bands in his type. Fig. 6 shows a specimen from Stornoway,
Isle of Lewis, which appears to be a modification of the typical form of
_truncata_, but it has some of the character of _concinnata_. The latter,
it may be mentioned, is considered by Mr. L. B. Prout to be a distinct
species, and as the genitalia have been found, on examination by Mr.
Pierce, to differ from these organs in _truncata_ and _immanata_, there
seems to be reason to accept it as such.
[Illustration]
2 Pl. 66.
1-6. COMMON MARBLED CARPET.
7-12. DARK MARBLED CARPET.
[Illustration]
2 Pl. 67.
1. SPINACH: _caterpillar_.
2, 2a, 2b. CHEVRON: _eggs, caterpillar and chrysalis_.
3. PHOENIX: _eggs_.
{171} The caterpillar is long, slender, and wrinkled, especially on the
sides; the ground colour is green, inclining to yellowish; three lines
along the back, the central one dark green, and the others yellowish;
sometimes a rosy stripe, or a series of dashes along the sides; the points
on the last ring are green, or rosy. It feeds, in the autumn and again in
the spring after hibernation, on sallow, birch, hawthorn, bilberry, wild
strawberry, etc. It will also eat rose, but as the specimens resulting from
caterpillars reared on rose are frequently small, such food is probably
unsuitable; garden strawberry, on the other hand, is an excellent pabulum.
A photograph of the caterpillar by Mr. H. Main is shown on Plate 69, Fig.
1. There is a second brood in late June and in July. The first generation
of the moth is out in May and June, and the second emerges in the autumn;
specimens, possibly of a third generation, have been seen in December in
favourable localities.
The species, which frequents woods and hedgerows, and is pretty generally
common, is to be found almost everywhere throughout the British Isles. It
has not, however, been noted from Shetland.
The distribution abroad extends to Amurland, China, and Japan.
DARK MARBLED CARPET (_Cidaria immanata_).
This is another exceedingly variable species (Plate 66), and here again six
examples have been chosen to illustrate something of the range of
aberration. Figs. 7 and 8 are of the {172} typical form, and Figs. 9 and 10
show the form _marmorata_, Haworth (Marbled Carpet); while Figs. 11 and 12
represent specimens from Shetland, and are referable to the island race
known as _pythonissata_, Milliere; neither of the specimens figured,
however, quite agrees with the type of this form, but Fig. 12 does so
fairly well. In some specimens the general colour of the fore wings is
tawny or rust-colour, or they are strongly suffused with that tint (ab.
_ferruginea_, Prout). I have such examples in my series of specimens from
Lewes and the Shetlands. Ab. _thingvallata_, Staud., from Iceland, has the
fore wings white, with black basal patch and central band, and I have seen
at least one example from Yorkshire that closely approached this variety.
The caterpillar is not very unlike that of the last species, but it is
rounder in appearance, the general green colour is paler, and the points on
the last ring are blunt. It feeds from April to June on sallow, birch,
bilberry, and wild strawberry. (Plate 69, Fig. 2, after Hofmann.) The moths
are out in July and August, and may be found resting on tree-trunks, rocks,
or stone walls; at night, when it is active on the wing, it is said to be
often seen in numbers on the flowers of the rush, and this habit has been
noted more particularly in Scotland.
The species affects woods and moors, and appears to be found more or less
commonly throughout the British Isles.
MARSH CARPET (_Cidaria sagittata_).
The fore wings of this very distinct species are brown, with white-edged
black bands at base and across the central area, the latter with a strong
projection on its outer edge, almost reaching a white spot on the outer
margin; sub-marginal line whitish, often only traceable on the front edge.
The central band is always narrowed below the middle, sometimes divided,
{173} and occasionally this part of the band is finely cut off from both
upper and lower portions. (Plate 68, Figs. 7, 8.)
The caterpillar is yellowish green, merging into pinkish on the sides; the
pink is edged below with black, and this is followed by a dark olive
stripe; rings 1-3 and 10-12 are wrinkled, whilst all the others are ridged
across the back and along the sides. It feeds, in August and September, on
the unripe seeds of meadow-rue (_Thalictrum flavum_), also on _T. minus_,
and, according to Barrett, on old withered leaves of columbine.
The moth is out in July, occasionally at the end of June, and occurs
locally in "Fenland."
Doubleday introduced it as British in the _Zoologist_ for 1848. He there
states, "A single example of this pretty species was obtained last season
near Peterborough, but I believe it was not in very good condition. A
splendid female was sent to me from the same neighbourhood this week (July
15, 1848)."
In 1853 and 1854 the species was discovered in the fens of Huntingdonshire
and Cambridgeshire. Later it was found to inhabit the fens of Norfolk and
Suffolk. It is still obtained in the Cambridge fens from Bottisham to
Chatteris. Outside "Fenland" it has been recorded from Worcestershire
(Bewdley Forest) and Warwickshire (Rugby).
The range abroad extends to Amurland.
RED-GREEN CARPET (_Cidaria siterata_).
The general colour of the fore wings of this species (Plate 68, Figs. 1-4)
is greyish green, with more or less of rosy suffusion; the basal patch and
central band are darker green, and the latter is outwardly edged with
whitish below the front margin, and towards the inner margin. The female
has rather more ample wings, and is generally of a darker hue, but in both
sexes the basal patch and central band are blackish; the hind {174} wings
are dark greyish brown, inclining to blackish in some females, and there is
a blackish central dot and two or three curved lines.
The long caterpillar is yellowish green, with an interrupted red line along
the middle of the back; two green points on last ring are usually
pink-tipped. It feeds on oak, birch, ash, sloe, apple, etc., in July and
August.
The moth occurs in woodlands, but is not easily disturbed in the daytime
from its lurking-place in bush or tree. In the autumn it may be found at
ivy-bloom, and in the spring, after hibernation, has been taken at sallow.
The species appears to be widely distributed over England and Wales,
Scotland up to Moray, and Ireland.
AUTUMN GREEN CARPET (_Cidaria miata_).
Somewhat similar to the last, but the general colour of the fore wings is
paler, inclining to whitish, and the basal patch and central band are pale
green tinged with greyish; there is no rosy suffusion, but the wavy
sub-marginal line is distinctly white. The hind wings are greyish white,
with black discal dot, and dark-grey curved lines. (Plate 68, Figs. 5, 6.)
The caterpillar is pale green, inclining to yellowish, especially between
the rings, and with a more or less distinct dark-green line along the
middle of the back; the points on the last ring are pinkish brown, and
there is a line of the same colour along the centre of the under surface of
the body.
It feeds on alder, birch, oak, sallow, etc., and may be beaten out from
June to August.
The moth is out in September and October, when it may be obtained at
ivy-bloom, and in the following spring, after hibernation, it visits sallow
catkins.
The range in the British Isles agrees pretty closely with that of the last
species, but in Scotland it extends to the Hebrides and to the Orkneys.
[Illustration]
2 Pl. 68.
1-4. RED-GREEN CARPET.
5, 6. AUTUMN GREEN CARPET.
7, 8. MARSH CARPET.
[Illustration]
2 Pl. 69.
1. COMMON MARBLED CARPET: _caterpillar_.
2. DARK MARBLED CARPET: _caterpillar_.
3. BARRED YELLOW: _caterpillar_.
{175}
NOTE.--According to Prout, _sagittata_ is not a _Cidaria_, as its larva is
of a very different form; and _siterata_ and _miata_ are referred to
_Chloroclysta_, Hubner.
GREY PINE CARPET (_Thera variata_).
In its typical form, the fore wings of this species are greyish, and from
this the colour ranges through various tints of greyish brown to smoky
brown or blackish; sometimes these wings are shades of ochreous brown. The
usual markings are a basal patch, more or less clearly defined, and a
central band, and these may be either brown or blackish; the band varies in
width, is not infrequently narrowed or contracted below the middle,
occasionally broken at this point, and more rarely only represented by a
small angular spot near the front margin.
Four examples are shown on Plate 70, and of these 1 and 2 represent our
ordinary form _obeliscata_, Hubner (Shaded Broad Bar, of Newman). Fig. 6 is
a blackish banded specimen of the _obeliscata_ form, and Fig. 3 is the
almost entirely blackish form _obliterata_, White (_scotica_, Staud.),
which is not uncommon in the Paisley district, and other parts of Scotland,
and also occurs in a modified form in some pine-woods in the South of
England.
The long caterpillar (Plate 71, Fig. 1), which feeds on the needles of
Scots pine in April and May, also in July, and sometimes in September, is
bright green, with three whitish lines along the back, the central one
broad, and a yellowish line low down along the sides; the green roundish
head is lined with white.
The moth is generally common in pine-woods throughout the greater part of
the British Isles. The May-June flight is the most abundant, but there is
occasionally a good sprinkling of moths in the autumn.
Abroad, the area of distribution includes Eastern Siberia, Corea, China,
and Japan. {176}
CHESTNUT-COLOURED CARPET (_Thera cognata_).
This is a generally smaller species than that last referred to, and it is
more glossy in appearance. The fore wings are brown, sometimes grey-brown,
more or less tinged with reddish, and the basal patch and central band are
darker; these markings are usually white-edged, and there is a wavy whitish
submarginal line. Hind wings whitish, tinged with smoky grey. Specimens
from the Hebrides are strongly purplish; and Kane states that some he
reared from Sligo caterpillars are more richly coloured than any that he
has seen from Scotland. (Plate 70, Figs. 9 [male] 12 [female].)
The bright green caterpillar is stouter than that of the last species. It
is of a bluish hue along the back, and marked with three lines, the central
one greenish and the others whitish and broad; there are sometimes reddish
markings low down on the sides, just edging the broad white spiracular
line. It feeds in May and June, earlier or later in some seasons, on
juniper; it turns to a dark-green chrysalis in a frail cocoon spun up among
the litter under the juniper bushes.
The moth is to be found in July and August among juniper growing in the
hilly and maritime haunts of the species in North England, Wales, Scotland,
and Ireland.
This species, long known as _simulata_, Hubner, has been referred to
_cognata_, Thunberg, and as this is an earlier name it will have to be
used.
PINE CARPET (_Thera firmata_).
The pale reddish-grey fore wings have a rather darker central band and
round-edged basal patch, but the latter is often indistinct, and the band,
which is always deeply indented about the middle of its inner edge, is
sometimes not well defined. The hind wings are whitish, tinged more or less
with greyish or pale brownish, but always paler than in any form of _T.
variata_, with which it is often confused. (Plate 70, Figs. 10, 11.)
[Illustration]
2 Pl. 70.
1, 2, 3, 6. GREY PINE CARPET.
4, 5, 7, 8. JUNIPER CARPET.
9, 12. CHESTNUT-COLOURED CARPET.
10, 11. PINE CARPET.
[Illustration]
2 Pl. 71.
1. GREY PINE CARPET: _caterpillar_.
2. PINE CARPET: _caterpillar_.
3. WELCH WAVE: _caterpillar_.
{177} The caterpillar is bluish-green above, and green beneath; three lines
along the back, the central one a darker tone of the ground colour, the
others whitish; head reddish, marked with brown on each cheek. It feeds in
April and May (June in Scotland) on Scots pine; Barrett states that there
is a second brood in August. (Plate 71, Fig. 2.)
The moth is out in September and October, and may be disturbed from the
pine boughs, or occasionally seen resting on the trunks, but it is more
frequently met with at night when it flies naturally, and has been known to
visit the sugar patch. Barrett, who considered this species to be double
brooded, gives June and July for the first flight of moths. Certain it is
that moths have been reared even as late as October from Spring
caterpillars. As adverted to, the pale reddish forms of _T. variata_ are
sometimes confused with _T. firmata_, but in addition to other differences
indicated above, it may be noted that in the male of the latter the
antennae are bipectinated except towards the tips. Most of the pine woods
throughout England seem to produce this delicate insect more or less
frequently; the same remark applies to Wales. In Scotland it is found up to
Aberdeen, and also in the Hebrides. The only localities mentioned by Kane
for Ireland are in counties Westmeath, Dublin, and Fermanagh.
JUNIPER CARPET (_Thera juniperata_).
On Plate 70, Figs. 4 and 5 represent the sexes of the typical form of this
species, the small and rather more strongly marked Scottish form is shown
by Figs. 7 and 8. In these small forms a noticeable character is the
brownish band on the fore wings, between the central band and the outer
margin; this band is {178} only indicated by a dusky greyish shade in the
larger form. Most of the examples of the small form from the Isle of Hoy
have also a dark central line on the hind wings. The central band of the
fore wings is often broken below the middle, in both forms.
The caterpillar is yellowish green, inclining to a black tinge on the back,
along which are three lines, the central one dark green, and the others
yellow and rather broad; a whitish stripe low down along the sides is
sometimes marked with yellow and red, and there is a red thread above it;
head, pink tinged; two points on last ring of the body. It feeds in July
and August, on juniper. The moth is out in October and November, and may be
found plentifully flying at night about the juniper bushes.
Berkshire, Kent, Surrey, and Sussex appear to be the only English counties
in which it is established, and it is probably most plentiful in the last
named. It has, however, been recorded from Suffolk, Lancashire, York, and
Durham; also from Carnarvonshire in North Wales. It is more widely spread
throughout Scotland, including the Orkneys and Shetlands, where the moths
fly in July. Only doubtfully reported from Ireland.
WATER CARPET (_Lampropteryx suffumata_).
The fore wings are whitish, more or less clouded with brownish, with dark
brown, inclining to blackish, basal patch and central band. The variation
tends in two opposite directions; in the one the general colour is so
clouded and suffused with blackish-brown, that the entire fore wings become
almost entirely of that colour (ab. _piceata_, Stephens), N. England and
Scotland; the other extreme is ab. _porrittii_, Robson, in which the
central band and basal patch are black, and the white ground colour is
almost free of brown clouding; the last named occurs at Dover {179} in
Kent, and Huddersfield, Yorks. On Plate 72, Fig. 1 shows the typical form,
Fig. 3 ab. _piceata_, and 2 ab. _porrittii_. The caterpillar varies from
greyish, with pinkish or greenish tinge, to ochreous brown; the upper
surface is rather darker than the under, and there is a series of dark
V-shaped marks and arrow-heads on the back of rings 4-8; there is a whitish
central stripe on 1-3, and a dark one on 9-12; head, brownish, marked with
black. It feeds on goose-grass (_Galium aparine_), and other kinds of
bedstraw, in May and early June. It seems to thrive best, however, on the
goose-grass. (Plate 74, Fig. 1, after Hofmann.)
The moth may be found in weedy lanes and along hedgerows, pretty well
throughout England, Wales, Scotland to Moray, and Ireland. It cannot,
however, be said to occur in all suitable places, as although it may be
found in some plenty in one lane or hedgerow in a district, it may be quite
absent in similar spots just around. Wherever it is noted one year it may
be almost certainly obtained there in subsequent years. April and May are
the months in which it is usually seen, but it has been taken in June in
late seasons, and occasionally in July.
LARGE TWIN-SPOT CARPET (_Coremia_ (_Ochyria_) _quadrifasciaria_).
The ground colour of the fore wings of this species is most often of a pale
reddish brown, but sometimes it inclines to grey brown; the outwardly
angled central band is often black, but more frequently perhaps the middle
area is pretty much of the ground colour or greyish, with a black dot in
the upper portion, and limited by two black lines which approach, or join,
in the lower half. A dusky basal blotch is not always present, but it is
sometimes well in evidence, as also is a dusky shade before the whitish
submarginal line; frequently there are two blackish {180} or brownish dots
on the upper part of this line, and a third dot above them, but nearer the
outer margin. (Plate 72, Figs. 4, 5.)
The caterpillar is pale yellowish brown, finely freckled with grey, and
with greyish V-shaped marks on the back; three greyish lines along the
back, the central one broken, and the others most distinct at each end. It
feeds on bedstraw (_Galium_) and other plants, such as primrose, groundsel,
etc., from August to April. The moth is out in June and July, and should be
looked for on tree-trunks growing around the borders of woods or in lanes
near by. It may also be beaten out of hedgerows in the vicinity of woods.
A very local species and only found with us in the southern half of
England. Its chief haunts appear to be in the counties of Kent, Surrey,
Hants, Essex, Suffolk, Cambridge, and Norfolk (the Breck sand district);
thence its range extends through Hertford, Buckingham, and Berkshire to
Gloucester, where, however, it is scarce, as it is also in Lincoln. Abroad,
the range extends to Eastern Siberia, Amurland, Corea and Japan.
RED CARPET (_Coremia_ (_Ochyria_) _munitata_).
The typical form (Plate 72, Fig. 6) has pale greyish fore wings, and these
are crossed by a black-edged purplish central band. In var. _hethlandica_,
Prout (Fig. 7), the ground colour is ochreous and the band is reddish; this
form is frequent in the Shetlands.
The caterpillar is yellowish green, with greyish clouds around white dots,
tinged with pink between the rings; three lines along the back, the central
one grey inclining to blackish, broken on three of the hinder rings, and
edged with whitish; the others are double, wavy, brownish, a whitish stripe
bordered above with grey along the area of the spiracles; head, ochreous,
dotted with dark brown (adapted from Fenn). It feeds on lady's mantle
(_Alchemilla_), chickweed, groundsel, etc., from September to May.
[Illustration]
2 Pl. 72.
1-3. WATER CARPET.
4, 5. LARGE TWIN-SPOT CARPET.
6, 7. RED CARPET.
8-12. RED TWIN-SPOT CARPET.
[Illustration]
2 Pl. 73.
1. BEECH-GREEN CARPET: _caterpillar_.
2. STRIPED TWIN-SPOT CARPET: _caterpillar_.
3. MOTTLED GREY: _caterpillar_.
{181} The moth is out in July and August, and in England is only found in
the mountain districts of Yorkshire and the more northern centres. It has
been reported from the high-lying district on the border of Cheshire,
between Macclesfield and Buxton (Day), and from Llantrissant,
Glamorganshire, S. Wales (Evan John). Generally distributed through
Scotland and the Isles. Widely spread, but local, and not always common, in
Ireland.
Abroad, the range extends to Eastern Siberia, Amurland and North America.
DARK-BARRED TWIN-SPOT CARPET (_Coremia_ (_Ochyria_) _unidentaria_).
Portraits of three examples of this species will be found on Plate 75,
Figs. 1-3. The ground colour of the fore wings is whitish tinged with pale
ochreous or greyish; the central band is blackish with darker wavy lines
running through it near the edges, and not infrequently the middle area is
greyish, either on the upper half, or throughout from front to inner
margins; a narrow patch at the base of the wings is of the same colour as
the central band, and is followed by a reddish-brown streak; as a rule,
there is an irregular reddish-brown line, commencing in a cloud on the
front margin, and sometimes stripe-like, beyond the pale edging of the
central band; in ab. _coarctata_, Prout, the central band is much narrowed;
the two black dots on upper part of the outer margin, generally well in
evidence, are occasionally united, but sometimes they are very tiny. The
hind wings are whitish, more or less sprinkled with dusky scales, chiefly
on the basal two thirds, and crossed by dark-grey wavy lines.
Sometimes the central band and the basal patch of the fore {182} wings are
dull reddish-brown, inclining to purplish. This form which has been
referred to _corculata_, Hufnagel, is pretty generally distributed abroad,
but is apparently only of local occurrence in the British Isles.
The caterpillar is very similar to that of the next species, it feeds on
the same kinds of plants, and during the same months of the year. (Plate
74, Fig. 2.) The first generation of moths is on the wing in May and June,
and the second in August.
The species is widely distributed in England and Wales, often plentiful in
some districts in the southern half of the former country, scarce and more
local northwards from Yorkshire. Widely spread in Roxburghshire and
Clydesdale in Scotland, but less frequent than _ferrugata_; this also seems
to be the case in Ireland. The range abroad extends to North America.
NOTE.--It is to be regretted that the names by which this and the following
species have been known for many years may have to be changed. It has been
claimed that the reddish-banded form of _unidentaria_, Haworth, is
identical with _ferrugata_ as figured by Clerck, _Icones_, Plate XI. Fig.
14, and is also referable to _corculata_, Hufnagel, both earlier names. If
the red form referred to is adopted as the _ferrugata_ of Clerck, then that
name will supersede _unidentaria_, Haworth, and the species now known as
_ferrugata_, Clerck, will become _spadicearia_. Authorities, however, are
not agreed upon this point, so the question still remains open.
RED TWIN-SPOT CARPET (_Coremia_ (_Ochyria_) _ferrugata_).
Five examples of this variable species are shown on Plate 72, Figs. 8-12.
The ground colour of the fore wings is usually greyish, more or less
ochreous tinted, but sometimes inclining to whitish; the basal patch and
the central band are reddish brown, the latter usually entire in southern
specimens, but {183} frequently broken up (ab. _spadicearia_, Borkhausen),
especially in northern examples. A bright, ochreous form, with the central
band much streaked, occurring in Scotland, has been referred to ab.
_salicaria_, Haworth. Occasionally the central band is dark purplish. The
hind wings are whitish, more or less suffused with smoky grey, and lined
with the same; the outer margin is bordered with smoky grey.
The caterpillar is ochreous brown, mottled with greyish, and marked with
pale diamonds and black spots on the back of the middle rings; there are
wavy lines along the sides. It feeds in June and July, and also in
September and October, on various low plants: knotgrass, dandelion,
bedstraw, garden marigold, and ground ivy (_Nepeta_) being especially
useful in captivity. The moth is usually double-brooded, at least in the
southern half of England, the first flight occurring in May and June, and
the second in July and August.
The species is generally distributed, and often common, over the greater
part of England and Wales, but somewhat local north of the Midlands and
through Scotland to Aberdeen; widely spread in Ireland.
FLAME CARPET (_Coremia_ (_Ochyria_) _designata_).
The ground colour of this rather common woodland species (Plate 75, Figs.
4-6) is pale grey, varying to whitish, or sometimes faintly brownish
tinged. The purple band on the fore wings is always broadly edged in front
with black, but the black outer edging is irregular, and sometimes only
distinct towards the front margin of the wings; it varies in width, and in
tint, being, in some specimens, faint purplish grey.
The caterpillar is ochreous, inclining to greyish on the back, which is
marked with whitish lines on the front rings, and with ochreous diamonds
and black dots on the other rings; there is also a row of black spots low
down along the sides; head, {184} brownish, freckled with black. It feeds,
in June and July, probably, in a wild state, on some kind of "cress,"
growing in the moister parts of woods; in confinement, it will eat cabbage,
horseradish, and wallflower, among other kinds of Cruciferae. There is a
second brood in August and September. (Plate 74, Fig. 3, after Hofmann.)
The moth is out in May and June, and again in August. It is fond of resting
on tree-trunks in woods, especially where the ground is moist, but it may
also be beaten out of hedges and bushes. It is most plentiful in the
southern half of England, but is spread over the greater part of the
British Isles, including the Orkneys.
Abroad, its range extends to Eastern Siberia, Amurland, Japan, and North
America.
THE BEECH-GREEN CARPET (_Amoebe olivata_).
The species, depicted on Plate 75, Figs. 9, 10, when quite fresh has the
fore wings greenish, and the central band more or less tinged with brown,
in some specimens with blackish; the inner edge of the band is not so
clearly defined as the outer, the latter being followed by a narrow whitish
wavy band; a series of black dots edged with white represent the
submarginal line. Hind wrings, smoky grey, with a pale band beyond the
middle, and a pale line nearer the outer margin.
The roughened caterpillar (Plate 73, Fig. 1) is ochreous brown, mottled
with darker brown, and lined with grey; the raised dots are black, each
with a short bristle. It feeds at night on bedstraw (_Galium_), in the
spring to May, after hibernation.
The moth is out, as a rule, in July and August, but sometimes much earlier.
I reared specimens during the last week in May, 1907, from caterpillars
sent from Torquay by Mr. Walker. It {185} lurks among the vegetation
growing on banks, and the hedgerows of lanes, etc.
In the south of England the species chiefly affects the coasts of Dorset,
Devon, and Cornwall; but it occurs locally in and around beech woods of
Kent, and is more frequent in those of Berks, Oxford, and Bucks. From
Somerset it spreads through the western counties, including part of Wales,
to Lancashire. It is, however, most common among the hills and rills from
Yorkshire northwards. In Scotland it is local in Roxburgh, widely
distributed, and sometimes abundant in Clydesdale and throughout the
Highlands to Sutherland. It has also been noted from Arran. Local in
Ireland, but apparently abundant in some parts.
GREEN CARPET (_Amoebe viridaria_).
This species (Plate 75, Figs. 7, 8), also, has green fore wings, with a
rather deeper green central band and basal patch. The former is limited by
white lines marked with black, conspicuously so on the front and inner
margins; there are also black marks on the front edge of the basal patch,
and at the tips of the wings. The green colour quickly fades to a yellowish
or sandy tint.
The wrinkled caterpillar is olive brown, with bristle-bearing black dots;
the back has a dark central line, and is adorned with reddish V-shaped
marks except on the end rings. It feeds in the spring, after hibernation,
on bedstraw (_Galium_), but it is said to eat sorrel, dead-nettle
(_Lamium_), etc.
The moth is out in June, earlier in the south, and later in the north. It
hides among herbage during the day, and may occasionally be seen resting on
tree-trunks, etc., then feeding just before dark about hedges, and on
commons and heaths. Specimens have been noted in some years in September.
Except that it has not been detected in the Shetlands, the species seems to
be found in all parts of the British Isles. {186}
STRIPED TWIN-SPOT CARPET (_Malenydris salicata_).
Portraits of a male and a female of this species will be found on Plate 75,
Figs. 11 [male] and 12 [female]. The fore wings are greyish white, crossed
by several darker grey wavy lines; the central band is rather darker, and
in some specimens there is also a darker basal patch. In an almost
unicolorous form the fore wings are wholly suffused with darker; Kane, who
states that such specimens occur with the paler form in Ireland, refers the
aberration to _unicolorata_, Gregson.
The caterpillar is brownish, with three whitish lines along the back, and a
pinkish line low down along the sides. It feeds, at night, on bedstraw
(_Galium_), in September and October, but may be found on the plants in the
daytime. (Plate 73, Fig. 2, after Hofmann.)
The moth is out in May and June, and in some localities again in August and
September. It is fond of sitting on rocks, and also on tree-trunks.
Except that it has been found, not infrequently, on Dartmoor and Exmoor, in
Devon, and has also been once noted from Dorset, the species in England is
chiefly an inhabitant of the northern counties. It occurs in Wales, but
almost exclusively in the north. In Scotland it appears to be widely
distributed throughout; and in Ireland it occurs locally in all four
provinces.
MOTTLED GREY (_Malenydris multistrigaria_).
The fore wings in the typical form of this species are grey, with a slight
brownish tinge; basal patch, central band, and shade before the whitish
submarginal line, sometimes darker. (Plate 77, Figs. 1 [male], 2 [female].)
In some specimens the central band is very much darker (ab. _virgata_,
Tutt); and in some parts of {187} south-west Yorkshire a blackish form (ab.
_nubilata_, Tutt) is not uncommon. (Plate 77, Fig. 3.)
The caterpillar is ochreous grey, with three brownish lines along the back,
and two other lines on each side, the upper one yellowish, wavy, and edged
above with dusky. It feeds on bedstraw (_Galium_) in May and June. (Plate
73, Fig. 3.)
The moth is out in March and April, and keeps pretty much to the shelter
afforded by its food plant or other herbage around in its favourite haunts,
which are damp woodlands, heaths, and mosses. Occasionally, however, it may
be seen on the lower parts of fences, tree-trunks, rocks, etc. About dusk
it may be found sitting on grass and other vegetation, and at such times is
not much disposed to fly away from the collector.
Pretty generally distributed throughout the British Isles, including the
Orkneys.
TWIN-SPOT CARPET (_Malenydris didymata_).
The fore wings in the male are pale greyish, more or less tinged with
ochreous brown, and crossed by a dark grey, inclining to blackish, central
band; the base of the wings is often banded with dark grey, as also is the
outer marginal area; on the latter, above the middle, are twin black spots,
and there is a black spot or streak above nearer the tip of the wing. The
female is smaller, paler, often whitish, and sometimes pale ochreous; the
latter form is prevalent in the Shetlands; the central band is the only
distinct cross marking in this sex. On the moorlands in the north of
England a blackish form of the male occurs (ab. _nigra_, Prout), and this
is very similar to ab. _nubilata_ of the previous species; ab.
_ochroleucata_, Aurivillius, is uniformly greyish brown, with a white
submarginal line, and I have a specimen near this from Durham.
The caterpillar is green, inclining to yellowish on the back, {188} and to
pinkish on the sides; three lines along the side, the central one dark
green, and the others whitish. It feeds on primrose, red campion (_Lychnis
diurna_), bilberry, etc., as well as on the flowers of coarse grasses; in
North Devon I found it in profusion at night, on the blossoms of a
wood-rush (_Luzula_), growing in a sheltered wood near the sea. April and
May, later perhaps in the north. (Plate 77, Figs. 4-6 [male], 7-9
[female].)
The moth is out in July and August, and is common in almost every part of
the British Isles.
NOVEMBER MOTH (_Oporabia_ (_Epirrita_) _dilutata_).
The more usual forms of this common autumnal species are those represented
by Figs. 1 and 2, Plate 78. Fig. 3 is a small example of the pale form, ab.
_christyi_, Prout, which, in many respects, is very similar to _autumnata_,
Guenee, a form of the next species. Fig. 4 is a female approaching ab.
_obscurata_, Staud., and Fig. 5 shows the uniformly blackish ab. _melana_,
Prout. In some pale-coloured specimens the only conspicuous marking is a
broad central band which is almost black in colour (ab. _latifasciata_,
Prout).
The eggs (Plate 76, Fig. 1a) were yellowish when laid, but soon changed to
crimson red.
The caterpillar is green, inclining to whitish below, often marked, more or
less distinctly, with purplish red, as a central line, or series of spots,
along the back, and sometimes as bands on the ring division. It feeds on
the foliage of trees, such as elm, oak, birch, etc., also on fallow,
hawthorn, sloe, apple, plum, and other fruit trees. April to June. (Plate
76, Fig. 1.)
[Illustration]
2 Pl. 74.
1. WATER CARPET: _caterpillar_.
2. DARK-BARRED TWIN-SPOT CARPET: _caterpillar_.
3. FLAME CARPET: _caterpillar_.
[Illustration]
2 Pl. 75.
1-3. DARK-BARRED TWIN-SPOT CARPET.
4-6. FLAME CARPET.
7, 8. GREEN CARPET.
9, 10. BEECH-GREEN CARPET.
11, 12. STRIPED TWIN-SPOT CARPET.
{189} The moth is out in October and November in the South, but earlier in
the North. It is an inhabitant of woodlands, and may be disturbed from
bushes, trees, and sometimes may be seen on the trunks of the latter, and
on fences. At night it flies lazily and will occasionally visit ivy then,
and even sugar, but is more frequently attracted by light.
The species is pretty generally common throughout England and Wales,
Scotland up to Moray, and Ireland.
THE AUTUMNAL MOTH (_Oporabia_ (_Epirrita_) _autumnata_).
Three examples of this species are shown on Plate 78. Figs. 6 [male] and 7
[female] represent the typical form except that the male should be rather
more silvery white in the ground colour of the fore wings, and the cross
bands more distinctly separated. Fig. 8, also a female, is very close to
ab. _sandbergi_, Lampa, in the character of the central cross bands of the
fore wings. Ab. _gueneata_, Prout (_autumnata_, Guenee, not Borkhausen), is
a form with the typical coloration, but with fainter cross bands.
The caterpillar is somewhat similar to that of the last species, but there
is a yellowish tint in the general green coloration, and it is rarely
marked with reddish. It is found chiefly on birch, alder, fir, and larch,
but will eat hawthorn, and probably the foliage of other shrubs and trees.
May and June.
The moth is out in September and October, sometimes later. It may be
dislodged from trees in the daytime, but it seems to be rarely noticed at
rest on the trunks.
The species is so often confused with that previously mentioned that its
distribution in our islands has not, so far, been clearly ascertained.
However, it certainly occurs in the following northern counties of
England--Lancashire (Liverpool district); Cheshire (Delamere Forest);
Yorkshire (Cleveland district); North Durham (Birch woods); Cumberland
(Carlisle). In Scotland it is found in Clydesdale, Perthshire, where it was
first noted by Weaver in 1851, Kincardineshire, Aberdeen, and probably
further north; in Ireland at Belfast and Enniskillen. Prout notes that he
has seen a specimen from Swansea in South Wales. {190}
SMALL AUTUMNAL CARPET (_Oporabia_ (_Epirrita_) _filigrammaria_).
This is most probably a small moorland form of _O. autumnata_, but it
rarely assumes the silvery white typical coloration of that species. A male
specimen and two examples of the female are depicted on Plate 77, Figs. 10
[male], 11, and 12 [female].
The caterpillar, which feeds in the spring on bilberry and heather, is
green, with yellow lines, a line of darker green between the two central
yellow lines along the back; head, green, inclining to brown above.
The moth appears in August and early September, and may be found on the
moors, resting on rocks, stones, and even on the ground, as well as on the
stems of its food plants.
As a British species it was first recorded by Weaver, who obtained it in
the Isle of Arran in 1841; but Edleston, writing in 1842, states that he
had taken specimens off stone walls near Staley Bridge, in the Manchester
district, "every year for the last three years." It appears to be peculiar
to the British Isles and is found in suitable localities from North
Staffs., through Cheshire, Lancs., Yorks., and northwards over England and
Scotland to the Hebrides and the Orkneys. In Ireland it is known to occur
in Antrim, Derry, Mayo, Galway, and Limerick.
THE WELSH WAVE (_Venusia cambrica_).
This moth, of which two portraits are given on Plate 78, Figs. 9 [male], 10
[female], is known also by the English name of "Cambric Wave." It was not
ascertained to be an inhabitant of Britain until 1839, when it was figured
and described by Curtis from specimens obtained in Cardiganshire in Wales.
{191}
In its typical form the fore wings are white, inclining to greyish, with a
number of brownish or dark-grey cross lines; two pairs on the central area
are marked with black. Sometimes the wings are greatly suffused with smoky
grey, and this tint in examples from the Sheffield and Rotherham districts
of Yorkshire assumes a much darker hue, so that all the markings are
obscured, but the veins are blacker.
The caterpillar is green, marked with some irregular reddish blotches; a
yellowish line along the back. It feeds in August, earlier or later in some
seasons, on mountain ash (_Pyrus aucuparia_), and the moth, which rests by
day on tree-trunks, is out in July and early August. The haunts of the
species are chiefly in hilly localities of the northern counties of
England, but it has also been reported from Gloucestershire (Cotswolds),
Somersetshire (Weston-super-Mare), and Devon (Dulverton). In Wales it
occurs in Merionethshire, as well as in Cardiganshire; and in Scotland it
spreads from Roxburghshire, where it is locally common among mountain ash,
through Clydesdale to Inverness. It is widely distributed in Ireland. The
range abroad extends to Japan and North America.