CLOUDED MAGPIE (_Abraxas sylvata_).
A more or less typical example of each sex of this variable species will be
found on Plate 103. Fig. 7 represents a male, and Fig. 8 a female; the
slightly marked specimen (Fig. 6) somewhat approaches the continental
species _A. pantaria_, L., in appearance, and it is probable that such
individuals have done duty for the species just named in some of the older
collections of British lepidoptera. On Plate 104 are shown the leaden
tinted form (Fig. 6), sometimes not infrequent in certain Yorkshire
localities; a specimen with smoky fore wings (Fig. 7), taken with a few
other examples of the same form in a wood in Buckinghamshire, in 1907, when
also the strongly banded form (Fig. 8) was secured by Mr. A. J. Scollick.
Between these {260} extremes and the more typical forms all kinds of
intergrades occur, but it is not possible here to discuss these in detail.
The pale greenish yellow eggs and two caterpillars are figured on Plate
101, Figs. 2, 2a. The latter are whitish, inclining to yellowish on the
back, and lined with black; stripe below the black spiracles, yellow; head,
black and glossy. The food is wych-elm (_Ulmus montana_), but beech and
hazel are said to be eaten at times: August to October. The moth is found
in May and June, sitting about on the leaves of dog's mercury, and other
vegetation in its woodland haunts. Although it sometimes occurs sparingly
in the southern seaboard counties, it is far more frequent in the west,
ranging from North Devon to Cumberland, and including Wales. It is common
in Bucks., and northwards to Northumberland, and extends into South
Scotland. In Ireland, not uncommon at Killarney, and reported from a few
other localities.
THE MAGPIE (_Abraxas grossulariata_).
[Illustration: FIG. 6.