THE NOCTUM 249 



The transverse lines so often seen on the fore wings of Noctuce are 

 generally well marked. The larvte have short stiff bristles, and 

 feed on low i^lants ; they undergo their changes in an earthen 

 cocoon under the trroimd. 



The Mottled Ei(vfic (Caradnna Morplicns) 



We select as our type of this family the Mottled Rustic— a 

 common moth that may be procured from June to August. Its 

 fore wings are brownish grey, with 

 darker lines and spots ; the hind wings 

 are almost white, but darker at the tip. 



The caterpillar is brownish grey, with 



a row of triangular spots on each side of 



the back. It is very sluggish, spending 



the greater part of its existence among y, ., . , .,, ,, 

 , " „\ , ^ „ _ , ,^ Fig. 1.j4. — Ihk Mottled 



the roots of low plants. It feeds through- IIustic. 



out the winter, except during severe 



weather, and is full grown in April. The food plants include teasels 



{Dii)sacus jii^osus andi). sijlvestris), hedge bedstraw {GaUum Mol- 



lugo), orpine (Sedum Telej^hium), sallows (Salix), and various 



other plants. 



The chrysalis may be dug out in ]\Iay. 



Family— NocTUiD.E 



A glance at our list of British Noctuie (Appendix I) will show- 

 that this family contains nearly fifty species and only three genera. 

 It includes several very common moths that frequent our gardens 

 and are to be met with during almost every summer evening 

 ramble. 



Most of the species are very dingy, but the half-dozen that 

 comprise the genus Trijihcsna are characterised by the bright 

 coloiu-ing of the hind wings. The fore wings are narrow and more 

 or less glossy, and overlap to a greater or less extent when the 

 insects are at rest ; and the hind wings are folded and completely 

 hidden beneath them. 



The larvae are rather thick and smooth, and generally of very 

 dingy colours. They feed on low plants, often confining their 

 ravages to the roots, and generally lie well concealed close to the 

 gromid or under the surface. 



