252 



COMMON BRITISH MOTHS 



Fig. 158 —The Flame 

 Shoulder. 



The Flame Shoulder (Noctua i)lecta) 



As our example of the next genus we take the Flame 

 Shoulder, a rather small moth, easily identified by the broad 

 yellowish-white streak along the costa of the reddish-brown fore 

 wings. The orbicular and reniform spots 

 are margined with wliite, and a thin white 

 streak runs from the base of the wing to 

 the former. The hind wings are white. 

 This moth flies in July, and is common 

 throughout Great Britain. 



The caterpillar is reddish brown, with 

 a slender line of white dots on the back, 

 and a similar line on each side. The body 

 is smooth and velvety, and is netted and dotted all over with dark 

 brown. It feeds on the lady's bedstraw (Galium verum), sweet 

 woodruff {Aspcviila, odorata), and many other low plants ; and 

 is full fed early in July. 



The Lesser Broad Border (Trijyhcena ianthina) 



We now come to the third and last genus {Triphana) of this 

 extensive family, a genus which includes six interesting moths, 

 with bright orange or yellow hind wings. Of these we shall take 

 three examples. 



The first of them — the Lesser Broad Border — has fore wings of 

 a rich reddish or violet brown, with paler markings. The hind 



wings are bright orange, with a 

 broad marginal band of black. 



It is a common moth, particu- 

 larly in the south-western counties, 

 and flies during July and August. 



The caterpillar is of a dingy yel- 

 lowish or greenish grey, with a light 

 line down the back, and two black 

 spots on each side of segments nine 

 to twelve inclusive. It feeds through- 

 out the winter by night on dead nettles [Lamium purpurcum and 

 L. album), primrose {Primula acaulis), whitethorn {Cratcrciiis 

 oxyacantha), blackthorn {Prunus spmosa), and various low plants; 

 and may sometimes be seen in flower gardens. It is full grown 

 in April. 



-The Lesser Broad 

 Border. 



