THE NOCTURE 



259 



brown as shown in the iUustration. It is double broodeLl, the lirst 

 brood appearing in May and June, and the second in September 

 and October. 



The caterpillar is green or olive brown, and thickly covered 

 with white spots. It feeds on gi-oundsel {Senecio vuhjaris) and 

 many other low plants, the first brood throughout the winter from 

 November to April, and the second in July and August. 



'5^- 



Tlie Grey Arches {Aplecta nehulosa) 



The fore wings of this moth vary from greyish white to a rather 

 dark smoky tint. The markings are of a darker colour, and are 

 also subject to considerable variation. The orbicular and reniform 

 spots are large, and paler than the gi-ound colour ; and several zig- 

 zag or scalloped hnes, 

 more or less distinct, 

 cross the wings trans- 

 ^■ersel3■. 



The larva is brown, 

 with a lighter line down 

 the back. On each of the 

 segments five to eleven 

 is a dark lozenge- shaped 

 spot, bisected by the 

 dorsal line ; and on the 



second segment is a shining plate and a triangular njark. It feeds 

 on the dock {Riuitcx), and various other low plants during the 

 autumn; and, after its hybernation, on the leaves of the sallow 

 {Saliu; Caprea), birch {Bctula alba), and whitethorn (Cratccr/us 

 oxyacantha). It is fuU grown in May, when it burrows into the 

 ground to imdergo its metamorphoses. 



The moth Hies during June and July, and is connnon in nearlj^ 

 every part of Great Britain. Large numbers may be obtained by 

 searching fences and tree trimks about midsummer. 



Fig. 160.— Thk (tkky Akches. 



The Shears {Hadena dentina) 



The Sheailj is another very common moth of the same family. 

 The ground colour of the fore wings is very variable, but is gene- 

 rally a lighter or darker shade of grey. Sometimes, however, it 

 has a very decided brownish tinge. Aci'oss the centre of the wing 



s2 



