GEOMETB.E 



285 



TJic SinaU Srfajiltiui {Lohoplwra sexalii^ata) 



This moth is very mucli like the Pugs in general appearance, 

 and is qnite as small and even smaller than some of them ; l>nt it 

 and the other members of its genus differ from 

 the Pugs in that they cover their hind wings 

 when at rest. 



The fore wings are j'ellowish or pale brownish 

 grey with fom' paler transverse lines, the two 

 median ones of which are divided throughout 

 by a darker fine wavy line. The hind wings 

 are grey, paler at the base, and crossed cen- 

 trally by a double darker line. This species flies in May and June, 

 and though apparently widely distributed, can hardly be described 

 as common. 



The caterpillar feeds on the white willow [Salix alha) and 

 sallow (&'. C(q)rea) in August and September ; and the chrysalis 

 may be found in a silken cocoon among the fallen leaves throughout 

 the winter. 



Fig. 200.-^The 

 Small Seraphim. 



The Blue-hordcrcil Carpet (Mdanthia hicoJoraia) 



This same family {Larentiidce) is remai'kable for its iarge 

 number of pretty moths, popularly known as the ' Carpets,' many 

 of which are exceedingly common in our woods 

 and gardens. 



Our first example of these is the Blue- 

 bordered, M'hich is pretty well represented in 

 several counties of Great Britain and Ireland. 

 Its white fore wings are boldly marked with a 

 blotch of greyish brown at the base, and an- 

 other extending from the middle of the costal 

 margin more than halfway across. The hind 



margin is marked with two bluish grey bars, separated by a ^\hite 

 line. The hind wings are white, with a very small dark spot, and 

 a bluish grey margin something like that of the fore wings. 



The caterpillar is green, with longitudiiial stripes of a darker 

 and lighter shade. It feeds in June on the alder {Alnns gJutinom) 

 and blackthorn {PrmiKs sjnnosa) ; and when full gfown it changes 

 to a brown chrysalis within a light silken web. 



The moth flies in July and August. 



Fig. 201.— The 



Bloe-bordeeed 



Carpet. 



