PLUSIA. 113 



carried up by a current of air. It measures from an inch and 

 a third to upwards of an inch and a half in expanse. 



It is variable in colouring, but is most frequently light or 

 dark grey varied with feriUginous, but may be bluish ashy- 

 grey, almost devoid of any rusty tint, or entirely rusty brown 

 approaching to black. The head and collar are brownish- 

 grey, and are bordered, like the tegulse and the crested thorax, 

 with light grey. The abdomen is light yellowish-grey, with 

 raised brown tufts. The antennse are light brown, and the 

 legs grey. 



The fore-wings have a metallic gloss. There is a half-line 

 near the base, and then two zig-zag transverse lines, which 

 look like silvery threads. The basal area is the palest. From 

 the base to the second transverse line runs a white median 

 nervure, on which are seen, in the central area, traces of the 

 two stigmata, bordered with silver. Near the inner margin is 

 a shining silver or golden mark, resembling the letter Y, or 

 rather the Greek y. Below this mark the ferruginous tint is 

 darkest, merging into dull golden. The marginal area com- 

 mences beyond a pale transverse line. It is brownish, shaded 

 with golden. The fringes are somewhat dentated, greyish, 

 spotted with dusky brown. The hind-wings are yellowish- 

 brown at the base, with darker nervures, and a broad blackish 

 border. The fringes are white, dotted with brown. 



The larva is found from spring to autumn. There are 

 sometimes three broods in one year, and the last may pass 

 the winter in any stage. The larva feeds on various low 

 plants, sometimes including grass. It is green, with fine 

 scattered hairs. The head is brownish-green. On the back 

 are fine whitish or yellowish lines, and above the legs is a 

 yellow stripe. The spiracles are dark green. Some speci- 

 mens are brownish-green, with indistinct lines. The pupa is 

 dark brown, and is enclosed in a white cocoon. Except in the 

 16 I 



