38 LEPIDOPTERA. 



obtained in large numbers ; tlie produced larva) were fed upon 

 Artemisia ahivtaninn, the Southernwood, so commonly grown 

 in gardens, which does not produce bud or blossom in this 

 country ; and the larvtc — 400 in number — showed no trace 

 of the pinkish-brown markings of their predecessors. This 

 change in no way affected the appearance of the moths. 



Pl'PA short and compact, rather truncate in front, wing- 

 and limb-covers smooth and shining ; dorsal and abdominal 

 segments well marked but not pitted, glossy, the hinder 

 edges rather more dull ; spiracles distinct, anal segment 

 swollen ; cremaster very short, flattened and lunate, furnished 

 with a few strong bristles ; colour chestnut-brown ; cremaster 

 darker brown ; wing-covers bright green. In a small, com- 

 pact, ovate cocoon of silk and earth, at the surface of the 

 ground. 



The moth hides during the day among its food plant, but 

 may be disturbed by the beating stick or by the foot, and 

 will then fly sharply a short distance, to hide in a similar 

 place. Its natural flight is doubtless at night, but has not, 

 I think, been noticed. It has only been known as an inhabi- 

 tant of these Islands for the last few years. The first specimen 

 was captured in Yorkshire about the year 1871, and was 

 recognised and recorded by the late Mr. H. Doubleday. 

 About the same time another was taken at Spurn Point in 

 the same county, but was not recognised till eight or ten 

 years later. These appear to have been the only known 

 British examples until 1887, when on July 19th Mr. E. A. 

 Atmore, of King's Lynn, and my eldest sou, being at a spot 

 on the Norfolk coast in which Artemisia maritima is abundant, 

 had the good fortune to disturb and capture several specimens. 

 This was followed by search for larvee later in the season, 

 and these being fortunately found in some plenty, quite 

 unmolested by Ichneumon parasites, and extremely docile in 

 feeding up in confinement, specimens of the moth soon 



