SCO I 'A R/JIL E— SCO PA RIA . a^^ 



Ou tbe wing from June till September. 



Lakva moderately stout, cylindi ical and of almost uniform 

 width, tapering only a little at tbe posterior extremity ; 

 segmental divisions deeply cut ; skin smooth and slightly 

 glossy ; head polished, the lobes rounded, rather narrower 

 than the two following segments, dark brown with frontal 

 streak and mandibles darker sienna-brown ; dorsal plate very 

 dark sienna-brown, almost black ; anal plate with a slightly 

 greener tinge ; body dingy straw-colonr, but in j'ounger 

 examples strongly sutfused with a dirty dark green tinge ; 

 raised dots polished, olive-brown ; legs black, ringed with 

 olive ; prolegs and ventral surface of the same colour as the 

 dorsal area; a very faint narrow brown pulsating vessel indi- 

 cates the dorsal line ; other lines not indicated. (C4. T. 

 I'orritt.) 



March and April, but probably from the preceding 

 autumn, on mosses growing upon tree-trunks, rocks, and 

 stone walls — Hypnum rKpressi/ori/if, Isofhecium myvyum and 

 other species — probably many other species, since this larva 

 seems to be found in thick tufts of earthy moss in all sorts of 

 situations, even on the spreading roots of trees, on the 

 ground, and on the roofs of houses. 



Pi PA light brown : not further described ; in a silken 

 cocoon under moss. 



The moth sits by day on all manner of trees, often where 

 there is not much trace of the mosses on which it feeds ; 

 also on rocks and damp walls ; but is very lively and ready 

 to dart an'ay if disturbed. Not rare in the suburbs of 

 London and very common in most parts of the country ; 

 found throughout England, and probably Wales, since it is 

 common in Pembrokeshire and found iu Carnarvonshire ; 

 its range in Scotland does not seem to be well ascertained, 

 but it certainly occurs in Perthshire and Dumbartonshire. 

 In Ireland it is jjenerallv distributed and common. Abroad 



