THE SCARCE CHOCOLATE-TIP. 83 



perhaps, more often observed in Kent and Sussex than in the 

 other counties it inhabits, which, according to Barrett, are 

 J Jerks, Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridge, in all of which it is 

 local ; also, but more rarely, in Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, 

 Herefordshire, Leicestershire, Yorkshire, and Cumberland, the 

 latter county being its northern limit. To the above may be 

 added Hertfordshire and Middlesex. Although caterpillars are 

 reported to have been found in Ireland, the moth has not been 

 reared in that country. 



This species is distributed through Northern and Central 

 Europe, extending to South France, Corsica, North Italy, 

 Bulgaria, Armenia, and Mongolia. 



The Scarce Chocolate-tip {Pyf^cera a?iachoreta). 



This moth is distinguished from that last referred to by the 

 black spots in and just below the blotch at the tip of the fore 

 wings ; the blotch itself is dull reddish, merging outwardly into 

 greyish, and is intersected by a white line. There is some 

 variation in the tint of the general colour, ranging from dusky 

 to reddish grey, but otherwise the species is constant (Plate 35, 

 Figs. 4, 5). 



The caterpillar, which feeds on poplar and sallow from 

 May to August, or even later, is rather hairy, dark grey or 

 blackish in colour ; there are four ochreous or whitish lines on 

 the back, and a row of black spots followed by a series of orange 

 ones on the sides ; below the spiracles are some yellowish 

 markings ; the raised spots on rings four and eleven are reddish 

 brown ; the former has a white spot on each side, and the back 

 of the latter is edged with white ; head black and rather glossy. 

 Chrysalis blackish in hue, spun up among leaves. The moths 

 emerge in May, and again in July ; in confinement there is 

 sometimes a third brood in September. Except that two 



