90 THE MOTHS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



green, margined on each side by an olive green, or brighter 

 green, stripe ; some black dots along the sides ; head reddish 

 brown marked with black. Feeds on birch, and may be found 

 from August to October. It spins the leaves together for a 

 shelter during the daytime, and comes out to feed at night, 

 when it may be obtained by beating the boughs. Other food 

 plants mentioned are alder, oak, and hazel. The pupa is of a 

 dull reddish colour, in a slight cocoon between leaves. 



Widely distributed throughout England and common in most 

 woodlands, especially in the south and east ; it ranges through 

 Scotland to the Shetlands. In Ireland, where the moth has 

 the ground colour silvery grey (var. argoitca^ Tutt.), it has been 

 obtained in many localities, from Donegal and Tyrone to Kerry 

 and Cork. 



The Satin Carpet {MaJim^&s^tk' fliictuosa). 



In colour and general pattern this species (Plate 39, Fig. 4) 

 is very similar to the last in its typical form. The points of 

 distinction are, the slightly larger size, whiter ground colour, and 

 the absence of the two black dots from the edge of the band. 

 In August and September the caterpillar feeds, at nigdit, on 

 birch, and by day conceals itself between leaves. It is reddish 

 or violet grey above, and pale ochreous-white beneath ; the lines 

 down the centre of the back and along the sides are darker ; on 

 the first ring there is a greenish-tinged yellow plate, and from 

 this to the eleventh ring there are two series of black dots along 

 the back. Head yellow-brown, blackened above ; a black circle 

 on each cheek. Chrysalis reddish-brown, in a cocoon among 

 leaves either on the tree or on the ground. The moth emerges 

 in June, and is distinctly local. Sometimes it may be disturbed 

 from its resting place among the foliage ; it becomes active on 

 the wing at dusk for a short time ; sugar does not seem to 

 possess any great attraction for it, anyway it does not attend 



