KENT BLACK ARCHES. 141 



The Least Black Arches {Nola confusalis). 



Very similar to the last species, but whiter ; the first line is 

 curved towards the second tuft of raised scales, thence gently- 

 curved to the inner margin, above which there is a slight 

 inward angle or elbow ; the second line is less wavy ; hind 

 wings whitish grey with a black central dot, and in the male 

 whiter along the inner area. The head and palpi of this species 

 are white, but strigitla has a greyish white head and dark palpi. 

 Again, the antennae in the male of the present species are 

 ciliated, but in male strigula they are bipectinated (Plate 73). 



The caterpillar, which feeds in July and August on the leaves 

 of oak, beech, sloe, and apple, etc., is reddish, inclining to 

 yellow on the back, which is traversed by black lines, the 

 central double and interrupted on rings seven to nine by rusty 

 V-shaped marks. 



The moth flies in May and June. 



This species appears to have a wider distribution than either 

 of the others. It is the only one known with certainty to occur 

 in Ireland, and it is widely spread in that country. In Scotland 

 it is found in Perthshire and Ayrshire, and probably is present 

 in other parts. In England it is obtained in most counties, 

 except perhaps the northern, although it has been recorded 

 from various parts of Yorkshire. 



Kent Black Arches {^Nola allmld). 



Fore wings white, largely light brown between the obscure 

 cross lines ; outer marginal area clouded, and front margin 

 dotted with light brown ; three tufts of raised scales placed as 

 in previous species ; hind ^wings of the male, greyish white, 

 browner on the outer margin ; of female, brownish grey. 

 X'aries in the amount of light brown, and sometimes this is 

 much reduced ; more rarely it disappears entirely (Plate 73). 



