THE GREY DAGGER. 1 95 



in 1904, and two caterpillars beaten out of hawthorn in 

 August, 1905. (Plate 100, Fig. 7.) 



The caterpillar is yellowish green, with a red brown stripe 

 along the back ; tw^o small elevations on ring four, and one on 

 ring eleven ; the hairs are blackish on the back, one of each 

 tuft longer than the others. It feeds on hawthorn in August 

 and early September. The moth is out in July. This species 

 is found abroad in Central Europe and Southern France ; also 

 in Amurland, Corea, and Japan. 



The Dark Dagger {Acronycta tridens). 



The English name of this moth is not very suitable, as in 

 general colour it is often really paler than many examples of the 

 next species. Specimens with a blackish cloud at the base, 

 and a dark band-like suffusion on the outer margin of the fore 

 wings are referable to var. virga^ Tutt. It is widely distributed 

 in England and Wales, but apparently not common ; rare in 

 Scotland and in Ireland. I am unable to indicate any character 

 that will serve to distinguish this moth from the Grey Dagger. 

 The moth flies in June ; a second brood sometimes occurs in 

 confinement in October. The caterpillars of the two species 

 are very distinct. That of the present species is black, with a 

 broad reddish stripe along the back, and one on each side ; 

 the first is interrupted with white, and the others with black ; 

 there is a black hump on the fourth ring, and a broader one on 

 the eleventh ring. It feeds from August to October on haw- 

 thorn, sloe, plum, pear, and apple ; also on birch and sallow. 



The moth is shown on Plate 100, Fig. 10 ; and the caterpillar 

 on Plate loi, Fig. 4. 



The Grey Dagger {Acronyda psi). 



The ground colour varies from whitish to blackish grey. 

 \'ar. bivirga\ Tutt, is similar to var. virga of the last species. 



