2 TO THE MOTHS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



Abroad its range extends through Europe, Asia, and North 

 America, and also to AustraHa, and Honolulu. 



The Sand Dart {Agrotis (Lycop/wtia) ripce). 



This species varies a good deal in the ground colour of the 

 fore wings. According to Barrett it ranges from pure white 

 through pale reddish, rich reddish (y2ir.desi//ii^ Pierret) reddish 

 drab, yellowish drab, and various shades of pale brown to 

 brownish grey, and the markings to all degrees of distinctness 

 or obliteration, especially the latter. The two specimens on 

 Plate io6 have the markings fairly well defined (Fig. i is a 

 male, and Fig. 2 a female). 



The caterpillar is ochreous grey, whitish tinged with pink, or 

 greenish ; the lines and spots are greyish, and the spiracles 

 large and black ; head and plate on first ring ochreous brown. 

 It feeds on saltwort {Salsola), sea rocket {Cakile), seablite 

 (Suci'c/a), sea holly (^Eryiigiuni)^ and various other plants that 

 flourish on sandy shores. It is usually full grown in late autumn, 

 when it goes down some depth into the sand, but does not 

 pupate until the spring. If the caterpillars are not full fed 

 when obtained they must be furnished with plenty of sand to 

 burrow in, and kept supplied with slices of carrot until it is seen 

 that the last put in remains untouched. 



The moth flies in June and July, and may be found on the 

 coasts of Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Kent (Deal), 

 Isle of Wight, Dorset, Devon (Dawlish and Torquay), Somerset- 

 shire, South Wales, Cheshire, Lancashire, and the Isle of Man. 

 Rare in Scotland and in Ireland. 



The True Lover's Knot {Agrotis {Lycophotid) singula). 



The white marked reddish moth (Plate 107, Fig. i) frequents 

 most of the moorlands and heath and ling- clad heaths and 



