226 THE MOTHS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



male (Fig. i). The sexual colour difference holds good generally, 

 but there are exceptions and the male may sometimes be dark, 

 like the female ; or the latter sex may occasionally assume a 

 reddish coloration. As a rule the reniform mark is most 

 distinct in the female. A form occurring in Ireland with the 

 fore wings dark sepia colour and the reniform mark clear whitish 

 has been named var. perfiisca^ Kane. The caterpillar varies in 

 the colour of the back through various shades of ochreous and 

 brown to dark reddish brown, and this is always in strong 

 contrast with the colour of the lower parts ; the lines are pale, 

 and the outer ones on the back are edged with black dashes ; 

 spots and spiracles black ; head pale brown. It feeds on dock, 

 plantain, etc., and in the spring on young sallow leaves. In 

 confinement will become full grown before Christmas, but 

 normally it feeds from September to May. The moth is out in 

 late July and in August. It is found on heaths, moorlands, and 

 in woods ; it is not uncommon in some parts of the Midlands, 

 and is found in Cheshire and northwards to Cumberland. It 

 also occurs in Herefordshire, Pembrokeshire ; in the south and 

 east of England it is not frequent, but has been taken in 

 South Oxfordshire, Berkshire (Newbury), Suffolk, Hants (Win- 

 chester and New Forest), etc. Widely distributed in Scotland, 

 and locally abundant in Ireland. The distribution abroad 

 extends to Amurland and Japan. 



The Small Square Spot {Noctim mhi). 



There are two generations of this species. The first is on the 

 wing in June, and the second in August, September, and some- 

 times even in October. An example of each brood is shown 

 on Plate 114, Fig. 3, ist gen., Fig. 4, 2nd gen. The early 

 moths are larger in size than the later ones, but are fewer in 

 number. Moths of the second generation often abound at 

 the sugar patches, and on ragwort blossom. The colour of 



