i8o LEI'IDOPTERA. 



colour with a f.-w wliite dots; and Mr. S. J. Capper a male 

 of a similar colour with a conspicuous dotted white sub- 

 terminal line. Mr. G. T. Porritt now reports that in South- 

 West Yorkshire a distinct melanic tendency has Ijegun to 

 manifest itself, black specimens bein<)^ found in the propor- 

 tion of 2(J per cent, of all the sjiecimens observed in one 

 locality. 



On file wini,' in _March and April. 



Lakva. Ground colour pinkish or yellowish-grey, more 

 or less minutely dotted witli purplish-brown ; dorsal line 

 blackisli ; subdorsal lines slender and indistinct, pale purp]i>-h- 

 brown, thicker at the segmental di\isions ; spiracles and 

 spiracidar lino purplish ; between the latter and the sub- 

 dorsal line is a waved yellowish line with dusky edges ; 

 segmental divisions pinkish ; uudersurface flesh-coloured 

 with a broad central ventral yellowish stripe, having on 

 each side a row of purplish spots. (Hev. \i. U. Crewe.) 



April till June; on (laliiim s<(.aitilc, (/. irptirinr, and 

 douljtless 0. pitluMir, (1. idif/inosinit, and other bedstraws ; 

 also in confinement on Aspm/la odorata. 



Pl'i'A dull red-brown, with jirotuberant wing and limb- 

 covers ; creinaster long and ])ointed, arising from a swollen, 

 darker anal segment. In a slight cocoon in the earth. 



In tliis condition tlirough the winter. 



The moth is of rather retiring habits, and from this cause 

 and its early spring emergence is often overlooked. It 

 usually hides among the dense masses of its food plant and 

 other herbage near the ground, or among stones or rocks 

 where these are available ; but occasional specimens may be 

 found sitting on tree trunks. At dusk it crawls up from its 

 hiding place and may be taken in plenty by the aid of a 

 lantern, sitting u])on grasses, lieather. and other plants, but 

 it is sluggish and flies late, or not freely ; yet has been 

 known to come to the attraction of sugar. It is not easily 

 induced to fly in the daytime, but if disturbed falls sluggishly 



