2IO LEI'IDOPTERA. 



are edged with a slight ridge ; abdominal segments also 

 chestnut, each edged behind with a sharp ridge ; creniaster 

 short and triangular, terminated by a small hooked spine. 

 In a small loose cocoon of silk and earth. (Described from 

 specimens furnished by Mr. W. II. Harwood.) 

 In this state through the winter. 



The moth sits in a manner verj^ unusual in this group, with 

 wings all erect and closely pressed to each other in this up- 

 right position, something like a buttertly, more in the manner 

 o'i Selenia illiiitdiia. It sits thus in aider-trees and bushes 

 during the day, and if disturbed often flits straight to the 

 ground, where, on a dead leaf, it will sit in the same position, 

 or even lie down on its side feigning death ; sometimes, how- 

 ever, it will Hy away on being disturbed, especially if the 

 sun be shining brightly ; and when the weather is hot will 

 flit about without waiting to be beaten out. Its natural 

 flight is at late dusk and after dark, but from its obscure 

 colouring it is seldom observed at that time. Always very 

 local, keeping close to tlie alder-bushes and trees, in woods 

 or glens, less freepient about the alders along the streams, 

 though not always absent from them. Widely distributed 

 over the South of England, but usually occurring in very 

 small numbers, often singly ; much more plentiful in the 

 Eastern and Western counties, in the glens of the hill 

 districts of the Midlands, and of Yorkshire, Westmoreland, 

 and Ijancashire; becoming very much more rare in Cumber- 

 land, Durham, and Northumberland. Probably in suitable 

 spots throughout Wales, though it is scarce in Pembroke- 

 shire. In Scotland I find no definite record, though Dr. 

 F. B. White told me that he had some recollection of its 

 occurrence in the Forth district. It does not seem to have 

 been found in Ireland. 



Abroad it is widely distributed through Central I']urope, 

 the temperate portions of Northern Hurope, Central and 

 Northern Italy, North-east Turkey, Southern Kussia, and 



