92 LEPIDOPTERA. 



darker patch or two in its course ; a delicate threadlike 

 paler line along the spiracles, which are small, darker, edged 

 with black ; raised dots also darker or brownish, polished 

 and each bearing a very fine hair ; anal plate greyish-brown, 

 sometimes margined behind with darker brown ; all the legs 

 well developed, the anterior of the colour of the body, the 

 prolegs rather more transparent and shining, and tipped with 

 darker hooks, the anal pair extending behind, appearing long 

 and rather divergent. (Adapted from Buckler.) 



May to the beginning of July in the stems of common reed 

 (Anindo 2)^i'}^c({/')nites), feeding in the upper green portions 

 where they are sheathed with green leaves ; here a space is 

 eaten out of a foot in length and a small circular hole is cut 

 in the side. 



The larvae from which the above description was taken were 

 collected by Lord Walsingham in the Norfolk fens, and 

 although Mr. Buckler did not rear the moths — his larvte being- 

 infested with dipterous parasites— Lord Walsingham was 

 more fortunate, as four of his moths duly appeared. It is 

 of importance to note this, since the description by Wilde, 

 quoted by Dr. Hofmann, does not agree very closely. Dr. 

 F. D. Wheeler tells me that this larva feeds also low down 

 in the stems of the laiyc reeds, and always seems too slender 

 for its home. 



Pupa apparently undescribed. In the larval habitation ? 



The moth sits on the lower portion of a reed-stem or among 

 the dead leaves at its base during the day, and if approached 

 when on a stem drops hastily down. When so sitting, with its 

 wings clasped closely down to the reed, it looks exactly like a 

 brown knot. At dusk it flies very gently and quietly along 

 the edges of the reed-beds, but later at night flies higher, still 

 very gently, comes readily to a strong light, settling down 

 without fuss, and has been taken at sugar. In contrast to 

 the habits of the last species, it seems to be almost confined 

 to fens, or the very similar banks of rivers. 



