98 LEPIDOPTERA. 



On the wiug from the end of June to the beginning of 

 August. 



Larva slender, even, yellowish-grey with a bluish or 

 reddish gloss ; a slender frequently interrupted whitish 

 dorsal line ; a slender longitudinal whitish line on each 

 side of the back ; delicate whitish side stripes, and beneath 

 these double dark sub-spiracular lines, on which stand the 

 black spiracles ; raised dots minute, black, each with a single 

 erect pale bristle. Head somewhat divided above, shining 

 black brown ; dorsal plate short, semicircular, paler or darker 

 brown. 



Lives from the summer till May in the reed (Anrndo 

 'phragmUcs), lying hidden in the stem by day, in the night- 

 time feeding on other reed-frequenting insects, both larvee 

 and pupas. (Wilde : Dr. Hofmann.) 



This seems to be an extraordinary habit, but is confirmed 

 by Schmidt. Doubtless the ordinary food is the veQ^-lcavcs. 

 This larva does not seem to have been noticed in this 

 country. 



Pupa slender, pale yellowish-brown ; in the reed-stem. 



The moth is never seen in the daytime ; probably it hides 

 among the dead leaves of the reed. It flies at dusk and 

 through the night. Dr. F. D. Wheeler says that it is 

 principally confined to large, thick reed-beds growing in 

 the water, and having among them the old reeds of the 

 previous year. He further says, that in flight it has con- 

 siderable resemblance to a Ghilo, yet differs sufliciently for 

 recognition ; and he has repeatedly, when working the reed- 

 beds with a lamp, seen this insect either softly flutter through 

 the reeds or crawl up the stems and settle upon one of them 

 in the full light of the lamp. It will, however, usually come 

 to the light, which appears to be the only temptation to 

 which it will yield, food of any kind being disregarded. If 

 two large reed-beds are situated at but a short distance from 

 each other, it may be netted as it flies from one to the other. 



