126 LEPIDOPTERA. 



living in the green upper portion in a tunnel which it stuffs 

 with its excrement. Usually leaving the reed when full 

 grown to pupate among moss or other substances close to the 

 ground. Nothing very definite seems to be on record as to 

 the early stages of the larva, but Dr. F. D. Wheeler was 

 informed by the late Mr. Brown, of Cambridge, that the eggs 

 hatch in the autumn and that hybernation takes place in the 

 larva state. 



Pupa light reddish-brown and rather lively. Dr. Wheeler 

 says that, although in nature it seems never to be found in 

 the larval burrow, in confinement this situation is often 

 chosen by the larva. Probably this species, like others, 

 has no objection to the convenient orifice of a cut reed. 



The raoth frequents the neighbourhood of reeds, whether 

 iu fens and marshes or in ditches and drains, sometimes 

 even riversides; hiding in the daytime among the dead 

 reed and grass-leaves in the ground, flying very gently and 

 conspicuously at dusk ; later in the night travelling more 

 over the country and visiting gas lamps in public roads and 

 the outskirts of towns ; also strongly attracted by the blos- 

 soms of marsh grasses ; and found occasionally upon honey- 

 dew, and even on the flowers of the purple loosestrife (Lythmm 

 salicaria). Abundant in the fens of Norfolk and Cambridge- 

 shire, and also found all over those portions which have been 

 drained, but in the ditches of which the reed still grows. In 

 similar situations in Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, and 

 Huntingdonshire, and in smaller numbers in Suffolk, Essex, 

 Is^eut — where it is even found in wet spots along the sea- 

 cliffs in which reed exists — in one marsh in Berkshire, and 

 in several localities in Yorkshire. I can find no record for 

 any other portions of the United Kingdom ; and abroad its 

 range seems to be extremely restricted, since I only find it 

 noted in Holland, Denmark, and Germany. 



