TRIFID.E. 243 



the grountl among dense herbage, moss, or other moist 

 shelter ; I have even found it among moss and debris on 

 the roof of a house. 



Pupa large, rather elongate, anal segment with a minute 

 terminal spike ; colour reddish-brown ; whole surface covered 

 with a thick bluish powder. In a large, fragile, oval cocoon 

 of earth and silk immediately beneath the surface of the 

 ground. (C. Fenn.) It has, however, been found, though 

 rarely, under loose bark on a tree. 



The moth is exceedingly fond of hiding by day in wooden 

 buildings, such as sheds, summer-houses, boat-houses, and 

 even farm buildings, sitting under the roof, and especially 

 frequenting those in the vicinity of rivers. It will also, not 

 unfrequently, enter the window of a dwelling-house and hide 

 itself among the curtains. It flies at early dusk, especially 

 over water or damp places ; indeed, I have seen scores in the 

 course of a few minutes flying over the Severn ; also comes 

 readily to sugar, but quivers and flies ofi^ and flaps around 

 at the least alarm. Houeydew has also an attraction for it, 

 and flowing sap — so much so, that the only specimens found 

 in Roxburghshire, where it is scarce, were seen by Mr. Adam 

 Elliot about a bleeding oak-tree. Formerly abundant in the 

 suburbs of London, and still existing there, though in far 

 smaller numbers ; plentiful in suitable places all over the 

 southern half of England, except perhaps Dorset and Corn- 

 wall, where it seems to be scarce ; occurring also, though 

 more locally, in the Northern Midlands ; pretty commonly 

 in Yorkshire and Lancashire, and occasionally in the more 

 northern English counties. I find it recorded in North 

 Wales, but not in the south of the Principality, though 

 it must surely be present in some districts. I did not find 

 it in Pembrokeshire. Scarce in Scotland and almost confined 

 to the southern portion ; besides Roxburghshire, already 

 alluded to, it is found in East Lothian, and Dr. White 

 recorded it from the districts of the Tweed, Forth, Tay, 



