282 LEPIDOPTERA. 



pale ground disposed in numerous isolated spots which have 

 an almost ocellated appearance ; and Mr. Sydney Webb has 

 one of a pale yellowish-drab, with the stigmata, transverse 

 stripes, and central shade all very dark and sharply defined. 



On the wing in June, July and the beginning of August, 

 and very rarely as a partial second generation in October. 



Larva stout, short, much attenuated in front and a little 

 behind ; sides wrinkled ; head small, rounded but notched at 

 the top, highly polished, dark brown or blackish -brown ; 

 general colour greyish-brown, dusted with darker, the dorsal 

 region paler and tinged with ochreous ; dorsal line thread- 

 like, white, edged with brown on the second to fourth 

 segments, thence showing a few indistinct brown lines often 

 enclosing a few paler dots ; subdorsal lines double, much 

 waved, brown, or composed of a series of pairs of parallel 

 slightly oblique brown threads which, at the commencement 

 of each segment, emit a wedge-shaped black dash continued 

 as a grey shade to the dorsal line, the apex of the y thus 

 formed is behind ; spiracular stripe a mere shade, slightly 

 paler, whitish or rosy, but very inconspicuous ; spiracles 

 large and prominent, dull brown or blackish ; legs pale 

 brown. 



August to November on Chcnop odium, knot-grass, chick- 

 weed, nettle, and other low-growing plants, feeding very 

 slowly, and only at night ; concealed in the daytime on the 

 ground under dead herbage. Early in the winter it forms a 

 large cocoon of earth and silk among grass roots or in the 

 tufts of coarser grasses, and so remains unchanged for 

 months. This larva is tender and requires very delicate 

 handling, but with this is not difficult to rear. It especially 

 loves to hide among masses of Clienopodium in neglected 

 gardens, or at the edges of salt-marshes. 



Pupa shining, light red-brown ; not more particularly 

 described. In the earth. 



