TRIFID.-E. 3'3 



plete to the anal flap; spiracular stripe broad, yellowish- 

 white, on the third and fourth segments deeply interrupted 

 in its upper margin, thence of uniform width to the anal 

 proleg-s, having a thin line of dark grey running through 

 its middle, and thus enclosing the spiracles, which are red- 

 brown finely outlined with black ; raised dots very small, 

 pure white ; legs black ; prolegs brownish-green and semi- 

 pellucid ; the thoracic wrinkles and segmental divisions show 

 black upon the white lines and stripes. When full fed and 

 about to enter the earth the black colouring fades to 

 brownish-green. (W. Buckler.) 



April to the beginning of June on oak ; feeding principally 

 at night, and hiding itself between the leaves by day. 



The winter is passed in the egg-state. 



Pupa stout in proportion across the thorax ; abdominal 

 segments tapering to the rounded tip, which is furnished 

 with two very fine straight and pointed spines ; smooth in 

 all its parts ; of a dark warm brown and glossy. In an oblong 

 cocoon of earthy particles held lightly together with a few 

 threads, and though smooth inside, without any perceptible 

 lining of silk. (Buckler.) 



The moth seems to hide during the day in oak-trees among 

 the leaves. It flies at very early dusk and comes readily to 

 sugar, sometimes visiting it so early that it can be seen by 

 the fading light without the aid of a lantern. It also 

 frequents the flowers of Echium vuhjarc. Excessively local 

 in this country and confined to woods. Also very uncertain 

 and unreliable in its appearances, a season in which it has 

 appeared in multitudes in its few favourite haunts being 

 followed sometimes by many years in wdnch it is scarcely to 

 be seen at all. It has been taken in Kent, even so near to 

 London as AVest Wickham, and in Surrey at Hayes, Leather- 

 head, and Richmond Park ; also at Wimbledon Common ; 

 in Middlesex it is verv rare. The locality in which it 



