368 LEPIDOPTERA. 



More constant in colour than the last species, but the 

 markings vary in rare instances to very faint pale purple-red 

 on the one hand and to deep dark dull purple on the other, 

 and all on the wing to the same degree. There is also some 

 irregularity in size, and even in the breadth of the fore 

 wings. An example in the collection of Mr. F. C. Woodforde 

 has the spots of the transverse stripe united into a broad 

 band. In all cases the collar is purple or purple-red, and 

 by this it can be separated from the preceding species. 



On the wing in September and October. 



Larva cylindrical, with plump segments well divided, 

 tapering a little at each extremity ; head rather small, 

 brown ; dorsal plate black, with a white bar in continuation 

 of each subdorsal line ; dorsal line pale brownish-ochreous, 

 enclosed between two brown lines, most distinct at the 

 segmental divisions ; general colour of the whole dorsal 

 region to the spiracles reddish-brown or purplish-brown 

 abundantly freckled wdtli dark brown, except at the divisions 

 of the segments, the freckles forming a large, somewhat 

 squared, patch on each segment, which fills the space between 

 the subdorsal lines, almost obliterating the dorsal, and is 

 quite uniform in depth of colour ; subdorsal lines dark 

 brown, forming the upper boundary of a very broad stripe 

 of paler freckling, followed by a narrower and still paler 

 one, and then by a broad one of similar depth of colour 

 to the back, but with more of a violet hue; ventral sur- 

 face greyish-violet freckled with pale brown, as are the 

 legs ; spiracles black ; raised dots indicated by dark brown 

 rings. 



March till June, feeding at first in the catkins of sallow, 

 afterwards on the leaves, and also on various low-growing 

 plants such as primrose. Mr. Buckler appears to have found 

 it also feeding on seeds of Wych-elm. The winter is passed 

 in the egg-state. 



Pupa undescribed ; in the earth. / 



