290 LEPJDOP VERA . 



the t^round " when the flower-head is cut. Oti common 

 yarrow (^AchiUca niillc/olium), growing by the side of a 

 cornfield and a long way from any heath (Rev. H. Bnrney). 

 The late Mi'. J. Wilkinson of Scarborough says : '• I bred it 

 freely fi'om seed-heads of riantayo major, F. laiweolata, and 

 P. mnritima ; the larva is of a deep pink tinge and remains 

 in the seed-heads through the winter, changing to pupfe in 

 ^larch or April. Gartner says "Not unlike that of Dxhit/ni't, 

 the anterior edge of the dorsal plate not whitish but dark 

 brown like the head ; the raised dots not so distinct. In 

 August among the seeds of Plantayo media in an ascending 

 web." Schmid says in the flowers of Orif/ani'vi and Achillea, 



Pita short, shining dark brown. (Gartner.) 



It will be seen that although the moth is sufficiently 

 common, very little is really known about its larva and 

 history. The above slight details are preserved here in the 

 hope that the whole subject may soon be fully dealt with. 

 There is nothing as yet showing the faintest connection 

 Tjetween the larger, richly-coloured form which appears in 

 June, is not too plentiful, and inhabits the borders of woods, 

 open woody places, meadows, hill-sides, and even occasionally 

 road-sides, but not heaths, and the smaller and whiter form, 

 which in August makes its appearance on all extensive 

 heaths, swarming among and sitting upon the heath, and 

 flying over it late in the afternoon in multitudes, yet never 

 showing itself in the ordinary haunts of the June form. It 

 is therefore difficult to imagine the August form to be the 

 produce of that emerging in June and rice versa. Yet between 

 these no distinctive character can be found, unless size is to 

 be reckoned on. And of the larva, all the information in 

 hand seems to refer to the June form, while the food-plant 

 and habits of the other remain a mystery. There seems 

 here, at present, to be a dilemma. Do two species exist, 

 single brooded, and emerging at different periods, but pos- 

 sessing no distinctive characters ? Or is this a case of 



