96 LEFIDOPTERA. 



black, aud in that of the pale dorsal blotches, which often 

 are much obscured by the darker colour. 



On the wing in May and June, in the north remaining 

 into July, but in the south sometimes to be found in April. 



Larva rather stout, cylindrical, tapering somewhat behind; 

 pale yellowish green ; head dark or pale brown ; thoracic 

 plate also dark or pale brown with a darker edging behind 

 and a pale line down the middle ; anal flap yellow ; legs 

 brown ; spots distinct, dai'k brown or black, sometimes small 

 or devoid of the dark colouring. Occasionally, as a variety, 

 with a rather broad, faint, red subdorsal stripe. 



July to September on birch, living at first within a slightly 

 swollen twig, or a young upright shoot of a birch bush, 

 remaining and feeding in a mine in the twig until the last 

 moult, which occurs in September ; then leaving the mine to 

 turn down the edge of a birch leaf, in which it feeds up in 

 about another week. (Dr. J. H. ^Vood.) Said to feed also 

 on alder. 



Pupa pale red-brown, spun up among rubbish (Dr. Wood). 

 Probably the winter is passed in cocoon in the larva state. 



The moth is everywhere to be found, sitting in birch and 

 other bushes in the day time, and very readily induced to 

 fly, especially in the afternoon. At that time the male is 

 often on the wing of its own accord, flying wildly over the 

 trees, and this continues in increasing numbers till dusk. 



Common throughout the United Kingdom — except that I 

 have no records from the Hebrides or the Shetland Isles. 

 Abroad also common all over Central and Northern Europe, 

 Hungary, and the north of Italy. 



2. P. immundana, F'm^i. — Expanse \ inch(12-13mm.). 

 Fore wings black-brown with a broad flattened dorsal tri- 

 angular spot, either white or brownish white. 



