SERIC ORID.'E—A NCH ) X OPERA . 123 



leaf, and within spins a web for protection against its 

 enemies." (Mr. Sheldon.) When full-grown it forms a 

 cocoon among rnbbish on the ground, and in this remains 

 unchanged till the spring ; emerges to spin up in rotten 

 wood or a hollow stick, often taking exercise for a day or 

 two, and then changes to a brownish yellow pupa. 



This remarkably lovely species is rather common among 

 buckthorn on chalk hills, and sometimes in open woods and 

 the neighbouring lanes, among this and Bhamnus francjida. 

 It hides in these bushes during the day, but readily flies out 

 on disturbance, and is not excessively active. About sunset 

 it flies of its own accord about the same plants. Found 

 locally in Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Devon, Somerset. Wilts, 

 Berks, Oxfordshire, Cambs, and Norfolk ; but so far as I 

 know not elsewhere in the United Kingdom, Abroad it 

 inhabits Central Europe, Italy, the north of Spain, Dal- 

 matia, and Bithynia. 



11. A. diminutana, IIav\ — Expanse \ to f inch (12-15 

 mm.). Fore wings rather narrow, hooked at the tip ; pale 

 grey-brown with a deepl}^ undulating longitudinal central 

 line, the area above which is chestnut brown to the apex. 



Antennae dull brown ; palpi, head, and thorax brownish 

 drab ; abdomen silvery grey. Fore wings rather narrow ; 

 costa scarcely arched ; apex pointed and slightly hooked ; 

 pale brownish grey with a reddish brown shade at the base 

 of the dorsal margin ; above this, at the base, arises an un- 

 dulating yellowish white line, which, after forming a faint 

 arch in the middle of the wing, runs directly into the apex, 

 and then edges a broad tawny red costal cloud, of which the 

 very oblique outer margin is of the deepest colour ; cilia 

 white, tipped with smoky black. Hind wings and their cilia 

 smoky brown. Female similai'. 



Underside of the fore wins-s shining leaden black, the 



