6" TIG MO NO TIDAl—GRA PHOLITHA . 217 



silvery-white ; ocellus bounded on either side by an erect 

 silvery-white line, and containins^ three minute black 

 streaks ; cilia orange-brown. Hind wings and their cilia 

 pale smoky-brown. Female similar, rather smaller. 



Underside of the fore wings shining lead-black ; hind 

 wings leaden-white. 



Specimens from tbe north of Ireland have the ocellus and 

 silverjr lines very indistinct. 



On the wing in June and July, and as a second generation 

 in August and September. 



Larva when young pale yellow or pale grey with a brown- 

 coloured tinge on the back ; head and dorsal plate shining 

 black, anal plate pale yellow, edged with black. When 

 nearly full grown short and stout, smoky-brown or blackish- 

 brown with the sides rather paler ; head light brown ; dorsal 

 and anal plates black. When quite full-fed the colour fades 

 a little. 



April and May and a second generation in June and July, 

 on HiiiM^rkum. iKrforatum, H. hirsutuin, and other species of 

 St. John's wort, feeding in the 3'oung shoot, drawing it to- 

 gether and twisting it aside, eating the heart so completely 

 out that it withers and turns brown, making the plant look 

 conspicuously shabby. The second brood feeds in the 

 blossoms and seeds. The pujja state is assumed in the 

 earth or among rubbish on the ground. 



A very plentiful species about beds of Hypericum in open 

 woods, on hills, railway banks, and in dry fields, sitting 

 among the St. John's wort, very restless and easily disturbed 

 in the daytime, especially in the sunshine, and flying freely 

 of its own accord after sunset and till dark ; common in the 

 southern counties of England, from Kent to Somerset and 

 to Herts and Oxfordshiz-e ; also in the eastern counties to 

 Norfolk and to Yorkshire and Durham, and in the west to 

 Westmoreland; but except in Leicestershire it is scarcely 



