DELTOIDES. 321 



May, and as a second generation in July and August. In 

 this country this second emergence is rare and extremely 

 casual, only occurring in long warm summers. 



Larva elongated, not thick, tapering off behind ; the anal 

 feet a little extended ; head rounded, yellow-brown ; body 

 grass-green with deep yellow divisions to the segments ; 

 dorsal line darker ; on the sides are interrupted yellower 

 longitudinal lines ; raised dots pale, each with a stiff brown 

 hair ; these hairs point in different directions, so that they 

 cross or touch at their tips when the creature moves ; prolegs 

 greenish-white, the last two pairs well developed and long, 

 the others small. When young, paler green with the head 

 dotted with dark green, and a third pair of prolegs well 

 developed ; the raised dots black and very distinct, in a row 

 below the spiracles ; sometimes there are indications of 

 whitish subdorsal and spiracular lines. 



Apparently from August till May upon common stinging- 

 nettle, living within a spun-together leaf. But there is some 

 obscurity even as to the food of this species, although it is 

 only found among nettles. Hofmann says that it feeds 

 upon low-growing plants, especially nettle and hop; but 

 Treitschke adds to nettle (JJrtica urens), Plantago lanceolata 

 and JEgopodium podagraria. Possibly when its favourite 

 nettles are cut down, as frequently happens, it will feed upon 

 low plants growing among them. 



Pupa elongated and having long wing-covers ; spiracles 

 distinctly visible; anal segment provided, apparently, with 

 only one spike ; colour dark red-brown. In a whitish web 

 among spun-together leaves. (Treitschke.) 



The moth inhabits beds of nettles, especially those which 

 grow along ditch banks or among thick undergrowth, and 

 sits forming a broad triangle, head downwards, under a nettle 

 leaf. It is very easily disturbed, but sneaks away, and strives 

 to hide itself among the thickest masses, often close to the 



VOL. vi. x 



