28 LEPIDOPTERA. 



is always and everywhere equally alert. At iiig-lit it flies 

 with great vigour and is strongly attracted by honeydew, 

 flowers, sap of trees, and sugar, at which last it is a most 

 abominable nuisance in some seasons, dashing down upon it 

 and knocking off more desirable moths, crowding together 

 shoulder to shoulder, or scrambling over its brethren in its 

 eagerness to feed. In places and seasons where and when 

 it is more than usually plentiful, sugaring is rendered almost 

 useless, since nothing else can withstand the eager multi- 

 tudes of this species which hover over and settle upon the 

 tempting bait. As is usual in moths with simple antenna3 it 

 is not strongly attracted by light, though occasional sj)ecimens 

 will fly to a gas lamp, or come into a window. 



In meadows, pastures, woods, heaths, sea cliffs and sand- 

 hills, lanes, and gardens — ever^^where, probably in every field 

 — throughout the United Kingdom ; moderately common 

 even in the Shetland Isles. 



Abroad it is found even in Iceland, throughout Europe 

 except the most extreme northern portions, abundant in 

 Madeira, at Tangier, and throughout Northern Africa with 

 Egypt, Northern Asia, and India. 



Genus 7. NOCTUA. 



Antennas ciliated, sometimes with tufts of fine bristles ; 

 eyes naked ; lashes prostrate, or nearly so ; thorax smooth 

 but usually with a small crest ; fascicles long ; abdomen 

 without dorsal tufts ; fore wings obtuse, broad behind, orbi- 

 cular and reniform stigmata usually distinct ; hmd wings 

 plain, dull coloured, with vein 5 arising from near the middle 

 of the cross-bar, but exceedingly faint. 



Larv^ stout, rather more so behind ; usually with rows of 

 conspicuous black subdorsal markings and the longitudinal 

 lines distinct. Hiding among dead leaves or herbage on the 

 surface of the ground during the day. 



