TRIFIDjE. 87 



nearly white ; there are no perceptible spiracular lines ; the 

 subdorsal lines are surmounted, on each segment from the 

 fourth to the twelfth, by a small yellow triangular mark, the 

 apex of which points toward the head, and these yellow marks 

 are bordered above with rather broad, smoky, oblique streaks, 

 which appear to meet on the dorsal line, each pair forming a 

 V-shaped mark, the apex pointing backwards ; those on the 

 eleventh and twelfth segments are, however, much larger and 

 blacker than the rest, and take the character of distinct marks 

 almost obliterating the yellow spots beneath them ; a broad, 

 dull reddish band extends along the spiracular region, and the 

 space between this and the subdorsal line is variegated with 

 smoke colour ; spiracles and raised dots black ; ventral 

 surface and prolegs dirty greyish-ochreous and semi-trans- 

 lucent ; legs shining pale pinkish-brown. (G. T. Porritt). 

 Very variable ; Mr. Buckler's figures are red-brown, grey- 

 brown, greenish-grey, dark chocolate, and light red-brown 

 striped with yellow and lilac ; markings also variable. 



September to April or May, on rose, bramble, dock, prim- 

 rose, and low plants generally in the autumn ; in spring upon 

 sallow, hornbeam, bramble, birdcherry, hawthorn, and black- 

 thorn, feeding on the young shoots. Feeding whenever the 

 weather is mild throughout the winter. 



Pupa undescribed ; subterranean. 



The moth hides in the daytime, like its congeners, among 

 dead leaves or herbage on the ground, under thatch, or in 

 any sufficiently secluded corner. It flies at dusk, and comes 

 freely to sugar on trees, less frequently to ragwort and tansy- 

 blossom, and to light. Most plentiful in woods and well- 

 wooded districts, and apparently common throughout England ; 

 probably less so in Wales, and I have not seen it in Pembroke- 

 shire. In Scotland it seems to be found in every district to 

 Moray and the Hebrides, but not in Orkney or Shetland. 

 In Ireland it is generally distributed, and in many parts 

 common. Abroad it is common throughout Central Europe, 



