1 84 LEPIDOPTERA. 



still with the yellow stripes ; indeed, these stripes, which are 

 extremely even and regular, render this larva most coii- 

 spicuous, more especially as it loves to stretch itself- on fern, 

 scabious or some other conspicuous plant in the daytime, as 

 though enjoying the fresh air. 



July to September, on heather, willow, clover, dock, sca- 

 bious, foxglove, fern {Pteris aquilina), hawthorn, birch, alder, 

 hazel, sweet gale, broom, bramWe, knotgrass, and probably 

 on most bushes and herbaceous plants ; feeding principally 

 at night, sometimes hiding in the daytime among herbage, 

 but often to be found stretched upon plants in a conspicuous 

 manner as already stated. 



Pupa rather elongated, the abdominal segments very 

 regularly tapei'ing, except that the anal segment" is rather 

 suddenly rounded off below, the dorsal surface being produced 

 into a broad triangular cremaster, at the tip of which are 

 situated two strong, rather divergent spikes ; general surface 

 moderately glossy, but roughened by extremely small and 

 close sculpture of minute pits which are. most abundant 

 on the wing and limb-covers ; hinder-edge of the first three 

 abdominal segments broadly banded with a dull, minutely 

 roughened ring ; general colour deep purplish-red ; anal pro- 

 jection black. Subterranean, in a brittle earthen cocoon.' In 

 this state through the winter. 



The moth may occasionally be seen sitting upon herbage 

 or on a post in the daytime, but usually hides among herbage 

 on the ground. At night it comes readily to sugar, though 

 not abundantly. Its favourite haunts are not among - trees 

 so much as on commons, hillsides, downs, waste places, 

 marshes, and fens, and in some of these it is abundant. 

 Apparently found throughout England, Wales, and Ireland;, 

 and in many parts of Scotland, as Roxburghshire, the Clyde 

 valley, Argyleshire, Perthshire, and the East of Scotland to 

 Moray, Inverness^, and West Boss; >aJso found in the Orkneys. 

 Abroad its range seems to be soiilelwhat- restrictied, but 



