TRTFTD.^. 



257 



minute. (Described from a larva furnished by Mr. C. S. 

 Gregson for that purpose.) When younger a series of dorsal 

 diamond-shaped markings is formed of similar aggregated 

 atoms. 



End of June to August and probably September, but it 

 curiously happens in this species that before the moth has 

 ceased to fly, the larvas have, from their rapidity of growth, 

 become nearly or quite full fed. On Silcnc maritima and 

 S. inflata, eating the buds and flowers as well as the seeds, 

 for the first week hiding in the capsule ; afterwards in the 

 daytime among the lower leaves, crawling up at night to 

 feed. 



Pupa of ordinary Noctua shape, except that the tubercle 

 usual in this group at the end of the wing cases, and con- 

 taining the coiled tip of the tongue, is more than usually 

 conspicuous and projecting; general surface quite glossy, dark 

 red-brown ; wing and limb covers very faintly sculptured 

 with minute striations ; dorsal and abdominal segments more 

 distinctly, yet finely so, with tiny pits, the ordinary smooth 

 band of each segment broader than usual ; cremaster very 

 short but broad ; its spikes small and delicate, brown-black. 

 In a very slight earthen cocoon under the surface of the 

 ground. In this condition through the winter. It is 

 said to remain occasionally more than one winter before 

 emerging. 



The moth does not seem to be found at all in the daytime ; 

 doubtless it hides among herbage, and very probably in the 

 clefts of rocks. At dusk it flies with great rapidity, often 

 for not more than about half an hour, between nine and ten 

 o'clock P.M., visiting the blossoms of Silene maritima where 

 the plant grows in great masses from clefts of the rocks 

 facing the sea. Extremely swift and very shy, so timid 

 indeed as to excite astonishment. It has been suggested 

 that this timidity may be caused by the necessity for avoid- 

 ing the numerous bats which fly along the sides of the rocks 



VOL. IV. R 



