74 THE MOTHS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



The Great Prominent {Notodonta ircpida). 



Fore wings greyish, or ochreous grey, with dark cross lines ; a 

 blackish tuft from middle of inner margin, and a series of dark, 

 or sometimes reddish, spots on a pale cross line before the 

 inner margin. Hind wings whitish, sometimes ochreous tinged; 

 clouded with greyish on costal area (Plate 31, Fig. 5). When 

 full grown the caterpillar is rather larger than the one figured 

 on Plate 30. In colour it is green, with yellow lines along the 

 back, seven reddish-edged yellow oblique streaks on the sides, 

 and a reddish tinged stripe on the two rings nearest the head. 

 It is stated to assume a purplish tint when quite mature. May 

 be found from end of June to early August on oak. The dark 

 reddish brown chrysalis, which is enclosed in an earth-covered 

 cocoon, may be found at the roots of oak trees in the autumn or 

 winter. 



The moth emerges between late April and early June, some- 

 times remaining in the chrysalis for two winters. Light 

 attracts it freely, and it is frequently seen in the illuminated 

 moth trap, and may be occasionally noted on the iron frame of a 

 gas lamp in suitable places. Sometimes the moth is met with in 

 the daytime, resting on the trunks or branches of oak trees in 

 woods, or on palings adjacent thereto. When such specimens 

 happen to be females, they should be kept for eggs, which they 

 lay freely. 



It occurs in most of the southern counties of England, 

 is somewhat rare in the Midlands, and scarce in the northern 

 counties and in Scotland. Recorded by Birchall as " not 

 uncommon in Co. Wicklow," but Kane ("Cat. Lep. Ireland") 

 states that he has no information concerning its occurrence in 

 the sister island. Distributed throughout Central Europe, 

 extending into Spain, Italy, and Corsica ; also to South-east 

 Russia, Arrrienia, and possibly Ussuri. 



