8o THE MOTHS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



or sometimes in late October, has rarely been taken when flying 

 at night or resting by day. Light has an attraction for the 

 male, but apparently not for the female. 



Distributed through Central Europe, its range extends to 

 Southern Scandinavia, Northern Italy, Livonia, Bulgaria, S.E. 

 Russia, and Japan. 



The Pale Prominent {Ptej-ostojna palpina). 



This blackish streaked, pale brownish grey moth has been 

 known as the Pale Prominent since 1775, when Moses Harris 

 gave it this name. Beyond the black scaled tooth-like pro- 

 jection the inner margin is notched. The antennae of the female 

 are pectinated, but the teeth are shorter than those of the male ; 

 and the blackish streak on the wings are usually less defined. 

 Except that some specimens are more strongly marked than 

 others there is little to note in the way of aberration. Mr. 

 Harwood of Colchester has, however, recorded an almost black 

 variety, and this may be referable to the form from Russian 

 Lapland, known as var. lapponka^ Teich. The moth is figured 

 on Plate 33, and the early stages on Plate 32. 



The caterpillar is bluish green, with white lines along the 

 back and sides, and a black edged yellow stripe along the 

 spiracles ; the stripe is marked with reddish on the three rings 

 nearest the head. It feeds chiefly on poplar, but has been found 

 on willow and sallow. Usually to be obtained full grown early 

 in July or late in June ; in the south and south-east of England, 

 it is found also in September and October. The chrysalis is 

 purplish, or reddish, brown and rather shining. It may be 

 found, in a cocoon formed of silk mixed with particles of earth, 

 among the roots of grass, etc., at the foot of poplar or willow trees. 

 Moths are on the wing in May and June, and again in July and 

 August. Coming to electric and gas lamps, as Avell as entering 

 lighted rooms, and illuminated moth traps, they are often 



