176 MOTHS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



plumage. Head black and shining. It feeds in August and, 

 after hibernation, in May on lichens and mosses growing on 

 the ground in marshes and fens. It is known to eat Peltigcra 

 canlna, and the mosses Hypniim sericeum, and IVeissia serrata. 

 Although occurring, in July and August, in marshy places in 

 several parts of Southern England and Wales, it is especially 

 common in fen land. In such localities as Wicken, for example, 

 it flies at early dusk in hundreds all over the fen on favourable 

 nights, but if there happens to be a breeze the moths will not 

 leave their retreat among the herbage. Later on in the night, 

 if on the wing, they readily assemble around a brightly burning 

 lamp, and are satisfied to sit on the herbage illuminated by its 

 rays. In Northern England it is known to be not uncommon 

 in some districts of Yorkshire, and it probably occurs in other 

 counties also. There appears to be only a single record each 

 from Ireland and Scodand. 



The Rosy Footman {Miltochrista miniatd). 



The fore wings of this pretty little moth are ochreous yellow 

 tinged with pink; the front and hind margins are bright pink, 

 in some cases approaching vermillion ; the markings are bluish 

 black; hind wings rather paler. It varies in the amount of 

 black markings, which are sometimes almost absent, and in 

 colour ranges from yellow to orange. (Plate 95, Figs. 2, 5.) 



The caterpillar is dark drab covered above with blackish, 

 mouse-coloured plumed hairs ; on rings one and eleven the plum- 

 ose hairs, are replaced by short simple ones ; the hairs of the side 

 tufts are plain. H ead brown, the cheeks outlined in black (adapted 

 from Hellins). Lichens growing upon the stems and branches 

 of trees supply this caterpillar with food, and it seems to nibble 

 on all favourable opportunities throughout the winter. It 

 hatches from the ^%'g in August, and is full grown in May, 

 Boden, writing in September, 1896 {The Entomologist) noted 



