196 THE MOTHS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



In var. bidens, Chapman, the first cross line is double, ericlosing 

 a pale stripe ; the upper part of second cross line is more 

 angled, and the dagger mark at the anal angle is much 

 shortened. 



The caterpillar has a taller and more slender hump on ring 

 four, and the stripe along the back is clear yellow, with black 

 edged red spots on each side of it. Generally distributed, and 

 often common. 



The moth is shown on Plate 100, Fig. 11 ; and the caterpillar 

 and chrysalis on Plate loi, Figs. 5 and ^a. 



The Light Knot Grass {Aero ny eta ine7iyanthidis). 



Portraits of this moth will be found on Plate 103, Figs, i 5 , 

 2 $ . Several modifications have been named, the most im- 

 portant of these are var. scotica^ Tutt, which is larger and 

 brighter than the type, with the markings clear and distinct ; 

 var. suffusa^ Tutt, is much suffused with black. The former is 

 chiefly found in Scotland, and the latter in Yorkshire. 



The caterpillar is black or sooty-brown, with a red stripe, or 

 blotches, low down along the sides ; hairs black or red-brown. 

 In August and September feeding by day on sweet-gale or 

 bog myrtle {Myrka gale), bilberry, heather, dwarf sallow, etc. 

 The moth flies in June and July, and may be found on the 

 mosses and moorlands of North England and Scotland. It 

 rests by day on rocks, stones, and, where they are handy, on 

 posts and rails. I found several on Danes Moss, Cheshire, 

 sitting on a derelict tub. Also occurring in Ireland, but not 

 common. 



The Scarce Dagger {Aerojiyeta aurieoma). 

 The pale grey, darker-mottled moth depicted on Plate I05, 

 f^i^' 3.' is very local, and only occurs in some of the woods of 



