220 THE MOTHS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



The Dotted Clay {Noctna baja). 



This species, a male and female of which are shown on 

 Plate 114, Figs. 7 $ and 8 $5 is common in wooded districts 

 throughout the British Isles, except the Orkneys and the 

 Shetlands. The colour of the fore wings ranges from pale 

 greyish brown, or reddish grey, to reddish brown or purplish 

 brown. Sometimes the first and second cross Hnes are bordered, 

 or represented, by pale bands. 



The caterpillar is dingy ochreous brown, or reddish brown ; 

 three yello^vish lines along the back, the central one edged 

 with blackish ; the others have blackish bordered yellow 

 triangular marks between them, on each ring from three to 

 eleven ; spiracles and dots black ; head pale brown, shining. 

 It feeds in the autumn on various low plants, and in the spring 

 on hawthorn, sloe, sallow, bramble, etc. September to May. 

 The moth flies in July and August. Its range abroad extends 

 to Amurland and to North America. 



The Plain Clay {Nodim depnnctd). 



This species is represented on Plate no, Fig. 5, by a female 

 specimen. Sometimes the fore wings are more reddish brown 

 in colour, and the markings are occasionally bolder. The 

 caterpillar is pale or dark reddish brown above, and rather 

 greyish below ; the back is marked with dark outlined diamonds, 

 and the dark edged white spiracles have a dark shade above 

 them, and an ochreous stripe below ; head pale brown marked 

 with darker. Feeds on primrose, dock, sorrel, nettle, etc. from 

 September to May. The moth flies in July, August, and the 

 early part of September. It seems to be more frequently 

 and regularly obtained in Scotland, especially in the woods 

 of Perthshire, Aberdeen and Moray. In England the species 

 is, or has been, found in Oxfordshire (rare in beech woods), 



