300 THE MOTHS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



feeding on the caterpillars and chrysalids of other reed insects 

 (Hofmann). The moth flies from late June to early August. It 

 occurs in the fens of Norfolk and Cambridge, but in the former 

 county it has been taken at Merton and King's Lynn. Dr. 

 Wheeler states that it is usually found in the thicker reed beds 

 where stems of the previous year's growth still remain. 

 Specimens were obtained among reeds in the Harwich district, 

 Essex, in 1902, and the species has also been recorded from 

 Tring, Hertfordshire, Surrey, Sussex, and the Isle of Wight. 



The Flame Wainscot {Mefiana flammed). 



The original British specimen, which Curtis in 1829 named, 

 described, and figured, was stated to have been taken " near 

 Lewisham, towards Lee, in July." Now it is only known to 

 occur in Huntingdon, Norfolk, and Cambridgeshire, chiefly in 

 the fens ; in Wicken fen in the latter county it is most plenti- 

 ful. (Plate 145, Figs. 5, 6.) The caterpillar is greyish ochreous 

 brown, rather paler beneath, with paler lines along the back 

 and sides, the central one edged on eacli side with darker ; 

 spiracles whitish, outlined with black, and a greyish drab 

 spiracular stripe with paler edges ; head shining, and faintly 

 netted with darker grey. (Condensed from Buckler.) Hides by 

 day in the old stems of reed {P'h?-agmites), and feeds at night on 

 the leaves, August to October. 



The Small Wainscot {Taphwstola fnlva). 



The fore wings vary in colour from almost whitish through 

 various shades of grey brown and reddish brown (Plate 145, 

 Figs. 12 to 14). The caterpillar, pale shining pinkish ochreous ; 

 central stripe pale, bordered on each side with greyish brown. 

 Head pale brown, marked with darker, shining. June and July 

 in stems of sedges i^Carex). The moth flies in August and 



