82 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



only two, instead of three, yellowish s))ots on the anterior 

 wings; this being a constant and certain character. These 

 spots are smaller, and the wing has less of the yellow 

 dnsting, the absence of which gives it the darker shade of 

 colour. Another notable difference is that the male of 

 E. stachydalis has on the under side of the antennae 

 exceedingly fine, but distinct, down : to see this requires a 

 magnifying lens. In the male of E. samhncalis this down 

 is absent, but replaced by fine dentations. 



If, during the middle of June, we examine, or beat in the 

 neighbourhood of beds of the unpleasant smelling woundwort 

 [Slachys sylvatica, S. paiuslris, or S. arveiisis), we shall 

 probably find the imago of E. stachydalis. These plants are 

 usually common, and very generally distributed over Britain, 

 as their names signify, in woods or hedgerows, boggy places, 

 and cornfields, respectively. The two former are the most 

 likely to ])roduce this moth ; in fact, Mr. Buckler has found 

 the larva on S.sylvatica (Entom. x. 91). A further acquaint- 

 ance with E. stachydalis induces Mr. Barrett to say that 

 " when alive it is ijot strikingly like Sainbitcalis, but from 

 its shorter, squarer fore wings, its darker colour, and square 

 discal spot, is actually far more likely to be mistaken, when 

 flying, for Scopula olivalis'''' (E. M. M. xii. 158). It is sluggish 

 and reserved in its habits, "fluttering close among its food- 

 plant when disturbed." 



The larvae may be found early in September, feeding in 

 folded leaves of Sfachys, forming " a sort of tube," while the 

 larvffi of E. samhucalis feed about the same time on the 

 under side of elder leaves (Sambucus nigra), protected by a 

 whitish silken web. Several of our correspondents have 

 found occasional specimens amongst their E. saiiihucalis, 

 where the}^ have been placed as dark varieties. The 

 specimens, from which the accompanying descriptions and 

 figures are taken, have been kindly lent by Mr. Bond. 



We shall be pleased to hear from correspondents who 

 have captured this species, as a knowledge of its geographical 

 distribution in this country will be interesting. 



.JoriN T. Cahrington. 



Iloj'al Afjnai'ium, Wcstmiuster, 

 March, 1877. 



II 



