54 LEPIDOPTERA. 



August and September, on Vine, and Virginia-creeper 

 (Ampclo^sis hedcracea) ; and also occasionally on Galium, 

 SJpilohitcm, and Fuchsia. 



Pupa red-brown with wing-cases and head-sheath dark 

 grey. Usually but a very short time in this state — perhaps a 

 fortnight — in September or October, but it seems possible 

 that some remain in this stage during the winter, the 

 moths emerging in the spring. 



An active species, of extremely swift and powerful flight. 

 Occasionally attracted by flowers such as those of the Verbena 

 in gardens, and has even been found at Ivy-bloom, but much 

 more strongly attracted by light and must therefore have the 

 habit of flying late at night. Rarely seen on the wing, the 

 large majority of the specimens obtained in this country 

 having been found in the daytime sitting on windows or 

 other places to which they appear to have been tempted by a 

 strong light. Probably not so rare as is usually supposed, since 

 the capture of a large number of specimens is on record ; 

 and almost certainly existing with us every year. Haworth 

 considered it very rare, but recorded a specimen at Bunhill 

 Fields, which he called nea?' London — the term would hardly 

 be appropriate now — and he also knew of a larva found at 

 Wisbech. Larva? have also been found at Ely, at New- 

 market, at Epping, and in Sussex. Of imagines several 

 were recorded in 18G1, in each year from 1866 to 1870, in 

 1879, 1881, and a considerable number in 1885, while in 

 most of the intermediate and subsequent years one or more 

 were met with. As with the last species there appears to be 

 no specially favoured locality. Possibly Devon may lay some 

 claim to such a title, but the records seem to embrace every 

 district, and probably every county, in the south, east, and 

 west of England ; there have been several captures in the 

 Midlands, rather a large proportion in Yorkshire, several in 

 Lancashire, and three in Cumberland. In Scotland, besides 

 lloxburghshire and other places in the south, there are 



