2o6 LEPIDOPTERA. 



The present species is on the wing in June and July. 



Larva f inch long, moderately stout, tapering a little at 

 each extremity ; usual spots slightly raised, and studded with 

 tufts of rather long hairs. Head small, black ; body blackish- 

 brown above, with the dorsal stripe composed of a series of 

 brilliant deep yellow acorn-shaped spots, one divided on each 

 segment ; subdorsal stripe white, mixed with yellow, and 

 much interrupted ; sides reddish-grey or puq^lish-grey ; 

 subspiracular stripe light-yellow, edged above with dark 

 brown ; raised spots blackish, except along the subdorsal 

 region, where they are white ; hairs blackish brown ; legs 

 dark brown. (Buckler and Hellins.) 



From August to May on the lichens which grow on the 

 edges and bare stony places on sea cliffs, and on large stones 

 on the coast a little above high- water mark; some of the 

 lichens being blackish-brown, others bright yellow. Feeding 

 exposed, and fond of bright sunshine, but wonderfully pro- 

 tected by its close resemblance to the lichens. Will also 

 feed upon lichens which grow upon the soil of the cliffs, and 

 may be reared upon a turf cut from such a situation, or upon 

 tree-lichens, if kept in the sunshine and frequently sprinkled 

 with water. 



Pupa short and stout. In a loose flossy silken cocoon 

 among small stones, or under stones or oyster-shells, above 

 high-water mark ; or in interstices of the rocks. 



The moth is rather sluggish, the female particularly so ; 

 but the male flies in the early morning sunshine and again 

 in the afternoon. When at rest, hanging from a blade of 

 grass or the leaf of some low plant, its semi-transparent, 

 limpid appearance has obtained for it the common name of 

 the dew moth. Doubtless the female flies at night — probably 

 both sexes. Extremely local in this country. Stephens states 

 that it formerly occurred on Dartford Heath, Kent, and that 

 in 1816 and 1817 it was abundant at Rochester. Now it 



