228 LEPIDOPTERA. 



two large squared marks. Spiracular stripe pinkish-grey, 

 much interrupted by the usual raised spots. Undersurface 

 and legs purplish-grey. Variable, sometimes the whole 

 dorsal surface being purplish-black or purplish-brown, or the 

 orange-yellow prevails and occupies most of the space, leaving 

 only the lines grey. 



September to May on lichens, particularly Lichen caninus, 

 and other species growing on trees and bushes in swampy 

 places ; but will eat mosses, withered leaves of sallow, and 

 also leaves of plantain and other low-growing plants. 



Pupa short, stout, reddish-brown ; its anal segments not 

 usually withdrawn from the old larva-skin. In a thin silken 

 cocoon, into which bits of moss and lichen are interwoven, 

 under a stone or other protecting surface. (Hellins.) 



The moth loves moist, shady places, very damp woods, 

 marshes where there are plenty of alders or sallow bushes, 

 but most especially fens. It hides, among undergrowth 

 principally, in the daytime, but may occasionally be seen 

 sitting about on the leaves of bushes. At dusk it flies freely 

 in a swaying, tacking manner about bushes and trees or over 

 the undergrowth of the fens, and is not averse to " sugar " 

 placed to attract JVodiioj, nor to honey-dew on sallow leaves. 

 Late at night it flies again very generally, and is strongly 

 attracted by light. It appears to be more particularly lively 

 on damp, drizzling evenings. When flying at dusk the 

 yellow variety is by far the more conspicuous. Extremely 

 abundant in the larger fens of Norfolk and Cambridgeshire ; 

 in the former accompanied by the variety stramincola in very 

 considerable numbers, while in the fens of Cambridgeshire 

 the latter is comparatively rare. Found also in some plenty 

 in the New Forest ; at Chertsey, Surrey ; and near Heading, 

 Berks, in each case accompanied by dramincola ; otherwise 

 the latter is scarce, or even very rare, or absent ; while the 

 typical grey form occurs probably in every marsh of sufficient 

 extent, and damp wood in the southern and eastern counties ; 



