240 LEPIDOPTERA. 



On the wing from the middle of June, through July, and 

 sometimes, in late seasons, to the middle of August ; but in 

 only one generation. 



Larva \\ inch long ; plump, rather thickest in the middle ; 

 head small, brownish-black ; body purple-brown or dark 

 brown, with the incisions of the segments paler brown ; 

 dorsal line broad, white ; tubercular spots raised, white or 

 pale brown, tinged with black, and furnished with spreading 

 tufts of short dark brown hairs or bristles ; spiracular stripe 

 pale brown ; legs blackish-brown. 



August to May on Erica cinerea and E. tetralix (H. Goss) ; 

 but Freyer records that he reared larvae upon Laduca sativa ; 

 and young larv£e have been known to eat grass, such as Aira 

 flcxiiosa. Other recorded food plants are Calluna vulgaris, 

 Vaccinimii myrtUlus, leaves and flowers, especiall}' the latter ; 

 Aira cwpitosa. It is said to feed at night, and to be fond of 

 stretching itself out upon the wiry grasses which grow on 

 heaths. 



Pupa short, thick, black-brown. In a light-coloured silken 

 cocoon. 



The moth hides among heather in the daytime, but keeps 

 on the alert, and when disturbed, especially in the hot sun- 

 shine, rises and flies with great swiftness to a distance, when 

 it again settles on the heather, rising again when approached 

 for another short flight. At other times, when the weather 

 is dull or cool, it often will not fly, but drops to the ground 

 with wings closely folded, and slips away with great agility 

 among the heath stones, so that it can hardly be seen. When 

 captured flying, it will at once drop down in the net, feign- 

 ing death. A little before sunset it flies naturally over the 

 heather. Entirely confined, so far as this country is con- 

 cerned, to the extensive heaths of Dorset and Hants, 

 especially those on the borders of the two counties, near 

 llingwood and Wimborne. Here in some seasons it is fairly 



