COLLECTING THE GENUS EUPITHECIA. 143 



believe the captors think otherwise, and will probably some time 

 or other describe it under a less fantastic name than some of 

 those which have latterl}^ been proposed for moths. It was 

 thought to be the Eupithecia ultimaria of Boisduval, but this is 

 doubtful, although that name in consequence appears in our 

 newest list. 



As we wander through the woods in July we shall probably 

 see a patch of that handsome flower, the foxglove (Digitalis 

 purpurea). If we examine the lower flowers on a spike we 

 shall probably find some of them with their mouths closed, 

 as though by a spider spinning its web. If we open them 

 we shall find a fat, stumpy Eupithecia larva in each. These are 

 of E. pulchellata, and we had better gather a goodly number, for 

 they are sadly infected, as a rule, by parasitic ichneumons. The 

 very closely-allied E. linariata is found in the larval state 

 commonly, feeding upon seeds and wasted flower-heads of 

 common toadflax {Linaria vulgaris) somewhat later in the year. 

 Neither are common in the imago state, and the latter is most 

 easily reared by gathering a bagfull of flower-heads in August and 

 September, and trusting to the moths appearing next season. 



By hedgerows and road-sides the burnet- saxifrage {Pimpinella 

 saxafraga) grows commonly. Amidst this in June we should find 

 an occasional imago of E. pimpinellata ; but it is better to beat 

 for the larvse, which in some seasons may be taken in fair 

 numbers from the seed-heads, for they feed upon the unripe 

 seed-umbels in September. This species is better for having a 

 little turfy mould, in which to pupate. Continuing our search 

 among the seeds of other U'mhellifer(S,we must give great attention 

 to those of the wood angelica (Angelica sylvestris), for on these 

 we shall find two species, viz., E. albipunctata and E. trisignata. 

 The larvse are so difi'erent as to be separated at a glance, the 

 former being studded with small white tubercles, and the latter 

 sprinkled with bristly hairs. It is little use expecting to take a 

 series of either of these moths, while enough larvse may be taken 

 of either in September, and even in October in late localities, 

 to satisfy the wants of any reasonable collector. 



In drier woods than those delighted in by the swamp-loving 

 angelica, we must search the flowers of the golden-rod in August 

 for larvse of E. expallidata, which are also said to frequent the 

 flowers of ragwort (Senecio). These are apparently not common 



