192 LEPIDOPTERA. 



thicker, tapering rapidly to a rather short, thick bent spike at 

 the tail. Mahogany-red, with several blackish spots on the 

 back of the thorax, and in a double row down the abdomen. 

 In a cocoon of silk and earth underground. In this state 

 through the winter. 



This exquisitely beautiful moth is very rarely observed in 

 the daytime, or at rest. Doubtless it conceals itself among 

 dead leaves on the ground or among bramble bushes, but is 

 partial to woods and open wooded districts. It flies at dusk 

 and may be captured flyiug at hedge sides ; but much more 

 frequently at sugar, to which it is very partial, resting upon 

 it as it feeds, with quivering, upraised wings, and often, but 

 by no means always, flying off at the approach of a light. 

 If disturbed it readily returns to the feast, and is easily 

 captured. On warm favourable nights specimens will con- 

 tinue to arrive all night long, and sometimes it is much more 

 common towards morning. 



Common in and near woods in all the Southern and South- 

 Eastern Counties, though less so in the Fen districts ; also 

 in South Wales to Pembrokeshire, and in the West to 

 Worcestershire and Herefordshire. Not common in the 

 Midlands, though found in North Staffordshire and War- 

 wickshire ; farther north it is widely distributed in Cheshire, 

 Lancashire, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and even Cumberland. 

 Local in Scotland, though rather common in Perthshire. 

 Elsewhere found in Roxburghshire, at Dunoon, Renfrew and 

 Bute ; but in the Eastern districts much farther north — rather 

 scarce in the Edinburgh district, at Cramond, Corstorphine 

 Hall, and Dunbar, but extending as far as Moray. 



Apparently in all wooded districts in Ireland, and some- 

 times in great abundance. Mr. Kane says that he has seen 

 it in clouds, and most persistent at sugar. 



Very widely distributed abroad, throughout Central and 

 Northern Europe, except the Polar regions, Northern Italy, 

 Corsica, Armenia, Asiatic Turkey generally, Tartary, and 



