FALSE MOCHA. 135 



lozenges. It feeds on various low-growing plants, such as 

 persicaria, orach, sorrel, etc., but dock seems to be the most 

 frequently selected pabulum. July to May, sometimes feeding 

 up and appearing as a second generation of the moth in 

 August. 



Weedy ditches, hedge banks, or moist waste places, are the 

 favourite resorts of the moth ; and when one example is flushed 

 from its lurking place, others are almost certain to be hiding in 

 the immediate vicinity. 



Widely distributed throughout England, but most common 

 in the south ; found also in North and South Wales ; and 

 sparingly in Scotland to i\berdeenshire, also recorded from 

 Arran. Apparently rare in Ireland, as it is only noted from 

 Kerry and Galway. 



False Mocha {Ephyra porata). 



The wings are pale ochreous brown, finely flecked with 

 purphsh grey, and more or less tinged with reddish ; the 

 cross lines are indicated by blackish dots, the central shade*:.r> 

 is greyish inclining to reddish, and the rings enclosing white 

 dots are blackish or dark brown, but sometimes indistinct on 

 the fore wings ; occasionally there are some purplish grey 

 clouds on the outer marginal area, and this is more frequent 

 in examples of a second generation. Sometimes the wings 

 are entirely suffused with dull reddish brown, and all the 

 markings, except the white dot on the hind wings, are obscured. 

 (Plate 53, Figs. 7 and 8.) 



The caterpillar is pale pinkish ochreous, with inconspicuous 

 wavy white lines, and brownish dots, on the back ; dark oblique 

 marks on the sides ; the head is pencilled with darker brown. 

 It feeds on oak and birch in June and July, and individuals of 

 a second brood sometimes occur in September or October. 



The moth is out in May and June, and rests in the daytime 



