204 THE MOTHS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



rests by day on tree-trunks or in hedges, and flies at night. 

 Widely distributed over the British Isles, but, except perhaps 

 in the highlands of Scotland, not very common. 



Y''VC^^*^ Blue-bordered Carpet {Mesoknca bicoloratd), 



, Aj J ' The more usual form of this pretty little species is shown on 

 1^ '^ Plate 82, Figs. 3 and 6. In the type the central band is only 

 represented by a spot on the front margin of the fore wings ; in 

 ah. parz'u/a, Retz = rubiginata^ Hiibner, there is also a portion 

 of the band showing on the inner margin. Ab. phimbata^ 

 Curtis, from Scotland has the central band entire and the 

 ground colour inclining to creamy white. In 2.h.fii?nosa, Prout, 

 the usual white parts of the wing are smoky or dark lead 

 colour (Fig. 9). Barrett mentions a form with all the wings 

 smoothly smoky black ; markings of the fore wings olive brown, 

 margined with slender stripes of smoky white. 



The long, thin, caterpillar is green, with a darker stripe along 

 the back, and a yellowish green stripe on each side ; two points 

 on the last ring. It feeds on alder, birch, sloe, and crab ; also 

 in orchards and gardens on plum and apple : April to June. 



The moth is out in July and August. It appears to occur 

 most freely in districts where alder is plentiful, but it is not 

 uncommon in country lanes, especially where these are rather 

 moist. It is one of the earliest Geometrid moths to get on the 

 wing, as it is generally active well before dark. Decidedly more 

 common in some districts than in others, but it may be said 

 to be generally distributed. 



The range abroad extends to Eastern Siberia, Amurland, 

 and Japan, but the dCo.fumosa is only known from Britain. 



CV* i> ^ Pretty Chalk Carpet {Mdanthia procellala). 



'\^,^ From almost any well-grown hedgerow, in which traveller's 



'^^ ^ joy, or old-man's beard {^Clematis vitalba) is plentiful, throughout 



.^^ 



