206 THE MOTHS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



dioica), and will eat those of the white L. vespertina : July to 

 September. When eggs can be obtained early, it is possible to 

 rear moths from them in August of the same year. 



The moth is out in June and July, in some southern districts 

 in late May. 



As it conceals itself during the day among its food plant, or 

 other vegetation around, it may be put up therefrom by gently 

 stirring the herbage ; but it flies freely about sundown, and is 

 then easily netted. 



The species is widely distributed over England, Wales, and 

 Scotland, up to Moray. In Ireland it is local and not plentiful, 

 and the same is the case in the North of England. 



Small Rivulet {Perizoma alche?nillatd). 



This species (Plate 83, Figs. 3 and 6) is exceedingly close to 

 the last mentioned, but in a general way it is to be distinguished 

 by its greyish-brown coloration. A stippled whitish stripe 

 before the central band, usually only faintly indicated in 

 affinitata^ is fairly distinct as a rule. Although the outer edge 

 of the central band is rather more irregular, the middle tooth is 

 not so prominent as in affinitata. 



The rather plump caterpillar is purplish above and yellowish 

 green below ; three yellow lines on the back, the central one 

 broad ; the spiracles are black, and a little above them is 

 another yellow line ; head, black and glossy, and there are 

 black shining plates on the first and last rings of the body, that 

 on the first ring divided by the yellow central line (adapted 

 from Porritt). It feeds, in August and September, in the seed 

 capsules of hemp nettle {Galeopsis tetrahif)^ sometimes on the 

 rarer G. ladanuin^ and is said to eat woundwort {Stachys) 

 occasionally. 



The moth is out in June and July, and, as in the case of the 

 last species, may be stirred up from among its food plant or the 



