230 THE MOTHS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



Bleached Pug {Eupithecia expallidatd). 



The ample wings light brown in colour, with large black 

 discal spot, and smaller black marks on the front edge of the 

 fore wings, distinguish this species (Plate 95, Fig. 7) from its 

 closest British allies. 



The caterpillar feeds, in September and October, on flowers 

 of golden rod {Solidago virgaurea)^ but it will thrive on those 

 of michaelmas daisy, and probably the asters of the garden. 

 It varies in ground colour, but this is usually some shade of 

 green, and there are brownish spots and lines on the back. 



The moth is out from late June until August, and may be put 

 up from among golden rod during the day, or netted as it flies 

 about the plant in the gloaming. 



It is rather local, but occurs in most of the southern counties 

 of England, from Kent to Devonshire, and westward from 

 Somerset to Hereford and South Wales ; also recorded from 

 North Lancashire. Rare in Scotland, and only noted from Perth- 

 shire and Aberdeenshire. Reported from a few localities on 

 the coast in Ireland. 



Currant Pug {Eupithecia assimilata). 



This species (Plate 95, Fig. 9) is similar in marking to that 

 next mentioned, but the wings are shorter and rounder ; the 

 fore wings are a trifle redder in tint, and the white mark at the 

 termination of the submarginal line is usually more conspicuous. 



The rather slender caterpillar, figured on Plate 92, Fig. 6, from 

 a coloured drawing by Mr. A. Sich, is yellowish green, inclining 

 to yellow between the rings ; three darker green lines on the 

 back, the central one most distinct, the others rather broad and 

 not well defined ; sometimes the central line is tinged with 

 brown, as also is the front edge of each ring. It feeds on 



