300 THE MOTHS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



in May, June, and July. For the example figured on Plate 128, 

 Fig. I, I am indebted to Mr. Norman Riley ; an Aviemore 

 example is shown in colour on Plate i, Fig. 7. The chrysalis 

 (Plate 128, Fig. la) is dark reddish brown inclining to blackish. 

 The moth comes out in March and April and is often a common 

 object on tree-trunks, etc., in the London parks, squares, and 

 gardens. Its range extends over the south of England, and 

 northwards to Yorkshire and Cumberland, but it is nowhere so 

 plentiful in England as throughout the Metropolitan area. It 

 occurs in Wales, in Ireland, and in Scotland up to Inverness. 



Oak Beauty {Pachys (Afuphidasys) strataria). 



The fore wings of this species (Plate 127, Figs. 1-3) are white, 

 sprinkled and cross lined with black ; the first hne is bordered 

 inwardly, and the second line outwardly with brownish ; 

 frequently these two lines fall closely together on the inner 

 margin, and sometimes they are united by a blackish blotch at 

 this point ; the brownish borders of the lines vary in width, 

 and in some specimens the outer area beyond the second black 

 line is almost entirely brownish ; in other specimens the central 

 and outer areas are almost free of black speckling, and in such 

 examples the brownish borders of the lines stand out con- 

 spicuously. The caterpillar (Plate 128, Fig. 2) is usually some 

 shade of brown — greyish, violet, or purplish — mottled and 

 freckled with a darker hue. It feeds on oak, birch, and elm, 

 will also eat sloe, plum, rose, etc., and is found from May to 

 July. In confinement, larvae hatched in early May have gone 

 down to pupate during the second week in June. 



The moth is out in March and April as a rule, but has been 

 noted in late February, and also in early May. It may be 

 seen resting during the day on trunks of trees, palings, etc., 

 generally near the ground ; when on the wing at night the male 

 will come to light. Although not generally common it is widely 



