WAVED UMBER. 



303 



sometimes in July. The species is generally distributed, and 

 sometimes common in the caterpillar state, but seems to be 

 absent from the Scottish Isles. 



Waved Umber (ITemcrophila {Synopsia) abruptaria). 



A male and a female specimen are figured on Plate 130. The 

 males are usually darker than the females, but they vary in the 

 amount of darker clouding and suffusion. Three forms of 

 the species have been named as follows — ab. brwineata^ Tutt, 

 a modification of the female 

 rather more strongly coloured 

 than the darkest typical male. 

 Ab. fuscata, Tutt, sooty brown, 

 tending to blackish ; both sexes 

 somewhat paler in central area 

 of fore wings. Ab. unicolo?', 

 Tutt, similar to ab. fuscata, but 

 without pale marking ; the 

 thorax is also darker. (Plate 134, 

 Fig. 7, ab. fiiscata.) The eggs, 

 furnished by Mr. Norman Riley, 

 were verdigris green when laid, 

 but on the third day changed to 

 greyish. 



In general colour the cater- 

 pillar is greyish brown some- 

 times tinged with green ; pinkish 

 brown blotches along the back, 



often united on the front and hind rings. In some cases the 

 caterpillar is almost black, with a lighter mark on front of the 

 first ring. It feeds on privet and lilac, and is said to eat currant, 

 broom, and jasmine : May to August. (Plate 133, Fig. 3.) 



The moth is out in April and May, and is fond of resting on 

 palings, trees, and even walls. It appears to be most plentiful 



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Fig. 17. 

 Waved Umber at rest. 

 (Photo by J. W. Lucas.) 



