l6 THE MOTHS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



The Beaded Chestnut {Amathes {Orthosia) lychnidis). 



The name of this variable species (Plate 9, Figs. 3-6), long 

 known 2iS pzstacina, is now recognised as the lychnidis of Schififer- 

 miller, so, as the latter name has page priority over the former, 

 it has to be adopted. Fig. 3 on the plate represents a well- 

 marked reddish specimen of the typical form. A great many 

 forms have been named, but only a few of the more distinct of 

 these can be referred to here. Fig. 4 shows the greyish ochreous 

 aberration known as serrina^ Fab. Ah.ferrea^ Haworth (Fig. 5) 

 has almost uniform reddish fore wings, and ab. venosa^ Haworth 

 has the fore wings greyish brown with the veins whitish. 



When newly laid the ^%% (Plate 5, Fig. id) is yellowish, but 

 changes to olive-brown. The caterpillar (Plate 5, Fig. i) is 

 green inclining to yellowish, freckled with greyish, and dotted 

 with whitish ; there are three fine whitish lines along the back, 

 and a broad white stripe along the sides. It is found from 

 March to June, and feeds on grasses, dandelion, groundsel, 

 buttercup, and a variety of low plants ; it will also eat sallow. 



The moth is out from September to November, and is often 

 abundant at sugar and ivy bloom, and not uncommon on gas 

 lamps or around electric lights. Generally distributed and 

 plentiful over the greater part of England and Wales, but from 

 Yorkshire northwards and through Scotland to Perthshire it is 

 very local, and apparently not at all frequent. In Ireland it is 

 widely spread and common. 



The Brown-spot Pinion {Amathes {Orthosid) liturd). 



On Plate 9 are shown specimens from Scotland (Figs. 8 i, 

 9 ? ). The male, which has the basal area of the fore wings 

 pale, is referable to ab. borealis^ Sparre-Schneider, whilst the 

 female is more nearly typical. In England the majority of the 



