THE GOLD SPANGLE. * 67 



The species has been found, chiefly in the past in most of 

 the southern counties of England from Kent (Deal district) to 

 Cornwall, also in Gloucestershire, and in South Wales. 

 Chippenham fen in Cambridgeshire is the most noted locality 

 for it in the present day, and it has been found in Norfolk and 

 Suffolk. There is even a record of a specimen having been 

 beaten out of honeysuckle near Preston, Lanes., but this 

 happened nearly forty years ago. 



The range abroad extends to Amurland and Japan. 



The Gold Spangle {Plusia bracted). 



The purplish brown fore wings of this moth have a bright 

 solid-looking golden mark on the upper edge of a velvety, deep 

 brown patch. This metallic " spangle " varies a little in size 

 and in ohape, but not to any noteworthy extent (Plate 24, 

 Fig. 2). 



The caterpillar is bright green, dotted with white, above, and 

 dull darker green below ; there is a fine dark green line along 

 the middle of the back, some indistinct and irregular white 

 lines followed by a whitish stripe lower down, along the sides. 

 It seems to feed upon a variety of low-growing plants, among 

 which are groundsel, dandelion, white dead-nettle {Lamtum 

 albuui)^ and stinging nettle, also on honeysuckle, from August 

 to May. In a state of nature, it hibernates when small, and 

 becomes full grown in May or early June, but when reared 

 from the ^%g it can be induced, by keeping it in a warm place, 

 to continue feeding, grow up quickly, pupate, and assume the 

 winged state in the late autumn. Under such artificial con- 

 ditions it is said to eat lettuce and plantain. 



Normally, the moth is out in June and July, and has been 

 met with in August. Like all members of this group it is partial 

 to flowers, and has been frequently taken at those of the honey- 

 suckle, although all sorts of blossoms, down to the lowly Viola 

 coniuta^ have attraction for it. 



