70 THE MOTHS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



The Beautiful Golden Y {Phisia pulchrind). 



This species (Plate 24, Figs. 5 and 6) so closely resembles 

 the last that it has been considered a variety thereof; there is 

 no question, however, that it is quite distinct. The fore wings 

 in both species are somewhat similar in general tints, but the 

 following points of difference distinguish pulchrina — the darker 

 colour is less evenly displayed, and gives the wings a more 

 mottled or marbled appearance ; the cross lines, especially those 

 on the basal area, are almost invariably golden edged ; the 

 second cross line is more acutely bent inwards above the inner 

 margin, the reniform has a more or less complete golden out- 

 line, and it is placed in a dark cloud ; the golden V-mark and 

 dot below are generally thicker. As a rule, the fringes of all the 

 wings are more distinctly chequered, but this feature cannot be 

 relied on alone in separating one species from the other. In 

 ab. percontatrix^ Aurivillius { = juncta^ Tutt), the golden V and 

 dot are united and so form a Y-mark (Fig. 5). An aberration^ 

 probably unique, was taken in June, 1919, by Mr. C. G. Clutter- 

 buck, of Gloucester. The Y-n>ark is here replaced by a large 

 wedge-shaped golden blotch. 



The caterpillar is green with a broad central white stripe 

 and several finer white lines along the back ; a yellowish-tinted 

 white stripe low down along the sides ; head shining, marked 

 with black en each side of the mouth. It feeds on various low- 

 growing plants, such as the dead nettles, groundsel, etc., also 

 on honeysuckle and bilberry. 



The moth occurs in June and July, and is found more or less 

 frequently all over the British Isles to Orkney, but in England 

 is more plentiful from the Midlands northwards than in the 

 southern countries. 



The Ni Moth {Plusia ni). 

 The present species (Plate 26, Fig. 3) bears a strong 

 resemblance to a small pale specimen of F. gamtnaj but, as 



