THE SMALL EMERALD. I03 



back, and shaded with buff on the wing cases. The early 

 stages are figured on Plate 42. 



The moth is out in June and July, and may occasionally be 

 beaten out of a hedge or bush, but is most frequently obtained 

 late at night, when it is active on the wing, and is attracted by 

 a brilliant light. 



The species occurs in woods, on heaths and moors, and in 

 fens, throughout the British Isles, except the most northern 

 parts of Scotland and the isles. 



Abroad, the range extends to Amurland and Japan. 



The Small Emerald {Geomefra vernaria). 



This species (Plate 40, Figs. 2 and 3) is smaller than the 

 last mentioned, the green colour is of a softer tint, and the 

 lines crossing the wings, two on the fore wings and one on 

 the hind wings, are whitish, and not waved. 



The caterpillar hatches from the %%% in August, and after 

 hibernation is to be found in May and June on Traveller's Joy 

 or Old Man's Beard {Clematis vitalba). It is then green, with 

 white dots arranged in lines along the back and sides ; the head 

 is deep reddish brown, and this, and also the first and last rings 

 of the body, have raised points. Transformation to the greenish 

 chrysalis is effected among the leaves, drawn together with silk. 

 (Plate 44, Figs. 3 and 3<?.) 



The moth flies in the evening in July and August, and in the 

 daytime may be disturbed, by the application of the beating 

 stick, from its retreats in hedges, etc., where the food plant 

 flourishes. Found in most of the southern and eastern counties 

 of England, most frequently on the chalk ; its range extends to 

 Worcestershire. One specimen has been reported from 

 Argyllshire, 191 3 ; and one example of each sex from Co. 

 Tyrone, Ireland, 1917. The distribution abroad extends to 

 Amurland. 



