THE PLAIN WAVE. 119 



The Plain Wave (^Acidalia {Ptychopodd) inomata). 



Somewhat similar to the last in appearance, but without 

 reddish bands, and front edging to the fore wings ; the second 

 or outer Hne of the fore wings is generally distinct, but the 

 others, especially the central, are often obscure. This species, 

 one example of which is shown on Plate 46, Fig. 2, may be 

 distinguished from the plain form of ^. aversata by its generally 

 smaller size and more silky appearance ; the cross lines are less 

 distinct, and the outer one of the fore wings is not indented 

 below the front margin. The eggs (Plate 47, Fig. 3^) are laid in 

 strings of from 6-20; at least this is so in captivity. Like the 

 eggs of other species in this genus that I have seen, they are at 

 first whitish bone colour, changing to reddish. They were laid 

 in July, and most of the caterpillars that hatched from them 

 attained the moth state in September; about one-third hiber- 

 nated, but died off during the winter. 



The much-wrinkled and rough-looking caterpillar is pale 

 reddish brown, varying to greyish ; the back with V-shaped 

 marks, and a light coloured spot on rings 5 and 6. It feeds, 

 from August to June, on dandelion, dock, and other weeds, also 

 on sallow, bramble, heather, etc. 



The moth is out in July, earlier or later in some seasons ; it 

 affects woods in which there is plenty of heather or bilberry, 

 and may often be seen resting on tree trunks, especially thos? 

 of the pine. It is on the wing in the evening, and is said to 

 visit the sugar patch, as well as flowers growing in its haunts 

 Widely distributed over England and Scotland to Moray, but 

 does not appear to have been noted in Wales. Reported from 

 Kingstown, Killarney, and Londonderry in Ireland. 



