136 THE MOTHS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



among the foliage of trees and bushes in or around woods. 

 Like others of the genus, it is attracted by light, and is said to 

 visit the sugar patch. Specimens of a second generation some- 

 times appear in August and September, but, I believe, more 

 frequently in the breeding cage than in the open. Although 

 it has been recorded from several of the northern counties 

 from Staffordshire to Cumberland, this is more especially an 

 inhabitant of the south and west of England, and of Wales. 

 In Scotland, it is known to occur singly and rarely in Clydesdale 

 and Arran, and has been found in Perthshire. 



Note. — This species, and the other five here included in 

 Ephyra^ have been referred to Zonosoma^ Lederer, and more 

 recently to Cyclophora^ Stephens. 



Maiden's Blush {Ephyra punctaria). 



In a general way, this moth (Plate 53, Figs. 10-12) is not 

 unlike the last mentioned. Apart, however, from the absence 

 of ringed dots on all the wings, the central line is more 

 prominent. Certain vagaries occur in connection with this 

 line, which is generally reddish, or purplish brown. Occasion- 

 ally, it may be visible on the fore wings, but absent on the hind 

 wings ; or it may change its course about mid-way, and turn 

 inwards to the base of the fore wing. I have a specimen from 

 Surrey in which this line is double the normal width, and dark 

 purplish in colour. Examples of the second generation have 

 brownish clouds on the outer margin (Fig. 12). 



The caterpillar is pale reddish-ochreous or bright green; a 

 black line along the middle of the back, and a brownish one 

 along the sides ; a black horse-shoe mark, edged below with 

 yellow, on the back of rings four to nine. 



It feeds, in June and July, on oak, but may be reared on 

 birch ; also found in September as a second brood. 



