l68 THE MOTHS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



been recorded from Glamorganshire, and from Rhyl, Flint- 

 shire; in Scotland, Renton states that it is common in Roxburgh 

 gardens ; and it is also noted from Paisley. It has been 

 doubtfully recorded from Ireland. 



The range abroad extends to Amurland. 



Barred Straw (Cidaria pyraliata). 



In certain respects this species (Plate 65, Figs. 3-5) is not 

 unlike that last referred to. The fore wings are yellowish straw- 

 colour, the cross lines are brownish, but the central two are 

 closer together, especially on the inner margin, than they are 

 in associata^ and are straightly oblique from the angle, or elbow, 

 below the front margin ; there is often a line of brownish dots 

 between the second line and the outer margin, and the fringes are 

 brown, not chequered. Occasionally there are darker clouds 

 on the second line, at the angle, and such clouds sometimes 

 appear in the central space. Not infrequently the markings 

 are very faint. Staudinger and others refer this species to 

 dotata^ L., but there seems to be some doubt in the matter. 



The caterpillar feeds, in April and May, on the common 

 cleavers or goose-grass {Galium aparine) of our hedgerows, 

 etc., but it also eats G. mollugo and other kinds of bedstraw. 

 It is to be found low down on the stems. 



The moth may be disturbed from the herbage along hedges 

 and ditches in lanes, and the borders of woods, but it seems 

 most partial to the former. 



The species is generally distributed, and often plentiful, in 

 the southern half of England ; but although widely spread 

 in the northern half, it is only common locally. It occurs in 

 Wales, both North and South ; is common in Roxburghshire 

 and Clydesdale, and is said to be found on the Aberdeenshire 

 coast and in West Ross. In Ireland it is widely distributed, 



