IQO THE MOTHS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



Small Autumnal Carpet [OporaUa (Epirriia) 

 filigrauimaria). 



This is most probably a small moorland form of O. aii- 

 iumiiata^ but it rarely assumes the silvery white typical colora- 

 tion of that species. A male specimen and two examples of the 

 female are depicted on Plate 'j'j. Figs. lo $, ii, and 12 $• 



The caterpillar, which feeds in the spring on bilberry and 

 heather, is green, with yellow lines, a line of darker green 

 between the two central yellow lines along the back ; head, 

 green, inclining to brown above. 



The moth appears in August and early September, and may 

 be found on the moors, resting on rocks, stones, and even on 

 the ground, as well as on the stems of its food plants. 



As a British species it was first recorded by Weaver, who 

 obtained it in the Isle of Arran in 1841 ; but Edleston, writing 

 in 1842, states that he had taken specimens off stone walls near 

 Staley Bridge, in the Manchester district, " every year for the 

 last three years." It appears to be peculiar to the British Isles 

 and is found in suitable localities from North Staffs., through 

 Cheshire, Lanes., Yorks., and northwards over England and 

 Scotland to the Hebrides and the Orkneys. In Ireland it is 

 known to occur in Antrim, Deny, Mayo, Galway, and 

 Limerick. 



The Welsh Wave ( Vamsia camhrica). 



This moth, of which two portraits are given on Plate 78, 

 Figs. 9 6,10 $ , is known also by the English name of " Cambric 

 Wave." It was not ascertained to be an inhabitant of Britain 

 until 1839, when it was figured and described by Curtis from 

 specimens obtained in Cardiganshire in Wales. 



