SLENDER-STRIPED RUFOUS. 255 



The figures 2, 2a, on Plate 94 are from coloured drawings 

 by Mr. A. Sich. 



It feeds in the autumn on the flowers and seeds of various 

 kinds of goosefoot {Chenopodiiim\ also on Orache {A triplex). 

 The moth is out in July and August, and may be found 

 among its food plants and other low herbage growing in waste 

 places, more particularly those on sandy coasts. Around the 

 borders of market gardens, especially those in the south of 

 London, and in Kent and Surrey, it is often very common. 

 The species probably occurs more or less freely in suitable 

 places almost throughout the British Isles. 



Its range abroad extends to East Siberia. 



Slender-striped Rufous (Phihalapteryx lapidata). 



The rather pointed fore wings are pale brownish, and are 

 crossed by several fine wavy and rather darker lines, and three 

 more distinct, slightly curved hnes, one of which is at the base 

 and two are on the central area. The outer margin of the hind 

 wings, which are pale brown, more or less shaded with dusky, 

 is irregular. (Plate 102, Fig. 6.) 



Caterpillar, whitish-yellow above, inclining to pale buff 

 below ; lines of grey freckles along the back and sides, the 

 lower one broader and darker ; head, grey, freckled with 

 darker. According to Hellins, who reared it from the ^^'g^ it 

 feeds in May and June, on traveller's joy {Clematis vitalba). 

 The natural food is doubtful, but is said to be grass, whilst 

 Kirby states that in the South of France the caterpillar eats 

 evergreen oak. 



The moth is out in September and early October, and is 

 found in Scotland on the hills, in rough grassy and rush-covered 

 spots, at elevations ranging from 300 to 800 feet. In Ireland, it 

 is not uncommon in Antrim, Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Gahvay, 



