336 THE MOTHS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



respects this species is not unlike some confluent-spot forms of 

 filipendulcB, but it is a more slender-looking insect, and the 

 body is more hairy. Further, the upper basal spot of the fore 

 wings is lengthened almost to the upper spot of the middle 

 pair, and the fifth and sixth spots together form an almost oval 

 mark. Both specimens depicted seem to be referable to var. 

 vicicB, Hiibner. In the typical forms the spots are larger. A 

 yellow form 2ih.Jlava^ Oberthiir, is known on the continent. 



The caterpillar, after Hofmann, is figured on Plate i, 

 Fig. 5. It is said to feed on Astragahis and Coronilla. 



New Forest Burnet {Zygcena meliloti). 



Two examples of this, normally, five-spotted little species are 

 shown on Plate 146, Figs. 4 6j 5 9 5 ^ variety, referable to ab. 

 confusa, Staudinger (spots run together forming streaks some- 

 what as in purpuralis\ is depicted in Plate 148, Fig. i. Occa- 

 sionally a sixth spot is in evidence (ab. sexptmctata, Tutt). 

 A form in which the body has a red belt is known abroad as 

 ab, stentzti, Freyer, and examples having traces of this belt 

 have been recorded from the New Forest, which, it may be 

 added, is the only locality in Britain producing this species. 



The caterpillar is of a dull pale greenish colour, with numerous 

 black speckles ; three whitish lines on the back, the central one 

 greenish tinged and broader than the others, which are 

 interrupted on each ring by a yellow spot ; between the lines is 

 a series of black dots, one on the outer edge of each ring ; 

 hairs, from greenish warts, white and short ; head, black, 

 dotted with white. It feeds on bird's-foot trefoil {Lotus corni- 

 culatus\ and other trefoils and clovers : August to May. 

 Sometimes the caterpillars do not complete growth until they 

 have passed two winters in hibernation. The cocoon, which is 

 yellow or yellowish white, has been found on a grass stem, but 



I 



