46 CURRANT. [1899 



"Spinach Moth."* Cidaria dotata, Linn. 







CiDAKiA DOTATA (from Newman's 'British Moths,' p. 193). 



On July 4th I was favoured by Mr. Eouse Orlebar, of Hinwick 

 Lodge, Wellingborough, with an excellent specimen of the moth, 

 figured above, sometimes known as the " Spinach Moth " (scientifically 

 Cidaria dotata, Linn.), as a sample of an infestation which had attacked 

 his Eed Currant trees to a considerable extent this year. 



The moth is about an inch and three-eighths in the spread of the 

 fore wings, which are of an ochreous yellow ground colour, with 

 transverse lines, all sharply angled, but of various widths and various 

 depths of colour ; the two lowest near the base of the wing point, and 

 slender ; the next line distinct ; the two next slender and indistinct ; 

 the next (that is, the sixth transverse line from the base of the wing) 

 very distinct, with the inner margin shaded off into the colour of the 

 wing, and the outer margin sharply defined and accompanied by a 

 paler line. At the tip of the wing at the front angle is an oblique 

 very short streak dividing the fore (costal) margin from the hinder 

 margin, the latter being the palest. The fringe is pale, and (typically) 

 is described as having eight brown spots ; my specimen had seven 

 spots on the fringe of one fore wing, and six on that of the other. 

 The hind wings, which are very pale and slightly yellower towards the 

 hinder margin, have a pale fringe with four or five dark spots. The 

 head and body are pale yellow. 



The caterpillars are yellowish and, as described by Dr. Ernst 

 Hofmann,t "are rather more than an inch long, bluish green, and 

 smallest at the fore part. Dorsal line darker green, with yellowish 

 segmental divisions. On each side of the dorsal line, whitish, the line 

 containing the spiracles yellow, but often absent. Spiracles ringed 

 with clear brown, not projecting. Beneath grey green, witli a yellowish 

 central line. Head as wide as the first segment, entirely yellow; neck 

 shield not distinguishable; tail flap small yellowish. Warts very 



* The name of Spinach Moth appears somewhat misleading, but as it is an 

 accepted appellation I have given it. Several of this genus of moths are known 

 as "Carpet " Moths, with a word descriptive of some characteristic prefixed. 



t See 'Eaupen der Gross Schmetterlinge Europas,' von Prof. Dr. Ernst 

 Hofmann, vol. (Text) p. 234. Stuttgart, 1893. 



