43 



Fam. III. — Amphydasyd^e. 



The Pale Brindled Beauty {Phigalia pilosaria). This, one of 

 our earliest moths, may be commonly found in February and 

 March sitting on the trunks of trees in the neighbourhood of 

 Carlisle. The female is wingless, and looks more like a beetle 

 than a moth. The pupse are about three quarters of an inch in 

 length, and may be found by digging at the roots of the Oak and 

 the Beech. 



The Oak Beauty {Amphydasis prodromarid). This is another 

 very early species. I have taken them at rest on the large oak 

 trees in Rickerby Park and at Kingmoor ; though they are never 

 very plentiful anywhere. Most of mine came from Newbiggin 

 Woods, and especially from the Wreay side of the Petteril. The 

 pupa is about three-quarters of an inch in length, and of a very 

 dark brown colour, coated over with a dirty-looking mud-like crust. 

 They may be distinguished from other pup« by the presence of 

 two sharp points at only the smaller end. This pupa is often 

 neglected by the collector, because, at first sight, it has the appear- 

 ance of being dead ; but its living state may be at once detected 

 by pressing the pupa between the finger and thumb. I have 

 found them chiefly at the roots of the Oak and the Ash. 



The Peppered Moth {Amphydasis betularid). This is a very 

 common moth here, and it may be often taken while at rest on 

 trees, walls, and gas lamps. The pupa is commonly met with in 

 digging for other pupae during the winter. They are about the 

 same size as those of A. prodromaria ; but are of a very dark 

 brown, with bright cases. The moth is on the wing in April and 

 May, and is a very weak flier, looking as if its wings were heavy 

 with being wet. 



Fam. IV. — BoARMiD^. 



The Dotted Carpet (Cleora glabraria). I have taken great 

 numbers of this generally-rare moth in three localities here. It is 

 in great demand, and collectors will gladly exchange any of the 

 other Geometers for specimens of this species. Newman gives as 

 the only British localities known to him the Lake District of 



