84 CHALK CARPET MOTH. 



in different parts of England, and the time of 

 appearance is always hastened when the weather 

 is warm, and delayed when it is cold. 



The genus Melanippe is a large one, and con- 

 tains some singularly pretty Moths. There is, 

 for example, the Small Argent and Sable 

 {Melamppe tristata), in which the wings are 

 almost entirely hlack, a broad white bar crossing 

 their centres, accompanied by several very narrow 

 white streaks. The caterpillar of this Moth 

 (which is much smaller than the preceding 

 insect) feeds on the bed-straw, and when it is full- 

 fed it descends the stem of the plant on which 

 it has fed, spins a cocoon near the ground, and 

 therein undergoes its changes. 



Another example of this genus is shown on 

 Plate YI. fig. 12. This is the Chalk Carpet 

 (Melanippe procellatd). 



The ground colour of the fore- wings is creamy 

 white, and the bold and conspicuous marks are 

 rich brown, sometimes assuming a mahogany 

 hue. The hind- wings are whitish grey, with a 

 few wavy lines of a darker grey. 



This pretty Moth is one of the summer insects, 

 seldom occurring earlier than May or later than 

 the beginning of August, though exceptional 

 cases will sometimes occur. In some parts of 



