DESCRIPTIVE NOTICES OF CONSPICUOUS SPECIES 179 



second segment. It feeds in June on the stems and 

 roots of various plants, such as burdock, water-betony, 

 thistles, etc. 



The perfect insect appears towards the end of August 

 and in September ; it comes very freely to light, and 

 often attracts attention by tapping at the windows to 

 be let in. 



FAMILY V. APAMID.E. 

 UYDR^CIA NICTITANS. THE GOLDEN EAK. 



(Plate VI., Fig. 5.) 



This pretty species is commonly distributed through- 

 out the country, and extends its northward range far 

 into Scotland ; it is common in Ireland. 



The expansion of the wings is about 1J inch. The 

 fore-wings are reddish-brown, with numerous darker, 

 wavy, transverse lines ; the two stigmata are well 

 marked, generally both of a bright orange, but 

 sometimes the ear-shaped or reniform stigma instead 

 of being orange is white. 



The larva is dull brown, with a shining darker plate 

 on the second segment, and some brown spots along the 

 back ; it feeds on the roots of various grasses in May. 



The perfect insect appears in July and August ; it 

 may often be met with on the wing at dusk, and it comes 

 occasionally to sugar, but very freely to light. 



FAMILY V. APAMID^E. 



XYLOPHASIA POLYODON. THE DARK 

 ABCHES. 



This large Noctua is very abundant throughout the 

 country. 



