180 BRITISH BUTTEEFLIES AND MOTHS 



The expansion of the wings varies from If inch to 

 2 inches. The fore-wings are greyish-brown, with 

 four transverse toothed paler lines, and with two con- 

 spicuous short black streaks from the base, and another 

 below the centre of the wing ; the intensity of the 

 ground-colour varies exceedingly in different specimens. 



The larva is of a dull livid greyish-brown, with the 

 spots shining black ; the second segment is black, as is 

 also the anal segment. It feeds in the spring on the 

 roots of various low plants ; it is seldom seen, as it 

 rarely conies above the surface of the earth. 



The perfect insect appears in June and July, and is 

 found abundantly on palings, walls, trunks of trees, etc., 

 in the daytime, or flying after dusk ; it conies freely to 

 sugar and to light, and is often found in the interior of 

 houses. 



FAMILY V. APAMID^:. 



HELIOPHOSUS POPULARIS. THE 

 FEATHERED GOTHIC. 



(Plate VI., Fig. 6.) 



This fine insect is common in most parts of the south 

 of England, but seems scarcer towards the north ; it 

 has occurred in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh ; it is 

 common in Ireland. 



The expansion of the wings is rather more than 

 14 inch. The fore-wings are of a dark brown, with 

 the veins conspicuously whitish, and a whitish trans- 

 verse line towards the hind margin ; the stigmata form 

 two pale spots near the middle of the wing. 



The males have the antennas beautifully pectinated, 

 whence the name of the " Feathered Gothic." 



