DESCRIPTIVE NOTICES OF CONSPICUOUS SPECIES 235 



FAMILY IV. PYRALID^. 

 PYRALIS COSTALI8. THE GOLD FBINGE. 



(Plate XII., Fig. 1.) 



This pretty species seems restricted in its range to 

 the more southern counties of England, and is not very 

 common. 



The expansion of the wings is about f inch. All the 

 wings are of a rosy-grey, with two slender yellowish 

 transverse lines, which on the costa of the fore-wings 

 expand into triangular yellow blotches ; all the cilia are 

 clear yellow. 



The larva has not hitherto been observed. 



The perfect insect appears in July and August; it 

 may sometimes be observed at rest on palings, and it 

 comes occasionally to light. 



FAMILY IV. 

 PYRALIS FABINALI8. THE MEAL MOTH. 



Very abundant throughout the entire country. 



The expansion of the wings is about an inch. The 

 fore-wings are rather gaily coloured ; at the base is a 

 reddish-grey blotch, then follows a slender, whitish, 

 transverse line, and then the entire central portion of 

 the wing is ochreous, rather crowded with greyish to- 

 wards the inner margin ; beyond the middle is a con- 

 spicuous sinuous whitish transverse line, whiter towards 

 the costa ; beyond this the hind margin is reddish-grey, 

 more conspicuously reddish towards the costa; the 

 hind-wings are pale grey, inclining to whitish towards 

 the hind margin, with two whitish transverse lines. 



The larva is dull whitish, with a reddish-brown head, 



