DESCRIPTIVE NOTICES OF CONSPICUOUS SPECIES 241 



the white band towards the hind margin of each wing 

 being qnite entire and uninterrupted ; it appears at the 

 same time and frequents similar localities to the pre- 

 ceding. 



FAMILY X. BOTYD^E. 



BOTY8 URTIGATA. THE SMALL MAGPIE 

 MOTH. 



(Plate XII., Fig. 6.) 



This conspicuous and pretty species is very common 

 throughout the country. 



The expansion of the wings is nearly 1 J inch. All 

 the wings are white, with the hind margin black, and 

 a black interrupted band beyond the middle ; the fore- 

 wings have in addition the cost a also black, a large black 

 central spot, and an interrupted black band before the 

 middle ; this latter is only represented on the hind- 

 wings by a single black spot. 



The larva is dull whitish, with a dull green dorsal 

 line, edged on each side with yellowish-white ; the heads 

 and second segment are black ; it feeds on stinging- 

 nettle in September, and when full-fed it crawls away 

 to some hiding-hole to pass the winter, taking refuge 

 under the loose bark of trees, or in hollow stems, where 

 it remains till the spring before it changes to the pupa 

 state. 



The perfect insect appears towards the middle of June 

 and in July, and is common on weedy banks amongst 

 stinging-nettles, flying of its own accord towards dusk, 

 and readily attracting our attention from the striking- 

 contrast of its colours ; occasionally it will enter houses, 

 being attracted by light. 



li 



